Review of 'The Thing from Another World'

the_thing_from_another_world.jpg Captain Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) has been sent to a remote arctic research station to investigate the crash of a mysterious object. On arrival at the site they quickly determine it to be a UFO. After an unsuccessful attempt to explosively free the vehicle the expedition finds a body frozen in the ice. Returning the large frozen body to the station it is accidentally defrosted, coming to life and rampaging through the base…

Quite a low-key Science Fiction film of the early 1950s, “The Thing from Another World” is quite tame by modern standards in terms of acting, story and, well, special effects but it still manages to hold it's own despite the rather contrived, forced and verbose dialogue. Unexpectedly, there are very few effects here and the monster is a bit of an anti-climax (a rather tall man thinly costumed as an alien) never mind the rather disappointing, simple ending. It seems here that the cast is more interested in delivering their copious dialogue than showing any amount of emotion at the startling events unfolding around them.

In 1982 John Carpenter remade “The Thing from Another World” in the far superior film “The Thing” which is the real horror this story should have been.

I suppose “The Thing from Another World” is of it's era but it is a bit disappointing though quite easy to watch with it's uncomplicated, simple plot and frantic pacing. Just don't expect subtlety or even humanity…but a good amount of gung-ho American spirit (“rah rah!”). It is certainly not the worse…

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2020-05-08


Directed by: Christian Nyby

Studio: Winchester Pictures Corporation

Year: 1951

Length: 87 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044121/