|
|
John Carpenter's
 |
|
|
THE THING
Collector's
Edition, 16X9, & HD-DVD
On October 24th, 2006 Universal released a
HD-DVD version of the film. A return to the classic original artwork and a HD
version of the film in 1080-p High-Definition Widescreen.
On October 26th, 2004 Universal released a
16X9 enhanced DVD of the film with a new slip case and cover art. Other than the
anamorphic transfer there is no new Bonus Materials on the disc. All in all it
is a cool release and the new cover artwork has kind of grown on us here at the
Outpost, but nothing beats Drew Struzan's 'glow-face'.
On September 8th, 1998
Universal released the Collector's Edition DVD. It
was immediately treasured highly by fans of the film because with the disc
came quite a few Special Features. This included a running commentary of the
film with director John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. Also included as Bonus
Materials are:
-The Thing: Terror Takes Shape 80-minute documentary
featuring interviews with Carpenter, Russell, special make-up effects
designer Rob Bottin, matte artist Albert Whitlock, and other members of
the cast, crew, and SFX team
- Never-before-seen stop motion
animation footage cut from the film
- Exclusive work-in-progress visual effects footage
- Behind-the-scenes location footage
- Original theatrical trailer
- Outtakes from the film
- Behind-the-scenes photographs
- Storyboards and conceptual art
- Annotated production archive
- HIDDEN BONUS FEATURE!
Universal has also hidden an Easter egg on the DVD. It is a hidden soundtrack
segment. To access it, select the Terror Takes Shape documentary. Then go to
“Language Selection” and you will find an entry that says “Music Score”.
Click on this and it will take you back to the Terror Takes Shape screen.
Now click on "Play" and the dialogue of the documentary is now replaced by
Ennio Morricone's original soundtrack! (Note: this extra feature is
found only on Region 1 DVD, not Region 2.)
The only setback with this DVD is the lack of 16X9 enhancement for widescreen
TV's. It is really a letdown that this superb disc wasn't transferred
to 16X9 anamorphic. However, the transfer it does have is fantastic.
The
original print used in the process must have been in excellent
condition. (In Oct. 2004 Universal released a 16X9 anamorphic DVD of THE
THING.)
A Review of The Thing DVD by Eric Slyter
  
The real reason to have this DVD is the
Special Features. There are literally hours of bonus materials.
There is a very informative and compelling 80 minute documentary called
Terror Takes Shape which features interviews with John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, the late Charles Hallahan (Norris), Joel Polis (Fuchs), as well as behind-the-scenes personnel who worked on
the movie, such as the very entertaining Rob Bottin (special effects). Not as informative, but
entertaining and interesting nonetheless, is a running feature commentary that you can
listen to as you view the movie, with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell discussing the scenes
as they play out.
Additionally, there are several very intriguing deleted scenes. They are not restored into the
original film, but viewable on their own. I thought they were very well done, and in my opinion
should not have been cut from the movie, but there's no helping that. I would've been happier
if they had included all the cut footage that is mentioned in the documentary and feature
commentary. In a section of its own is information pertaining to the "Blair Monster", wherein
the original stop-motion footage is spliced together with the footage that was retained in the
movie. There are also a large number of storyboard drawings that pertain to scenes in the
movie, as well as various conceptual drawings and more making-of archival information. (I
haven't even gotten around to all of it!) Of the many notable treasures available on this DVD,
one of the most compelling for me was the theatrical trailer. Watching it makes me want to see
the movie yet again, despite having seen it dozens (and dozens!) of times previously! Very
spooky.
If you are a fan of this movie, then you owe it to yourself to go out and get a DVD player, and
put this gem in it right away. Top-notch releases like this Collector's Edition are the reason to
own a DVD player!
Run Time: - 1 hour, 49 minutes
Color
Region 1 NTSC
Rated: R
Letterboxed 2.35:1 | 16x9: No
1 Disc
Dolby Digital 5.1
Back cover of the DVD
|
|
