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

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.5

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-28
Content: It is right up their with "Them", It Came From Beneath The Sea, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, Forbiden Planet and Journey To The Center Of the Earth (the James Mason/Pat Boone Original). It should be colorized to give viewers a choice, though. These are all great movies to be viewed over and over again.
Summary: Great Sci-Fi Movie That Deserved To Be Saved.

Rating - 3 Date: 2008-12-23
Content: The film begins in the cold snowy climate of Alaska. Inside the Army station it is warm. Scientists are holding a meeting far to the north. A message tells of strange event there, men are sent to investigate. Their C-47 is equipped with skis for the snow. Dr. Carrington talks to Captain Hendry about the "airplane crash", or meteor, that was detected: 20,000 tons of steel. "What could melt that much ice?" Its shape is round, like a saucer. Was it occupied? The newsman Scott uses a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 film camera for photos. Thermite bombs melt the ice. Was something destroyed? They chop through the ice for the being entombed there. "Oh, that one." [Why didn't they leave that block of ice outside instead of breaking a window?]

The men guard the block of ice while it melts. Why do the dogs howl? What happened to that being? Whose arm? Could a vegetable evolve to become superior to humans? Could a vegetable feed on blood? [Yes.] Will it return to the greenhouse? Will it attack the men who are there? Will new life sprout from that arm? "My mind is perfectly clear." What is Dr. Carrington doing with that blood plasma? Only fire can destroy that vegetable. A fire can damage the building. Captain Hendry has a plan to search for the monster. Will the monster strike first? Can they lure the monster into a trap? Or are they doomed? Ned Scott files his report about the battle. Tell the world, everyone should watch the skies.

The story about a strange creature attacking a group of soldiers goes back to "Beowulf". This has elements of the old "Dracula" story. The action of the scientist against the people is a new twist.

Summary: A Visitor from an Alien World

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-12-22
Content: when is a special edition of this classic film going to be released this dvd is great but its bare bones just the trailer get with it weiner brothers
Summary: the thing from another world

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-12
Content: This movie is one of the great sci fi movies of its time however it appears to be coming true.I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.
thank you
Summary: uncertian

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-12-12
Content: A very suspenceful movie that leaves much to your own imagination. Infinitely better than the 1980's remake.
Summary: The Thing #1