10 Vintage Film Special Effects That Make A Mockery Of CGI
4. Chest Defibrillation Scene - The Thing (1982)
One of the greatest horror films of the 80s (as well as all time), John Carpenter's The Thing features great acting, great directing and most memorably great effects. The effects are gut-wrenchingly horrifying, the set up itself is genius, and its atmosphere is impeccable. The film's title refers to its chief antagonist: a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates other organisms and in turn mimics them. The most memorable moment of the film features Dr. Cooper (Richard Dysart) as he attempts to revive Norris (Charles Hallahan) with a defibrillator. Appallingly, Norris has become inhabited by the Thing, and as his chest caves in, Cooper's arms are immediately ripped off quite gruesomely. MacReady (Kurt Russell) then uses a flame thrower on the creature. This scene is actually where the term kill it with fire came from. Well, not really, but this scene is still a master class in old-school effects.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
