The Thing (1982)

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

Bill Lancaster (screenplay)
John W. Campbell Jr. (story)

Release Date:

25 June 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

What you fear most... is among you.

Plot:

Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | American | Helicopter | Norwegian | Alien

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

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
William Zeman	...	Pilot
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Computer (voice) (uncredited)
John Carpenter	...	Norwegian (video footage) (uncredited)
Jed	...	Dog Thing (uncredited)

Directed by
John Carpenter

Writing credits
Bill Lancaster		(screenplay)
John W. Campbell Jr.		(story)

Produced by
Stuart Cohen	....	co-producer
David Foster	....	producer
Larry J. Franco	....	associate producer (as Larry Franco)
Wilbur Stark	....	executive producer
Lawrence Turman	....	producer

Original Music by
Ennio Morricone

Cinematography by
Dean Cundey		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Todd C. Ramsay		(as Todd Ramsay)

Casting by
Anita Dann

Production Design by
John J. Lloyd		(as John L. Lloyd)

Art Direction by
Henry Larrecq

Set Decoration by
John M. Dwyer		(as John Dwyer)

Makeup Department
Lance Anderson	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Rob Bottin	....	special makeup effects creator and designer
Dale Brady	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Dale R. Brady)
Rob Burman	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
David Robert Cellitti	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Don Chandler	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Ken Chase	....	makeup artist (as Kenneth Chase)
Robert Cole	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Bob M. Cole)
Jan Cook	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
James Cummins	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Richard Davison	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Ken Diaz	....	special makeup effects coordinator
Gunnar Ferdinandsen	....	special technician: special makeup effects unit (as Gunnar Ferdinansen)
Frank Foster	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Danny Gill	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Archie L. Gillet	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Tim Gillet	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
John Goodwin	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Erik Jensen	....	line producer: special makeup effects unit
James Kagel	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Jim Kagel)
Jeff Kennemore	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Phyllis Newman	....	makeup artist: Stewart, British Columbia
Derek O'Reilly	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Art Pimentel	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Margaret Prentice	....	special technician: special makeup effects unit (as Margaret Beserra)
Vincent Prentice	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
William Snyder	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Michiko Tagawa	....	crew: special makeup effects unit
Josephine Turner	....	special wigs: special makeup effects unit
Brian Wade	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Brian G. Wade)
Vivienne Walker	....	special wigs: special makeup effects unit
Willie Whitten	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Willy Whitten)
Robert E. Worthington	....	crew: special makeup effects unit (as Bob E. Worthington)
Bill Sturgeon	....	creature effects crew (uncredited)
Stan Winston	....	additional makeup effects (uncredited)

Production Management
Robert Latham Brown	....	production manager
Fitch Cady	....	unit production manager: Stewart, British Columbia

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jeffrey Chernov	....	second assistant director
Larry J. Franco	....	first assistant director (as Larry Franco)
Bruce Humphrey	....	dga trainee
Michael E. Steele	....	second assistant director: Stewart, British Columbia (as Michael Steele)

