Write a better ending to 'The Thing'

[Schumi]

Just got done watching John Carpenter's The Thing (1982). Hadn't seen it since I was maybe 15 years old. Really great film, such great suspense, music, acting.

But just now as it ended, I had to think to myself... the ending leaves a bit out there I think. I feel like there could have been something else happen.

Now I haven't seen the 2011 prequel, so no spoilers from that.


My ending would have been a bit something more thought provoking: Everyone gets blown up at the end except Kurt Russel, who is injured and crawls out of the burning building and out into the cold... and the next scene opens up to daylight, and a helicopter flies in and it's a rescue team. Everything is burned to the ground and gone, except they find him out in the snow and he's alive, and in shock, so they fly back to a base and put him on a plane for New Zealand, or somewhere. Credits roll as the plane takes off.

So, you know.. you get this hint that maybe he's 'the thing' now and the rescue gave it a way off antarctica. But it's not known for sure.



I think my ending's better.

[livi]

I agree with the ending could have been different although the final lines from Russel are pretty good. I also Think this is one of the top Movies ever done in terms of suspense, Music, cool lines and characters. The sequel is good but not like the original.

[sand_man]

I'm also a fan. I hadn't seen it in many years, and about a month ago, shared it with a friend of mine who had never seen it. We were both shocked at how well that movie has held up, considering the Carpenter version was relelased in 1982! The "prequel" was just okay...not a classic for this genre.

As for an alternate ending, I guess I'm not feeling very creative today, but I like your ideas!

[KNS]

There was brief talk many years ago of a sequel picking up where the ending left off after a rescue team reached the camp. I'm glad it wasn't made - every movie doesn't require a sequel.

Trivia: Filmed up on the Stewart Glacier in British Columbia and the Juneau ice field in Alaska. I had the opportunity to do some flying in much of the same area many years ago on the Juneau ice field and it is stunningly beautiful up there.

[Baz]

Here you go Kurt....interesting segment with Carpenter himself discussing the filming locations including BC.....

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Schumi

... the ending leaves a bit out there I think. I feel like there could have been something else happen.

Always popped a big question mark in my head re the ending. The movie was so good it did not matter. The walking head and the scene where the row of guys had the blood test. Outstanding.

Those two movie guys from Chicago beat Alien to death when it came out saying "How many times do you have to tell the people to not wander off alone". The Thing was the same. Pretty good formula given both are ranked so high in all time best sci-fi flics.

Sequel is worth the watch if you are a buff.

[Steve Carlton]

I think the ending was perfect the way it was. Russell and the other guy sitting in the snow waiting for the heat of the fire to die down for them to freeze to death with the job done. Much better than another cycle of what already happened, IMO.

[Tishabet]

[last lines]
Childs: Fire's got the temperature up all over the camp. Won't last long though.
MacReady: Neither will we.
Childs: How will we make it?
MacReady: Maybe we shouldn't.
Childs: If you're worried about me...
MacReady: If we've got any surprises for each other, I don't think we're in much shape to do anything about it.
Childs: Well, what do we do?
MacReady: Why don't we just... wait here for a little while... see what happens?

[Tishabet]

Its rumored that in the last scene of The Thing with Kurt Russell and Keith David where they deliver the lines above, Russell is breathing and David is not. I have reviewed tbe scene and can say that its not cut and dry but Russel does have huge billows of steam coming outbof his mouth in his shots and David has only a handful of small puffs.

[masraum]

Fantastic movie. I loved it back in the 80s and it's still great now. From that point of view, reminds me of Blade Runner which has also held up well.

I like the end. It leaves something to the imaginations as well as the hint that there could be a rescue or a way for the critter to get away.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Russell is breathing and David is not.

I gotta get my search on now.

[KNS]

Baz -

Cool, thank you.

[manbridge 74]

Saw the black and white one as a kid.

It was low tech and still scared the socks of me...

[Evans, Marv]

Yeah, I saw the original (in the '50s?) and was scared. I think James Arness played the Thing.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Its rumored that in the last scene of The Thing with Kurt Russell and Keith David where they deliver the lines above, Russell is breathing and David is not. I have reviewed tbe scene and can say that its not cut and dry but Russel does have huge billows of steam coming outbof his mouth in his shots and David has only a handful of small puffs.

Didn't know this - thanks for the trivia...will check it out.

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I gotta get my search on now.

Here ya go, Bob....

Originally Posted by KNS

Baz -

Cool, thank you.

You're welcome, Kurt.

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Yeah, I saw the original (in the '50s?) and was scared. I think James Arness played the Thing.

Yes that's correct - Matt Dillon - I bet most never knew he actually came from outer space.

BTW...here's a cool clip from the original - which as Carpenter said - was VERY well done. Please avert your eyes if you haven't seen it....

[Seahawk]

I've never seen the 'Thing'.

Based on this thread, I'll give it a whirl.

Who knew

[Schumi]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Its rumored that in the last scene of The Thing with Kurt Russell and Keith David where they deliver the lines above, Russell is breathing and David is not. I have reviewed tbe scene and can say that its not cut and dry but Russel does have huge billows of steam coming outbof his mouth in his shots and David has only a handful of small puffs.

Dug up a website that had a quote from John Carpenter claiming that was just the way the scene was lit, it was accidental, and that he was breathing.



There was a scene filmed for an extended version that only aired on TV a few times supposedly that had a scene afterwards of one of the sled dogs running away from the burnt camp in the morning.

[Steve Carlton]

They Live is cool, too.

[plain fan]

Schumi,
Good idea but it has actually already been covered before by Dark Horse Comics:
http://thething.wikia.com/wiki/The_Thing_from_Another_World_(comic)

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I've never seen the 'Thing'.

Based on this thread, I'll give it a whirl.

Who knew

Remember the original: The Thing from Another World (1951) - IMDb