The Thing (1982)

The Thing Theatrical Release Poster Country USA Directed by John Carpenter Release Date 1982 Language English Studio The Turman-Foster Company Distributor Universal Pictures Main Cast Character Actor R. J. MacReady Kurt Russell Blair Wilford Brimley Childs Keith David Garry Donald Moffat Dr. Copper Richard Dysart Norris Charles Hallahan Clark Richard Masur Norwegian with Rifle/Lars Larry Franco Windows Thomas G. Waites

The Thing is a 1982 horror film directed by John Carpenter and reunites him with his Escape from New York star Kurt Russell. The film is a remake of the 1951 classic The Thing from Another World and a prequel to this film was released in 2011.

The following weapons were used in the film The Thing:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Colt Detective Special 3rd Gen.

Blair (Wilford Brimley) retrieves a 3rd Generation Colt Detective Special from his desk drawer.

Colt Detective Special, 3rd Generation - .38 Special

Blair keeps his revolver in a desk drawer.

Blair takes his gun after reading that there's a 75 percent chance of someone being infected.

Blair with his revolver.

Blair fires his revolver.

Colt Trooper Mk III

Garry (Donald Moffat) carries a Colt Trooper Mk III in a holster on his duty belt. Midway through the film MacReady (Kurt Russell) gets possession of Garry's revolver and carries it with him from then on.

Colt Trooper Mk III with 4" barrel - .357 Magnum

Garry fires his Colt Trooper MkIII at the Norwegian

Garry shoots and kills the Norwegian (NOTE: Colt trigger guard and shrouded ejector rod housing.)

Garry points the Trooper MkIII at Windows.

MacReady with the Trooper MkIII.

Rifles

Heckler & Koch HK93A2

A Heckler & Koch HK93A2 semi-auto rifle with a scope and a 40 round magazine is used at the beginning of the film by the Norwegian with Rifle (Kurt Russell's brother-in-law at the time of filming Larry Franco) to try and kill the infected dog while flying in the helicopter. After the helicopter lands, the passenger hands it to the pilot (Norbert Weisser), who pursues the dog on foot. This scene has in part been reproduced for the prequel, and the passenger renamed Lars. Interestingly, any viewers who speak Norwegian would have the early reveal of the movie ruined in this very first scene, as the armed man explains the nature of the threat.

While Norway has never officially used the HK33 or HK93 in any role, most of the Norwegian defence force used a Norwegian clone of the G3 on license, called the AG3, as the primary issue rifle from 1962 to 2005. The use of the HK93 could therefore be a homage to the AG3, or possibly be used simply because a G3, AG3 or HK91 was not available to the film armorer.

Heckler & Koch HK93A2 full stocked Rifle - 5.56x45mm

The Norwegian passenger fires the H&K HK93 from the helicopter.

The Norwegian passenger with the H&K HK93.

The Norwegian pilot takes aim at the dog.

The Norwegian pilot fires the H&K HK93.

A close up of the rifle.

Shotguns

Ithaca 37 shotgun

MacReady (Kurt Russell) carries a Ithaca 37 shotgun several times in the film. At one point Windows (Thomas G. Waites) manages to grab one before he is subdued by the others.

Ithaca Model 37 - 12 Gauge

MacReady with the Ithaca Model 37 at the Norwegian base.

Closeup of the muzzle when at the Norwegian base.

MacReady right before shooting at The Thing.

Mac and his Ithaca 37.

Closeup of the muzzle of the 37 when shooting at The Thing, which is an obvious blank.

Windows breaks the glass to the gun safe to get a shotgun, note also the HK93.

Windows with the Ithaca Model 37 from the gun locker, Garry points his revolver at him.

Windows holding the Ithaca Model 37.

Other

M2A1-7 Flamethrower

This flamethrower is used by several members of the team throughout the movie. Palmer uses a different flamethrower, apparently a propane powered model sold commercially, used for burning weeds, and removing ice from planes and other equipment; the flame on the propane model is very short, at most usually 7 feet. Even so, many scenes in the film use genuine, military-spec liquid-fueled flamethrowers, something of a rarity in movies.

M2A1-7 Flamethrower.

Childs fires the flamethrower.

Childs and Palmer holding the flamethrowers.

MacReady burns The Thing.

MacReady with his M2A1-7 flamethrower.

MacReady fires the flamethrower at The Thing, notice the heat wave pinball machine beside him, ironic.

MacReady fires the flamethrower.

MacReady fires the flamethrower at The Thing.

AN/M14 Incendiary Grenade

The Norwegians use several AN/M14 incendiary grenades at the start of the film.

AN/M14 Incendiary grenade

The Norwegian right before throwing the grenade.

The writing on the grenade looks like thermite.