The beginning of both movies starts out the same... an arctic research station discovers a strange object buried in the ice. Upon inspection, it appears to be a flying saucer. They use explosives to try and uncover the ice to see exactly what they're dealing with here, and in doing so, they accidentally blow the whole spaceship up. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's optimism at this point), a "spaceman" is seen frozen in the ice as well. The spaceship may have been blown to bits, but the spaceman seems unharmed, having crawled out of the downed spacecraft upon it crashing into the snow. They unearth it and bring it back to their camp in a frozen block of ice for study. Some putz who is supposed to be watching over the damn thing puts a blanket over it so he doesn't have to look at its creepy eyes. But what the idiot doesn't realize is that it's an electric blanket that is turned on and it melts the spaceman to freedom in about 20 minutes.
This is where the original and the remake split as far as story-wise. The original is funny and somewhat tongue in cheek (while retaining its sullen and effective atmosphere) and the remake becomes the story of a shape-shifting alien that could easily destroy the world if it ever reaches civilization, directed by the ingenious John Carpenter. I do believe that the remake is considered #174 in the top #250 best movies ever made (source: IMDB.COM).
Though it may not be the thriller that its remake became, the original has that special something that makes it an instant classic. It takes place in a creepy cold atmosphere placed near the North Pole with some really strange happenings going on. After Mr. Moron melted the creature that was frozen in ice and it escapes into the blizzard outside which doesn't seem to affect it much, a search engages. While tearing apart some sled dogs, "The Thing" loses an arm (that grows back) which is taken back to the laboratory. Upon scientific inspection, it is deduced that the arm is comprised of plant tissue. The scientists in the group explain that in another world, plant life may have evolved in the same way that mammals evolved here on Earth.
It feeds on blood though, in fact, blood from the dogs on the severed hand brings it back to life. Much like a plant, severed pieces that break off of "the Thing" begin their own growth. One of the weirdo scientists is actually growing some baby Things that creepily appear to be breathing. The group starts to remember their botany rules and realize that ice-cold temperatures do not always kill a plant which is why the Thing creeps around outside. But, extensive heat will definitely wilt a plant beyond saving. I know this to be true because I've killed many many many houseplants. After a while, you just start blaming it on botanical suicide, and the plant won't know you're lying.
They decide that electrocution is the way to go and set him ablaze, which succeeds in destroying him. Not many fatalities in this movie and I can definitely say that the remake is totally superior. But in 1951 they didn't have all the razzle-dazzle of great computer and makeup effects that we have now. Granted, the villain in this movie is basically an intelligent carrot, and I can't say how effectively that could be accomplished even with today's special effects. Watch the remake if you want a really suspenseful alien flick with a very foreboding atmosphere, but if you just want a generally comical story being taken totally seriously with hilarious puns sprinkled here and there... watch this gem of an original, it's a decently well thought out cult flick...a true classic!
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