IMDb > The Thing (1982)
The Thing
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The Thing (1982) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4)
The Thing (1982) -- Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.
The Thing (1982) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
John W. Campbell Jr. (story)
Bill Lancaster (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Thing on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 June 1982 (USA) more
Tagline:
Man is The Warmest Place to Hide. more
Plot:
Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(162 articles)
Horror-filled Fundraiser in Burbank this Sunday!
 (From Fangoria. 18 November 2009, 10:05 PM, PST)

Palisades Tartan Video’s Terror Pack Vol. 1 (DVD Review)
 (From Fangoria. 16 November 2009, 3:54 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Finally getting recognition. more (691 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
John Carpenter's The Thing (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (1989) (cut) | Finland:K-16 (1999) (uncut) | Finland:K-18 (1982) (cut) | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) (2004) | Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:18 | Netherlands:16 | Denmark:15 | New Zealand:R16 | UK:15 (re-rating) | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2009) | West Germany:16 (original rating) | West Germany:Not Rated (SPIO/JK) (1984-2009) | Sweden:11 (blu-ray) | Norway:11 (blu-ray) | Australia:MA (DVD release) | Australia:M | France:-12 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:(Banned) (original rating) | South Korea:18 (re-rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At the beginning of the film the Norwegian with the rifle is the second unit director and associate producer as well as Kurt Russell's (then) brother-in-law, Larry J. Franco. According to John Carpenter, on the commentary track, Franco is not speaking Norwegian but making up the dialog. "Schmergsdorf" as Carpenter puts it. The subtitles, however, give the impression he is speaking Norwegian. The words spoken are actually understandable for Norwegians. Albeit broken Norwegian, the line goes: "Se til helvete og kom dere vekk. Det er ikke en bikkje, det er en slags ting! Det imiterer en bikkje, det er ikke virkelig! KOM DERE VEKK IDIOTER!!" This translates to: "Get the hell outta there. That's not a dog, it's some sort of thing! It's imitating a dog, it isn't real! GET AWAY YOU IDIOTS!!" more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the opening sequence where "The Thing" is being burnt onto the screen, a rod is visible in the "T" of "the", which is being used to burn the garbage bag used in the special effect. more
Quotes:
MacReady: Now I'm gonna show you what I already know. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Day After Tomorrow (2004) more
Soundtrack:
ONE CHAIN DON'T MAKE NO PRISON more

FAQ

Why did the spaceship crash in Antartica?
Why did Garry kill the Norwegian instead of just wounding him?
Does the Thing completely take over life forms or hide within them?
more
142 out of 173 people found the following comment useful.
Finally getting recognition., 29 September 2001
10/10
Author: Gordon McSephney (mcseph@eisa.net.au) from Melbourne, Australia

I am ashamed to say it, but I have to admit, the first time I saw this film was only about a year ago. After seeing it, I immediately rushed out and bought the DVD collectors' edition and have watched it many times since.

The film is terrific on many levels. It works as your straight monster or action type film, as a horror/sci-fi and also as a very intriguing look into the human psyche. The incredible sense of paranoia, mistrust and fear, lent not only by Carpenter's direction (which is stunning) but also by the incredible acting of the cast in general. Kurt Russell (obviously) is spectacularly understated in the lead role of MacReady, and, as a direct result he "feels" like a real person, rather than a hollywood "all american hero". The other cast members all carry off their roles with style, and the net result is an intensely believable atmosphere, and a truly fantastic film.

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