Oh The Horror! - The Thing From Another World (1951)

[Cupcakejack]

This is George A. Romero's favorite sci-fi movie and all aroung movie as well.

[Johnlindsey289]

This movie was a poor adaptation of John Campbell's novel "Who Goes There" as didn't HAVE the shapeshifter from the book just a dumbed down bloodsucking Frankenstein carrot because they didn't have the technology or the time to do the monster justice and not to mention characters that weren't even from the novel. John Carpenter's film remains the quintessential faithful adaptation of Who Goes There as it had the characters and creature right.

[Numinous20111]

The overlapping dialogue in the film is a typical Hawks trademark. Also the famale lead is a typical no-nonsence woman, which is another Hawks trademark.

It still works even almost 55 years later. 

[masticina]

Mmm it is not a bad movie yes it is 1951 but yeah it is good.

Like it now I still will call the 82 version "The thing" that is just my preference. But hey for a 51 movie very well done. Not to mention the Black and White film quality is just great.

[DCnightcrawler]

This original version was scarier because of its use of shadows and suspense. You almost never see the creature and when you do it is James Arness in a carrot costume with claws, but it doesn't matter when your mind is stimulated and the imagination kicks in. The blood and gore of the newer versions just spoils it for me.

[Johnlindsey289]

@DCnightcrawler

Have you read Who Goes There by John campbell? the novel that inspired the film, a very loose adaptation this is. 1982's movie remains the TRUE adaptation of the book.

[DCnightcrawler]

@Johnlindsey289 Yes, and you are correct. I actually think the original movie stands better alone as its own story. The '82 version was more faithful to the book but just was not as frightening to me. I am very "old-school" and favor the use of darkness and shadows because of the way it stimulates the imagination. When a movie can be frightening with a carrot monster they have achieved a good thing.

[Johnlindsey289]

@DCnightcrawler

Did you know John Carpenter is a huge fan of this movie since he was 4 when he saw it in a re-issue in theaters and he loves Howard Hawks works? it's one of his fave movies and was even shown in Halloween since he is passionate about it and that he read the novel in college as he found it different than his fave sci-fi movie. You glad his version was a homage to a film he grew up with yet remaining more faithful to the book? good film on it's own though this one is.

[MegaSlashProductions]

The movie is coming this october

[blw00d]

Did I see right or will there be another 2012 remake of The Thing?

[snake2006]

I have seen this and god does it suck. It is so lame, my dad who saw it as a teenager claims it was scary, I think this movie is complete crap.

The damn thing looks like a carrot. I am glad it got redone to the awesome 82 film. That is what the story should have been.

[armedSS45]

@snake2006 dude ur a fag this a classic.yah it was scary back then so its not made to scare you but its made to scare the older generations

[snake2006]

@armedSS45

If you or anyone got scared of that movie, then they really were pussies back in 1951.

Want to see scary, then look at John Carpenter's remake The Thing. That was scary and still is.

Way better than the stupid ass movie with a carrot.

[armedSS45]

@snake2006 i didn't but it was one of the first scifi movies and ya they were .the remake is good but u cant beat a classic.and a carrot?it was a intellectual carrot

[godzilla2030]

@snake2006 yeah, a carrot that can rip you limb from limb!

[jetsilveravenger]

i really do enjoy this version because of the stuff you mentioned - for a film from the early fifties it has some very progressive themes. also, i find it interesting that while people say it's part of the wave of films that represented the Red Scare paranoia in the U.S. at the time what with the whole idea of the "enemy within", the people in this movie actually band together and totally trust each other while the whole "who can you trust" issue is really much more prevalent in the 1982 remake.

[EnduranceProductions]

Believe it or not sir, I have never watched the original, but after your review I remembered that I have it in one of those 50-horror flick packs. I will have to pop it in and check it out. good choice, I have been looking for something different! rock on!

[M0VYGURU]

good review Ry! I need to check this out some time. 5/5 buddy.

[MovieC0llect0r]

cool review!

keep up 4 more!

[MasterJim87]

Awesome film :D Great Review mate :D

[schoolsupplies]

i see you are getting some new sponsors. Great job Ryho!

[orc145626]

i have not seen this classic only the remake good review though