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The Thing (1982)

R   |    |  Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

The Thing (1982) Poster

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

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57 Metascore

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  • Kurt Russell and Charles Hallahan in The Thing (1982)

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Awards

3 nominations.

Top Rated Movies #161

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
11 July 2005 | Stibbert
9
| Today it's still one of the best horror films
Antarctica, winter 1982. The team on an American research base get surprised by a couple of mad Norwegians who is chasing a dog with a helicopter, trying to kill it. All the Norwegians are killed and the Americans are left with nothing, but a dog, a couple of bodies and questions. That's the beginning of the greatest horror/thriller film I've ever seen.

From the very beginning all to the end you feel the tense, paranoid mood. Helpless and alone out in no-mans land. Ennio Morricone was nominated for a Razzie Award for his score. Why I don't know 'cause as far as I can see his score is simple, creepy and very good. It really gets you in the right mood.

The acting is great! The best performance is probably given by the dog who's just amazing. As for Russell and the others on two legs I can say nothing less.

You may think 1982 and special effects are not the most impressive? Well, think again! You haven't seen it all until you've seen this. Bodyparts falling off and creatures changing forms... Rob Bottin has done a great job witch today stands as a milestone is special effects makeup.

The movie didn't get a big response when it first hit the big screen due to other alien films at the time and so it's not very well known. In fact you can almost consider it an unknown movie. Nobody I've asked have heard of it. However the movie has managed to survive for over twenty years as a cult film on video and DVD. Twenty years is a long time and except for the haircut the movie is still pretty much up to date. This movie is to be considered a classic.

The movie is without doubt one of my, if not my favorite. I've seen it several times, but it's just as good as the first time I saw it. As a Norwegian the only thing I don't like about this movie is that MacReady keeps calling the Norwegians swedes!

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

His role as Childs was the first credited feature film role for Keith David. It launched a very prolific career that continues more than 35 years later.

Quotes

Computer Voice: Your move: bishop to knight four. My move: knight to rook three.
MacReady: Poor baby, you're startin' to lose it, aren't ya?
Computer Voice: Your move: king to rook one. My move: rook to knight six. Checkmate. Checkmate.
MacReady: Cheating bitch.

Goofs

(at around 32 mins) 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.

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 place on a stencil that was melted by a heat source placed below it.

Alternate Versions

The American syndicated televison version features:

  • A voiceover for title card reading "Antarctica, 1982".
  • A voiceover added and film re-cut introducing each character and providing their back stories.

Soundtracks

One Chain Don't Make No Prison
(uncredited)
Performed by The Four Tops
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Details

Release Date:

25 June 1982

Language

English, Norwegian

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,107,897 27 June 1982

Gross USA:

$19,629,760

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,632,053

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