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The Thing From Another World [1951]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

With its modest special effects, lean plot, and small cast of lesser stars, this 1951 thriller remains a sturdy blueprint for fusing horror and science fiction. The formula has been employed countless times since, fleshed out with more extensive and elaborate production values, and manned by higher profiled marquee names, but the results have yet to improve on The Thing from Another World, Howard Hawks's lone foray into sci-fi. The story begins as military airmen are dispatched to a remote Arctic research station where scientists have detected the crash of a spacecraft. An effort to retrieve the saucer-shaped vehicle fails, but the team returns to the station with the frozen body of its sole occupant. When the extraterrestrial pilot is accidentally thawed, the crew, headed by a tough-talking pilot (Kenneth Tobey), grapples with a massive, chlorophyll-based humanoid (James Arness) thirsty for blood and in no mood for galactic diplomacy.

Hawks takes only a production credit for this low-budget exercise, but his filmmaking style transcends Christian Nyby's nominal direction: rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue, an ensemble of comrades whose professionalism is tempered by wisecracks, and unsentimental female characters (embodied by feisty romantic interest Margaret Sheridan) recall Hawks's signature works, while propelling the plot over any potential gaps in credibility. It's hardly surprising, then, that The Thing from Another World remains among the most influential science fiction movies ever shot, or that it remains exciting entertainment a half century later. --Sam Sutherland


The Thing
Review date: 2008-06-13 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is a classic movie and Shows Hawks great style but if you've ever read John W Campbell Jr's Book Who goes there?

You'll realise that John Capenters version is more accurate than Hawks version (the book outlines that the creature shape shifts and there is the suspence of not knowing who is or isn't the alien life form).

I love them both but john capenters version for me is up there with Alien as a classic.

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Reviews


Possibly my all-time favourite movie....
Review date: 2008-06-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

It's a toss-up between this utter classic from 1951 and creature-feature 'Them!' for my fave film ever...

This is just a scene-perfect example of classic 50's Sci-Fi. Cold War paranoia manefested as a creature from outer space, hidden sub-texts, morality messages, it's all there. Added to that, possibly the best and most engaging atmosphere ever created on film.

The entire cast do a stellar job, the dialogue is snappy and delivered in Hawks trademark 'overlapping' style, the character interplay and development is completely compelling, the tension ratchets up very nicely and the pace of the film is nigh-on perfect...

This is the ultimate late night/rainy afternoon popcorn movie. A work of sheer genius and deserves to be regarded as a timeless classic of ANY genre.

If that wasn't enough, you THREE versions of the movie on the DVD and the restored & remastered print is an absolute joy to behold...

I've watched this movie dozens of times and never tire of it. A perfect 10...

An ok sci-fi movie for the 50's
Review date: 2007-11-19 Rating: 6 out of 10

I general like watching black and white movies regardless of genre. However having read John W Campbells short story Who Goes There several times this movie has little to do with it. Carpenters version of The Thing stuck more closly to the book. But if you can forget about book and the 80's movie then enjoy it for what it is an ok B movie.

Watch the Skies!
Review date: 2007-11-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

Unforgettable film. Watch the skies. Always watch the skies. I'd seen it before of course and would only have lowered my rating if there was a problem with quality. Love the acting. Great bunch. Perfect 1950s movie character regular guys; except for the Nobel Prize winning scientist and the monster from outer space. The action isn't as continuous and intense as some movies today. This is 1950s vintage. It does not make you numb. But for the modern crowd, let me put it this way. The actors are definitely so good that they're not all the same and even tempo does not equal monotony. The acting still carries me through and it can even feel like it's over a bit too soon. A viewer as young as I was when I first saw it will likely feel all the same things we did in the olden days.

John Carpenter's commentary is on disk ONE, black & white version; start it by selecting set-up. Odd, but true.

This 2 disc set does not come with tons of extras. As other reviewers have already pointed out, old b&w and colorized (disk 1) and cleaned up b&w (disk 2).


"Keep watching the skies!"
Review date: 2007-09-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

Based on the novel 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell Jr, 'The Thing From Another World' drops us right into the action when a team of scientists based at the North Pole register a strange explosion and come to the conclusion that something has crashed nearby. Captain Hendry and a small team are sent to investigate. What they find has far reaching consequences, not only for the small isolated base, but also for the rest of the world ....

Despite its age, 'The Thing From Another World' is a masterpiece of film-making and truly stands the test of time, which not many movies of its era can boast. The actors all seem very comfortable in their roles, treating the whole thing seriously and reacting with each other and the set as though this were their normal working environment. Worth particular mention is the dialogue, which is crisp and intelligent, often with several characters talking at once. To the director's credit, this isn't confusing, but simply adds to the easy pace and the authentic air. Also, watch out for the scene in which the scientists pace out the shape of the crashed aircraft. As they spread out across the ice, the music swells to a crescendo of strident horns and the shape of the aircraft is revealed. It's round!!

Whenever I watch 'The Thing From Another World', I always find myself keeping an eye on the doors! Characters are constantly coming in or going out through them, opening and closing them, standing and chatting by them - all of this lulling the viewer into a false sense of security. Until the greenhouse door is opened and the creature is standing right behind it! Sheer genius!

'The Thing From Another World' is one of my top ten movies, and quite rightly so. It is a well-made, classic example of a genre favourite, and stands head and shoulders above other movies of the same era. I have no hesitation in recommending that you give it a viewing! Who knows, it may end up in your top ten also!


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Margaret Sheridan
Douglas Spencer
Kenneth Tobey
James R. Young
Robert Cornthwaite

Creators:
Margaret Sheridan (Primary Contributor)
Kenneth Tobey (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582442960
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-03-19
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 83 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1951-10-26
Language: English (Original Language)

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