326 reviews
It is cheesy at times but holds very true to the original story and was directed by someone competent which cant be said for the new one.
I have read the book and the extended version King released later and would suggest reading the original Stand he released first, then watch this movie.
Forget the 2020 remake even exists, much like 2020, its a dumpster fire.
I have read the book and the extended version King released later and would suggest reading the original Stand he released first, then watch this movie.
Forget the 2020 remake even exists, much like 2020, its a dumpster fire.
- shadsemail
- Jan 3, 2021
- Permalink
This mini-series begins at a secret government lab in California that accidently releases an extremely lethal modification of the flu into the air which quickly infects everybody within the vicinity. Realizing the danger that this virus poses to his family, a security guard by the name of "Charlie Campion" (Ray McKinnon) hurries out of the compound and--with his wife and small child--drives as fast as he can in order to put distance between them and this horrific contagion. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts the virus takes hold and in a state of complete exhaustion he eventually succumbs to the disease and crashes into a gas pump at a grocery store in East Texas. Naturally, this sudden development brings out all of those inside the building-which then exposes all of them to the virus as well. So, with containment no longer possible, the virus soon spreads to all parts of the country leaving most of the population dead within weeks. The small number of people who do survive become split up into two factions with the main characteristic being a specific vision that each of them have. Those who are essentially good dream of an old black lady by the name of "Abigail Freemantle" (Ruby Dee) who beckons them to join her in Nebraska. The other dream involves a sinister man named "Randall Flagg" (Jamie Sheridan) who urges his followers to come to Las Vegas and join him. And it's this split that results in the horrors yet to come. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that, having read the book by Stephen King a couple of years prior to this film, I have to say that I was a somewhat disappointed overall in that it didn't quite capture the dark horror to its fullest extent. But then, more often than not, that's typically the case for films based on novels anyway. In any case, this movie still managed to combine enough of the original suspense with some decent acting all around and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
I sat down to watch this with real trepidation as I have read the novel so many times that it has become incredibly real to me. Like so many other fans of the book, I had created the characters in my mind and could actually visualise them. After the hack job that was the TV adaptation of 'It' I could not imagine that I could be anything other than sorely disappointed.
I am glad to report to other 'Stand' fans that it aint' half bad. Granted there are some horribly miscast parts. Molly Ringwald failed to portray Fran's immense courage and determination and was (I'm sorry to say) neither young enough nor pretty enough. Corin Nemec as Harold was just a TOTAL joke. Harold was FAT, FAT, FAT with long greasy hair -not a skinny dweeb in a track suit. When I think of Harold I imagine Philip Seymour Hoffman (or Meat Loaf in his Rocky Horror days). Finally I must also mention Laura San Giacomo as Nadine - she played her like some kind of manic depressive( ! ). However, there is enough about the film that is excellent that it kind of makes up for that. I have to single out Gary Sinise as Stu - he must have read and loved the book himself as his performance had incredible depth and thoughtfulness. In addition Adam Storke and Rob Lowe were tremendous as Larry and Nick respectively and Bill Faggerbacke WAS Tom Cullen.
The music and cinematography were an integral part of the film's power to pull you in and bewitch you. I watched the whole thing in one go as I literally couldn't switch off.
If you are a Stephen King fan you shouldn't be afraid to watch this and if you aren't then it's a cracking story, very well told.
I am glad to report to other 'Stand' fans that it aint' half bad. Granted there are some horribly miscast parts. Molly Ringwald failed to portray Fran's immense courage and determination and was (I'm sorry to say) neither young enough nor pretty enough. Corin Nemec as Harold was just a TOTAL joke. Harold was FAT, FAT, FAT with long greasy hair -not a skinny dweeb in a track suit. When I think of Harold I imagine Philip Seymour Hoffman (or Meat Loaf in his Rocky Horror days). Finally I must also mention Laura San Giacomo as Nadine - she played her like some kind of manic depressive( ! ). However, there is enough about the film that is excellent that it kind of makes up for that. I have to single out Gary Sinise as Stu - he must have read and loved the book himself as his performance had incredible depth and thoughtfulness. In addition Adam Storke and Rob Lowe were tremendous as Larry and Nick respectively and Bill Faggerbacke WAS Tom Cullen.
The music and cinematography were an integral part of the film's power to pull you in and bewitch you. I watched the whole thing in one go as I literally couldn't switch off.
If you are a Stephen King fan you shouldn't be afraid to watch this and if you aren't then it's a cracking story, very well told.
Prior to the release of It, The Stand was my favourite King novel. It's a gargantuan effort which weaves a huge cast of disparate characters into an epic tale of the struggle between good and evil on the eve of Armageddon. I used to think about what kind of a movie could be constructed from the novel, even going so far as to pick a cast, but I always knew in my heart that the sheer magnitude of the undertaking would undoubtedly make an effective translation to screen impossible.
