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Previously released as a "Special Edition" in 1998, "The Thing" has been remastered for this edition.The anamorphic widescreen presentation is, I believe, the first time this has been transferred in the anamorphic format. The previous widescreen edition looked exceptionally good and comparisons between the two transfers reveal minimal differences except for the fact that the new edition is presented in anamorphic (i.e. with a higher resolution) picture. There are some minor digital blemishes that occasionally crop up as on the previous edition (which makes me suspect the previous master was digitally remastered vs. creating a new master). The 5.1 Surround Sound mix has tremendous presence and is exceptionally good with crystal clear dialogue. Ennio Morricone's marvelous music sounds particularly rich and detailed. There's no isolated music track which is a pity. The special features are exactly the same as the 1998 edition of the movie. "Terror Takes Shape" is an 80 minute documentary on the movie that includes both new interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot. Carpenter, Kurt Russell, the other members of the cast,the optical effects and make up crew and screenwriter Bill Lancaster on all phases from conception to post-production. It's an excellent and informative documentary divided into the various phases of production. We also see outtakes including the deleted stop-motion animation that Phil Tibbert did for the movie. Carpenter cut almost all of it out in favor of the physical effects because they didn't quite mesh as well as they could have. There's substanial behind-the-scenes footage, photos and the work-in-progress visual effects for the film. Essentially, this indepth approach makes "The Thing" as close to a film school as you'll likely find on DVD. We also get the original theatrical trailer, storyboards and conception art. The "Visual Effects-in-Progress" featurette t gives you a clue as to how the visuals and effects changed during shooting. There's also an annotated production background archive with an essay on the production illustrated with excerpts from the screenplay with photos and production drawings. There's also a brief essay on the casting in text format along with production photos from the film. The commentary track is the original one from the 1998 release featuring John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. As with the "Escape from New York" commentary track, "The Thing" commentary track is exceptional with interesting and amusing stories related to the production of the movie as well as behind-the-scenes tidbits that fans will find valuable. Both clearly enjoy each other's company more twenty years after their first collaboration. The packaging has been redesigned. While it is pretty cool, it's not going to be really durable. The exterior plastic cover like that for "Stir of Echoes" looks really cool and wraps around the carbord and plastic inner case. The inner case has photos and images from the movie. The inside, curiously, looks like it was designed for a chapter sheet or booklet but there's nothing inside.Read full review
In the early 1980's I came to realize that John Carpenter knew exactly what kind of movies I liked! I enjoyed "Assault on Precinct 13" and "Escape from New York" was just great! Then this VHS video of "The Thing" arrived at the video store...I thought that John outdid himself with this movie. Everything just works so well - from the opening scene in the Antartic landscape with the simple and eery (but oh-so-effective) bass-line from Ennio Morricone's score, the ultra suspenseful storyline to the "WOW!" special effects of an alien creature trying to come to terms with having multiple DNA... I had to get this DVD as my VHS copy of "The Thing" had been watched to death. This has been the most watched movie in my life and I even made it compulsory watching (together with the STAR WARS movies) for the kids. It seems to stand the test of time very well. I would recommend it to any Sci-Fi enthusiast or Thriller movie fan. I have to state that the packaging from my copy has this sleeve for a scene list but the list was not in the packaging. I don't know whether the packaging came with a list like this and mine was maybe just not included...but none the less, that becomes an irrelevant fact when those opening scenes appear...Read full review
After renting that terrible prequel/remake of The Thing (2011). I was so disappointed by the overuse of CGI and the fact that the movie sucked. So I decided to order the original John Carpenter classic. And watching it again the FX are way more terrifying than the remake. I owned it many times before, but lost my copies and Id never owned it on DVD before. This widescreen collectors edition is awesome. The picture and sound are excellent. And alot of cool special features as well. If Youve seen this movie, then I dont have to tell You how cool it is. But if Youve never seen this movie in Your life, Youve been missing out and I suggest You check it out. Its definately one of the movies that got me addicted to horror in the 80s.
John Carpenter's The Thing starring Kurt Russel, Is the most scary movie that iv'e ever seen in my life! I mean when that dog's head splits open to let the terror out...Lets make this long story short, I have had nightmares of that dog doing that since i was 9 years old! I can't even watch this movie by myself! Hard to sleep at night after watching it and i actually have to leave the light on! When a frozen alien is thawed out it wrecks havoc in the antarctic. And that is all i am going to tell you because you would like to see the movie for yourself and you will be scared too! Every horror movie fan needs to have a copy of this! I rate the most horror movie that i have ever seen in my life 5*'s all the way and that is this movie "The Thing" ...And last but not least... With the New movie, The Thing, coming out on Oct. 14, 2011 I am going to see this one in theaters!Read full review
I purchased this movie to add to our collection. We have this on VHS but wanted to acquire the DVD. This film is a great adaptation to the orginal classic with James Arness as "The Thing that came from outer space". The newer version with Kurt Russel stays relatively close to the original story line with a few additional twists to the creature. This film used the latest technology in special effects to create many of the scenes in which the creature appears. The first time I saw this film it was a jaw dropping experience. Every time I watch this film I will pick up little details that I had previously missed. Very entertaining but not for the squeamish. Viewers will often find themselves saying something like "what the ______". It's a classic of a classic.
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