The Thing from Another World

1951 Directed by Howard Hawks, Christian Nyby

Look Out … it’s The Thing

Scientists and U.S. Air Force officials fend off a blood-thirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost.

Kenneth Tobey Margaret Sheridan Robert Cornthwaite Douglas Spencer James Young Dewey Martin Robert Nichols William Self Nicholas Byron Eduard Franz George Fenneman Paul Frees Everett Glass Norbert Schiller Edmond Breon John Dierkes Sally Creighton William Neff James Arness David McMahon

Alternative Titles

El enigma de otro mundo, O Monstro do Ártico, O Enigma de Outro Mundo, A Ameaça, 괴물

science fiction horror

87 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Ian West ★★★★½ 11

Snowed in, which reminds me... when I was a kid and blizzard shit would happen my father and I would shovel for what felt like hours. We’d also play around in the snow and slug snowballs at each other... then we’d go inside and eat ramen/utz bbq chips while pounding root beers and watching Charlie Chan movies or The Thing from Another World. Miss that so so much.
So when the skies dumped 16 inches of snow and ice on me I figured it was time to revisit this childhood staple—love the fast dialogue, creature design, door jump scare, and evil scientist. Don’t care for the girl in this only showing up to ask everyone for coffee, but the silver lining…
Review by Travis Lytle ★★★½ 2

Christian Nyby's "The Thing from Another World" is a nicely executed slice of mid-century horror. It is well shot, assuredly directed, and thick with dialogue. Its major issue is that, despite its memorable moments, the film is dry, bordering on stale, and that there is little action to go with all the chatter. Still, it is a neatly made piece of horror worthy of its fondly held status.
In a remote arctic research facility, a team a scientists and other professionals discover a humanoid creature frozen in the ice. When the creature thaws out, it becomes a destructive, terrorizing force. This well known premise lends itself to a solid story. Blending scientific jargon, militaristic bravado, and a healthy dose of…
Review by Marna Larsen ★★★★★ 2

I liked that this version, there was a very palpable sense of disillusionment and betrayal that the government you dedicated years of life and service to doesn't care about you even slightly. You don't really get that from the 80s version where, of course they don't! Where have you been - the 1950s? Get with it, man!
This was more unnerving, also, knowing the world was just beginning to uncurl and become a larger place. I often think what it's going to be like when we are cut off from everyone here on this small island. Yet the cynical part of me feels like it's typical of 1951 to want the door slammed tight shut and the point of The Thing from Another World is precisely that: not that you can't trust your employers but that anything else out there has got to be up to no good!
Which is also a pretty chilling vision...
Review by sydney ★★★★★ 2

We all feel sorry for the scientist and kinda agree with him, right? Ok, moving on.
I knew I would love this, and I did, but it was not at all what I was expecting. You've got to see this at least twice, the jokes are so perfect and the interactions so fast that I can't imagine anyone catching all of them in one watch. Films like this aren't abundant now, and it's truly impressive to see actors shoot their lines back and forth like it's a race, AND add emotion to their delivery. THE THING is about a bunch of people hanging out, the monster featured much less than usual. The humor is balanced perfectly with terror, each one…
Review by Steve G 🐝 ★★★★½ 8

Sunday Munch!
The Thing From Another World is often cited as the best of what 1950s monster / sci-fi had to offer, and it's a citation I've always agreed with.
One of the earliest such films of the decade, it not only set a benchmark for the weird and wonderful decade to come in this genre, it has a lot more going for it as well. This stands out as a high quality movie beyond its genre due to its superlative performing of overlapping dialogue and its grasp on issues outside of its boundaries.
Themes such as the suppression of the media and questioning both science and the military are at the centre of a movie that also borders on…
Review by <Todd> ★★★½ 3

"What about this business of starting over again?" -Captain Hendrey,
"We'll talk about that later." - Nikki,
- Scavenger Hunt 52: boxd.it/3kIS0
Task 28: A film that was remade 20 or more years later (12/31)
In the case of an alien attack it is important to remember to look sharp!
In The Thing from Another World, a thing from another world drops a catastrophe album in Antarctica where a group of scientists, military and journalists decide to be so human that it has to end badly. Real seeming dialogue and an interesting story ensue. Paced so that it starts off developing the story within a few minutes. The film is well acted (a bit more naturalistic than normal films from this era) and directed with a message that still resonates today.
One guess what film I'm watching later tonight!
Review by drmorbius79 ★★★★★ 2