My worst fears were realised when I walked into my local video store one fine day last year and saw a poster for its upcoming release. The words "teleplay" struck instant fear into my heart, having been burned before by the made for TV adaptation of It, and when I scanned the cast list I nearly started screaming. Molly Ringwald?!! Rob Lowe?!! As Nick Andros?!! It was horrible, just horrible, and I resolved never to subject myself to the nightmare which I knew waited inside that double-cassette cover.
But one day I got bored, a few hours to kill before I went out on the town, so I figured what the heck, might as well give it a go, I can always drown my sorrows after it's over. I took the video home, made myself a strong cup of coffee, and sat down to partake of the carnival of horrors which had patiently waited to entrap me.
The film runs for a tad under six hours. I watched nearly five that day, and only left the last hour until the following day because the sun had set and fellow partygoers were banging on my door. This scene has been repeated by virtually everybody I know who has hired the film, and with good reason.
The Stand is a tour de force, a film which proves that a good story well told with a capable cast can overcome any censorship restrictions television cares to impose. I just don't know where to begin in my praise of this masterwork. I could praise those concerned for enticing King himself to write the teleplay, thereby ensuring it followed the novel almost to the letter, allowing the characters time to grow, to become real people, people we can love or hate, people we can root for or hiss at. Every major scene is there, lovingly recreated for our viewing pleasure, and it proves that King can claim a keen eye for the visual medium amongst his many talents.
I could praise the casting, which is as damn near perfect as you're ever going to get. There's Gary Sinise ("Lieutenant Dan" from Forrest Gump), who plays Stu Redman like he was born to the role. Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe actually turn in stellar performances. The characters I'd known and loved - Tom Cullen, Lloyd, Glen Bateman, Larry Underwood - are all there, and when the movie was over I discovered that, however I had pictured them when I had read the novel, it was now impossible to imagine them as anything else. That's perhaps the highest praise which can be afforded an actor, and whoever the casting director was should have a statue erected in their honour. I would also like to mention the superb casting of Randall Flagg, "The Walkin' Dude". I couldn't believe it when he first appeared - "That's not him!" were the exact words which issued from my lips. The Walkin' Dude was supposed to be evil, fer chrissakes, and this guy looked liked he'd just stepped out of a Levis commercial. However, as the film wore on I realised just what a magical piece of casting had been wrought. Flagg is evil personified, sure enough, but he's also charismatic. After all, how many people, however blackhearted, would follow someone who actually resembled the evil he represented? So we have this good-looking, amiable dude who runs around recruiting his dark army, but there's always something not quite right about him, an edge to his smile, a flash in his eyes. Then, as things begin to fall apart, his true character reasserts itself, and it's even more shocking by virtue of the "nice-guy" image which he'd previously worn. Classic stuff, and it proved beyond a doubt why I'm an accountant, not a casting director.
I could praise the music, which unfailingly matches the mood, and which positively soars during the Wild Bunch-style scenes in which the four chosen ones commence their pilgrimage to Vegas. This is the kind of thing which doesn't take much to do, but which lends an epic quality to the proceedings.
And that's what really nails this film down as a classic - the little touches which ensure the film stays in the mind long after the credits have rolled. The slow degeneration of Ed Harris' general. Molly Ringwald's understated reaction to the death of her beloved father. Lloyd's realisation that things are falling apart, countered by his knowledge that he's committed, for better or worse. So much could have gone wrong in these six hours, so many cliché's enacted, and every potential obstacle is avoided with the expert skill of an Olympic slalom competitor.
I urge you to head down to your video store this weekend and rent this film. Take the phone off the hook, draw the blinds, stock up on Coke and munchies and settle in for six hours of unadulterated brilliance.
It *shines*, friends. I can say no more than that.
My worst fears were realised when I walked into my local video store one fine day last year and saw a poster for its upcoming release. The words "teleplay" struck instant fear into my heart, having been burned before by the made for TV adaptation of It, and when I scanned the cast list I nearly started screaming. Molly Ringwald?!! Rob Lowe?!! As Nick Andros?!! It was horrible, just horrible, and I resolved never to subject myself to the nightmare which I knew waited inside that double-cassette cover.
But one day I got bored, a few hours to kill before I went out on the town, so I figured what the heck, might as well give it a go, I can always drown my sorrows after it's over. I took the video home, made myself a strong cup of coffee, and sat down to partake of the carnival of horrors which had patiently waited to entrap me.
The film runs for a tad under six hours. I watched nearly five that day, and only left the last hour until the following day because the sun had set and fellow partygoers were banging on my door. This scene has been repeated by virtually everybody I know who has hired the film, and with good reason.
The Stand is a tour de force, a film which proves that a good story well told with a capable cast can overcome any censorship restrictions television cares to impose. I just don't know where to begin in my praise of this masterwork. I could praise those concerned for enticing King himself to write the teleplay, thereby ensuring it followed the novel almost to the letter, allowing the characters time to grow, to become real people, people we can love or hate, people we can root for or hiss at. Every major scene is there, lovingly recreated for our viewing pleasure, and it proves that King can claim a keen eye for the visual medium amongst his many talents.
