The Thing [Collector's Edition]

Director: John Carpenter John Carpenter

Overview

"Although given a lukewarm reception by critics and the public upon its release, The Thing, like so many of John Carpenter's films, has since acquired a fiercely loyal cult following, and MCA Home Video will have fans of the chilly sci-fi horror in rapture with this outstanding reissue DVD. Originally released in 1998, this Collector's Edition is an exact replica of the previous disc, except for the chilly slipcase packaging. Picture-wise, the film's immaculate whites and cold blues are clean and sharp, and the polar landscapes are awe-inspiring in widescreen. Carpenter is renowned for his inventive use of sound effects and music, and the Dolby 5.1 Audio truly heightens the film's suspense. There is also a mind-boggling array of extra features on the DVD. The theatrical trailer, production notes, and biographies of Carpenter and star Kurt Russell are welcome, but they pale in comparison to most of the other additions. The production archives section, for example, is an extensive combination of text and photos that concentrates on Rob Bottin's eye-popping special effects, and equally interesting is the production art showing early designs of the alien creature. The background archive will interest would-be screenwriters, as it uses pages from the original draft to show how the film took shape. Of the countless other bits and pieces, the outtakes section is surest to please confirmed fans, even though the stills and deleted scenes here are of a mainly expository nature (though at least one deleted scene will delight fans of the movie's sardonic humor). Yet even if it had none of the aforementioned special features, this would be an essential DVD due to the commentary track and 80-minute documentary ""Terror Takes Shape"". The latter, featuring contributions from all the main players, is an utterly engrossing background to the conception and production of The Thing, and also includes spectacular stop-motion footage that was not used in the final version. The commentary by Carpenter and Russell, meanwhile, is a winning blend of astute analysis and warm recollection that is always enjoyable and occasionally hilarious. This is a wonderful DVD package that will give pleasure to even casual fans of the film."

Product Details

Release Date:	10/26/2004
UPC:	0025192543722
Original Release:	1982
Rating:	R
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:49:00
Sales rank:	3,059

Special Features

Closed Caption;All-new digitally remastered picture; Feature commentary with Kurt Russell and director John Carpenter; John Carpenter's The Thing: Terror Takes Shape, an 80-minute original documentary featuring interviews with John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, special effects make-up designer Rob Bottin, legendary matte artist Albert Whitlock, plus other members of the cast, crew and special effects team; Stop motion animation cut from the film; Exclusive work-in-progress visual effects footage; Behind-the-scenes location footage; Original theatrical trailer; Outtakes from the film; Behind-the-scenes photographs; Storyboards and conceptual art; Annotated production archive

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Kurt Russell	R.J. MacReady
T.K. Carter	Nauls
David Clennon	Palmer
Keith David	Childs
Richard Dysart	Dr. Copper
Charles Hallahan	Norris
Peter Maloney	Bennings
Richard Masur	Clark
Donald Moffat	Garry
Joel Polis	Fuchs
Thomas Waites	Windows,Windows
Norbert Weisser	Norwegian
Larry Franco	Norwegian Passenger with Rifle,Actor
Nate Irwin	Helicopter Pilot
William Zeman	Pilot
Wilford Brimley	Dr. Blair
Henry B. Walthall	Actor
Adrienne Barbeau	Computer
Jed	Dog Thing
Tony Cecere	Actor
Kent Hays	Actor
Larry Holt	Actor
Melvin Jones	Actor
Eric Mansker	Actor
Clint Rowe	Actor
Rock Walker	Actor
Jerry Wills	Actor
Ennio Morricone	Composer

Technical Credits

John Carpenter

Bill Lancaster

John W. Campbell Jr.

Mick Garris

Tony Cecere	Stunts,Stunts
Kent Hays	Stunts
Larry Holt	Stunts
Melvin Jones	Stunts
Eric Mansker	Stunts
Denver Mattson	Stunts
Clint Rowe	Stunts
Ken Strain	Stunts
Rock Walker	Stunts
Jerry Wills	Stunts
Roy Arbogast	Special Effects
Rob Bottin	Special Effects
John Carpenter	Director,Screenwriter
Michael Clifford	Special Effects
David Foster	Producer
Leroy Routly	Special Effects
Wilbur Stark	Executive Producer,Producer
Lawrence Turman	Producer
Albert Whitlock	Special Effects,Special Effects
Bill Lancaster	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
John Adams	Sound Effects
John W. Campbell Jr.	Screenwriter
Stuart Cohen	Producer
Mick Garris	Screenwriter
Thomas D. Causey	Sound/Sound Designer
Larry J. Franco	Producer

Editorial Reviews

John Carpenter's remake of the 1950s monster film is a grotesque exercise in how to scare the living socks off of even the most jaded viewer. Cold, claustrophobic, and expertly realized, The Thing creeps under your skin and doesn't let up until the last credit rolls. Carpenter is at the top of his game as he flexes his horror muscles once again and arguably surpasses original with an expertly crafted film that continues to ask questions of its audience decades later. Equally worthy of praise is the amazing work of the still young FX guru Rob Bottin. With free reign to let his imagination run as wild as he wanted, Bottin (fresh off of The Howling) spent a little over a year living at Universal's back-lot creating some of the most horrific images audiences had ever seen. The outrageously surreal and bloody work he created (with the brief help of another young lad named Stan Winston) has been a benchmark for practical makeup effects since its release in 1982. The Thing wouldn't be the same without the palpable dread provided by Dean Cundey coldly controlled camerawork and Ennio Morricone's Carpenter-esque score thumping in the background. Apart from its exceptionally crafted aesthetics, the note-perfect ensemble goes a long way to sell this menacing tale. From the chilling Blair (Wilford Brimley) to the cool of Childs (Carpenter fave Keith David), these are meaty characters facing a no-win situation -- with Kurt Russell as MacReady leading the motley crew. Russell is a mean quiet machine as he and Carpenter create another iconic hero to rule over the annals of cinema. Famously, The Thing flopped at the box office against the feel-good alternative - a little film called ET - yet the bleak picture found its real audience - and near-universal reverence - in the years that followed.