Comments on the original ***SPOILERS***

[Neil W]

Louis Creed moves to a new town with his young family. When their cat is killed, neighbour Judd shows Louis an old Indian burial ground in the woods behind their houses -

Spoiler

after burying the cat, a couple of days later it returns home (though there is something not quite right about it). But the road in front of Louis' house is so dangerous, and toddler Gage has no idea of risks...

One of King's nastier books is well adapted by director Mary Lambert. Fred Gwynne is excellent as neighbour Judd and little Miko Hughes is memorable as Gage. Dale Midkiff is a bit anonymous as Louis. Most of the story beats are well captured: there is a bit of a specials effects splash near the end for no particular purpose, but that can be forgiven.

 

[Flat Matt]

I thought the film started well enough, but went down hill towards the end when the not-so-special effects came into play. I actually laughed out loud at the flashback of the zombie kid holding a severed arm!

Fred Gwynne really was great and perfect for the role of Judd. It's a pity he didn't get more time on screen.

 

[Riot87]

What special effects do you guys mean?

Its been a while since i've seen the movie or read the book.

 

[not_nadine]

I don't remember any special effects either.

 

[kingricefan]

What special effects do you guys mean?

Its been a while since i've seen the movie or read the book.

I don't remember any special effects either.

Maybe when Louis is taking Rachel up to the Micmac Burial ground and the giant 'face' comes flying up out of the quarry? I always thought that was pretty 'hokey'. This movie still creeps the crap out of me.....

 

[mcpon14]

Spoiler

After his zombie kid attacks him, why was he not expecting his zombie wife to do the same?

 

[Riot87]

After his zombie kid attacks him, why was he not expecting his zombie wife to do the same?

Spoiler

Because if i remember correctly he thought that he waited to long with Gage and if he buried his wife soon she would be okay.

 

[Leif]

I just "re-watched" this movie as I now have Amazon Prime and it is one of the free movies that is included in your $85 prime membership.

Anyway.....It's funny how your perspective on things change. After the Exorcist, no other movie had scared me until Pet Sematary. When I viewed it recently, the part where his son came back still raised hairs on my neck but the overall movie seemed cheesier than I remembered.

"Sometimes dead is better"

Leif

 

[not_nadine]

Spoiler

 

[Leif]

Spoiler

THAT'S GREAT!

 

[Steffen]

Hmm... I need to watch this film again. I remember really liking it when it came out back in the day.

 

[Rockym]

I thought this was one of the better adaptations of a SK novel. Very close to the book, but there were two things I didn't like. First, was not having Norma in it and changing Missy Dandridge to a single, spinster type who kills herself because she had cancer. Jud seemed a bit out of place at Missy's funeral. I think Norma should have been in the movie instead.

Second, was the Gage death scene, they just kind of mashed it in with the kite flying scene that was between Louis and Gage. I liked in the book how Gage's death was told in flashbacks rather than it actually happening, and I didn't get the impression they weren't paying attention to him as the reason it happened. I just found it hard to understand in the movie, how three adults who know well how dangerous that road is, just suddenly ignore Gage until it was too late. Even in the book, I was thinking that any parent would be watching their children like a hawk, with that road right there. Maybe even build a fence or something.

One other thing, was increasing Pascow's role to more of a guide for Rachel. That just seemed weird. Not to mention Rachel accepting a ride from a truck like the one that ran down her son. I don't think, as grief stricken as she was, she would have been able to do that.

 

[sarahg123]

This is one of the only scary movies on my "cannot watch" list. The last time I thought I was old enough not to be scared by it, I was around 24, I ended up sleeping with the lights on and eventually made my sister come get in bed with me. The whole movie is just so. freaking. creepy. I grew up in Northern Maine, and Fred Gwynne's character, although likable, creeped me with his completely accurate accent...gage..."Raaachel, Raaaachel"...Pascow.

 

[Dana Jean]

Didn't like movie, but the book was excellent.

 

[morgan]

I was eighteen and still living at home when I first watched this movie - had to crawl in bed with my mom.

 

[Dana Jean]

The book had me feeling that way, not the movie.

 

[Ivy13]

I love his movie! But I still have to look away for the ankle scene. Ouch! For some reason I just can't stand watching that bit

 

[Karin Eder]

I can't bear this story anymore. My son is too "Gageish" for my taste (cute little blond boy) and I can't stand the idea of Gage dying. As SK said himself, it's one of the scariest book he ever wrote - maybe too horrible to even publish it - but I think he really meant the parts about Gage dying and his funeral. I just can't. Same reason I can't read Cujo anymore. Having children changed what is horror for me.
Of course I'd bury Gage in the Micmac graveyard if I was Louis. Only I'd do it right away.

 

[Pucker]

Rarely does an actor in an adaptation supplant the guy (or girl) in my head from the book.

Fred Gwynne accomplishes this in Pet Sematary.

 

[kingricefan]

Rarely does an actor in an adaptation supplant the guy (or girl) in my head from the book.

Fred Gwynne accomplishes this in Pet Sematary.

Fred Gwynne nailed this role, he is absolutely fantastic in it. Totally made me forget about his 'Herman Munster' turn. He rocked it!