Stars: Kurt Russell, T.K. Carter, Richard Dysart, Richard Masur

Director: John Carpenter

Summary: At a research station in Antarctica a team of scientists find an alien being that has fallen from the sky and been buried in the ice for 100,000 years. Soon they discover that the alien is able to possess its victims. Based on the original 1951 film directed by Christian Nyby.

Based on both the short story by John W. Campbell, Jr. and the 1951 film produced by Howard Hawks, THE THING is John Carpenter's stunning masterpiece of horror. A group of weary scientists enduring the winter in an isolated camp deep in Antarctica chance upon an alien spacecraft buried in the ice. Near the strange craft is the body of an alien being, frozen solid. Thinking they have made the find of a lifetime, the scientists bring the alien body back to camp and thaw it out. The alien awakens, not in the best of moods, and proceeds to take over the identities of the scientists, one by one, body and all. Helicopter pilot MacCready (Kurt Russell) must lead the surviving men in discovering who among them is human and who is not and how they can destroy "the thing" before it takes them all and moves on to the heavily populated mainland and the rest of humanity. Rob Bottin supplies the awe-inspiring special effects of the creature in its many, ever-changing forms. The effects were groundbreaking at the time and hold up flawlessly over the passing years. But Carpenter does not rely solely on special effects, utilizing his spectacular cast, which includes Wilford Brimley and Richard Dysart, to create three dimensional characters enduring an unthinkable situation. The score from Ennio Morricone is understated, yet increases the tense mood tenfold. Shooting was difficult and done in below freezing conditions, but despite the discomfort the cast and crew produced a truly terrifying film that will stand the test of time. THE THING is surely one of Carpenter's definitive films and a true horror classic.

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Reviewed by: philreyn
Posted on October 4, 2005 9:22 AM

Superb remake of the original 1950's hit. This was John Carpenter at his best in the early 80's. Kurt Russell takes the lead in a cast that does not include a single women! ? Once the action starts, the movie runs at a fair pace, with excellent special effects and action scenes. It perfectly maintains the tension and atmosphere of the first movie. If your like me and enjoyed the American Sci Fi films of the 50's, this film is a must have. Though it would be nice to see both versions (old & new) in the same box.

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Aspect Ratio:	2.35 Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Making of, Feature commentary with director, Production background, Cast production photos, Production art, Storyboards, Location design, Production archives, Outtakes, Production and post production notes, Theatrical trailer
Subtitles:	Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish
Year:	1982
Release Date:	October 6, 2008
Runtime:	104 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	8204903
Keywords:	John, General, Wide, Screen, Thing, Horror, Occult, Sci, Fi, Carpenter's
Genre:	Horror/Occult