The original "Who Goes There?" Somehow I've never reviewed this sci-fi classic. It's probably been about ten years since I last watched it.
The plot is pretty simple. An Air Force team discovers a flying saucer at the North Pole, and havoc ensues when an alien is thawed out of his giant block of ice by a misplaced electric blanket.
Producer Howard Hawks was the major creative force behind the film. Featuring rapidfire dialogue, likable characters, and unrelenting tension- he makes it more than the average b-movie.
I love the sharp and cynical jabs at everything- the military, scientists, the press, even President Truman ("he'll ask Margaret").
There's a deadly predator loose in the camp but there's also time for…
Review by Mario ★★★

„Das Ding aus einer anderen Welt“ ist noch heute ein frischer Film, während viele Alters- und Genregenossen nur noch als wohlige Trash-Nostalgie funktionieren. Es ist die Sorgfalt in allen Aspekten, die den Film nur wenig hat altern lassen. Sie beginnt schon beim Vorspann – die euphorische Stimmung der RKO-Melodie geht langsam in die bedrohliche Musik von Dimitri Tiomkin über.
Der Film lässt sich anfangs viel Zeit für seine Charaktere, die Figuren sind nicht die üblichen Stereotypen, die man aus Science-Fiction Filmen dieser Zeit kennt. Zwar zieht hier gegenüber dem Militär die Wissenschaft den Kürzeren, aber Professor Carrington ist kein genreüblicher „mad scientisr“, eher ein Forscher, der seinem Wissensdrang alles unterordnet. Auch die Gruppe der Soldaten unterscheidet sich von den meisten…
Review by MovingPictures ★★★★ 4

KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES!
Rewatch 2016-07-21.
The last time I watched this, several years ago, I thought it was a nice OLD horror story; entertaining but obviously old-looking.
This time I was really surprised how well-paced, interesting and fast-flowing it felt. It works very well in 2016 as well as it must have done in 1951.
WHAT A JOYFUL WATCH it is even now!
Credited directors are Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks.
Kenneth Tobey and Margaret Sheridan have top billing.
The THING is played by James Arness, known as Marshal Matt Dillon in the highly regarded television series GUNSMOKE and as Zeb Macahan in another western series; THE MACAHANS.
The confined space in the polar station is well used to…
Review by Geoff T ★★★½ 2

Geoff T's Hoop-Tober 3.0 Challenge
50s Science Fiction Triple Bill #1
The Thing from Another World (1951)
It's no secret to alot of people on this site know that the 1982 version of The Thing is one of my all time favourite horror movies, so of course I'd have to give this 1951 Howard Hawks version a look sooner or later. Story-wise, it's again loosely based on the "Who Goes There" story, but it differs from John Carpenter's version in a lot of ways, even though the plot basis is pretty much the same (arctic research group terrorised by hostile alien).
It's based in Alaska instead of Antarctica, and rather than the alien infiltrating the base, it's more or less…
Review by TajLV ★★★★ 4

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Film #21 of 25 in the Exploring My Birth Year challenge
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One way to judge a film is by its influence, and by that criteria this is a masterpiece. The movie inspired no lesser directors than Ridley Scott and John Carpenter to remake it, and John Frankenheimer and Tobe Hooper have cited it as a key film in their lives. It is the quintessential "alien discovered alive" movie, with brisk dialog by Charles Lederer and expert direction by Howard Hawks and Christian Nyby.
The star here is rugged Kenneth Tobey as Captain Patrick Hendry, who takes command of an arctic research outpost when a flying saucer is discovered in the polar ice. He's supported by Robert Cornthwaite as…
Review by Noah Thompson ★★★

Keep watching the skies.
Not even close to being one of the first people to say it, but here we have a very rare instance where the remake is much better than the original. That said, there's enjoyment to be found in this iteration of a now classic horror story. The characters are mostly intriguing, the dialogue offers some good lines, and to my surprise, the horror aspects actually hold up really well several decades later. (There are legitimate jump scares in this that are more effective and well planned out than what you would find in a lot of more modern films.) Though the pacing can be an issue and some scenes feel unnecessary to the overall story, like…

