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Summary: A blend of Horror and Science Fiction.
Review: Horror/Science Fiction movie inter-acted with Cold War theme as US military personal must destroy a monster from another planet before it destroys mankind. Excellient camera and casting work by Howard Hawks.
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Summary: At Last - The Complete Version !!!
Review: The Thing (From Another World) has always been one of the best of the 50's science fiction films. Now acknowledged as having been directed by Howard Hawks (although he only took a producer credit to help his film editor Christian Nyby), it contains all of the best elements of Hawks' works - the comradarie of the group solving a mutual problem and the strong woman who invades the group and falls for their leader (see Only Angels Have Wings and Rio Bravo, among others). The movie works on several genre levels, including sci fi, haunted house horror, adventure, war picture, etc. There is even a school of thought that the scientific leader was proposing Communistic ideas regarding The Thing that were resisted by the Army fliers, as represented by their patriotic American leader Captain Patrick Hendry (Patrick Henry?).The problem with any VHS video release up until now has been the deletion of approximately seven minutes of the movie, including the famous bondage scene between Kenneth Tobey and Margaret Sheridan. This was quite significant for a movie that only ran 87 minutes originally but also deprived Margaret Sheridan of enough screen time to justify her receiving top billing. The 50th anniversary edition not only restores all the missing footage (available for years on laserdisc only) but only shines in a newly remastered print. For anyone who despairs of today's "Blood and Guts" sci fi and horror films that have been bankrupt of imagination for years, this a return to a time when a small budget and unknown cast didn't necessarily mean a poor picture. Now that my wishes have been granted, I only have one question left. When can we expect the DVD?
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Summary: It Can Still Make You Jump!
Review: Unlike most 1950s sci-fi flicks, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD does not greatly rely upon special effects--and as such it has survived the passing years extremely well. Vaguely based on a popular novella of the time, THE THING tells the story of a group of scientists stationed in the arctic who discover a crashed flying saucer and accidently thaw out one of the most vicious aliens in cinema history. Cut off from the outside world, they must rely on their own wits to survive. Director Howard Hawks moves the film along at a breakneck pace, and the witty dialogue pops and crackles in the hands of a superior cast that includes a particularly interesting performance by Margaret Sheridan. Working from a suggestive rather than a literal point of view, the film presents the creature almost obliquely--and thus makes it much more sinister than any literal interpretation possibly could. Keep the lights on: the Thing can still make you jump!
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Summary: Pretty Good 1951 Sci-Fi
Review: This 50th anniversary edition of 1951's "The Thing From Another World" is of good quality, video-wise, having been re-mastered.
It's a well-told story of the discovery of a craft from outer space, and its vegetable-like occupant, played by James Arness (although you could never tell it's him). Arness' part is very small, in fact, in this picture. He pops up a few times to crash through doorways and create some havoc. But the story revolves mainly around the handful of people who babysit the monster in the frigid Arctic north. I thought the writing of the dialogue was good here, although I did have some trouble discerning some of the words spoken, due to very low voice levels and the constant habit the director/writer had of making these characters talk over the top of one another. Although I'd recommend seeing this movie if you have not, a few things just didn't ring true for me while watching it. .... What with the very first discovery of "A Man From Outer Space", who is running loose right in their midst, evidently bent on destruction, the human characters in the film, for the most part, don't seem the slightest bit worried or concerned. I felt an added layer of fear could have been used here. I don't know about you, but if there was a Man From Mars in my house, I'd be just a tad nervous! But these people act like it's an everyday occurrence! .... Another kind of funny thing happens close to the end of the film. I'd call it a technical error; but I found it hysterical! The humans are awaiting the arrival of "The Thing", to destroy it once and for all, when the beast bursts through the door, which has been nicely barricaded. The only problem is ..... the door opens outward, TOWARD the creature! So the neat little barricade of two-by-fours is completely senseless and useless! The angry alien simply opens the door, then breaks up the wood barrier like matchsticks! (Boy! What a security measure that was!) Still ..... I enjoyed watching this 50-year-old flick, which features some good airplane footage of a specially-outfitted DC-3 with skids for snow landings. And remember ...... WATCH THE SKIES!!
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Summary: The release of this movie in 1951 happened . . .
Review: to coincide with the release of a popular song with the exact same title. I woulda been ten years old. The quality of the song lyrics rose to the same dizzy heights reached by other popular releases of that era. Examples included: The Purple People Eater; My Daddy was a Mummy; and The Man with the Weird Beard (immortalized by Arthur Godfrey.) My tiny mind said to me, "Johnny, the movie's a comedy." My mother warned me but she let me go anyway. Biiiiiiiiig, big mistake. Old Thing-Fella soon had me (scared)--the way he'd cast shadows on the wall and tear people apart, 'n all. And how could any scientist be mad enough to actually propagate those suckers? I was absolutely horrified by those rows and rows of little baby Things pulsating away in their trays, trying hard to get big, just like the Old Man. And then they were all gonna come after ME. I didn't sleep for a month. To this very day I can still see The Thing clumping straight down that hallway toward me from stage-right. That big ol' Thang got fried to a crisp right before my very eyes! I was saved!! (but only just) Wow.
