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The Thing (1982)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
25 June 1982 (USA) moreTagline:
Man is The Warmest Place to Hide. morePlot:
Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
3 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(123 articles)
Weekly Ketchup: Conan Gets a New Austrian Bodybuilder (From Rotten Tomatoes. 19 June 2009, 7:12 AM, PDT)
Moon (Film Review)
(From Fangoria. 18 June 2009, 11:35 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Timeless Look in Paranoia, a Horror Classic moreUS TV Schedule:
| Sun. July 5 | 1:00 PM | MAX | |||
| Thur. July 16 | 8:00 PM | MAX |
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Kurt Russell | ... | R.J. MacReady | |
| Wilford Brimley | ... | Dr. Blair (as A. Wilford Brimley) | |
| T.K. Carter | ... | Nauls | |
| David Clennon | ... | Palmer | |
| Keith David | ... | Childs | |
| Richard Dysart | ... | Dr. Copper | |
| Charles Hallahan | ... | Vance Norris | |
| Peter Maloney | ... | George Bennings | |
| Richard Masur | ... | Clark | |
| Donald Moffat | ... | Garry | |
| Joel Polis | ... | Fuchs | |
| Thomas G. Waites | ... | Windows (as Thomas Waites) | |
| Norbert Weisser | ... | Norwegian | |
| Larry J. Franco | ... | Norwegian Passenger with Rifle (as Larry Franco) | |
| Nate Irwin | ... | Helicopter Pilot |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
109 minCountry:
USAColour:
Colour (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 moreCertification:
Germany:18 (SPIO/JK) | Finland:K-16 (1999) (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (1989) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (1982) (cut) | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) (2004) | Germany:16 (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:18 | Netherlands:16 | Denmark:15 | New Zealand:R16 | UK:15 (re-rating) | Australia:R | 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 | Germany:BPjM RestrictedFun Stuff
Trivia:
The female voice on MacReady's computer was performed (uncredited) by the wife of director John Carpenter, actress Adrienne Barbeau. moreGoofs:
Crew or equipment visible: As the men come down the stairs into the generator room, Nauls and Garry head down a second flight of stairs as Mac holds up a flare. The shadow of a crew member is clearly visible on the floor holding a boom mic. The shadow even moves as the men walk away from the camera. moreQuotes:
MacReady: [talking into tape recorder] Nobody... nobody trusts anybody now, and we're all very tired... there's nothing more I can do, just wait... RJ MacReady, helicopter pilot, US outpost #31.[turns off recorder]
more
Soundtrack:
DON'T EXPLAIN moreFAQ
Why did the other men extinguish the flames so quickly after Childs had torched the thing,in the scene when it first reveals itself in the dog-kennel?Why didn't the Dog-Thing assimilate Clark?
What was the American team doing in Antarctica?
more
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Just to put things in perspective for you before I get into my thoughts on this film, I am only 20 years old and have grown up in the era of CGI, blue screen effects...and this movie was made around the same time i was born.
With that said, WOW, I only recently saw John Carpenter's version of 'The Thing', and what a masterpiece it truly is. I have long since been a fan of John Carpenter, in particular his works from the late 70's and 80's. In 'The Thing' John Carpenter has truly crafted a paranoia inducing, perhaps gut wrenching classic.
The movie is an update of the classic 'The Thing From Outer Space', but only like it's predecessor, this film is in full color, and the characters of this film have much more to worry about than an alien veggie
The film centers around a group of Arctic Researchers you encounter an alien lifeform capable of taking the form of anything it comes into contact with, and out of for that matter. Kurt Russell stars as R.J. MacReady, an alcoholic Vietnam Vet, thrust into the role of leader of a group of relatively cold and callous men all of whom are readily plunging into manic paranoia and somewhat madness once they realize that they are up against a creature that can take any form, be any one of them.
John Carpenter, more than in any other of his films, manages to create a truly believable and incredible atmosphere. When watching this film you truly get the sense of the dark,sinister, desolate surroundings, you feel and realize that these characters have no where to go...never for one second do you not believe they are stuck on a polar ice cap. Also, this film has perhaps one of the greatest endings to any film of it's genre, or any genre for that matter. I'm not going to give it away here, but to say that it will leave you wondering would be an understatement.
Kurt Russell is superb as MacReady....truly conveying the emotions of a man thrust into a situation of unimaginable horror, forced to lead a group of men who cannot trust that the man next to them is not the creature that has driven them to the brink of paranoia and emotional meltdown.
I don't care if this movie is 20 years old by now, the special effects in this movie are gut wrenching, mind blowing, and absolutely awesome. They blow away any CGI pixel based crap out there today. The 'Thing' itself is a truly horrifying and disturbing creation...unlike any alien you have ever seen in a movie before. Those who have a low tolerance for gore and blood had best prepare themselves for watching this movie.
This movie does what any good horror/sci fi movie should do, it really thrusts you into it's character's world. It leaves you wondering, what would you do, who could you trust if anyone you knew could be the creature waiting to feed on you, and take you over as well. The images, and ideals of this movie stayed with me long after i first saw it, and today as i write this review send a chill up my spine.
It is a true shame this movie is only now getting the proper recognition it deserves. A box office flop when released, now more then ever when movies are paper thin with plot, and one dimensional in effects, this film can be appreciated as a true masterpiece of sci/fi and horror.
If possible, get the Collector's Edition DVD, and enjoy it in anamorphic widescreen..the way it is truly meant to be seen. Marvel at the incredible scenery, the taught direction, the excellent atmosphere, the sweat inducing, gag reflex activating, and everything else that makes this movie great.
Watch it with the lights out, with a group of close friends...maybe even with a dog around...if you don't what i'm talking about...you will afterwards.
Don't let a classic pass you bye