Recent reviews

Review by Parker B

John Carpenter's 1982 version is legitimately better than this original version. It's not bad, but Carpenter adds all the mystery and fear I wanted from this.
Review by Richard Taylor ★★★

Quite cheesy but enjoyable enough. Oddly anti-scientist though...
Review by goodvibe61 ★★★½

Now; this is how it's done. Totally watchable. Propulsive. A legion of sci fi horror films are going to follow this in the 50's; an overwhelming majority of them are nowhere near as good as this.
Review by HotDonkeyBear ★★★

Let me get this straight. Americans make the most monumental scientific discovery in the history of civilisation and their first instinct is... to use explosives on it?
Frankly, I'm siding with The Thing. It was violently attacked by primitive aggressors and decided to fight back.
The first adaptation of Who Goes There? has some iconic moments but is rather dry and talky. It would make a pretty good hangover movie but as with many of the great Sci-Fi flicks of the era, it's not one I think I'll ever return to.
Review by bshowbrian ★★★★

Being partial to the 1982 The Thing, I'm surprised I enjoyed this film as much as I did. There's more to the plot in this one with the characters getting more development and more personal conflict amongst the crew. Though the monster is dated you have to just accept it as a product of its time. At least it's lit/shadowed very well in certain scenes when visible. The hallway climax at the end comes to mind. Overall I was pleasantly surprised. Very much a 50's movie that lets the plot unroll and slowly develop, not unlike the plantlike alien creature would.
Review by Jade ★★★½

My favourite type of 80s movie is 'inspired by 50s movies'. I've seen this before, and read the book. I understand why some people are grumpy towards it, but it's such a solid adaption. Had budget and technology allowed it'd have been perfect. It is such a good watch. Even 70 years later.
Wade'sReview: 7/10. That was good stuff.
It was great. I'm glad I've finally seen it. I can appreciate Carpenter's even more now
Review by collinodonnell ★★★½

A strange bird of a film. The loquacity and masculine camaraderie of Hawks’ Only Angels Have Wings is translated to the polar wasteland of Cold War weird science. Adult enough to include a bondage scene yet childish enough to change the paranoia-generator of a villain, the ultimate shape-shifter of the novella on which it’s based, into a giant carrot that shuffles and grunts like Frankenstein’s monster. Our heroes are little more than a commie-sniffing lynch mob who fetishize cooperation and destruction at the expense of any intellectual curiosity over first contact. As science fiction, it’s a drag. As suspense, it’s lacking. As a Hawks, it’s sporadically inspired (particularly when they first come upon the spaceship encased in ice) but a tad lunkheaded on the whole. Yet taken as Saturday morning entertainment, it’s oddly satisfying.
Review by Othello18 ★★★

Quite a slow burn and nothing compared to the superior 1982 remake, but a competent 1950’s B- Movie none the less. In terms of story it differs from both its 1982 and 2011 remakes in slight enough ways to make it interesting and unique. This makes it all the more interesting as seeing either of the other two cannot spoil the experience.
The experience it’s self is very slow moving but does pick up towards the very end before the almost traditional abrupt ending I find most B-Movies have. Getting to know the characters is fun as the dialogue is surprisingly well written. It is funny though how many of the characters get copied over to the other films. Especially…
Review by Al Parker ★★★½

Fun early '50s sci fi flick. James Arness from "Gunsmoke" is the "Thing". The theme of scientists and explorers hunting an invading alien is the archetype for the "Alien" films.
Review by Boogeyman13 ★★★★

A pretty solid film! Had only seen the remake and its prequel before, so this was an interesting new perspective on the novella. The amount of wisecracks made, even at very suspenseful parts, was a bit surprising for the era. But you should check it out! A highlight of the era.
Review by Julian ★★★½

“A bunch of butterfingers.”
Quick dialogue, a b-movie sci-fi plot, killer plant/alien creature and a sprinkle of romance (and a large dosage of snow) and ta da! A classic monster masterpiece.
Despite its short runtime the film explores its characters (to the 50’s archetype standard with the military leader, the white haired scientist, the innocent love interest and that newspaper man) and the idea of a creature or ‘thing’ from another place putting our characters in turmoil in a very different way to that of which John Carpenter would present 30 years later.
Review by Tommy ★★

Strong 2
Wasn’t vibing with this one.