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

Videos (see all 3)
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) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% 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:
(163 articles)
TV Special Celebrates the Music of Morricone
 (From FEARnet. 2 December 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)

Horror-filled Fundraiser in Burbank this Sunday!
 (From Fangoria. 18 November 2009, 10:05 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Today it's still one of the best horror films more (691 total)

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:
Color:
Color (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) | Norway:11 (blu-ray) | Sweden: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:
To give the illusion of icy Antarctic conditions, interior sets on the Los Angeles sound stages were refrigerated down to 40 F while it was well over 100 F outside. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: As the camera pans through the empty camp, after Bennings calls Nauls on the intercom, it casts a shadow next to the blood storage. more
Quotes:
Garry: This is pure nonsense. It doesn't prove a thing.
MacReady: I thought you'd feel that way, Garry. You were the only one who could've gotten to that blood. We'll do you last.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Remake (2006) more
Soundtrack:
SUPERSTITION more

FAQ

Why did the spaceship crash?
Who is infected at the end?
When was Norris assimilated?
more
93 out of 105 people found the following comment useful.
Today it's still one of the best horror films, 11 July 2005
9/10
Author: Stibbert from Norway

Antarctica, winter 1982. The team on an American research base get surprised by a couple of mad Norwegians who is chasing a dog with a helicopter, trying to kill it. All the Norwegians are killed and the Americans are left with nothing, but a dog, a couple of bodies and questions. That's the beginning of the greatest horror/thriller film I've ever seen.

From the very beginning all to the end you feel the tense, paranoid mood. Helpless and alone out in no-mans land. Ennio Morricone was nominated for a Razzie Award for his score. Why I don't know 'cause as far as I can see his score is simple, creepy and very good. It really gets you in the right mood.

The acting is great! The best performance is probably given by the dog who's just amazing. As for Russell and the others on two legs I can say nothing less.

You may think 1982 and special effects are not the most impressive? Well, think again! You haven't seen it all until you've seen this. Bodyparts falling off and creatures changing forms... Rob Bottin has done a great job witch today stands as a milestone is special effects makeup.

The movie didn't get a big response when it first hit the big screen due to other alien films at the time and so it's not very well known. In fact you can almost consider it an unknown movie. Nobody I've asked have heard of it. However the movie has managed to survive for over twenty years as a cult film on video and DVD. Twenty years is a long time and except for the haircut the movie is still pretty much up to date. This movie is to be considered a classic.

The movie is without doubt one of my, if not my favorite. I've seen it several times, but it's just as good as the first time I saw it. As a Norwegian the only thing I don't like about this movie is that MacReady keeps calling the Norwegians swedes!

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