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

13 used & new from $4.88

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

They Live [VHS] (1988)

Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David Director: John Carpenter Rating: R (Restricted) Format: VHS Tape
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (200 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


3 new from $13.28 10 used from $4.88
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
DVD $14.98 $7.99 65 used & new from $6.75
Video On Demand $2.99

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Thing (Collector's Edition)

The Thing (Collector's Edition)

DVD ~ Kurt Russell
4.6 out of 5 stars (541)  $7.99
Escape from New York

Escape from New York

DVD ~ Tom Atkins
4.3 out of 5 stars (161)  $7.99
Prince Of Darkness

Prince Of Darkness

DVD ~ Donald Pleasence
4.0 out of 5 stars (112)  $11.99
Dead Alive

Dead Alive

DVD ~ Timothy Balme
4.4 out of 5 stars (440)  $5.99
Night of the Comet

Night of the Comet

DVD ~ Robert Beltran
4.2 out of 5 stars (120)  $7.99
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Actors: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter Jason
  • Directors: John Carpenter
  • Format: Color, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Rating: R (Restricted)
  • Studio: Goodtimes Home Video
  • VHS Release Date: May 18, 1999
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (200 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00000JX1B
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,511 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
An economic crisis brings unemployed Nada (Roddy Piper) to L.A. in search of work. What he finds instead is that the ruling elite of the world are aliens in disguise, their aim being to keep humans in a state of mindless consumerism. His discovery comes when he dons a pair of special sunglasses made by a resistance group and sees for the first time reality unadorned. Billboards, store signs, magazine covers--all bear subliminal messages to OBEY, to CONSUME, to have NO INDEPENDENT THOUGHT. Money itself says THIS IS YOUR GOD. But worst of all, with these glasses you see which of us are really hideous, bug-eyed aliens. The conceptual breakthrough is hilarious while keeping its roots in darker matters. Although some fault the film for settling into its action plot, the ending has a great payoff. And the direction by John Carpenter is handled with superb workmanlike aplomb. One unforgettable set piece has Piper in a back-alley fistfight with a friend who won't put on the glasses that goes on and on, and just when you think it's over it goes another round. One of the most subversive films ever made in Hollywood, They Live was released on the eve of the 1988 elections. The first TV ads had two hideous alien politicians debating, then one accusing the other of being "No John Kennedy!" --Jim Gay

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed

Prince Of Darkness

Prince Of Darkness

DVD ~ Donald Pleasence
4.0 out of 5 stars (112)  $11.99
Escape from New York

Escape from New York

DVD ~ Tom Atkins
4.3 out of 5 stars (161)  $7.99
The Thing (Collector's Edition)

The Thing (Collector's Edition)

DVD ~ Kurt Russell
4.6 out of 5 stars (541)  $7.99
In the Mouth of Madness

In the Mouth of Madness

DVD ~ Sam Neill
4.2 out of 5 stars (159)  $11.49
The Carpenter Collection (The Thing/They Live/Prince Of Darkness/Village Of The Damned)

The Carpenter Collection (The Thing/They Live/Prince Of Darkness/Village Of The Damned)

DVD ~ Christopher Reeve
Explore similar items

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below.
(175)
(36)
(49)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

 

Customer Reviews

200 Reviews
5 star:
 (110)
4 star:
 (65)
3 star:
 (15)
2 star:
 (6)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (200 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars MEN IN BLACK : THE SEARCH FOR THE GLASSES, January 9, 2002
This review is from: They Live (DVD)
Produced by Larry Franco and directed by John Carpenter in 1988, THEY LIVE never appears on the list of the best movies of the american master. I don't understand why. The carpenterian theme by excellence, the rebellion against the establishment, is the central theme of THEY LIVE, and, as far as it concerns action, the movie features one of the most impressing bare hand fights ever presented on screen.

Furthermore THEY LIVE presents a good sci-fi cliché à la Philip K. Dick - they're among us and I'm the only one who sees them -, a theme treated with intelligence by John Carpenter who does have a lot of fun to criticize our contemporary society. One will recognize some of the ideas of the movie in another Carpenter opus directed 10 years later : ESCAPE FROM L.A.

If you're a Carpenter fan, this DVD will soon be in your library but be aware that there isn't even a menu and that you're just allowed to surf into a scene access department. Shame on Image for their lack of respect. Great images and sound though.

A DVD zone rebellion.

