See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

12 used & new from £4.48

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
They Live [DVD] [1989]
 
See larger image
 

They Live [DVD] [1989]

DVD ~ Roddy Piper
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


3 new from £14.99 9 used from £4.48
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

They Live [DVD] [1989]
49% buy the item featured on this page:
They Live [DVD] [1989] 3.9 out of 5 stars (38)
They Live [DVD] [1988]
39% buy
They Live [DVD] [1988] 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
£6.48
The Thing [DVD] [1982]
5% buy
The Thing [DVD] [1982] 4.6 out of 5 stars (90)
£2.87
Creepshow (2 Disc Special Edition) [1982] [DVD]
4% buy
Creepshow (2 Disc Special Edition) [1982] [DVD] 4.4 out of 5 stars (14)
£3.98

Product details

  • Actors: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter Jason
  • Directors: John Carpenter
  • Writers: John Carpenter, Ray Nelson
  • Producers: Andre Blay, Larry J. Franco, Sandy King, Shep Gordon
  • Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Momentum Pictures
  • DVD Release Date: 21 Oct 2002
  • Run Time: 89 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00006JY2K
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 23,549 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 9
German\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English German Spanish
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Trailer
The Making Of
Exclusive Audio Commentary By Director John Carpenter And Roddy Piper
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\German\Norwegian\Portuguese\Spanish\Swedish


Synopsis
John Nada (Roddy Piper) is a quiet loner, a drifter who gets work where ever he can find it. While working on a construction site in L.A. and sleeping in a vagrant community at night, John stumbles upon a secret society of alien beings who pose as wealthy and powerful people in human society. John joins a rebel group commited to exposing this conspiricy, and becomes their reluctant leader and the only hope of the human race. Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper is outstanding as the unassuming hero, playing the role with understated shock at what he uncovers and stubborn courage when he confronts it. Director John Carpenter laces the film with his trademark blend of humour and horror, making aliens that are hideously arrogant, greedy, and easy to hate, while the humans are confused and desperate in their struggle against them. The world looks a little different at the end of THEY LIVE, and one will never look at billboards, money, or sunglasses the same way again. The film contains the longest, and perhaps most realistic, fist fight in film history. Paying homage to INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, the film was based on the short story EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING by Ray Nelson.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Thing [DVD] [1982]

The Thing [DVD] [1982]

DVD ~ Kurt Russell
4.6 out of 5 stars (90)  £2.87
Prince Of Darkness [DVD] [1988]

Prince Of Darkness [DVD] [1988]

DVD ~ Donald Pleasence
Escape From New York [DVD] [1981]

Escape From New York [DVD] [1981]

DVD ~ Isaac Hayes
Big Trouble in Little China -- two-disc Special Edition [DVD] [1986]

Big Trouble in Little China -- two-disc Special Edition [DVD] [1986]

DVD ~ Kurt Russell
4.5 out of 5 stars (26)  £6.98
Creepshow (2 Disc Special Edition) [1982] [DVD]

Creepshow (2 Disc Special Edition) [1982] [DVD]

DVD ~ Hal Holbrook
4.4 out of 5 stars (14)  £3.98
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

38 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (15)
3 star:
 (8)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Missing the point?, 9 Oct 2007
By Sandman (London, UK) - See all my reviews
I think most of you are missing the point of the film here, its a social commentary, the aliens were an allegory for corporate greed and capitialism at the expense of personal freedoms and human rights. It was made in the 80's, Reagan era, when these things were being pushed aside in favour of power and a monay making screw everyone else culture.

Personally, I think it is brilliantly done, Piper is a pretty good actor (for a ex wrestler) and the tongue in cheek script and direction makes sure its doesnt get too caught up in its own message. Although, having said that, the message is pretty loud and clear by the time the two heroes get into the alien base and find out humans are collaborating with them, just for a guaranteed increase in their investments.

