I still can’t believe that the soundtrack got nominated for worst score. It is one of the most haunting scores of all time, and perfectly fits the film.

A great example of the critics getting it all wrong.

Hands down one of the greatest sci-fi horror films of all time IMO.

"Deemed a failure.." then quickly becomes THE quintessential Horror/Sci-Fi movie and most highly praised genre film of all time.

“Man is the warmest place to hide” is a great tagline.

John Carpenter movies often tend to be scorned by critics/audiences alike then revered a few years/decades down the line. The Thing is still a prime example of that.

In my opinion, The Thing is not only THE greatest sci-fi/horror film of all time, but one of the greatest FILMS of all time. I've rewatched this many more times than E.T. The visual effects still hold up today. The suspense, the music, the visuals - all simply incredible and perfect for what they intended to achieve. These were times when talented, passionate people gave their all for the craft. The days of movies like this are no more.

This movie is a masterpiece of sci-fi/suspense that had unfortunate timing in 1982. I'm glad it finally found its audience.

A masterpiece from start to finish.

When Windows walks in on Bennings being assimilated, he had just come from getting the keys from Gary. When he sees Bennings being attacked, he drops the keys, and you can hear them hitting the ground. It's not brought up again, but I think this explains why Windows went nuts when it was discovered that the blood supply had been sabotaged. He knew he had been in possession of the keys and likely never went back to pick them up in all the excitement. He probably thought Gary or someone else would bring this up and that everyone would turn on him. That's why he runs for the gun cabinet and tries to get everyone to distrust Gary.

One of the greatest horror films of all time. And probably the best practical effects ever. The open ended ending is perfect.

Out of all the John Carpenter films I watched the most, this is one of my personal favorites to me it's one of the greatest horror films I ever seen.

It’s good to know Ennio Morricone’s The Thing soundtrack got its day in the sun within Quentin Tarantino’s own icey hell movie ‘The Hateful Eight’. Life’s kind of poetic like that sometimes.

Kurt Russel as ex-Vietnam era helicopter pilot. Superb script lines. Superb weilding of that period correct Ithaca M37 riot shotgun. Keith David's very first movie. He was great! Indeed very watchable!

im friends with Norbert Weisser who played the Norwegian at the beginning of the movie, it was fascinating listening to him talk about his rolls in shindlers list, midnight express, breaking bad and THE THING, if you have any questions, im here 👍

One of my favourite all time classic movies. Great in the art of overall filmmaking, directing and writing. And while a lot of talent was utilized to make the movie happen, Rob Bottin at 21 was a force of nature and mastered his craft at such a young age.

Our last few days in high school were mostly just sitting around waiting for the last day. My shop teacher brought in his vcr and us students gathered around and watched movies on a 19 inch crt tv (1984). One movie he brought in was The Thing. I was blown away by the effects, story and acting. To this day I think it's the greatest horror film ever made.

"The Thing"(1982) is a horror sci-fi movie masterpiece!This is probably the best movie of all time for this Kind!

One of my favourite John Carpenter movies. I saw this for the first time in a cinema and i absolutely loved it

This and 1st two alien movies are still the best horror sci-fi I've personally ever seen.

"...as Benning's becomes the alien's first victim." And then you later mention the dog going after Norris earlier in the film. They can't both be first. And that wasn't Norris in shadow. It was an extra that Carpenter used to hide the identity of the actor being assimilated. It could also have been Palmer, but I favor Norris as that victim as well. Also, Benning's wasn't bitten by the dog under the table. He was merely spooked when it brushed past his leg. It's the unanswered questions that allow this film to stand the test of time. Well, that, and the fact that it's awesome...

My all-time favorite horror movie! What a masterpiece!

A prime example of a story that was ahead of it's time, loathed upon release, eventually vindicated and now seen and regarded as one of the most terrifying and cinematic masterpieces ever made. John Carpenter's magnum opus. Long Live The Thing.

This movie has some awesome practical effects. It's a shame making them took a toll on Rob Botin's mentality.

The best horror Movie ever and I'm not exaggerating, the story practical effects the suspense the tension every thing about this movie is a 10/10.

an absolute master piece on every possible level : acting, directing, special effects, scenario, ... all came together to produce the absolute perfect movie. should be studied for decades to come.

New Oliver Harper video?! Pizza night just got more delicious. What a treat!

Watching The Thing (1982) really inspired me to get my life back on track. Such an uplifting movie

One of the top 5 to 10 horror films of all time. Carpenter will sadly never get his flowers until he dies. Sick of the academy crapping on horror.

Oliver, I'm shocked you haven't made this retrospective earlier!

This is a masterpiece thriller. I would watch this over ET any day.

New retrospective! And it’s on ‘The Thing’ ! Now it’s a holiday 👍

One of Carpenter's best films and the best showcase for Practical Effects ever put on screen

One of my favorite movies. I’ve been waiting years for an updated retrospective. I’m glad it finally happened.

