A group of scientist discover a spacecraft trapped beneath the ice, as well as a passenger that seems to have been thrown clear of the ship. The passenger is brought back to base camp and comes to life, causing havoc and threatening all life as we know it.
The Thing from Another World (from here on out referred to as TfAW) and The Thing are both highly influential Science Fiction movies, which isn't too surprising as they come from one of the classics of the genre, John W. Campbell's "Who Goes There?" Both movies, while straying from the source's plot, use the same setting, have intelligent story lines and compelling plots
A part of the pleasure behind the story is the setting. With all of the action set in the Arctic, the option of quick and easy escape is null and void. On this is the intelligence of the enemy, of its ability to survive far better in the icy environment than it's human prey.
Now if it was just cat and mouse between Home Team Earthlings and Away Team Thing, they would both still be an entertaining set of flicks. However there are additional elements enriching the proceedings. In TfAW a small group of humans work at cross purposes against their own species with disastrous results. Meanwhile, the Thing in The Thing starts off winning by its very insidious nature, with the protagonists struggling to just survive against it.
I would be remiss not to mention one of the more crucial differences between the two movies: The Thing is extradoriarily gruesome. Gorier movies have been made since (I can think of two right off the top of my head right now, with more in queue behind them.) It's not a film for an unsuspecting soul to watch after eating.
In summary, I think both movies are well worth watching. Not only do I recommend them, but I also recommend seeking out "Who Goes There?" It's an excellent read.
Fun fact: In 1983, Arthur C. Clarke made a list of what he considered what was then the best Science Fiction Movies. Placing #6 on that list was The Thing. TfAW didn't make his cut. Nor did a little film called E.T. (Though, in fairness, he was still considering that one.)
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