(Hit play while you read!)
Two notes were never more dread-filled since Jaws. Ennio Morricone composed the score (supplemented by John Carpenter who usually wrote his own music for his movies). Apparently, the only direction Carpenter gave Morricone was "fewer notes." What resulted was an ominous heartbeat that immediately sets the tone of unease and suspicion that permeates the entire movie.
Boy meets dog. Dog is alien in disguise. Boy loses dog (but not before it assimilates a co-worker, who then assimilates a co-worker who assimilates a co-worker... you get it).
Assimilation in The Thing ain't pretty--it's a latex-laden, gelatin-glazed, bubble-gum-mayonnaise-creamed-corn gore-fest and it's spectacular. The practical (no CGI here) special effects still shine almost 40 years later and are among the most memorable in horror. At just 22 years old, Rob Bottin, along with a crew of 35 (and some uncredited help from Stan Winston who designed the dog-thing), dazzled us with the Norris-head-spider-thing, Split-face-thing, the Blair-thing, and so many more.
However, the film is far from simply a splatter-fest. The central theme is the rapid breakdown of social rules and camaraderie when the men realize that this "Thing" could completely and perfectly eliminate and imitate any creature. Not only would that mean the swift demise of everyone in camp but everyone on earth if it was allowed to escape. No one is safe and paranoia spreads like fire laid down by a flamethrower (yeah, they've got one of those).
Although the film is often assumed to be a remake of The Thing From Another World (1951), the 1982 screenplay more closely followed the original novella, Who Goes There (1938), written by John W. Campbell. Both the screenwriter, Bill Lancaster, and the director, John Carpenter, were more intrigued by the environment of paranoia and mistrust that bred in the isolation of the research station in Antarctica and wanted the film to center on that.
Let's get to the knit -- it's cold at this research station!
This frozen fashion show is all about the balaclava (BAH-LA-CLAW-VAH), sometimes referred to as a ski mask, a bally, a helmet liner, or a monkey cap. Most of the gents wear this head covering when they are outside, although MacReady wears one less often because his hair too purdy. Pay some respect to this majestic mane:
But sometimes the weather calls for headgear that's even warmer than a fluffy 80's mane, like when you're out in the frigid night air having a bonfire with your chums.
Next time you find yourself hunting aliens in Antarctica (or grabbing a coffee on a cold day, whatever), be prepared by knitting or crocheting one of these for yourself:
L to R:
Antifreeze / photo & pattern credit: Jenna Adorno (knit, free);
Ribbed Balaclava for Adults / photo & pattern credit: Red Heart Design Team (crochet, free);
Uncharted Territory / photo & pattern credit: Drops Design (knit, free);
Matching Balaclava / photo & pattern credit: Katrin Schubert (knit)
But why stop at respectable and functional? Everyone will lava these clavas:
L to R, Top to Bottom:
Gas Mask / photo & pattern credit: Amy Herring/HalfCaffCrochet (crochet);
Cthulhu Octopus Hat / photo & pattern credit: Amy Hitchcock (crochet, free);
Cthulhuclava / photo & pattern credit: Anne-Marie Dunbar (knit);
Knight in Knitted Helmet / photo & pattern credit: RoseEllen Spindler (knit);
Sock Monkey Ski Mask / photo & pattern credit: Cathy Ren (crochet);
Dracoclava / photo & pattern credit: Anne-Marie Dunbar (knit);
Baalaclava / photo & pattern by Anne-Marie Dunbar (knit)
The classic ribbed men's sweater is also a staple for both Norris and Childs, although they certainly wear it differently!
Norris looks comfy and innocuous in light grey, not at all like his chest is not about to rip open and tear off anyone's arms (spoiler, it's so gonna), while Childs looks a bit more imposing and edgy (like his chest just might open up and tear someone's arms off--spoiler, it doesn't).
Both sweaters are full-length and long-sleeved, with an all-over ribbed stitch pattern. They both appear to be made of a heavier weight yarn, either an aran or possibly a bulky weight (although it's difficult to tell on Childs' pullover).
Norris' sweater has a sloping raglan sleeve and a somewhat wider round neck while Childs' sweater looks to be a set-in sleeve design and a higher round/crew neckline. He's also got those fancy shoulder pads!
Let's take a closer look at those:
Childs' shoulder coverings appear to be somewhat transparent--you can see the ribbing of the sweater underneath showing through--which makes these more like shoulder patches than pads as they aren't really adding as much bulk as they might first appear.
Despite the outdated 80s' vibe, this is an interesting detail that I think maybe he can get away with even today. I mean, just try and tell him his sweater looks stupid or outdated. You'd be flamethrower fodder.
Knit (or crochet) the look:
L to R, Top to Bottom:
Nhoj's Raglan / pattern & photo credit: Amy O'Neill Houck (crochet);
Beaver Ridge / pattern & photo credit: Drops Design (knit, free);
Comfy Male Jumper / pattern & photo credit: Chinwe Ruphina (knit);
Patons Rugged Raglan / pattern & photo credit: Yarnspirations (knit, free);
Lucky / pattern & photo credit: Elizabeth Morrison (knit, free);
28-29-43 Standard Sweater / pattern & photo credit: Pierrot (knit, free)
More than 35 years later, it's hard to believe that The Thing was despised by audiences and critics. Maybe they wanted E.T. (released just weeks earlier) and what they got was 'a ripoff of Alien.' But I suppose that's how cult classics are born and become so known and, in that sense, it's not surprising at all. The Thing itself may always be a work in progress, but this film is a superbly finished object!
Geek Out:
The Thing - Lost Cues (music originally written for The Thing by John Carpenter)
The Original Fan: The Music (Producer Stuart Cohen on The Thing OST)
The Thing Takes Shape (1998 Making of The Thing Documentary)
The Things by Peter Watts (award-winning short story from the perspective of The Thing)
Does the Dog Die (emotional spoilers if there's certain things that will wreck a movie for you)
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