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    The Thing

    • 19821982
    • RR
    • 1h 49min
    IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    389K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    629
    7
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    The Thing (1982)
    Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.
    Play trailer1:54
    4 Videos
    99+ Photos
    HorrorMysterySci-Fi

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

    IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    389K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    629
    7
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
      • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Wilford Brimley
      • Keith David
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
      • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Wilford Brimley
      • Keith David
    • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.2KUser reviews
    • 366Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Top rated movie #160
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos4

    The Thing
    Trailer 1:54
    The Thing
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    Clip 3:47
    How "Carnival Row" Gets Lovecraft Right
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Clip 4:54
    Through the Lens: Defining Carpenteresque and Why It Belongs in the Dictionary
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36
    Video 29:47
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36

    Photos160

    Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Donald Moffat, and Joel Polis in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell and Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    T.K. Carter, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, and Donald Moffat in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell, T.K. Carter, and Donald Moffat in The Thing (1982)
    The Thing (1982)
    Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)
    Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • MacReadyas MacReady
    Wilford Brimley
    Wilford Brimley
    • Dr. Blairas Dr. Blair
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Childsas Childs
    Richard Masur
    Richard Masur
    • Clarkas Clark
    T.K. Carter
    T.K. Carter
    • Naulsas Nauls
    David Clennon
    David Clennon
    • Palmeras Palmer
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Dr. Copperas Dr. Copper
    Charles Hallahan
    Charles Hallahan
    • Vance Norrisas Vance Norris
    Peter Maloney
    Peter Maloney
    • George Benningsas George Bennings
    Donald Moffat
    Donald Moffat
    • Garryas Garry
    Joel Polis
    Joel Polis
    • Fuchsas Fuchs
    Thomas G. Waites
    Thomas G. Waites
    • Windowsas Windows
    • (as Thomas Waites)
    Norbert Weisser
    Norbert Weisser
    • Norwegianas Norwegian
    Larry Franco
    Larry Franco
    • Norwegian Passenger with Rifleas Norwegian Passenger with Rifle
    Nate Irwin
    • Helicopter Pilotas Helicopter Pilot
    William Zeman
    • Pilotas Pilot
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Computeras Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    John Carpenter
    John Carpenter
    • Norwegian (video footage)as Norwegian (video footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Carpenter
    • Writers
      • Bill Lancaster(screenplay)
      • John W. Campbell Jr.(story)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —grantss
    antarcticaisolationparanoiabody horroralien creature429 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Anytime. Anywhere. Anyone.
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A tradition in British Antarctic research stations to watch The Thing (1982) as part of their Midwinter feast and celebration held every June 21.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 20 mins) Although Fuchs has told them that the alien organism is highly infective, they don't care about sharing the same knife to get their blood samples.
    • Quotes

      [Thing roars and screams]

      MacReady: Yeah, fuck you too!

    • Crazy credits
      The title of the movie is revealed in the same style as in The Thing from Another World (1951). The effect was achieved with a plastic bag placed on a stencil that was melted by a heat source placed below it.
    • Alternate versions
      CBS edited 12 minutes from this film for its 1986 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Edited into Deep Freeze (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Don't Explain
      Music by Billie Holiday (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Arthur Herzog Jr. (uncredited)

      Performed by Billie Holiday

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews1.2K

    Review
    Top review
    A Timeless Look in Paranoia, a Horror Classic
    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
    helpful•391
    63
    • ChadKuhns
    • Aug 5, 2002

    FAQ56

    • At the beginning, the helicopter is trying to shoot the dog as it runs through the snow. Why doesn't the helicopter just hover over the dog instead of flying way past the dog after each pass? Does it have anything to do with the cold air or altitude?
    • Did the dog being hunted by helicopter in the opening sequence belong to the Norwegians or to the Americans? The two bases are 80 kilometers (50 miles) apart. I assumed it was the Norwegians' animal but the main characters in this film don't even discuss whom this sled dog belongs to; they simply take it into their company.
    • What is 'The Thing' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 25, 1982 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Languages
      • English
      • Norwegian
    • Also known as
      • John Carpenter's The Thing
    • Filming locations
      • Juneau, Alaska, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Turman-Foster Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,629,760
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,107,897
      • Jun 27, 1982
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,632,053
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 49min
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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