The Thing (1982)

Directed by John Carpenter

Produced by David Foster & Lawrence Turman

Starring Kurt Russell, A. Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat, Joel Polis, Thomas G. Waites

The Thing (1982)

Although harbouring a soft spot for Christian Nyby's 1951 original, John Carpenter's revisionist reworking of John W. Campbell's "Who Goes There?" short story goes down in film history as being one of THE greatest horror films of the eighties. Sadly, it also marks the last great cinematic outing for the man that could have gone on to become the greatest "horror director" of his generation. After "Assault On Precinct 13" (1976), "Halloween" (1978), "The Fog" (1979), and "Escape From New York" (1981), Carpenter's genre output peaked with this film, then began a downward slide into a myriad of low budget features that has continued to this day. Had "The Thing" been the box office bonanza Universal were anticipating when originally released on June 25th, 1982, one can but only wonder where Carpenter's career would have lead today. Instead, Carpenter's bleak exercise in turgid paranoia was overshadowed by another extraterrestrial "menace" who reared his head under the Universal banner the week before (June 18). That film was Steven Spielberg's "ET, The Extraterrestrial", and the public's response to a "friendly" alien visitor effectively killed Rob Bottin's stunning otherworldly creations dead in the water before they had seen the light of a projector. Justice prevailed though as, years later, the cult of "The Thing" began to grow, infecting genre fans worldwide like its titular creature. Now it's time for another look at the DVD no self-respecting film buff should be without.

Keeping it extremely concise, in the Winter of 1982, a twelve man research team at a remote Antarctic research station at set upon by the seemingly crazed remnants of a neighbouring Norwegian station. The men, comprised of MacReady (Russell), Blair (Brimley), Nauls (Carter), Palmer (Clennon), Childs (David), Copper (Dysart), Norris (Hallahan), Bennings (Maloney), Clark (Masur), Garry (Moffat), Fuchs (Polis) and Windows (Waites) are jarred out of their isolation by the unheralded intrusion. Gathering together a reconnaissance team, MacReady investigates the now desolate Norwegian camp to ascertain the source of their madness. Once inside the compound the men uncover evidence of the unearthly discovery of a 100, 000 year old alien life-form, apparently the catalyst amidst the ruins of the foreign camp. A stray canine insinuates its way inside the American compound, with frightening result. The animal is host to the life-form, a xenomorph with the ability to imitate any living being it comes into contact with. Fear surges to paranoia as the creature begins to infiltrate the men of the base, instigating mass hysteria as the team swiftly realise that no-one may be who they appear to be.

You know, not long ago a representative from one of UIP's Australian offices said to me that had Universal not opened Carpenter's "The Thing" a week after "ET", and instead shelved its release until early 1983, then it would have been a massive hit. I can't help agreeing whole-heartedly with his wistful lament. Even now, Carpenter's film is a masterpiece of subversive horror and creeping paranoia that precious few of its successors have hoped to hold a candle to. Bill Lancaster reworked Campbell's short story into an experience that is pure relentless nightmare given tangible form under Carpenter's spell-binding direction. The horrifyingly bleak isolation of the Antarctic outpost adds immeasurably to the nihilism of the protagonists' plight, as all parties are surrounded by pessimistic, lonely deaths where-ever they turn. Within the walls of the complex they face absorption by a faceless menace, where amidst the icy wastelands that dwarf them they face the bitter ravages of nature. Therein lies a premise that couldn't be any bleaker if it tried. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. It's a morbid no-win futility.

Having once been a family favourite for the Disney studios in the likes of "The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes" (1969) and "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" (1972), Kurt Russell had attempted to break the stigma associated with being a former child-actor with the tele-movie "The Deadly Tower" (1975), based on the rampage of notorious Texan gunman Charles Whitman. However, it wasn't truly until his lead as Snake Plissken in Carpenter's "Escape From New York" (1981) that he finally made the transition, leaving his Disney days behind him. In "The Thing" he is the apex atop a cast of proven veterans, allowing the film the closest interpretation of a 'hero' that its narrative will permit. Wilford Brimley's Blair gives the film its catalyst for the burgeoning paranoia that spreads faster than the alien shape-shifter can spread its tendrils to the remaining crew, ultimately becoming the focal point of the ensuing landscape of terror. While Donald Moffat's (who some of us still remember from TV's "Logan's Run") Garry remains the steadfast voice of reason and authority amidst a micro-community teetering on a spiralling descent into lawlessness and insanity.