Best horror film ever made.

Saw it at the cinema in 1982 when i was 15, still a favourite.

Greatest sci fi horror movie ever. Period.

This movie is so good that i don't even know where to start. It has an atmosphere of its own. Really gets under your skin, literally. Also the best ending ever to any movie. It's just perfect.

The year prior to this film Rob Bottin's makeup FX for "The Howling" alongside Rick Baker's work on "An American Werewolf In London" was groundbreaking in the Transformation scene.

A true masterpiece by a legendary director! Who would have thought it was based on a book from the 30's!

some of the best practical effects ever. i love this movie.

I first saw this movie in the early 80s while working at an Arctic DEWLine radar station as a weather tech. In the dead of winter it was just about 30-odd guys hunkered down in the cold and dark (no Sun at all for two months.) A satellite dish aimed barely above the southern horizon brought us HBO, Cinemax and MTV to keep touch with the world. The vibe of the movie and my own environment then shated a certain synchronicity. I naturally noted the presence of a Stevenson screen, or shelter fot the thermometers, as a realistic touch. I guess you could say this film touches fairly closely upon a period in my own life in my early 20s. Minus the alien monster, thankfully!

An early Christmas present from the best film critic on KZfaq.

Love Oliver's Retrospectives. The Thing has gained a whole new fanbase thanks to the KZfaq movie fan and reaction community.

The best part about this movie is that the plot moves forward because the characters are smart and rational. Sure, some hindsight shows that they messed up, but they didnt know that at the time - making it relatable. Thats why i loooove scary movies like this. The blond chick walking out alone naked in the dark shouting "Billy...?!" just makes me sad that those movies get made and gold like this got put away for them....

I love Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy.

This was a story written in 1933 called "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell. A very faithful version to the book.

I just watched this movie for the first time and I swear I have never seen a movie like this before in my life. The movie just builds and builds and builds never letting you catch a breath. The suspense of which one is The Thing is phenomenal. I feel like it will quickly become my favorite horror movie in the near future on further rewatches and it’s definitely in my opinion John Carpenter’s best work to date.

Rob is a categorical legend. Guy is an artist of the highest order and no mistake. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

I have watched The Thing almost every night to go to sleep to, so in the past 2 years I've watched it around 350 times I'd say. I still find new things to think about and ponder and the ending still gets me.... truly the best ending in any horror movie and the fact we are still talking about it 40 years later is a testament to it's masterpiece status in the horror genre.

The novella “Who goes there?” Was originally written as a novel Titled “Frozen Hell”. But it was trimmed down it order for it to be published in a magazine of the time. The missing part of the novel was found a few years ago. The complete version was then published and as since been optioned to be turned into a film.

Right about time. No jokes - it's one of my fav Christmas movies! I love everything about it: special effects, story, scares, creature design, casting, characters, dialogues, place of the action.. The Thing, The Alien and The Predator are still my fav sci-fi movies. I couldn't ask for more than Oliver's review right before December! Thanks!

One of my favourite films. Absolutely terrifying. Great special effects, psychological tension.

R.J Macready helicopter pilot U.S outpost... Absolute legend film.

I'm pleased (and possibly a bit smug?) to have been one of many teenagers who saw the film in its original theatrical release and knew it was a classic; I guess it took the rest of the world a few years to catch up.

I'm not big on blood& guts kinda stuff, but I watch your reviews & retrospectives anyway because I always learn something, and I usually get a good chuckle.

Interestingly, I didn’t like it when I first saw it, but rewatched it later and surprisingly enjoyed it

I rewatch this movie every winter

I love The Thing in all it's forms. The movies, the games (both the official one and fan made), comics, board game and the books. So this video was right up my alley. Great job!

Critics at the time not liking great movies like this is the reason I always go to see the movie in question. When critics do like something, I don't waste my money watching it.

That's why I ignore film critics and just enjoy films

For the prequel, the studio should have used the Norwegian name for The Thing - ‘Tingen’.

Harbenger Down was was a movie made by the company that did the practical effects. It showed how The Thing remake was supposed to look

I love introducing people to this film. It never disappoints.

This is like pinnacle Sci-Fi horror, a gold standard almost.

There are very few "perfect" films, but this is one of them

One of my all time favorite movies

The music at the end sounds like I'm about to watch WWF Saturday Nights Main Event back in the 80s. I love it.

"Maybe one day they'll put out the original cut and removing the lousy CGI" 👈That, definitely. Hopefully one day sooner rather than later. I second what you say about the performances, music and the atmosphere. The Thing 2011 was good, but with STUDIO ADI's cool effects, it may have been almost as good as the John Carpenter film. Speaking of that, I absolutely love how The Thing 1982 is still discussed, especially the ending. This is another video to compliment that magical, timeless film. It will always be one of my favourite horror and Sci Fi films 🙂😊 Also, because of the snow, I link it to Christmas in a dark and weird way LOL! 😅 It'd be great if they remade the game, or created a new one with similar suspenseful and thoughtful trust based elements. Nice one fella 👍

I don't think Bennings was bit by the dog, he just jumped because he felt it brush past his leg.