I could praise the casting, which is as damn near perfect as you're ever going to get. There's Gary Sinise ("Lieutenant Dan" from Forrest Gump), who plays Stu Redman like he was born to the role. Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe actually turn in stellar performances. The characters I'd known and loved - Tom Cullen, Lloyd, Glen Bateman, Larry Underwood - are all there, and when the movie was over I discovered that, however I had pictured them when I had read the novel, it was now impossible to imagine them as anything else. That's perhaps the highest praise which can be afforded an actor, and whoever the casting director was should have a statue erected in their honour. I would also like to mention the superb casting of Randall Flagg, "The Walkin' Dude". I couldn't believe it when he first appeared - "That's not him!" were the exact words which issued from my lips. The Walkin' Dude was supposed to be evil, fer chrissakes, and this guy looked liked he'd just stepped out of a Levis commercial. However, as the film wore on I realised just what a magical piece of casting had been wrought. Flagg is evil personified, sure enough, but he's also charismatic. After all, how many people, however blackhearted, would follow someone who actually resembled the evil he represented? So we have this good-looking, amiable dude who runs around recruiting his dark army, but there's always something not quite right about him, an edge to his smile, a flash in his eyes. Then, as things begin to fall apart, his true character reasserts itself, and it's even more shocking by virtue of the "nice-guy" image which he'd previously worn. Classic stuff, and it proved beyond a doubt why I'm an accountant, not a casting director.
I could praise the music, which unfailingly matches the mood, and which positively soars during the Wild Bunch-style scenes in which the four chosen ones commence their pilgrimage to Vegas. This is the kind of thing which doesn't take much to do, but which lends an epic quality to the proceedings.
And that's what really nails this film down as a classic - the little touches which ensure the film stays in the mind long after the credits have rolled. The slow degeneration of Ed Harris' general. Molly Ringwald's understated reaction to the death of her beloved father. Lloyd's realisation that things are falling apart, countered by his knowledge that he's committed, for better or worse. So much could have gone wrong in these six hours, so many cliché's enacted, and every potential obstacle is avoided with the expert skill of an Olympic slalom competitor.
I urge you to head down to your video store this weekend and rent this film. Take the phone off the hook, draw the blinds, stock up on Coke and munchies and settle in for six hours of unadulterated brilliance.
It *shines*, friends. I can say no more than that.
Great job adapting a really long and complex book. The characters are often very good (Bill Fagerbakke as Tom Cullen and Ray Walston as Glen Bateman, for example), and the storyline follows along that of the book. Of course, there are some things left out or changed, but that was needed to make the movie only 8 hours.
This is classic Stephen King, minus a lot of the gore that sometimes he's known for. It's the perpetual fight between good and evil. It was great to watch the story of one of my favorite books. Most of the characters bring such passion and reality to the story.
As a side note, I would recommend reading the prologue in Stephen King's newest edition of The Stand where he talks about making the movie.
This is classic Stephen King, minus a lot of the gore that sometimes he's known for. It's the perpetual fight between good and evil. It was great to watch the story of one of my favorite books. Most of the characters bring such passion and reality to the story.
As a side note, I would recommend reading the prologue in Stephen King's newest edition of The Stand where he talks about making the movie.
- sweetkanake
- Apr 13, 2003
- Permalink
I loved the Stephen King epic of the same name, and I loved the assembled cast for the TV series. It seemed so perfect, yet I knew that it wasn't going to be all that I hoped.
A plague of biblical proportions sweeps across the country, decimating the U.S. and taking millions of lives. The few that survive are summoned, through dreams and visions, to the "good" area, lead by the kind Mother Abigail (Ruby Dee), or the "bad" area, lead by the demonic Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan). Gary Sinise, Adam Storke, Molly Ringwald, and Rob Lowe play some of those summoned to Mother Abigail, while Miguel Ferrer and Sam Anderson play some of those summoned to Randall Flagg.
The book was epic. It had a massive cast of characters that were all original and interesting, and all faced their own demons with the decision to go to Flagg or Abigail. I know it's unfair to compare the book to the adaptation, yet I felt letdown by "The Stand". It lacked the backstory and the character development that made me care for the characters, and once again I know there are budget and time issues, but why eat the cake if you don't have all the ingredients? Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad. Gary Sinise is fantastic as the hero, but Molly Ringwald, who plays his girlfriend, really lacks. I cared about her character in the book, but in the TV series she's lifeless. Rob Lowe and Adam Storke are pitch-perfect, and Ruby Dee is exactly like the Mother Abigail I knew in the book. Miguel Ferrer is awesome as the villainous Randall Flagg's henchman, and Jamey Sheridan is magnifique as Flagg himself, perfectly emulating the demonic mystery from the book.
