More than a hundred films have been shot based on the works of Stephen King. He took part in the filming many times as a screenwriter, actor, producer and director. At the moment, the writer is the most screened author of our time. Here are some of his most striking works.
Screen adaptations of works
"Carrie" 1976 - King's first film adaptation. The film tells about a quiet, notorious high school girl who unexpectedly has the gift of telekinesis. The daily bullying of classmates and the attacks of a strict religious mother, who considers Carrie's abilities a sign of demonic possession, lead to a terrible denouement. An amazing combination of sentimentality and bloody cruelty in one picture. There are also more recent film adaptations of the book: 2002 ("Carrie") and 2013 ("Telekinesis").
1980's The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick - Despite many negative reviews, including Stephen King himself, the film is recognized as one of the greatest films in history. The plot differs greatly from the novel: the main character gets a job as a caretaker in a secluded hotel in the mountains and moves there with his family. However, life there soon becomes a nightmare. Jack and his son begin to torment strange dreams, the hotel slowly drives its residents crazy. Communication with the outside world is impossible - all roads are blocked by snow drifts. And only "radiance" is able to bring everyone out of the approaching darkness …
In 1997, a series based on this work was released, in which, according to King, the shortcomings and discrepancies with the novel that took place in the film adaptation of Kubrick were corrected.
1995's Dolores Claiborne, an undeservedly overlooked and unsuccessful film in the box office, is one of King's finest adaptations. A psychologically profound picture of a woman who killed her husband to protect her daughter. The complex and multidimensional character of Dolores Claiborne was superbly conveyed to the actress Katie Bates, who impressed the writer with her performance in the film Misery.
The Shawshank Redemption 1994 - The film rights were sold for only $ 1 due to the author's initially skeptical attitude to the idea. However, subsequently, the film, considered a classic psychological thriller, became one of King's favorite paintings based on his works. Seven Oscar nominations, worldwide fame and leading positions in various ratings of the "best films of all time".
Before filming began, the prison was in such an unsightly state that a lot of money was spent on bringing it back to normal.
"1408" 2007 - the film permeates the atmosphere of horror and madness, devouring a person from the inside. A writer specializing in the paranormal arrives at the Dolphin Hotel and rents room 1408, as the mysterious deaths of 56 guests have occurred there. The initially skeptical attitude of the hero to otherworldly forces soon changes, as a nightmare begins to happen before his eyes, which defies description. Director Mikael Hofström was one of the few who managed to convey all the horrors of King's prose.
"It" 1990 - deserves special mention at least for the frightening image of the clown Pennywise, which was remembered by many viewers since childhood. In the film adaptation, many moments of the novel of the same name are omitted, so fans of the writer's work are better, nevertheless, to familiarize themselves with the voluminous work in printed form.
Films based on the works of Stephen King
By themselves, these films are not adaptations, however, based on books and stories.
"Children of the Corn" - there are 9 films based on a short story by the writer. The plot is that in a small town the entire population over 19 suddenly disappears. Children, listening to their "prophet", kill their parents, cleansing the earth from the "unwanted".
"Running Man" 1987 - a dystopian film based on the novel of the same name, with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role. Ben Richards will have to become the hero of an inhuman reality show and take part in cruel trials in order to get to his master and take revenge.
Max Acceleration 1986 is a film based on the short story Trucks, directed and written by King himself. Comet Ria-M touches the Earth, the result is that all equipment gets out of control and begins to ruthlessly kill people.
