Thing From Another World, The (1951) [Blu-ray]

"The Thing from Another World," released in 1951, is not just a movie; it's a milestone in the science fiction genre. A chilling tale of an alien organism discovered in the Arctic, it set the stage for a new era of cinematic storytelling.Influential Plot: The story revolves around a group of scientists and military personnel who uncover a frozen alien being. When it awakens, the terror begins, and the struggle for survival ensues. The plot's gripping tension and mysterious antagonist have become templates for many subsequent sci-fi films.Stylistic Impact: The movie's style, from its atmospheric cinematography to its suspenseful pacing, has been influential in shaping the horror and sci-fi genres. Its legacy can be seen in numerous films, including John Carpenter's famous 1982 remake.Acting and Direction: The performances are top-notch, with a cast that brings authenticity and intensity to their roles. Under the direction of Christian Nyby (and uncredited Howard Hawks), the film achieves a balance of horror, drama, and even moments of humor.Cultural Relevance: "The Thing from Another World" continues to resonate with audiences, reflecting fears of the unknown and the uncontrollable. Its themes are as relevant today as they were at the time of its release.Must-Watch Status: For fans of the genre, this movie is a must-watch. Its status as a classic is well-deserved, and it's a film that continues to be discovered and appreciated by new generations."The Thing from Another World" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of well-crafted cinema. It's not just a film to watch; it's an experience to savor. Its impact on the world of sci-fi is immeasurable, and its place in the pantheon of classic films is secure. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and delve into this piece of cinematic history. It's a journey into terror and wonder that you won't soon forget.

Right off the bat, this review is biased. This is a favorite movie of mine and each year for Halloween, I watch this movie and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon". I personally love the older classic monster movies and do not like most of the newer generations of horror movies. If all the movie has to offer is gore, that isn't really my taste in movies. "The Thing from Another World" does not have any gore in it. With modern ratings, it is probably a G or barely a PG rating. If you have not seen the movie before, I suggest you give it a try. It is a pleasant view of an older style of film-making and the story inspired another classic, and great, monster or horror movie: John Carpenter's "The Thing" and its more recent sequel also titled, "The Thing". In some ways, the story also feels like it inspired some episodes of the "X-Files" and other movies and television programs that have come after.The plot is straight-forward which is common for films of the era. The Thing is the bad guy. The Air Force officer and his crew are the heroes. The scientists fall on both sides of the fence based on their perspective regarding The Thing. Also typical for this era, the leading lady in the film is more of a damsel in distress than an action star but she is more capable than others and is not portrayed as being incapable of taking care of herself. Part of the scientists want to open a dialogue with The Thing because it is a vastly more intelligent species that has mastered the ability to travel between stars. Once things start to go poorly, some of the scientists exhibit common sense and a legitimate desire for self-preservation and want to eliminate The Thing. The characters do not waffle on who they are or how they behave. In that respect, they are less developed but for the era and genre, that is not uncommon. Also, considering the story takes place over the course of a couple of days, there would not be much time for the characters to experience a change in their personas.The effects for the time are typical but better than some movies. Most of the movie follows the human characters and the story is mostly told in the interior of the scientists camp in the Arctic. The Thing of the title of the movie does not have much screen time and there is not an attempt to tell any of the story from its perspective. A little trivia about The Thing, the alien is played by James Arness who went on to the more famous role of US Marshall Matt Dillion in the long-lived western drama "Gunsmoke". He was partially selected to play the alien because of his large stature and in some scenes where he is with some of the other cast members, he does appear physically intimidating.I previously had a copy of this movie on DVD and I honestly cannot see much of a difference in quality between the DVD and the Blu-Ray release. It is 70 year old black and white movie shot on film with cameras decades before high definition was a thing and a lot of people went to drive-in movies. The video WILL NOT compare to modern films or television shows shot in 16:9 frames, 1080p, or Dolby sound. If those things are paramount to you, then the movie will be disappointing. However, if you watch it as an enjoyable piece of film history and a classic monster movie that is serious and not campy, I think you will enjoy the movie a great deal.Personally, a big reason I bought the movie on Blu-Ray was because I prefer the slimmer and shorter Blu-Ray packaging. The package for this movie is no-frills. A simple, plastic case with a paper insert is all there is.Being a fan of this movie and the remake and prequel that followed, I would purchase these movies again in a collected edition if one existed.Some elements of the movie that I think helped influence other works include the premise of the protagonists being isolated and being in an enclosed area. I think this is a forerunner of ideas that were explored in the movie "Alien" and in episodes of the "The X-Files" such as "Ice. They are common themes and present in many films, television programs, and novels but I think at least some of them were influenced by this movie.