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



 
38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars See Through their Control, October 24, 2004
This review is from: They Live (DVD)
This movie is GREAT. I've always liked the films of John Carpenter and this one blew me away. This film is about subtle control and manipulation of the human race. A man gains the power to see through the lies and stupidity of his world. He eventually sacrifices himself to save everyone.

Movies of this caliber are quite simply not made anymore. While watching it, it will not only entertain you it will MAKE YOU THINK. If you liked The Matrix, you will love this. The thing about this movie is that even though its context is outlandish, its message is close to home. The "aliens" in this case become an intense metaphor for those who seek to completely control a population through brain washing and lies. The population becomes willing cattle for their slave masters, some humans even going so far in their brainwashed zeal as to side with the "aliens." MONEY IS YOUR GOD.

Wake up from their mind control. Use your mind and think dangerous THOUGHTS (very similar to the "thought police" of Orwell's 1984) that will bring about goodness in the world. If you like this look into:

reading George Orwell's "1984"
reading Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World"
or just watching "The Matrix" again.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Can we say new age CULT CLASSIC!, December 6, 1999
By A Customer
It's hard to write about this movie to those who haven't seen it. It's one of those films you either love, or you look at with an odd expression and say "huh?" to. Yes, it's sci fi, and yes, it's comedy. There are lots of little political and social jokes that run through the plot, but there's also a great deal of amusement. I'm not going to say that everyone will love this movie, but if you are a fan of sci-fi/comedy, pro wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, alien conspiracies,and a slow-heavy blues bassline theme music kinda movies, see They Live. Packed with a hefty supply of cult classic one-liners like "I've come here to chew bubble gum and kick ---, and I'm all outta bubble gum", They Live is a great film.
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

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey brothers... there's something new going down...
Are malevolent aliens working with CEOs, politicians, and law enforcement to establish the "new world order? Read more
Published 28 days ago by Deschamps

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
This is one of the raddest movies of all time. Few know of this movie, but it has a genius story line and even the main character ex-wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper does a good job in... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Coco's

5.0 out of 5 stars classic movie.....missing some major features?
This stone cold classic , which is scary in its predictions of our current society....is available in the UK ( I bought the import) with an 8 minute making of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Richardson

5.0 out of 5 stars How Applicable for Today!
This movie rocks! Such a great Carpenter classic, Roddy Piper isn't that bad an actor too. It's amazing how this movie in a weird way echo's the current times and trends - hmm,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by E. Sanchez

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Movie
I love the movie I saw it on youtube and I bought the in amazon
Published 5 months ago by Mario Cordero

5.0 out of 5 stars Realy love this movie
It's hard to write about this movie to those who haven't seen it. It's one of those films you either love, or you look at with an odd expression and say "huh?" to. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Steven L. Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars This film rules
They Live is a fun sci-fi film made by John Carpenter and stars former wwe superstar "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. P. Burt

5.0 out of 5 stars Benjamin Disraeli said it best!
This delightfully eerie movie demonstrates that great films are not necessarily pretentious; world-class art can appeal to regular folks; you needn't read John Taylor Gatto to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cleveland Confidential

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunglasses at Night
John Carpenter wrote the screenplay and directed this 1988 Science Fiction/Horror film that is based on Ray Nelson's 1963 short story, Eight O'Clock in the Morning... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Richard D. Coreno

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you dare to see the truth?
Oh man what a fun movie, I saw this a few months ago and still marvel at how much I enjoyed it. This is one of those eighties movies that borderlines on silly and cheesy at times... Read more
Published 9 months ago by - Kasia S.

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
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]

   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)



Look for Similar Items by Category


A Savings Shower

Home Improvement Value Center
Find the right showerhead at the right price in the Home Improvement Value Center, where you can find items up to 50% off.

Shop the Value Center

 

Shop for Fish Tape in Home Improvement

Shop for fish tape
Use fish tape to easily string electrical, phone, and data wires and cables behind finished walls and ceilings.

Shop for fish tape

 

Complete Your Project for Less

Home Improvement Value Center
Slip in under budget with sleek doorknobs and secure locks. Hurry--this selection of hardware, with discounts up to 50%, won’t be around long.

Shop the Home Improvement Value Center

 
Shop for yard machines by MTD
Yard Machines by MTDA leader in designing and building durable, easy-to-use outdoor power equipment, Yard Machines by MTD meet all of your lawn and garden needs.
 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & 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
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Glenn Beck's Common Sense

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates