This film reveals the witty personality and gallows humor of this prolific writer who works with directors adapting his horrifying stories that cause us to sleep with the lights on. See what directors and actors say about working with Stephen King to reshape his work for screen. You see how important relationships are while working to make these stories come to life on film. But you see interviews with King showing that as serious as the plots are, he has a fun yet wicked sense of humor.
The prolific author is considered the most adapted authors alive, and he’s still writing! More than 52 of King’s 80 plus books and stories have been produced on film, many of which have become horror and award winning classics. More have been adapted for TV, some for which he wrote the screenplays. The film details the serious accident when he was hit by a car while on a walk near his home. There was a long recovery, but that didn’t stop him and he’s still going strong.
King admits about sitting down to write that “The Scariest moment is always just before you start.” After that, things get better. Regarding ideas, he says that when he looks at the page, it’s like Michelangelo looked at a piece of marble. The finished product is already right there inside.
Young director, Daphné Baiwir does a thorough job gathering details about the teams of filmmakers working with King. Carrie was his first big published success in 1974, brought to the screen by Brian De Palma 2 years later. With Oscar nominated Sissy Spacek as the bloody teen lead, this film made its mark. Stanley Kubrick wanted to direct The Shining because he saw the global success Billy Friedkin had directing The Exorcist. King didn’t have a great relationship with Kubrick working on The Shining. King wasn’t thrilled with Jack Nicholson playing the crazed villain who had just come off receiving the Oscar for his characterization in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.
But King did love working with Frank Darabont on The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Hearing Darabont talk about their process is fascinating, especially about working with Tom Hanks who was mentor to new actor Michael Clarke Duncan. You also hear from several actors, including James Caan who starred with Kathy Bates in Misery. And with Tim Curry who played Pennywise, the dancing clown, in the chiller, It.
There are interviews with directors Mick Garris (Sleepwalkers), Tom Holland (Chucky), Taylor Hackford (Delores Claiborne) and more. Baiwir also includes appearances of King doing quirky cameos in his films.
The open and close of this documentary shows a King-like scenario at an aptly named CreepShop which is creative, but a somewhat confusing way to bookend this film. But keep watching through the credits for more quips in interviews about the incredibly prolific King and his work. This film makes clear what a potent force he is in literature and film, still creating more chilling scenes for the screen.
Dark Star Pictures. 75 Minutes. TV-14
In select theaters and on VOD September 8th