I don't know how to rate The Stand. I can say I enjoyed it but I also can say the whole thing felt a bit cartoony, fake even. If you're a die-hard fan of the book, don't expect too much, but if you're not you'll probably have a lot of fun.
A plague of biblical proportions sweeps across the country, decimating the U.S. and taking millions of lives. The few that survive are summoned, through dreams and visions, to the "good" area, lead by the kind Mother Abigail (Ruby Dee), or the "bad" area, lead by the demonic Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan). Gary Sinise, Adam Storke, Molly Ringwald, and Rob Lowe play some of those summoned to Mother Abigail, while Miguel Ferrer and Sam Anderson play some of those summoned to Randall Flagg.
The book was epic. It had a massive cast of characters that were all original and interesting, and all faced their own demons with the decision to go to Flagg or Abigail. I know it's unfair to compare the book to the adaptation, yet I felt letdown by "The Stand". It lacked the backstory and the character development that made me care for the characters, and once again I know there are budget and time issues, but why eat the cake if you don't have all the ingredients? Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad. Gary Sinise is fantastic as the hero, but Molly Ringwald, who plays his girlfriend, really lacks. I cared about her character in the book, but in the TV series she's lifeless. Rob Lowe and Adam Storke are pitch-perfect, and Ruby Dee is exactly like the Mother Abigail I knew in the book. Miguel Ferrer is awesome as the villainous Randall Flagg's henchman, and Jamey Sheridan is magnifique as Flagg himself, perfectly emulating the demonic mystery from the book.
I don't know how to rate The Stand. I can say I enjoyed it but I also can say the whole thing felt a bit cartoony, fake even. If you're a die-hard fan of the book, don't expect too much, but if you're not you'll probably have a lot of fun.
- Bob_the_Hobo
- Apr 15, 2011
- Permalink
If you are a King fan you will (no doubt) be aware that most of his works have been poorly re-produced in film and/or TV. This production is an outstanding exception. It is very faithful to the book in context and spirit ... well acted and directed.
As an aside from the movie this story is, in my opinion, a major changing point in King's career. This story is more (or maybe as much) science fiction or fantasy than his more familiar horror style.
I am no fan of Molly Ringwald and this is her best performance of date (that I have seen). Rob Lowe (who I was also no great fan of) is brilliant and Gary Sinise as Stu was consistent and well cast.
Ruby Lee's part (probably one that would make or break the whole production) as Mother Abigail Freemantle was probably not given enough screen time but this is a HUGE book so you can't cover every moment.
Larua San Giacomo as Nadine Cross and Adam Stork as Larry Underwood were good overall but had moments of over acting .moments out of hours is not a big deal I guess! The only real disappointment was Corin Nemec as Harold Lauder. His performance was not that bad.. That was not the issue. The issue is he was all WRONG for the part. I can't think there are not fat ugly teenagers in Hollywood who could not have played this part. His "added on" acne and horn-rimmed glasses were WHOLY unconvincing. The pretty boy underneath the make up was glaringly obvious. Cast this part better and we move into 9+ ground.
This series is LONG seeing it in one sitting (unless you are a mad-for-King fan) is probably not realistic. But if you get snowed in one weekend you will be glad you had this film on hand. The only fiction series of length I have seen that is better than this is Lonesome Dove .and that is a cast I would not want to battle for second!
As an aside from the movie this story is, in my opinion, a major changing point in King's career. This story is more (or maybe as much) science fiction or fantasy than his more familiar horror style.
I am no fan of Molly Ringwald and this is her best performance of date (that I have seen). Rob Lowe (who I was also no great fan of) is brilliant and Gary Sinise as Stu was consistent and well cast.
Ruby Lee's part (probably one that would make or break the whole production) as Mother Abigail Freemantle was probably not given enough screen time but this is a HUGE book so you can't cover every moment.
Larua San Giacomo as Nadine Cross and Adam Stork as Larry Underwood were good overall but had moments of over acting .moments out of hours is not a big deal I guess! The only real disappointment was Corin Nemec as Harold Lauder. His performance was not that bad.. That was not the issue. The issue is he was all WRONG for the part. I can't think there are not fat ugly teenagers in Hollywood who could not have played this part. His "added on" acne and horn-rimmed glasses were WHOLY unconvincing. The pretty boy underneath the make up was glaringly obvious. Cast this part better and we move into 9+ ground.
This series is LONG seeing it in one sitting (unless you are a mad-for-King fan) is probably not realistic. But if you get snowed in one weekend you will be glad you had this film on hand. The only fiction series of length I have seen that is better than this is Lonesome Dove .and that is a cast I would not want to battle for second!
- dunkmaster
- Sep 11, 2005
- Permalink
This movie is a master class on how not to score a film. The music is absolutely terrible, but the actors are all very capable. Better than the new version.
The Stand is my favorite of all Stephen King's books. I read it and reread it, and knew that a mini-series would be the only way to do the book justice - the book is too long, and there's far too many characters to do otherwise. So when I heard that it was coming to TV and it was going to be a mini-series, I was elated.
