MacReady
MacReady is listed as Helicopter pilot. 35, likes chess, hates the cold. In the parsed data, MacReady is connected to 35 scenes, 152 dialogue lines, 167 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
35 scenes / 152 dialogue lines53Scenes
12Characters
76Pages
8Dialogue samples
Save the Cat beat sheet
THE THING Save the Cat analysis
In THE THING, a team of researchers in Antarctica encounters a shape-shifting alien that infiltrates their compound.
Open full beat sheetKey characters
Childs
Childs is listed as Mechanic. 33, 6'4", 250 lbs, black, can be jolly but dangerous. In the parsed data, Childs is connected to 29 scenes, 74 dialogue lines, 84 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
29 scenes / 74 dialogue linesNauls
Nauls is listed as Cook. 22, black, bright, irreverent, kindhearted, wears roller skates. In the parsed data, Nauls is connected to 23 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 40 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
23 scenes / 35 dialogue linesGarry
Garry is listed as Station manager. 46, stiff, ex-army officer, wears a handgun. In the parsed data, Garry is connected to 19 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 50 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 43 dialogue linesPalmer
Palmer is listed as Chopper pilot/mechanic. 27, long hair, slight acid damage. In the parsed data, Palmer is connected to 19 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
19 scenes / 30 dialogue linesNorris
Norris is listed as Geophysicist. 44, stocky, rugged, incipient heart condition. In the parsed data, Norris is connected to 19 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
19 scenes / 19 dialogue linesSanchez
Sanchez is listed as Radio operator. 21, hates it there, lousy at his job. In the parsed data, Sanchez is connected to 18 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
18 scenes / 20 dialogue linesDr. Copper
Dr. Copper is listed as Doctor. 45, professional, decent man. In the parsed data, Dr. Copper is connected to 17 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
17 scenes / 34 dialogue linesClark
Clark is listed as Dog handler. 24, likes his job. In the parsed data, Clark is connected to 14 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
14 scenes / 18 dialogue linesBennings
Bennings is listed as Meteorologist. 38, dutiful, old pro. In the parsed data, Bennings is connected to 14 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
14 scenes / 11 dialogue linesBlair
Blair is listed as Assistant biologist. 50, sensitive, intelligent, unassuming. In the parsed data, Blair is connected to 12 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 50 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
12 scenes / 35 dialogue linesFuchs
Fuchs is listed as Biologist. Young, sensitive. In the parsed data, Fuchs is connected to 11 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
11 scenes / 8 dialogue linesScene outline
-
1. EXT. Antarctica - DAY
A Norwegian helicopter chases a dog across the Antarctic ice toward the U.S. Outpost.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Blair, Dr. Copper, Palmer -
2. INT. Main Compound - DAY
The men discuss the Norwegian incident and decide to investigate the Norwegian camp.
Garry, Childs, Dr. Copper, Palmer, Nauls, Norris -
3. INT. MacReady's Shack - DAY
Norris retrieves MacReady for the mission.
MacReady, Norris -
4. INT/EXT. Chopper - DAY
MacReady and Dr. Copper fly to the Norwegian camp.
MacReady, Dr. Copper -
5. INT. Norwegian Camp - DAY
MacReady and Dr. Copper investigate the ruins of the Norwegian camp.
MacReady, Dr. Copper -
6. INT. KITCHEN - UNKNOWN
Nauls cooks while listening to music; Garry complains about the volume.
Nauls, Garry -
7. INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM - UNKNOWN
Garry checks on Sanchez, who has fallen asleep at his post.
Garry, Sanchez -
8. INT. COMPOUND CORRIDOR - UNKNOWN
A dog wanders the hallway and enters an occupied room.
Clark -
9. EXT. COMPOUND - DAY
Fuchs finishes his jog and enters the tunnel.
Fuchs -
10. INT. TUNNEL - DAY
Fuchs passes Clark, who is feeding the dogs.
Fuchs, Clark -
11. INT. STORAGE ROOM - UNKNOWN
Childs tends to his marijuana plants and is interrupted by the dog.
Childs -
12. INT. GENERATOR ROOM - UNKNOWN
Palmer works on the generator while the dog causes a mess.
Palmer, Clark -
13. INT. STATION MANAGER GARRY'S QUARTERS - UNKNOWN
The team reviews Norwegian footage and audio recordings.
Garry, MacReady, Dr. Copper, Norris, Bennings, Blair -
14. INT. INFIRMARY - UNKNOWN
Copper and MacReady show the team a charred, mutated corpse.
Dr. Copper, MacReady, Blair, Fuchs -
15. INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Nauls searches for a pot and finds shredded long johns in the trash.
Nauls -
16. INT. REC ROOM - DAY
MacReady explains his theory about the alien; Nauls confronts the group about the underwear.
MacReady, Childs, Blair, Palmer, Nauls, Norris -
17. INT. LAB - DAY
Blair explains the biological nature of the Thing using the dog carcass.
Blair, MacReady, Garry, Childs, Palmer, Nauls -
18. EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
The men burn the dog remains; Fuchs protests.
MacReady, Childs, Dr. Copper, Fuchs -
19. INT. KENNEL - NIGHT
Blair questions Clark about the dog's history.
Blair, Clark -
20. INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Blair tries to warn Garry about the threat.
Blair, Garry, Sanchez, Bennings, Fuchs, MacReady -
21. INT. MACREADY'S CABIN - NIGHT
MacReady plays chess and discovers the sabotaged choppers.
MacReady -
22. INT. RADIO ROOM - NIGHT
Blair goes berserk and destroys the radio.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Blair, Palmer, Norris -
23. INT. TOOLSHED - NIGHT
Blair is locked in the toolshed.
