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 #163 | 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 | paranoia | isolation | research station | alien life form | 

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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

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

Clint Eastwood was on the possibles list for MacReady.

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Goofs

The alien Norwegian dog is caged with the American dogs and starts mutating while attacking the other dogs. When the crew check out the ruckus, first seeing the mutated dog, they start their counterattack and the alien jumps up to the ceiling of the cage. While this is happening, in the audio of barking dogs and people shouting, you can hear the sound of a rope or chain pulley in operation to raise the creature up.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Futurama: Bender's Game (2008)

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Soundtracks

SUPERSTITION
Written and Performed by Stevie Wonder
Courtesy of Motown Record Corporation

User Reviews

Why The Thing?

Many people has got a film they think of as their favourite movie. My movie will always be John Carpenter's The Thing! The main reason why this movie is a cult-film is perhaps the splatter-effects created mainly by genius Rob Bottin and that this is the movie that made Kurt Russell what he is today (along with Escape from N.Y.) In my opinion, this is not a great film because of the effects, it has to do with the story, the atmosphere, and of course, the acting. I have watched thousands and thousands of movies (3-6 every day the last 10 years), but none has had the impact on me as this one, not even the great "Das Boot".

Here's my suggestion to you who likes sci-fi and horror movies: Place yourself in the good chair of your home. Be sure you're not interupted by anyone. If you aint got a projector, sit close to your TV and watch this miracle of a film. Let it absorbe you, and you'll see it my way!

Best View Time: Late February between 5 and 9 in the evening.