Then I watched it.
Nope. Not how I had envisioned it, not at ALL. Now granted, just because something doesn't turn out the way I had envisioned it in my mind doesn't mean that it's wrong, per se - it's just not the way I had thought it would be. Having said that, the way it was cast (with a couple of exceptions) and filmed was in no way with what I would consider quality.
The exterior shots of the soldiers and looting were filmed in such a way to make it look like much more than it was. In reality, there were a couple of streets with a few smashed up cars and fake corpses on them. It reminded me of the dance scenes shot in Staying Alive, where the dancers barely jump, yet the camera angle (shot from the ground looking up) is made to make it seem like their little jumps are in fact giant leaps. The trouble with that is it was obvious that's what was being done, that it didn't work, and that by not working, it made the movie look all the more comical. It's the same thing with this. The outdoor shots look small and staged and artificial (kind of like the fake corn in Hemingford Home).
Then the casting. The roles that seemed to be cast the best were those of Nick Andros, Tom Cullen and Stu Redman. But Molly Ringwald as Fran Goldsmith was a joke (it seemed as though it was an excuse for her to get paid to wear yet another cute vintage ensemble from her closet), as was Matt Frewer as Trashcan Man. What happened to pimply, fat Harold Lauder? Instead we get a thin, comical, over-the-top self-righteous prig that did nothing to inspire any sense of impending danger or doom. Plus I got real, real tired of Ruby Dee's Mother Abigail having to intone (no less than four times) "Help us to STAND" (like, okay, author's message, I GET IT).
Yeah, I was so disappointed - there could have been so much more to this. There's some wonderful mini-series' out there that more than do the book justice (Lonesome Dove, is a prime example). The Stand ended up looking rushed and glamorized in ways it shouldn't have been. I do have my own version cast in my head, however, so in the future I'll return to that.
Then I watched it.
Nope. Not how I had envisioned it, not at ALL. Now granted, just because something doesn't turn out the way I had envisioned it in my mind doesn't mean that it's wrong, per se - it's just not the way I had thought it would be. Having said that, the way it was cast (with a couple of exceptions) and filmed was in no way with what I would consider quality.
The exterior shots of the soldiers and looting were filmed in such a way to make it look like much more than it was. In reality, there were a couple of streets with a few smashed up cars and fake corpses on them. It reminded me of the dance scenes shot in Staying Alive, where the dancers barely jump, yet the camera angle (shot from the ground looking up) is made to make it seem like their little jumps are in fact giant leaps. The trouble with that is it was obvious that's what was being done, that it didn't work, and that by not working, it made the movie look all the more comical. It's the same thing with this. The outdoor shots look small and staged and artificial (kind of like the fake corn in Hemingford Home).
Then the casting. The roles that seemed to be cast the best were those of Nick Andros, Tom Cullen and Stu Redman. But Molly Ringwald as Fran Goldsmith was a joke (it seemed as though it was an excuse for her to get paid to wear yet another cute vintage ensemble from her closet), as was Matt Frewer as Trashcan Man. What happened to pimply, fat Harold Lauder? Instead we get a thin, comical, over-the-top self-righteous prig that did nothing to inspire any sense of impending danger or doom. Plus I got real, real tired of Ruby Dee's Mother Abigail having to intone (no less than four times) "Help us to STAND" (like, okay, author's message, I GET IT).
Yeah, I was so disappointed - there could have been so much more to this. There's some wonderful mini-series' out there that more than do the book justice (Lonesome Dove, is a prime example). The Stand ended up looking rushed and glamorized in ways it shouldn't have been. I do have my own version cast in my head, however, so in the future I'll return to that.
- aoconner73
- Dec 27, 2011
- Permalink
this is a GREAT film, IF you haven't read the book. this film has it all. romance, horror, comic relief and drama. the plot of the film is a lot different to the book i read ( by the way, there are 2 versions of the book, but i read the newest one where there are no edits). the film conforms to a lot of the book, but there are MAJOR differences that will leave your jaw ajar by the way the substitute people. but this review isn't about the book. the film is 5 1/2 hours long, but please believe me, it is well worth it. Lowe plays an AWESOME part as nick, and as usual, Gary sinese is A+++++. this film makes people think a lot, so if you like the thinking game, it is prob one of the top 10 psychological films, but there is enough drama in here to fulfil the most avid of soap fans! please, watch this film BEFORE you read the book., as the book will fulfil all those unanswered questions.