Art Department
Jim Callan	....	painter (as James Callan)
Michael R. Gannon	....	assistant property master
Richard A. Gonzales	....	swing gang
Mentor Huebner	....	production illustrator: special makeup effects unit
Gary Meyer	....	production illustrator: special makeup effects unit
Graeme Murray	....	set decorator: Stewart, British Columbia
Bob Nohles	....	propmaker foreman
Frank Parker	....	property master: Stewart, British Columbia
Michael G. Ploog	....	production illustrator: special makeup effects unit (as Michael Ploog)
Joseph R. Savko	....	swing gang
Barton M. Susman	....	leadman (as Bart Susman)
Milton Wilson	....	swing gang
John Zemansky	....	property master
Henry Alvarez	....	sculptor (uncredited)
Robert Misetich	....	painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
John K. Adams	....	foley supervisor
Joseph F. Brennan	....	boom man (as Joe Brennan)
Thomas Causey	....	production sound
Jack Gosden	....	loop dialogue editor
Warren Hamilton Jr.	....	sound effects editor
Duane Hensel	....	sound effects assistant
David Katz	....	sound recordist
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recordist
Ernesto Mas	....	assistant sound editor
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Colin C. Mouat	....	supervising sound editor
John Post	....	sound effects assistant
Kendrick Sweet	....	sound editor (as Kendrick P. Sweet)
Bill Varney	....	sound re-recordist
David Lewis Yewdall	....	supervising sound editor
Alan Howarth	....	special sound effects (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Roy Arbogast	....	special effects
Hal Bigger	....	special effects foreman
Michael Clifford	....	special effects: Stewart, British Columbia (as Michael A. Clifford)
David P. Kelsey	....	mechanical animation coordinator: special makeup effects unit (as Dave Kelsey)
William Lee	....	special effects assistant (as William D. Lee)
Hans Metz	....	special effects assistant
Lee Routly	....	special effects: Stewart, British Columbia (as Leroy Routly)
John K. Stirber	....	special effects assistant (as John Stirber)
Andrew Miller	....	special effects (uncredited)
Andrew Miller	....	special mechanical effects (uncredited)
Bruno Van Zeebroeck	....	special effects crew (uncredited)
Gary Zink	....	welder (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jim Aupperle	....	crew: animation effects sequence (as James Aupperle)
James Belohovek	....	crew: animation effects sequence
Randall William Cook	....	dimensional animation effects creator: animation effects sequence
Ernest D. Farino	....	crew: animation effects sequence
James Hagedorn	....	opticals: main title sequence, RGB Optical
Katherine Kean	....	animator: main title sequence, VCE
Peter Kuran	....	visual effects designer: main title sequence, VCE
George Lockwood	....	opticals: main title sequence, RGB Optical
Carl Surges	....	crew: animation effects sequence
Bill Taylor	....	matte photography
Keith Tucker	....	animator: main title sequence, VCE
Susan Turner	....	miniature supervisor: main title sequence, VCE (as Susan K. Turner)
Albert Whitlock	....	special visual effects
Jim Danforth	....	matte artist (uncredited)
Henry Schoessler	....	visual effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Anthony Cecere	....	stunts
Kent Hays	....	stunts
Larry Holt	....	stunts
Melvin Jones	....	stunts
Eric Mansker	....	stunts
Denver Mattson	....	stunts
Clint Rowe	....	stunts
Ken Strain	....	stunts
Rock A. Walker	....	stunts (as Rock Walker)
Dick Warlock	....	stunt coordinator
Jerry Wills	....	stunts
Dick Warlock	....	stunt double: Kurt Russell (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
David R. Anderson	....	gaffer: Stewart, British Columbia (as Dave Anderson)
Jon Antunovich	....	lamp operator
Cyrus Block	....	camera operator: Stewart, British Columbia
Dillard Brinson	....	key grip: Stewart, British Columbia (as John [Dillard] Brinson)
Clyde E. Bryan	....	first assistant cameraman (as Clyde Bryan)
David Geddes	....	second assistant cameraman: Stewart, British Columbia
Dave Gordon	....	dolly grip: Stewart, British Columbia
Chris Helcermanas-Benge	....	stills: Stewart, British Columbia
László Horváth	....	best boy grip
James L. Hurford	....	best boy grip: Stewart, British Columbia
Ray Kinzer	....	grip
Kris Krosskove	....	dolly grip
Terry Marshall	....	lamp operator (as Terry Marshall Jr.)
Thomas Marshall	....	gaffer (as Tom Marshall)
Charles E. Nippell	....	electric best boy
Michael Orefice	....	lamp operator: Stewart, British Columbia
Paul Prince	....	first assistant cameraman: Stewart, British Columbia (as Paul R. Prince)
Douglas Pruss	....	second assistant cameraman: Stewart, British Columbia
Barrett J. Reid	....	generator operator: Stewart, British Columbia
Raymond Stella	....	camera operator
Steve Tate	....	second assistant cameraman
Mark Walthour	....	gaffer
Len Wolfe	....	electric best boy: Stewart, British Columbia
Ronald Woodward	....	key grip (as Ronald T. Woodward)
Frank Detone Jr.	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Michael Hofstein	....	additional camera operator (uncredited)
Douglas Olivares	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ronald I. Caplan	....	costume supervisor
Trish Keating	....	costume supervisor: Stewart, British Columbia
Gilbert Loe	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Kimberly Ray	....	assistant film editor (as Kim Ray)
Jan Wesley	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Craig Harris	....	synthesizer sound
Cliff Kohlweck	....	music editor (as Clif Kohlweck)
John Carpenter	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Dan Anglin	....	transportation captain
Bob Cornell	....	transportation captain
George Lawson	....	driver: special makeup effects unit
Alois Stranan	....	transportation captain: Stewart, British Columbia