Cinematographer Dean Cundey, who later drew awards nominations from both the Academy and the American Society of Cinematographers for his work on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988) and "Apollo 13" (1995), creates a cinematic style that intensifies the mood of Carpenter's already tension-rich piece. Having already worked with Carpenter on "Halloween" (1978), "The Fog" (1979) and "Escape From New York", Cundey was already familiar with the director's visual sense. The widescreen Panavision frame has seldom been utilised to such dramatic effect in the genre as it was here (unless you want to throw all the way back to Robert Wise's "The Haunting"). Finally granted the opportunity to work with his favourite film composer, Ennio Morricone (who needs no introduction here), Carpenter elected to drop much of his score, a combination of orchestral and electronic themes, in favour of a central motif that is ironically reminiscent of the director's own earlier electronic film scores. Although Morricone has been less than tactful in regard to this incident over the years, it is a testament to his talent that a singular signature theme creates the level of tension, and sense of dread, that it does. That only leaves the enthusiastic make-up effects work of (then) 22 year old Rob Bottin to mention. Only one word can do them justice. Perfect. Bottin's creations are as nightmarishly disturbing now, as they were when they were first unveiled in 1982. In fact, this poor reviewer finds them SO disturbing that any instance the film is dragged out for house guests swiftly turns into an unsettling, squirm-inducing experience. I try to give it as wide a berth as I can help…

Okay, much has been made of "The Thing's" inadequate disc transfer, but this is (my version of) the honest truth of the matter. Although letterboxed at the correct aspect ratio of 2.35 (the original theatrical anamorphic Panavision format), the image loses out slightly by not having had a new anamorphic transfer prepared for its DVD release. This will be the kicker if you either have a widescreen TV or a projection system as your preferred viewing option, as the loss in definition is noticeable on larger screens. For those of us under an 80cm screen (it used to be cars, now it's big-screen TVs!), I think you might all be quite pleased with Universal's disc. Although prepared from the same master as the previous laserdisc, the image is markedly improved upon from that edition. Colours, black levels and contrasts are all superior to the LD version, and a million miles better than the P&S cassettes out there. There is quite a noticeable amount of aliasing present in the transfer, but those used to video imaging probably won't even notice (as video is a format notorious for its inability to cope with a mass of close-knit lines). Until a 16:9 version is manufactured for the DVD market, this is the best we're going to see Carpenter's film. It's really not as bad as many (of the anally retentive) may lead you to believe. Honest opinion? It's pretty damn good for what it is, and a marked improvement over the laserdisc and VHS versions available. The improved clarity just helps this film do my head in even more than usual, truth be known!

Audio is present in about half a dozen different languages and four differing formats, but hey…I only listened to the English Dolby 5.1 track. For what it's worth, it's a competent and effective up mix from the original theatrical 4 channel Dolby stereo source. Ennio Morricone's score (well, as much of it as Carpenter bothered using) sounds lusciously creepy and ambience abounds. The Thing itself also now sounds nightmarish. Did I mention how much this film gets in and plays havoc with my psyche? Hearing it sound like this doesn't help, so I guess that's a recommendation of the highest kind. Brrrrrrr, get me outta here!

Oh the Extras, oh my lord! Before I get to the star of the show (as if the movie wasn't enough!), first off the bat is the Audio commentary by Carpenter & Kurt Russell. You wanna hear a great audio commentary? Listen to this one! They sound like a pair of great mates reminiscing over a couple of beers about the good old days. There are some great, and highly amusing, stories to be found here. One can only imagine what they're like over a weekend barbecue! The BIG bonus for the fans though, is the "Terror Takes Shape" documentary that clocks up a staggering 81 minutes! This alone takes the cake as one of the best genre docos yet produced, as virtually all of the surviving cast & crew are collected together for one the greatest trips down memory lane DVD has afforded us. It's a brilliant piece, and Rob Bottin is a really funny guy (as I always thought he would be!). And then there's everything else…

We're given (deep breath) the Theatrical trailer, Outtakes from the film (both film & still image materials with text), extensive Cast Production photos, Storyboards and Conceptual Art, Location design, Production Archives, Production Background Archives, Production notes, Post production materials and Cast & Filmmakers notes (actually just Carpenter & Russell). Overall it's a package that more than qualifies for the Collector's Edition label Columbia/Universal have tagged the disc with, less than perfect (but acceptable) feature image notwithstanding.

"The Thing"? A terrifying excursion in screen horror that just gets better with age. Only a few cinema horror icons still hold the capacity to frighten me beyond reproach, and Carpenter's "The Thing" is definitely one of them (The others? "The Exorcist" and "Jaws"). Universal's DVD special edition is one of those items that no true fan of the genre should be without. But what of the 'flawed' picture presentation, I hear you all cry? Solely a critique for what one of our board members so eloquently labelled the 'DVD snob'. Real horror fans (ie: the rest of us, who are a little more forgiving) won't care, as this is a disc full well deserving of our hard-earned pennies. In fact, buy two…just to tick off the 'snobs'!

International specifications: PAL format disc; Language options in English Dolby 5.1, French Dolby 2.0 surround, Italian Dolby 2.0 stereo & Spanish & Polish mono; Subtitle options in English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish & Czech

*Available R1 through Universal Home Entertainment with a region unique Easter egg (Ennio Morricone's score as an isolated track during the documentary)

Review by Mike Thomason


 
Released by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment/Universal Pictures
Classified M (15+) - Region 4 (PAL)
Running time - 108m
Ratio - Widescreen 2.35
Audio - Dolby digital 5.1
Extras :
"John Carpenter's The Thing: Terror Takes Shape" 80m documentary; Audio commentary by John Carpenter & Kurt Russell; Outtakes; Cast Production Photos; Storyboards & Conceptual Art; Location Design; Production Archives; Production Background Archives; Original Theatrical trailer; Production Notes; Post Production Notes; Cast & Filmmakers Notes

© 2001, Icon In Black Media

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