I admit being biased. After 2 episodes of the new Stand, I gave up. This was utter crap. Then again, I hadnt seen the original for about 20 years. I remember it being pretty faithful to the book, and wanted to see how it hold together. In other words; has The Stand stood the test of time? What's it's strongest side compared to the new version, is the cast. The new kids on the block has no chance against Gary Senise, Ruby Dee, Miguel Ferrer, Ossie Davis, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald. BUT it has that feeling.... like watching the original IT again, everything feels dated. And I actually blame Stephen King himself for this. Being executive producer, he is the guy who desides what stays in the movie (besides playing in it, himself). And it feels troughout. A book and a movie is two different animals, and sometimes things just look redicilous on screen. The insane ending with "the hand of God" is laughable, just like Randal Flagg's real face. And that's why The Stand now is a mediocre experience. Stephen King might be the most productive author (63 books per 2022), but he is NOT someone who should have control over a movie adaptation.
- tindfoting
- Jul 10, 2022
- Permalink
I read the rave reviews before I sat down to spend six hours watching "The Stand". By the beginning of part 2, I had to stop and check IMDb to see if there was another version, and maybe I was watching the cheap one.
The raves for the acting and casting baffle me most. Molly Ringwald is possibly the worst imaginable choice for such a pivotal role, and her acting throughout is embarrassingly awful. No one shines, but she stands out for all the wrong reasons.
My initial impression seemed so out of sync with the majority here that I forced myself to watch it all and keep an open mind, but the outcome didn't change.
It's tripe, people, acted and staged badly, and a total waste of six hours of your life. Read the book. It takes longer, but you'll get to do your own casting and staging, and you won't have to watch Ms. Ringwald.
The raves for the acting and casting baffle me most. Molly Ringwald is possibly the worst imaginable choice for such a pivotal role, and her acting throughout is embarrassingly awful. No one shines, but she stands out for all the wrong reasons.
My initial impression seemed so out of sync with the majority here that I forced myself to watch it all and keep an open mind, but the outcome didn't change.
It's tripe, people, acted and staged badly, and a total waste of six hours of your life. Read the book. It takes longer, but you'll get to do your own casting and staging, and you won't have to watch Ms. Ringwald.
The Stand is perhaps my favorite novel of all time, and I always knew that translating it to the screen - big or small - would be a pretty heavy task. Still, I followed the progress of the making of the miniseries from casting through production, up to release. One of the things that amazed me was the fact that some of the casting was so dead-on and some so far off. Nick Andros was my most favorite character in the book, and I can tell you that he was in no way, shape or form Rob Lowe - period. Molly Ringwald took on the role of Frannie Goldsmith - a strong, opinionated, outspoken, and conscientious woman - and turned her into a selfish, whiny little girl. And I do mean that every line she spoke seemed to come out as a whine. And it wasn't the dialogue, but her delivery.
Still, I think the character most ruined in the transition from novel to miniseries was Harold Lauder. Harold in the book was one of the most fascinating fictional characters of all time, in my opinion, and in the film they turned him into a stereotypical nerd who, like most "bad" characters, is portrayed entirely unsympathetically. That was so disappointing!
Of course, there were other performances that exceeded expectations. Gary Sinise was a perfect Stu Redman, and Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Ray Walston, Adam Storke, Bill Fagerbakke, and the dreadfully underappreciated Miguel Ferrer, among others, all turned in strong performances.
I suppose I should not have expected perfection - an 1,100 page novel is a hard thing to fit into 6 hours, especially on television with all the unpleasantries that can't be portrayed. And it's not necessarily a bad movie - it's just not quite the same as the book (which I still read at least once yearly). All in all, I'd say it came out as well as it could have under the circumstances - I only wish they'd thought a little harder about some of their casting choices before making them. But bravo to Stephen King for writing the teleplay himself - that alone makes it better. And I will watch this again sometime - after all, it's a way to see Stu, Glen, Larry, Lloyd, Tom Cullen, and all the others come to life outside of the novel.
Still, I think the character most ruined in the transition from novel to miniseries was Harold Lauder. Harold in the book was one of the most fascinating fictional characters of all time, in my opinion, and in the film they turned him into a stereotypical nerd who, like most "bad" characters, is portrayed entirely unsympathetically. That was so disappointing!
Of course, there were other performances that exceeded expectations. Gary Sinise was a perfect Stu Redman, and Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Ray Walston, Adam Storke, Bill Fagerbakke, and the dreadfully underappreciated Miguel Ferrer, among others, all turned in strong performances.
I suppose I should not have expected perfection - an 1,100 page novel is a hard thing to fit into 6 hours, especially on television with all the unpleasantries that can't be portrayed. And it's not necessarily a bad movie - it's just not quite the same as the book (which I still read at least once yearly). All in all, I'd say it came out as well as it could have under the circumstances - I only wish they'd thought a little harder about some of their casting choices before making them. But bravo to Stephen King for writing the teleplay himself - that alone makes it better. And I will watch this again sometime - after all, it's a way to see Stu, Glen, Larry, Lloyd, Tom Cullen, and all the others come to life outside of the novel.