So many great sci-fi and horror movies in the 80s. The Thing is undoubtedly one of my favorites. The practical effects are a masterpiece. The remake with CGI effects is absolutely shameful. Amazing video review as always.

This and Aliens are probably my 2 favorite movies ever. I watched this one w/ my dad recently. It never gets old. I also liked the prequel although studio interference w/ the special effects and changing the ending really hurt the movie.

My favorite John Carpenter film. I also think it's his best film, IMO. This and Alien are my favorite sci-fi movies. The practical effects by Rob Bottin are amazing and still look great to this day.

I love this movie so much 10/10 Golden stars.

Greatest sci fi horror film of the 20th century. Masterpiece.

Oliver, your work is absolutely amazing and Hollywood should hire you to do their trailers and documentaries. I love the 2011 prequel as well.

Epic top shelf review as always.

Love this film! I’m surprised you haven’t done a retrospective on this already. Good job!

I worked with a guy who did some of the background shots for The Thing video game. We worked as PC techs for Hewlett Packard at the time. He was programming the game, part-time, while working for HP. He used to complain it was 40 hours work for 20 hours pay. He was basically working 80 hours a week. Some of the lightening effects in the game are by him. Funny how now it’s part of history related to the film. 😃

Ah, I forgot... I wanted to re-watch this classic masterpiece! Well, thank you, Oliver, for a nice reminder 👍 This actually could be considered a Christmas horror movie! Just because it just set in a cold and snowy environment, but yeah, yeah, I know it's not really a Christmas movie, I always used to watch it around Christmas time more so than on Halloween season tho for some reason.

BEST SCI FI HORROR FILM EVER MADE!

Great job Oliver - as always a must listen for me ❤❤❤

One of the all time greats. My fave Carpentar movie.

The fact that the "host" doesn't even know they're the host makes it all the more brilliant. It's why Alien "works". In "Body Snatchers", etc. the people always started acting weird. In The Thing, you literally don't know who goes there.

Funny how it could be a failure at the box office but be such a cult classic. It freaked me out when I saw it in '82. I was 12

Honestly this made my day. I’ve been asking you to do a retrospective on “the thing” for a long time. I’m literally so happy🎉!

One of my favorite movies ever.

I watched this movie the day it premiered in San Francisco and I had several moments on where I jumped from my seat. Loved it!

can we please get more James Bond retrospectives

Great reviews, one of best movies ever made. I disagree with arguing about the plot holes. Its a science fiction which should fascinate, bring you to another world and keep you always asking and wondering.

A new Harper review? "You gotta be f@$king kidding me" Long time coming. Worth the wait, Cheers

An EXCELLENT rendition of the original short story by John Campbell. And, yes, I do like the 2011 prequel. Not sure why that movie gets such hate.

I rewatched the movie few days before Halloween and I honestly forgot how good of a movie it is.

Probably my all time favourite horror film. Fortunately for me, I had already completed my Cold Climate Training shortly before I rented the Video. It also helps that I have always been drawn to the cold, wintery environments as portrayed in the film. 'The Thing' is almost perfect for me.

- Babe wake up, Oliver Harper has uploaded! - I know, I'm already watching

I've just now seen the new opening graphic - it's such a good touch. Thanks for years of wonderful work!

Fantastic Movie, one of the very few I consider perfect in any way. And the Prequel, while clearly not on the same level, is enjoyable. I, too, hope for an Directors' Cut. Matthijs van Heijningen and Studio ADI had the right idea, but were screwed over by the Studio. On that note, I'd like to mention "Harbinger Down", the low-budget Horror-Flick Alec Gillis made a few years later as a reaction to the enthusiastic response making-of-Videos of the unused practical Effects made for the Prequel recieved from Fans. "Harbinger Down" is basically a Thing-Fanfilm, featuring a very similarily designed Monster realized entirely without CGI. It isnt a Masterpiece, but I kinda admire and apprechiate it all the same.

Thank you for this retrospective, this is one of my all time favourite movies. I love how in depth you go with the info you gather. I think you should have way more subs than you do. I saw your post about needing to take a break from KZfaq, but I hope you decide to continue. Great work.

Now imagine, if you will, being part of the South Pole winter-over crew at Scott-Amundsen, where every year during the permanent winter darkness, they show this movie. I'm glad I was there during summer! 😱😭

I strongly recomend any fan of the thing to look for the alan dean foster novel which has parts of the original script, and look for the COMPLETE scripts for the cancled sequel series for the syfy channel.