MacReady, Blair, Dr. Copper, Fuchs -
24. INT. MESS HALL - MORNING
Clark reports the dogs are missing.
Clark, Garry, Dr. Copper, Nauls -
25. EXT. COMPOUND - DAY
MacReady prepares to track the dogs.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Palmer, Norris, Bennings -
26. EXT. ICESCAPE - DAY
The men track the dogs and find remains.
MacReady, Childs, Bennings -
27. EXT. ICESCAPE - NIGHT
The men find a dog eating another dog.
MacReady, Childs, Bennings -
28. EXT. VALLEY - DAY
MacReady and Childs track a dog to a valley where they encounter a horrific transformation and the death of Bennings.
MacReady, Childs, Bennings -
29. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
The men interrogate Clark about the kennel incident and discuss the nature of the creature.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Blair, Dr. Copper, Palmer -
30. INT. INFIRMARY - NIGHT
The men discover the blood plasma supply has been sabotaged.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Dr. Copper, Nauls, Norris -
31. INT. ARMORY - NIGHT
Sanchez attempts to arm himself but is stopped by the group.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Nauls, Norris, Sanchez -
32. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
MacReady and the men prepare to search for Fuchs while keeping the tied-up men under guard.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Blair, Dr. Copper, Palmer -
33. EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
MacReady, Nauls, and Sanchez head out into the storm.
MacReady, Nauls, Sanchez -
34. INT. COMPOUND HALLWAY - NIGHT
Childs and Palmer move through the corridor.
Childs, Palmer -
35. EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
MacReady and Nauls visit Blair's shack.
MacReady, Nauls, Blair -
36. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
Norris watches the prisoners while suffering chest pain.
Norris, Dr. Copper -
37. EXT. COMPOUND - NIGHT
MacReady and Nauls struggle against the storm.
MacReady, Nauls -
38. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Childs and Palmer find cut power cables.
Childs, Palmer -
39. INT. MACREADY'S SHACK - NIGHT
MacReady and Nauls find the shack roof destroyed.
MacReady, Nauls -
40. INT. PLANT ROOM - NIGHT
Childs and Palmer find Fuchs dead.
Childs, Palmer, Sanchez -
41. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
Norris sounds the siren.
Norris -
42. INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT
The men return to the rec room.
Childs, Palmer, Sanchez -
43. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
The men wait for the others.
Childs, Norris, Palmer, Sanchez -
44. INT. COMPOUND MAIN HALLWAY - NIGHT
Nauls returns to the compound.
Nauls, Childs, Palmer, Norris, Sanchez -
45. INT. SUPPLY ROOM - NIGHT
MacReady tries to get back inside.
MacReady, Childs, Palmer, Nauls, Norris, Sanchez -
46. INT. INFIRMARY - NIGHT
Norris's body is tested.
MacReady, Dr. Copper, Norris, Childs, Sanchez, Clark -
47. INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT
MacReady initiates the blood test.
MacReady, Childs, Palmer, Dr. Copper, Garry, Clark -
48. INT. Compound - NIGHT
MacReady tests the men's blood with a heated wire to identify the alien. Palmer is revealed as the creature and attacks, leading to a chaotic battle where he and Dr. Copper are killed.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Dr. Copper, Palmer, Norris -
49. INT. Compound - NIGHT
MacReady continues testing the remaining men. Childs is cleared, and Garry is tested.
MacReady, Garry, Childs, Nauls, Sanchez -
50. EXT. Compound - NIGHT
MacReady, Childs, and Nauls head to Blair's shack.
MacReady, Childs, Nauls -
51. INT. Blair's Shack - NIGHT
The men discover Blair has been building a spaceship.
MacReady, Childs, Nauls -
52. INT. Rec Room - NIGHT
The survivors prepare for a final confrontation with the creature.
MacReady, Garry, Nauls, Sanchez -
53. INT. Pub Area - NIGHT
MacReady and Childs, the final survivors, sit together in the ruins.
MacReady, Childs
Dialogue examples
Watching Norris in there... gave me the idea that maybe every part of you bastards is a whole. Every piece of you is self-sufficient, an animal unto itself. When a man bleeds it's just tissue. But blood from one of you Things won't obey. It's a newly formed individual with a built-in desire to protect its own life. When attacked, your blood will try and survive -- and crawl away from a hot needle say.
Whatever that Norwegian dog was... It... It was capable of changing its form... when it attacked our dog... it somehow was able to digest... or... absorb it... and in the process shaped its own cells to imitate our dog's cells exactly... This for instance isn't dog at all -- it's imitation... We got to it before it had time to finish or...
It's a simple blood typing test. This Thing's blood chemistry is different than ours. Basically we mix someone's blood with uncontaminated human blood. If we don't get the proper serum reaction -- then that person isn't human.
No. Just that he recovered real quick... That night when I found him in the rec room, he had already scraped off his bandage. Before I put him with the others, I redressed his wound and noticed it had healed up real good...
Happens all the time, man. They're falling out of the skies like flies. Government knows all about it... Chariots of the Gods, man... They practically own South America. I mean they taught the Incas everything they knew...
...You think this Thing wants to become an animal? Dogs can't make it 1000 miles to the sea. No skua gulls to imitate this time of year... No penguins this far inland... Don't you understand?! It wanted to become us!
All right... Box of dynamite... box of thermite... three shotguns... box of flares... two flare guns... thirty cans gasoline... and a case of alcohol.
Hold on, damn it. We're getting nowhere... If this bit of Blair's about absorbing and imitating is true... then that dog could have gotten to anybody.
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