Other crew
Candy Artmont	....	script supervisor (as Candy Marcellino)
Yervant Babasin	....	craft service: special makeup effects unit
Ellen Benjamin	....	assistant: John Carpenter
Debbie Collier	....	production secretary: special makeup effects unit
James T. Colovin	....	assistant trainer (as James Colovin)
Rocky Corsini	....	craft service
Rocky Corsini	....	craft service: special makeup effects unit
Shelby Hetherington	....	cook: Stewart, British Columbia
Spencer Hyde	....	craft service: Stewart, British Columbia
Nate Irwin	....	helicopter pilot: Stewart, British Columbia
Karen Kalton	....	production secretary: Stewart, British Columbia
Susan King	....	assistant auditor: Stewart, British Columbia
Robert Knoechel	....	auditor: Stewart, British Columbia
Ron Macinnes	....	production assistant: special makeup effects unit (as Ron MacInnes)
Karen Miller	....	production accountant: special makeup effects unit
Maynard M. Miller	....	technical advisor: Juneau (as Dr. Maynard M. Miller)
Robin Mounsey	....	technical advisor: Stewart, British Columbia
Lawrence Perry	....	helicopter pilot: Stewart, British Columbia
Clint Rowe	....	owner: Norwegian dog (as Clint E. Rowe)
Clint Rowe	....	trainer: Norwegian dog (as Clint E. Rowe)
Peter J. Silbermann	....	publicity coordinator (as Peter Silbermann)
Ken Strain	....	helicopter pilot: Stewart, British Columbia
Tana Tocher	....	cook: Stewart, British Columbia
Linda Von	....	assistant: Stuart Cohen
Robert Weatherwax	....	animal trainer (as Bob Weatherwax)
Christine Wilson	....	script supervisor: Stewart, British Columbia
Craig Miller	....	marketing consultant (uncredited)
Raymond Stella	....	body double for hypodermics (uncredited)

Thanks
Stan Winston	....	special thanks: special makeup effects unit

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures
• Turman-Foster Company

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1982) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1982) (UK) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (France) (theatrical)
• CIC Video (1984) (West Germany) (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1986) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Cinéma International Corporation (CIC) (1996) (Sweden) (VHS)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Universal Studios Home Video (1997) (Canada) (VHS) (widescreen for MCA Home video)
• Nordisk Film (1999) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (Spain) (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD) (Collector's Edition)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (HD DVD)
• AXN (2007) (Japan) (TV)
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2007) (Sweden) (DVD) (HD DVD)
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2008) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Mosfilm (1982) (Soviet Union) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (198?) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (198?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Chapel Distribution (2012) (Australia) (video) (digital)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (DVD)
• Egmont Entertainment (1999) (Finland) (video)
• Esselte Video (1989) (Finland) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Pictures
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1996) (1999) (2005) (2008) (Finland) (TV)
• TV3 (1988) (Finland) (TV)
• Universal Pictures Finland (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2009) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film collection)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2009) (USA) (DVD) (4 film collection)

Special Effects

• Motion Graphics (computer graphics)
• Visual Concept Engineering (VCE) (visual effects design: main title sequence)
• Universal Hartland (uncredited)

Other Companies

• Universal Title  end titles and optical effects
• Pickwick/Maslansky/Koenigsberg Inc.  special publicity
• RGB Optical  opticals: main title sequence
• Province of BC, Ministry of Tourism, Film Promotion Office  with special thanks to (as British Columbia Film Commission Office - Ministry of Tourism)
• People of Stewart, British Columbia  with special thanks to
• Tongass National Forest, Juneau, Alaska  with special thanks to
• American Humane Association, The  the filmmakers wish to acknowledge the assistance and cooperation of: in the handling of animals in this production
• MCA Records  original soundtrack album available on (as MCA Records and Tapes)
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.)
• BT Industrial Supply  expendables (uncredited)

Also Known As:

"John Carpenter's The Thing" - USA (complete title)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Norwegian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

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 (certificate #26699) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1989) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1999) | Finland:K-18 (heavily cut) (1982) | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:18 | Netherlands:16 | Denmark:15 | New Zealand:R16 | West Germany:16 (original rating) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) (2010) | West Germany:Not Rated (SPIO/JK) (1984-2009) | Sweden:11 (blu-ray) | Norway:11 (blu-ray) | Australia:MA (DVD release) | Chile:14 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | India:(Banned) (original rating) | India:A (re-rating) | Japan:R-15 | Hong Kong:IIB (2013)

Filming Locations:

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Donald Pleasence was the original choice for the character of Blair. Pleasence was unable to perform the role due to a scheduling conflict.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Doctor goes to hit Norris with the defibrillator the second time, his hands change position as the camera cuts from one angle to another. As he starts the move the paddles are coming down side-by-side on the man's chest, just like the previous time. The camera cuts to a close up, an effects shot where the chest cavity opens up as a sort of mouth and swallows Dr. Copper's arms. This time the paddles are coming down laterally aligned with Norris' sternum, rather than side by side, as they started.

Quotes:

Childs:You're gonna have to sleep sometime, MacReady.
MacReady:I'm a real light sleeper, Childs.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) (V)

Soundtrack:

DON'T EXPLAIN

Finally getting recognition.

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.