MovieChat Forums > The Thing from Another World (1951) Discussion > The Original is Superior!!

The Original is Superior!!

posted 12 years ago by PWTempleman
40 replies | jump to latest

I hate people all listing The Thing or Invasion Of The Body Snatchers or The Fly remakes as superior then the originals. When I ask them to explain they come out with crap answers.

Like:

1. The Effects are better.

Well, that's unfair to judge consider that the originals could only use the effects that they had in their decade during the time.

2. The Acting is Better.

Again it's unfair to talk about considering in the 50's this was what was expected of acting and dialogue.

The originals I find have a better atmosphere and great suspense. Have they dated? Not in me opinion but I am someone who can watch these kind of movies and I think that is the biggest problem. Most "film fans" I use the word loosely don't have a great understanding of film history or look past the 1960's or even look across the world or different genres.

We need to keep these older films alive and healthy. I am a big fan of these kind of dated classics and I know I'm not the only one out there on this forum.

[–] simon.conder 10 years ago

Hmmmmm I think I like the sound of that. A SMA Thing. But then again only seeing the Thing so little works so well for you. I can feel it brooding away in the background.

KBN

[–] brucedgo 10 years ago

Carpenter's The Thing is in some ways not a remake of The Thing From Another World.

Carpenter's is a version of the original story by John W. Campbell. Nyby's is really a different story that is set in the same location and uses some of Campbell's ideas. Although it didn't use the Main idea and therefore had to change the title from Who Goes There?.

So while you like Nyby's film better, it's not because it's the original. I recommend the original story. It's considered one of Science Fiction's all time best.

... and the rocks it pummels. - James Berardinelli

[–] alphatwin2002 10 years ago

I don't really care about most modern SF movies. I love this one, and I watch it from time to time. What I like especially is the realism of a group of guys and one woman in a confined space and their interactions, such as people talking at the same time, as people do. I still can't figure out the "scientist" who believes that a very large murderous alien is "wise." It makes me laugh every time. Have you read John Campbell's _Who Goes There?" You can download it from the Internet.

[–] Herreken 10 years ago

I liked the camaraderie of the characters but they seemed not to be shocked at the extraordinary situation they were in. They were cracking jokes and smiling like it was nothing and it didn't sound like nervous humor at all. They seemed like they were having a good time except for when The Thing was attacking them. Strange.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Herreken 10 years ago

I think an initial freak out from all the characters (they wouldn't all have to be equally freaked out) followed by an acceptance of their extreme situation would've been more realistic. I mean there was no astonishment at all, ha ha. I've never been in a war so I'll never know how terrible one would be. But I think an alien trying to kill me would be on another level of terror.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Herreken 10 years ago

True I forgot all about that scene when The Thing escapes from the ice block.

Here's the scene when they find The Thing's ship. Maybe it's just the acting style from that time period but the mood is more like they found an a sunken ship rather than an alien space craft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGjJ8vfh5CI

Anyway, I enjoyed the movie. I'd probably watch it again.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Lupin-III 9 years ago

How is this for a crap answer?

The Thing from Another World shares almost nothing with its source material "Who Goes There?" while The Thing actually tells that story. The Thing from Another World was completely derivative of other alien invasion movies of its time.

The Thing is simply the best and most faithful film adaptation of the story, superior in every way.

[–] iceman88869 8 years ago

I just watched the original. The Thing (1982) is FAR superior to the 1951 version.

*The Characters are more interesting and easy to relate to in the 1982 version. I actually care what happens to most of the characters in the 1982 version. I only liked maybe 2 or 3 of the characters in the 1951 version.
*The "Thing" in the 1951 version is basically a Frankenstein plant that likes human blood. The "Thing" in the 1982 version absorbs its victims and then reforms part of itself to look like the victim so it can cunningly do the same to the rest of it's victims.
*Almost no one died in the 1951 version where all but possibly two died in the 1982 version and it is up for debate on if those two died or if either of them were even human.
*The atmosphere of the 1982 version is far superior to the 1951 version.

Even if you take away the special affects, the 1982 version is easily the superior movie. The 2011 version has better visuals than the 1982 version and I still consider the 1982 version better.

Also, there is no contest between Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Fly remakes compared to the original. Practically all points are valid for why the remakes are better.

I enjoy older movies and really like movies like "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", but I feel a lot of those moves such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir could be done better.

Some older movies such as "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" I doubt could be done better, but the three mentioned have been done better.