- GirlwonderReturns
- Sep 6, 2001
- Permalink
Usually, when we hear about a TV miniseries, we probably think "Oh God! Another product placement adaptation of a classic novel! Why does Hollywood do this to us?! I'll watch that as soon as there's a snowstorm in Rio de Janeiro!" And since Stephen King's novels are so great, any adaptation of them is suspect, but surely a TV adaptation would have to be the sort of thing that would make "Ishtar" look like a cross between "Gone with the Wind" and "Citizen Kane".
Well, "The Stand" is nothing like that. I don't think that in all possibility they could have done a better job with this movie. It slowly but surely builds up the plot, then lets everything happen, and by the end, you're completely blown away.
In case you're unfamiliar with the story, it goes like this. Everything in the world is going normally, when one day, a plague starts killing everyone off. People are dying by the thousands, and the government only sees fit to declare martial law. And in the midst of it, a few people are totally immune to the disease. As the movie progresses, these people start converging on a place out in the desert. But all the while, there is an evil man plotting things. And knowing that these people have converged on a place, he may just have his own plans for them.
The truth is, I can't do "The Stand" justice by describing it. It's the sort of movie that you can't possibly understand unless you actually see it. And believe you me, you will get blown away like never before. But I can say that the martial law scenes give one a feeling of what may be coming given the current state of the world.
And the cast. Any time that a movie has a giant cast, it's once again suspect; sometimes, movies have giant casts for no other purpose except to show off a bunch of stars. This one not only has the perfect cast, but it's clearly not for show. Gary Sinise is the nominal star, but there are several others. Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Miguel Ferrer, Matt Frewer, Ray Walston and Rob Lowe, to name a few. Appearing in smaller roles are Ed Harris, Kathy Bates, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even Mike Lookinland (Bobby on "The Brady Bunch").
Look, every minute that you sit there and read my review is another minute when you're not watching the movie. SO GET OUT THERE AND RENT IT!!!!! It might just save your life one day.
Well, "The Stand" is nothing like that. I don't think that in all possibility they could have done a better job with this movie. It slowly but surely builds up the plot, then lets everything happen, and by the end, you're completely blown away.
In case you're unfamiliar with the story, it goes like this. Everything in the world is going normally, when one day, a plague starts killing everyone off. People are dying by the thousands, and the government only sees fit to declare martial law. And in the midst of it, a few people are totally immune to the disease. As the movie progresses, these people start converging on a place out in the desert. But all the while, there is an evil man plotting things. And knowing that these people have converged on a place, he may just have his own plans for them.
The truth is, I can't do "The Stand" justice by describing it. It's the sort of movie that you can't possibly understand unless you actually see it. And believe you me, you will get blown away like never before. But I can say that the martial law scenes give one a feeling of what may be coming given the current state of the world.
And the cast. Any time that a movie has a giant cast, it's once again suspect; sometimes, movies have giant casts for no other purpose except to show off a bunch of stars. This one not only has the perfect cast, but it's clearly not for show. Gary Sinise is the nominal star, but there are several others. Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Miguel Ferrer, Matt Frewer, Ray Walston and Rob Lowe, to name a few. Appearing in smaller roles are Ed Harris, Kathy Bates, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even Mike Lookinland (Bobby on "The Brady Bunch").
Look, every minute that you sit there and read my review is another minute when you're not watching the movie. SO GET OUT THERE AND RENT IT!!!!! It might just save your life one day.
- lee_eisenberg
- Mar 20, 2006
- Permalink
Just saw the new series on HBO. I have faith, but it's so meny miles away from this one. In this one i even like Molly Ringworm! And she annoyed me during the 90's 🤣
- stiedvar82-919-443244
- Dec 21, 2020
- Permalink
- renegadeviking-271-528568
- Jan 29, 2020
- Permalink
I'm not sure what people were looking for with this but I can assure you it wasn't an adaptation of the novel because that's what this is. If you question the changes made and liberties taken remember that the teleplay here was written by Stephen King himself, who also appears in the film. Mick Garris has done an impressive job with one of the most difficult pieces of literature from the past 40 years and brought it to life with a fine cast.
Perhaps the problem is is people taking their own opinions too seriously because it surely isn't with this television adaptation of one of my favorite books of all time.
If you loved The Stand you should open your mind and give this a chance.
Perhaps the problem is is people taking their own opinions too seriously because it surely isn't with this television adaptation of one of my favorite books of all time.
If you loved The Stand you should open your mind and give this a chance.
