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The W - Print - Best and worst film and TV adaptations of Stephen King books
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PaulKTF
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Since: 26.5.06

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#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.10
Sometimes they're great. Soemtimes they miss the mark alltogether.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_based_on_Stephen_King_works

My favorie (and the best adaptation) is Pet Sematary. Fred Gwynne as Jud was perfect casting and the director really seemed to understand what made the book so effectivly scary.

One adaptation I hate (save for the wonderful Overlook Hotel interiors) is Kubrick's The Shining. He either missed, or ignored the real subtext of the book (alcoholism can destroy a family) and Jack Nicholson's
hammy "crazy" act that he does from the begining doesn't help. The TV movie does the book much better justice.

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El Nastio
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Since: 14.1.02
From: Ottawa Ontario, by way of Walkerton

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#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.66
If we're going with "novellas" being allowed in this discussion, then this thread is finished after this post. It ends right now with The Shawshank Redemption as being the best. Period.



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Morcilla








Since: 16.2.07
From: 3rd Floor, NW window

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#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.67
Oh God what a horrible list this will be. I almost never think of any of his books as 'good' adaptations, let alone movies. Misery was very good and obviously Shawshank, but the other end of the list is just awful. The Stand & Tommyknockers were terrible movies any way you want to categorize them, adaptations or not. The *VERY* bottom of the list should abolutely be Dreamcatcher .

Not looking forward to The Gunslinger whatsoever.
lotjx
Scrapple








Since: 5.9.08

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#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.66
Out of the TV ones, I liked the Stand since it really didn't leave much out, we can argue about the ending, but it hit on every mark and is my favorite King book. The best movie is Shawshank even though its just a short story, but Green Mile isn't that far off in my book either. I hated Storm of the Century even though it was just a made for TV thing. I agree with Dream Catcher that was garbage and seemed like he was combining Tommy Knockers and Stand Be Me for some unknown reason. I have to say I enjoy most of the movies like Carrie, Christine and Needful things. I actually prefer Needful Things the movie over the book. Most of Kings' movies and TV stuff is pretty good, but when you have about 20 pieces of work out there, you will get some clunkers.
samoflange
Lap cheong








Since: 22.2.04
From: Cambridge, MA

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#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.40
Though I've read plenty of King, I haven't watched many adaptations because I mostly stick to comedy and blockbuster action in my movie watching habits. However, I remember The Mist as being excellent, with the different ending being better than King's original one.



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Zeruel
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Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

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#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.04
    Originally posted by samoflange
    Though I've read plenty of King, I haven't watched many adaptations because I mostly stick to comedy and blockbuster action in my movie watching habits.


The Running Man wasn't bad.



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PaulKTF
Summer sausage








Since: 26.5.06

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#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.10
For those of you who like "So bad, they're good" movies, Pet Sematary II is pretty damn awful and cheesy.

I find it sort of funny that the Wikipedia article I linked to counts "The Lawnmower Man" movie as an adaptation of King's work (he sued to have his name taken off of the movie's title because it has nothing to do with his short story of the same name).
Lise
Mrs. Guru








Since: 11.12.01

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#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.93
Wasn't there an adaptation of the "Night Flier" short story at some point? I mean that can't be good... the story was a stinker to start with.
griff
Summer sausage








Since: 26.2.04
From: Chester, England

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#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.49
I would love to see a film adaptation of The Long Walk come into fruition some day. My favorite King story.

There is a talkie of Night Surf floating out there somewhere which I would also like to see but have failed to track down. I blame it on my lack of internet savvy.

So with that being said...

Best-est:

Stand By Me. Loved it. Lots of great moments.

The Mist. I wouldn't put it in my top ten films or anything, but it was a solid film.

Honorable mention goes to Tim Curry's performance of Pennywise in It, even if the film is lacklustre on the whole.

I've not watched Shawshank Redemption yet but, yes, I know I need to.

Worst-est: The Tommyknockers Boy, was that film a chore to get through.







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KJames199
Scrapple
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Since: 10.12.01
From: #yqr

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#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.89
I've read very little Steven King, and none at all for many years, but I love Stand By Me a lot. I'm not sure how it ranks as an adaptation, though.

I also found The Mist to be surprisingly okay. When (you-know-who) got (you-know-whatted), the whole theatre erupted in cheers. It was the damndest thing.

Off-topic: I moved the thread from One Question to Print because this seemed more like something that people could discuss as opposed to the quick-answer questions that One Question is designed for.
Dexley's Midnight Jogger
Pepperoni
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Since: 10.10.02
From: New Hampshire

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#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.50
    Originally posted by Zeruel

    The Running Man wasn't bad.


The movie wasn't bad, but it was significantly different than the book.

Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
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Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

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#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.00
Not one mention of the Langoliers?




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Guru Zim
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Since: 9.12.01
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#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.00
    Originally posted by Lise
    Wasn't there an adaptation of the "Night Flier" short story at some point? I mean that can't be good... the story was a stinker to start with.


Never even knew this existed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119784/






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Since: 9.11.03
From: Bedford, Michigan

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#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.18
    Originally posted by Guru Zim
      Originally posted by Lise
      Wasn't there an adaptation of the "Night Flier" short story at some point? I mean that can't be good... the story was a stinker to start with.


    Never even knew this existed.

    http://www.imdb.com/​title/​tt0119784/​




I remember it as being pretty solid. I mean, starring Miguel Ferrer, how could it not be?
Lexus
Andouille








Since: 2.1.02
From: Stafford, VA

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#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.22
    Originally posted by Guru Zim
    Not one mention of the Langoliers?


I will definitely second that, though I haven't seen the Tommyknockers. A friend of mine hated the Stand until he realized there was a second tape to watch.

Strange how his horror work isn't what everybody accolaids in film; Shawshank and Stand By Me.

To this day I can still sit and watch Maximum Overdrive, partly because of the healthy dose of AC/DC.



"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Frown and the world laughs at you."
-Me.
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