January 1, 2015
The Thing from Another
World – US, 1951
In an interesting way, Christian Nyby’s debut film The Thing from Another World perfectly
captures the times in which it was filmed. This is a film made in the early
days of the Cold War and just four years after the report of a UFO crash in
Rosewell, New Mexico, and the effects of each of these events can be felt in the
film’s early scenes. When a mysterious flying object is captured on radar
flying near a US base near the North Pole, there is immediate suspicion that it
could be Russia; when the men sent to investigate the object’s crash realize
that the craft has a circular shape, their first response is telling: It’s finally happened.
With a title like The
Thing from Another World, it will come as no surprise that something survives
the crash. What may come as a surprise to present-day audiences is just how
long the film waits before revealing just what that survivor is. This is a film
that is clearly more interested in its human characters than its monster, and
audiences are the better for it. Screenwriter Charles Lederer infuses the film with
snappy dialogue, smile-inducing innuendos, and a classic duel between science
and defense. If there is also a bit too much “scientist talk,” it’s helpful to
remember that many of the characters in the film are as confused as audiences
are likely to be.
The film’s chief character is Captain Patrick Hendry
(Kenneth Tobey), a well respected man who when the film begins is the butt of
jokes from the men serving under him. It seems he embarrassed himself in front
of a woman he was interested in and she in turn caused him to be embarrassed in
a rather public way. This set-up produces much of the film’s comedy, as well as
its romantic plot. Interestingly, Hendry’s men have such respect for him that
they are capable of going from ribbing their captain to following his orders without
even the slightest hesitation. The film also introduces viewers to a group of
scientists led by Dr. Arthur Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite), a rather
optimistic man who sees the events unfolding as a great opportunity for science
and understanding. He remains this way even after it is clear that the visitor
does not have the best of intentions.
Compared to today’s sci-fi/horror films, The Thing from Another World takes its
time. It doesn’t pile on the body count or ratchet up the gore like the two John
Carpenter films it obviously inspired. Instead, the visitor remains for the
most part off camera. He is a constant threat, yet a rare physical presence. This
– in addition to the way Geiger counters factor into the film - creates an
enormous amount of tension. In fact, for much of the film, the main conflict
involves a debate over how to handle the visitor. As expected, Captain Hendry
recognizes its potential danger, while Dr. Carrington only sees it as a prospective
source of knowledge. The debate proves fascinating, even though it is clear
which side the film will eventually take.
If there is anything that could be described as a
disappointment in the film, it is the visitor itself. After a fascinating
revelation of its evolutionary origins and some emotional discussions about
what to do with it, the film elects to depict the visitor as essentially the
equivalent of Frankenstein’s monster. Apparently, this is a being so advanced
that he can fly clear across the universe in a spaceship, but can only utter
grunts and moans as he slowly lumbers his way around. In fact, I half expected
him to walk with his hands stretched out vertically in front of him. And how do
you explain the fact that it appears to be able to use the door knob but can
only smash through everything else? There’s also the small matter of the level
of fear that the human characters exhibit. At certain points in the film, I had
trouble believing that people in their situation would remain so calm.
But I digress. The
Thing from Another World remains an enjoyable film, yet its insistence on repeatedly
proving its scientific credentials dampens the experience slightly. I enjoyed
getting a glimpse of a more innocent time, one in which science worked with the
military without there being much discussion of cover-ups and conspiracies. In
this film, there is a universal sense of honor, even when characters make what
ultimately turns out to be the wrong decision, and its refreshing to see a film
end with a message that present-day films would likely depict as being suppressed
– that we are not alone and that we must be on alert. Quibbles aside, The Thing from Another World is a fine effort
by all involved. (on DVD)
3 stars
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