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Summary: Who goes there?
Review: Who are you? A fan of good older sci-fi/horror movies, or someone who needs over the top gore and special effects to feel satisfied. This is probably a good question to ask yourself before deciding to view or purchase either Thing from Another World or John Carpenter's The Thing. The original features snappy and mobile Howard Hawks dialog and style. People talk over each other and finish each other's sentences. It's an approach that brings energy to the talking segments. It has a wonderfully eerie soundtrack and does, I believe, a great job of making the most of a small budget. It uses suggestion, words, shadows to deliver atmosphere. But it is very 50s, with its post WWII fear of science as savior/villain, and the science itself is rather cheesy at times. I also wonder how much cold war paranoia adds to this film. Its budget is low, and there is no blood. But I own it, love it, and watch it often. I also own Carpenter's The Thing. It's got a lot going for it, including an intriguing plot and some memorable dialog. It's also closer to the short story - not that that matters as most of the author's work is likely out of print anyway. (I found a copy in a used bookstore after much hunting.) It does manage a good sense of mystery and worry. But it's also overflows with disgusting special effects. Somewhat stomach churning to the point that the story is flooded and to a certain extent drowned by it. It is definitely a modern movie that will likely please fans who require big budgets and over the top effects and gore - lots of gore. There's another classic difference between these two films. The remake is very heavy, dark and downbeat, with a typical modern antihero - who verges on being a caricature of the typical antihero. It really plays on the paranoia in the short story and does it well. The original also features caricatures - in this case the 50s variety of mad scientists and noble but mischievous military men. The original tends to be more upbeat and positive in its overall view of the world. And the paranoia is more standard for the genre of this period (Us vs. a clearly defined them). Overall, if I had to choose, I'd still take the first movie. If you're a fan of older movies in general this one is a good bet. It's not just good sci-fi of the period, but entertaining. If you need creepy dark horror sci-fi with a lot of gore and goo, try the remake.
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Summary: Not scary at all , out of date Reminded me of Scooby Doo
Review: Ok now look I realize that this movie was made in 1951 . But face it the only reason anyone remembers this old movie is because of John Carpenters Remake in 1982 that was great!And by the way this movie is (nothing)like the short story (Who Goes There) that it is based on. The only reason I saw this movie was to see what the 1951 movie was like. I know that in 1951 they did not have the greatest special FX but that is not all it lacks. The writing and the story in this movie are very basic. At times in the movie I am waiting for SHAGY and SCOOBY DOO to run by with the monster chasing them . Even the way they get rid of the monster is like an episode of Scooby Doo. If you have not seen this movie and you are a fan of the 1982 remake you might get a good laugh out of this at best.
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Summary: NOTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL STORY
Review: For years I wanted to see this Movie I was told it was a classic. I could not be more dissapointed. The Thing fron Another World is based off the short story (Who Goes There ) . The real story is about a shape changing alein not some goofy blood sucking plant zombie. A better title for this movie would be Space Plant Vampires. Now if you want to see the real story check out the 1982 version by John Carpenter. This version remains true to original story and is much more frightening.Be warned the 1982 version is very gory so you better have a strong stomach but it is an excellent movie.
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Summary: The Thing From Another World
Review: This is one of the greatest horror/sci-fi films ever made! When i first saw this movie,i knew it was a cult classic.The monster in the movie is really creepy.It's about 8 feet tall,has razor sharp hands, and drinks blood.I recremend this film to people who love pure outer space terror!
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Summary: Great film! One of my favorites.
Review: I first saw this film with my dad when I was a little girl (45 years ago). He used to tell me how he saw it in the movies when it first came out, and that he and his friend almost jumped out of their skins. I must have seen this film 50 times since them. It is terrific - great script, wonderful ensemble acting, humor, etc. There is one scene that still gives me the creeps even after all these years, and all the repeated viewings - when The Thing is in a block of ice, and the men are taking turns on guard duty. One of the men puts an electric blanket on the block of ice. He is sitting at a table reading and drinking coffee with his back to block of ice. It is very quiet. Then this large shadow moves into his field of vision. He slowly drops the coffee cup and turns around. He panics and begin shooting. You can hear The Thing crying in pain. Even though I know what will happen in this scene, it still gives me goosebumps. Very scarey stuff. There are numeous other scenes which will take too much time to name, but they are just as frightening. See this one - it is one of the best!!
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