The Thing (1982)

A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

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

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David

Top Rated Movies #164 | 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	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 Franco	...	Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
Nate Irwin	...	Helicopter Pilot

Storyline

A US research station, Antarctica, early-winter 1982. The base is suddenly buzzed by a helicopter from the nearby Norwegian research station. They are trying to kill a dog that has escaped from their base. After the destruction of the Norwegian chopper the members of the US team fly to the Norwegian base, only to discover them all dead or missing. They do find the remains of a strange creature the Norwegians burned. The Americans take it to their base and deduce that it is an alien life form. After a while it is apparent that the alien can take over and assimilate into other life forms, including humans, and can spread like a virus. This means that anyone at the base could be inhabited by The Thing, and tensions escalate.

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Plot Keywords:

antarctica | body horror | paranoia | isolation | research station | 

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Taglines:

Look closely at your neighbour ... Trust no-one ... They might be THE THING [UK video box]

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Norwegian

Release Date:

25 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's The Thing

Filming Locations:

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,107,897, 27 June 1982, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,782,838

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Turman-Foster Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min 127 min (VHS)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song Nauls listens to is "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder, foreshadowing the events to come in the film.

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Goofs

During the blood test scene (before the Palmer reveal), even though there are other chairs available, Childs, Garry, and Palmer are tied up next to each other on the couch. Since the intent was to reveal the Thing without risking anyone uninfected, this move placed at least two of the men at undue risk as being so close to a revealed Thing could have resulted in their immediate infection.

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Quotes

[first lines]
MacReady: Poor baby, you're starting to lose it.

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Alternate Versions

The audio commentary by Kurt Russell is edited on the Blu-ray to remove his comments about Keith David allegedly stealing a car in New York.

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Connections

Referenced in Cash Trapped: Episode #1.7 (2016)

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Soundtracks

ONE CHAIN DON'T MAKE NO PRISON
(uncredited)
Performed by The Four Tops
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Proper story

Not many films these days have a great story which makes the film. This does. It doesn't rely on hot women wearing next to nothing or amazing special effects, just a great story and great directing. It keep you guessing all of the way through as to who is the Thing.