- bjelleybean-364-553679
- Mar 29, 2020
- Permalink
TV mini-series adapted from Stephen King's epic apocalyptic novel about a plague that wipes out most of the world's population. A group of walking clichés survive, some joining the forces of good (led by Ruby Dee) and some joining the forces of evil (led by Jamey Sheridan, sporting a hilarious mullet). "The Stand" was never my favorite King novel, although I did enjoy it when I read it probably twenty years ago or so. This mini-series was almost doomed to failure from the start for trying to accomplish a story with such grand scope on a TV budget. It's directed by Mick Garris, who has directed many Stephen King adaptations (most of which are garbage). I'm not a fan of Garris but I will say this is definitely him putting forth his A effort. He's limited by his budget and lack of talent so he does remarkably well considering. Most of the Love Boat-style cast are adequate, with some standing out for good performances (Gary Sinise, Rob Lowe, Miguel Ferrer) and others standing out for how hammy they are (Ruby Dee, Jamey Sheridan, Matt Frewer). Others are just plain awful (Laura San Giacomo, Parker Lewis). On the whole, it's very watchable for its length but never reaches its potential, TV excuse notwithstanding. At times it is extremely campy and even corny. There's some entertainment in that, of course, but it hurts the film more than it helps because the story really needs you to take it seriously for it to work.
I have to have watched a different series to all the other people who wrote glowing reviews of this miniseries. Either that or I'm missing a massive post-modernist joke.
I don't think I've ever sat through such a clunky script, such awful acting or such poor direction. It started off tolerable, but simply got worse and worse. It's fair to say that Molly Ringwald was never much of an actress anyway, and Rob Lowe does a truly idiosyncratic deaf-mute. But I pity poor Gary Sinise for having to live this one down. On the whole, the characters are just one risible stereotype after another.
I think I lost my ability to stomach it while watching a truly gut churning scene of adolescent foreplay between Corin Nemec and Laura San Giacomo that convinced me that the director must have never actually had sex.
But that was not as inexplicable as why a group of grown adults would send a mentally handicapped man out as a spy. Don't want to spoil it for you, but it boggles the mind.
Somehow, the book makes it all seem plausible but it does not survive the transition to the screen. No one should ever let Steven King script another screenplay. It's not what he's good at.
I don't think I've ever sat through such a clunky script, such awful acting or such poor direction. It started off tolerable, but simply got worse and worse. It's fair to say that Molly Ringwald was never much of an actress anyway, and Rob Lowe does a truly idiosyncratic deaf-mute. But I pity poor Gary Sinise for having to live this one down. On the whole, the characters are just one risible stereotype after another.
I think I lost my ability to stomach it while watching a truly gut churning scene of adolescent foreplay between Corin Nemec and Laura San Giacomo that convinced me that the director must have never actually had sex.
But that was not as inexplicable as why a group of grown adults would send a mentally handicapped man out as a spy. Don't want to spoil it for you, but it boggles the mind.
Somehow, the book makes it all seem plausible but it does not survive the transition to the screen. No one should ever let Steven King script another screenplay. It's not what he's good at.
- remittancegirl
- Mar 5, 2011
- Permalink
I thought this was a great adaption Stephen Kings novel, and it was very addicting as well. This is my favorite novel of all time, and my favorite Stephen King book as well. They did great!
People will complain that it is cheesy and a bit dated, and I agree, but they did the best they could.
- joshuabush-34620
- Oct 6, 2020
- Permalink
Even though the movie doesn't capture the story as well as the book, I'd say it's at least worth the watch. Even if it is kinda long, especially if you've rented it and are trying to squeeze all the parts in.
I do enjoy the movie's (and the book's) allegory with good vs evil and the Christian stuff. I'm not really a big King fan actually, this is the only one of his books that's appealed to me so far. (read Running Man once, haven't been wanting to reread it.) There are a few disturbing scenes but if you enjoyed the boo, I'd say the movie is worth watching although the book is better.
I do enjoy the movie's (and the book's) allegory with good vs evil and the Christian stuff. I'm not really a big King fan actually, this is the only one of his books that's appealed to me so far. (read Running Man once, haven't been wanting to reread it.) There are a few disturbing scenes but if you enjoyed the boo, I'd say the movie is worth watching although the book is better.
- QueenPendragon
- Jan 18, 2006
- Permalink
I loved the novel "The Stand". Really, really loved it. I read it countless times, and waited for the day it would be made into a mini-series - not a movie, because I knew that a mini series would be the only way to possibly do justice to the length of the book and the number of characters. So it finally aired, and I watched it, and I wanted to like it, but, well....
My chief annoyances, in no particular order: Molly Ringwald as Frannie was a poor casting choice, in my opinion. It was like she was there to wear her favorite vintage fashions. I kind of liked the casting of Stu, Tom, Nick and Trashcan Man - and Rob Lowe wasn't half bad. The rest of it, not so much. I was annoyed with the four times they had Ruby Dee claim that they had to make "a STAND". The exterior locations looked cramped and staged. Mostly to me it all FELT cramped and staged. Disappointed.
My chief annoyances, in no particular order: Molly Ringwald as Frannie was a poor casting choice, in my opinion. It was like she was there to wear her favorite vintage fashions. I kind of liked the casting of Stu, Tom, Nick and Trashcan Man - and Rob Lowe wasn't half bad. The rest of it, not so much. I was annoyed with the four times they had Ruby Dee claim that they had to make "a STAND". The exterior locations looked cramped and staged. Mostly to me it all FELT cramped and staged. Disappointed.