logo Sign In

Idea: The Thing(s) :)

Author
Date
Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

As much as I’d like to see an extended edit of Carpenter’s Thing, the missing and alternate material probably isn’t openly available… but would anyone happen to be working on a “special fan edition” of the older adaptation, The Thing from Another World? There seems to be much more to work from in its case:

  • “There is a bootleg version of this film released by VidAmerica. It edits out the classic soundtrack and kills-off characters not killed in the theatrical version”.

  • “A colorized version was released on VHS in 1989 by Turner Home Entertainment as an “RKO Color Classic””.

  • “Two scenes were added to the Laserdisc: the kissing scene and a scene of the slaughtered scientist hanging upside down being bled to feed the seedlings”.

Author
Time
Post link
the Hawks movie is officialy available n ifrance since several years. there was also a japanese DVD.



R2 French dvd review

R2 Japanese DVD review

What I would like to see is the alternate ending for the 1982 Movie, which seems to be broadcasted on Us TV.

more on deleted scenes of The Thing and the alternate TV ending : http://www.outpost31.com/movie/deletedscenes.html
Author
Time
Post link
The "real" alternate ending has never been shown. In the commentary they discuss the safe ending they shot showing Mac being tested and passing after being rescued.

There has been so little released as far as deleted footage there isn't much to do with it. But as one of my favorite films of all time I wish they would.
Author
Time
Post link
This is one movie I have wanted to watch for a long time (Carpenter's version)


Next time I have some money to burn, perhaps I can go to Blockbuster and rent me a copy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/bgiffen/bigbluerig.jpg
Author
Time
Post link
I highly recommend it. For years, the DVD was well over $20 bucks, but I'm sure it's dropped by now.

Not that the price stopped me from buying this film.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Is there anybody who owns the official TV edit of the 1982 movie? According to outpost31.com, there were many short shots added into this edit without Carpenter's permission. Some of these are available in the bonus section of the DVD, some are not. This version of the movie is probably much worse than the original - they cut out all the gore scenes to make it less scary for the TV audience. And to maintain the length of the film, they added several scenes from their archives. However it may be an interesting experience to watch this version.
Maybe there was a thread about this movie on Originaltrilogy already, but unfortunately all old posts are deleted now. Any suggestions?

Author
Time
Post link
What I recall of the tv cut is the gore was severely toned down. (The spider head scene is really hacked up in this regard.) A lot of uneeded narration (ala Blade Runner) by Donald Moffat or a soundalike was added. The worst change of all was adding a shot of a fleeing husky at the end of the film!
Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time
Post link
Yes, they used all the scenes now available in the deleted scenes section on the DVD. The alternate ending with the dog is one of these.

Author
Time
Post link
The SciFi channel may have aired this cut at least once. Keep an eye on their schedule.
Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time
Post link
No chance. I live in continental Europe. I can only dream about Sci-fi Channel...
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Vess
As much as I'd like to see an extended edit of Carpenter's Thing, the missing and alternate material probably isn't openly available... but would anyone happen to be working on a "special fan edition" of the older adaptation, The Thing from Another World? There seems to be much more to work from in its case:

- "There is a bootleg version of this film released by VidAmerica. It edits out the classic soundtrack and kills-off characters not killed in the theatrical version".

- "A colorized version was released on VHS in 1989 by Turner Home Entertainment as an "RKO Color Classic"".

- "Two scenes were added to the Laserdisc: the kissing scene and a scene of the slaughtered scientist hanging upside down being bled to feed the seedlings".


Does anyone have a copy of the LD transfered to DVD? I would love to see that footage.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: triffid
Is there anybody who owns the official TV edit of the 1982 movie? According to outpost31.com, there were many short shots added into this edit without Carpenter's permission. Some of these are available in the bonus section of the DVD, some are not. This version of the movie is probably much worse than the original - they cut out all the gore scenes to make it less scary for the TV audience. And to maintain the length of the film, they added several scenes from their archives. However it may be an interesting experience to watch this version.
Maybe there was a thread about this movie on Originaltrilogy already, but unfortunately all old posts are deleted now. Any suggestions?


I actually recorded the premier broadcast on ABC but gave up half way through due to the butcher job they did on it. One thing I have that is cool is the short ABC promo that ran before the broadcast.
Author
Time
Post link
Did you stop the recorder in the middle of the movie? Is it really so bad?

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: triffid
Did you stop the recorder in the middle of the movie? Is it really so bad?


Yes and yes. They added narration that is just stupid. And some of the deleted footage that they add doesn't work. For instance when the group is standing around the "dead" thing that they brought from the dog kennel Blair makes the statement that it isn't dead yet. This totally screws up the scene where Fuces and MacReady are in the helecopter and he reads Blair's report and makes the same statement. I guess they had to add as much as they could to make up for the gore they cut.

There is really a lot of footage cut from the movie that we haven't seen like:

A whole scene cut when the lights go out
A scene like the 50s version of the greenhouse but in this one features a certain illegal plant
Other dead bodies at the Norweigan camp
The rescue of MacReady (filmed just in case they needed an alternate ending due to test audience reaction)
Plus a bunch more misc stuff.
Author
Time
Post link
Well, it is nice. But even Todd, the author of Outpost31 website, did not saw anything from this stuff on his own eyes. He just describes the scenes from A.D. Foster's adaptation. There are few great photos from these scenes, that is all.

Author
Time
Post link
Now I am totally confused. i just checked IMDb for some details and here is what I found in the trivia section:

The 1998 Special Edition DVD is 128 minutes long. The initial home video releases (MCA Home Video) also listed the 127-minute version on the box but the tape itself contained the 109-minute version.

It is a bullshit, right? There is no 128 minutes version on any LD or DVD. I never saw the TNT/TBS TV edit, but it must be even shorter than the official 109 mins release.

Author
Time
Post link
The commentary on the DVD describes a lot of the deleted footage including the alternate ending.
Author
Time
Post link
I checked the information above. There are the two versions only - the standard cinema/VHS/DVD one and the shortened TV cut with some extra footage, including few shots available in this version only. Nothing else.
Few days ago Universal released The Thing on HD-DVD. I guess the bonus features section comes directly from the current DVD edition without upgrading its picture quality. Only the movie itself got a new HD resolution. Can anybody confirm this?
I am still looking for the TV cut. Even low quality VHS copy will be appreciated. Does anybody have it?

Author
Time
Post link
Check here.

http://www.outpost31.com/index2.html
Author
Time
Post link
HD-DVD review:

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/thing1982.html

The Thing forum:

http://thethingfan.11.forumer.com/index.php
Author
Time
Post link
FYI, the DVD for the 1951 original is the uncut version with all the excised footage added back in. Even better, while the uncut LD had to use 16mm to fill in missing footage, it's all excellent quality 35mm on the DVD.
"I was a perfect idiot to listen to you!"
"Listen here, there ain't nothing in this world that's perfect!"

- from The Bank Dick