Keith Allen is great also, the pointlessly long and over the top fight scene between the two is one of the best thing about the film, just a bit of fun interjected into a serious film. The scene now has cult status, and was immortalized by Southpark, in the episode `cripple fight' where Jimmy tries to get Timmy to put on a silly hat. Brilliant stuff.

The film could have done with a bigger budget, but I still rate it as a classic, with a message that is perhaps even more relevant today; what with the political propaganda machine even more powerful and insidious than ever, and people even more stupid, it seems.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS is your God, 9 Jan 2003
This film is an undiscovered gem- I've seen it turn up more than once in one of those '20 films you've never heard of, but must see' type of things.
Following a drifter looking for work, we have the 'truth' behind society slowly revealed to us through his eyes(Quite literally, as it happens). We are shown a world of subliminal messages hidden behind every advertising hoarding 'Marry and reproduce', for instance, every magazine and book page carries a hidden motto: 'Obey' 'Consume' - the list goes ever on (The message on the dollar bill - 'This is your God' is my particular favourite...). A 'ruling order' is revealed to be controlling us all.

The concept of aliens living among us is not a new one within Science Fiction, but Carpenter has worked his magic on it to produce a film that is at times funny, shocking, weird, thoughtful and insightful. I could probably add more to that list if I tried, but you get the idea. This film is, in my opinion, Carpenter's finest hour.

Add to all this the greatest bare-knuckle punch-up in cinematic history (and possibly one of the longest), and you've got pure movie magic- an essential buy. Modern imitators in this genre don't even come close.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars They Live, 13 Feb 2005
Crazy black comedy sci-fi works brilliantly at times, gets a bit silly at others (the sunglasses fight). The best aspect (the brainwashing plot) is interesting and not so far fetched if you substitute the rich establishment for the aliens and advertising/media control for the hypnotic transmissions.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars David Fincher - remake this now!!
The premise which underpins this cult classic is "the ultra rich and well-healed have such contempt and disregard for everyone else, they must be from another planet". Read more
Published 9 months ago by N. Smith

3.0 out of 5 stars worth a look but didnt change my world
Rowdy roddy piper of world wrestling federation and world wrestling entertainment to a lesser degree stars in this sci fi film that has a portion of black comedy thrown in as... Read more
Published 13 months ago by sean paul mccann

5.0 out of 5 stars I wear my sunglasses at night
Another of John Carpenter's great successes, this film turns the paranoia of the 50's science fiction film on its head. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Jonathon T. Beckett

3.0 out of 5 stars better than you expect
This film is a curiosity. It's a mainstream hollywood film with a wrestler turned actor in the lead role and it deals with an insidious alien take over. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Cartwright

3.0 out of 5 stars You're uhhh joking, right?
Which is what I thought when I saw this at the cinema many years ago, and what I thought after another viewing on DVD. Read more
Published on 2 Jul 2007 by Mr. S. Crook

3.0 out of 5 stars piper aint kurt!
They Live was probably the last of john carpenters really good films. Released in 1988 it stars roddy piper(though kurt russell woulda been better) as a down on his luck guy who... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2007 by Mr. Russell C. Witheyman

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Fun
It's just a fun and watchable film. It's not quite up to John Carpenter's best standards, but if you're a wrestling fan and/or a stoner, then this is definately your film. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2006 by mxd10

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
This was one of the last John Carpenter films I had left to see and I was looking foward to it considering that rests on a series of good 80s JC efforts. Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2006 by M. JONES

4.0 out of 5 stars classic sci-fi
if u like sci-fi u will love this film, it puts a twist on your thinking

buy when u can its good
Published on 30 Jul 2006 by MOVIE BUFF

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than most of todays blockbusters
Having seen this movie about 5/6 times i feel it's only fair to give a review from the 1st time i saw it on release, to the last time i watched it about 6 months ago. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2006 by Joseph Berwick

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

Shop The Body Shop

 

Up to 75% off Shoes

Shoe Clearance - 75% off Shoes
Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

Shop clearance shoes

 

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

 

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

Learn more about Gift Certificates

 
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Host
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates