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Stephen King's The Mist... No spoilers.

Started by Caz, October 28, 2008, 03:39:41 PM

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Caz

  I watch a DVD at the weekend and it got me to thinking, not for the first time, about why perfectly good story endings are changed when they're made into films. 'I Am Legend' is a fair example of this. Even though I enjoyed the film I still felt slightly cheated by the, I guess it's called the Hollywood ending, where the bleak fishing to the book is changed to one of, well if you've seen the film then you no what I mean.
 
  With this in mind I sat down to watch Stephen King's 'The Mist.' It's a favourite story of mine, I've read it a least twice, and I was full of hope that it would be a good version of the story. For me, there was no disappointment.
 
  At two hours, long the film managed to keep all the important elements of the story intact, even the special effects looked okay. I only say this as I read one review, which said they were a bit naff, maybe I'm just easily pleased.
 
As the end of the film approached, I was fully expecting it to finish in the same way as the book. How wrong can one person be? It was like a bombshell being dropped. I honestly can't remember the last time I was so stunned by a finale.    :hidin:       
 
  If I had a hat, I would be doffing it in the director's direction as I write. If only all altered endings could be this good.   

Caz.   

Some may say slaughtered is too strong a word...but I like the sound of it.

elay2433

I've never read the book, but I thought the ending of the movie was pretty nice.

Caz

  The copy of 'The Mist' that I've got is in a collection of short stories called 'Skeleton Crew.' I picked it up in a second hand book shop which I frequent when I'm feeling skint, which is too often these days.
  I'm pretty sure that 'The Mist' was published as a book in its own right when the film first came out but I reckon skeleton crew is better value for money, there's a lot of good stories in it.
Some may say slaughtered is too strong a word...but I like the sound of it.

Geoff_N

You've just added to my long list of stories to read and films to watch!

Cheers

Geoff

Grillmeat

Mist was a pretty good movie, however, I liked the finish to the short story better. Having everything wrapped up in a neat little package at the end just didn't set as well with me as the "journey into the unknown" ending of the story version did.
OMG!! Soylent Green is people!!!

caseyquinn

I agree with you about the book beating the movie. I didnt really enjoy the movie. I felt that it was only recieved as being good because king's name was attached to it but otherwise it was average at best. The short story was far superior in my own opinion
Casey Quinn
Editor - Short Story Library
http://shortstory.us.com

Want to be paid and get published? Check out:
http://www.readme.us.com

Caedmon

I haven't read the story, one of the few King books I haven't read, but the movie was excellent. If the book ending was better then I'll be totally blown away with the book. Only problem there is King himself said the movie ending was what he would have done had he thought of it first.

The movie ripped apart what I considered standard fair as far as Hollywood endings go. I haven't been "moved" by a Hollywood horror flick since I was a teenager, and although I wasn't scared at any time, the ending has stuck with me for months. I couldn't shut up about it for days afterward. It may not be to everyone's liking but a story should make an impact and get the audience talking--that ending did that in spades.
Associate Editor for HorrorScope
Columnist for SA50s+
Reviewer for Black Magazine

http://musingsofanaussiewriter.blogspot.com/

Ed

You're all making me want to go out and rent the movie :scratch:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Caedmon

Associate Editor for HorrorScope
Columnist for SA50s+
Reviewer for Black Magazine

http://musingsofanaussiewriter.blogspot.com/