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The Dark Half [1993]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Although it lacks the creepy subtleties of Stephen King's celebrated novel, George Romero's underrated adaptation of The Dark Half is among the best films based on King's fiction, with Romero taking care to honour the central theme while serving up some gruesome gore in the film's much-criticised finale. Inspired by King's own admission that he wrote several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Dark Half explores the duality of a writer's impulse, ranging from literary respectability to the viscerally cathartic thrills of exploitative pulp fiction.

Author and teacher Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) finds himself torn between those extremes when he "kills" his profitable alter ego, George Stark (the bestselling dark half to Thad's light), who then assumes evil, autonomous form (again played by Hutton) to defend lethally his role in Thad's creative endeavours. Forced to wrestle with this evil manifestation of his own unformed twin, Thad must fight to protect his wife (Amy Madigan), their twin babies and himself. While Romero skilfully develops the twin/duality theme to explore the writer's dilemma, Hutton is outstanding in his dual roles, playing Stark (in subtly fiendish makeup) as a redneck rebel with a knack for slashing throats. Julie Harris adds class in a supporting role, and horror fans will relish Romero's climactic showdown, in which swarms of sparrows seal Stark's fate. It favours a pulp sensibility with clunky exposition to explain Stark's existence, but The Dark Half is a laudable effort from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com


AN UNDERRATED ROMERO FILM
Review date: 2007-11-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

Thad Beaumont, (Timothy Hutton) a college professor and writer under the name George Stark, decides to finally give up his successful name and go public with it. With his wife Liz's, (Amy Madigan) support, he gives the telling interview and gets the secret out. When a series of deaths relating to the people who set the interview session, Sheriff Alan Pangborn, (Michael Rooker) finds that Thad is the one responsible. Liz worries that Thad might be next, and he tries to get Alan on his side. When he finally has the evidence to finger the culprit, he draws him out to a final battle.

The Good News: For the third teeming, Romero and King make the best of the director's non-zombie movies. The dark feeling that he has in those films is very much in appearance here, giving it a distinctive flavor while also imparting something new to the story. The slasher quotient is greatly enhanced the typical Romero sub-text to his movies, and the deaths are quite brutal. Being beaten to death, stabbed in the head and several graphic slit throats are present as well, making it a quite well varied collection of deaths. The final one is the highlight of the film, but won't be revealed here because it is so great. Really one to stay and watch for. The action is nicely spread out, and really doesn't seem rushed at all, which is the double-edged sword of being a little on the long side, but that means it's a little more character related than several others that are quite similar. A couple of times it actually manages to draw some suspense and shocks from the kills. They're all quite nice, so it's nothing to be spoiled, but it actually manages a jump or two. That's a similar Romero trademark found in different movies and continues on in here.

The Bad News: This film is probably about ten minutes too long. It's got a few too many story lines than it needs to have, and it at times can be a little confusing. It also seems just a little bit repetitive in the middle, which is no doubt due to the too long length. The same three general sequences of events play out several times over, and it gets a little tiresome.

The Final Verdict: Taken on its own terms, and especially compared to the generally dismal run of films adapted from King's work, it's an artfully crafted, serious psychological horror movie. Recommended viewing for King fans, as well as those looking for good Romero films beyond his renowned zombie work.



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Reviews


Excellent Stephen King adaptation, Romero's finest
Review date: 2003-09-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

I have to disagree with a lot of people who add this adaptation of a stephen king book to the existing badly executed king movies (children of the corn, the mangler, ... the list goes on). About 3 out of 4 King adaptations lack substance, style, performance and are just out to cash in on this writer's succes. This movie however, is a return to the likes of 'the dead zone' and 'misery', a well crafted thriller that has a slow build up, but doesn't undermine the premise of the book. Romero (Night Of The Living Dead trilogy) collaborated with King on this movie (he worked previously with King on Creepshow and Knightriders) and delivers the goods; An intelligent movie that captures the essence of the book, the characters are beautifully outlined and the directing skills of this genre director pay off; Add to that the excellent performances of Timothy Hutton, who plays both Thad Beaumont and his 'dark half' George Stark, next to Michael Rooker as sheriff Alan Pangborn. The musical score by Christopher Young is also pretty amazing, allowing never a dull moment in the movie and keeping it at pace, like the suspence thriller it is. The whole movie is shot in Pittsburgh, hometown of Romero and this adds a nice touch to the scenery. The region 2 (european) dvd has the widescreen version which I prefer over the full screen region 1 (american) dvd. I would have liked a commentary by Romero, since there were some budget problems during last month of shooting, and I would like to have had his take on that. But all in all, this movie keeps amazing me; It's an example of what true horror is about, and that intelligent scripts do have a place in this often commercial genre.

Average adaptation of a Stephen King book.
Review date: 2001-11-22 Rating: 4 out of 10

This is about an author who 'comes clean' about a pseudonym (as King did with Bachman) and suffers the supernatural consequences.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book this film was based on and rated it one of my favourites - until I saw this film. Yet again a Stephen King film is shoddily adapted to the big screen, disappointing anyone who has read it.

Admittedly it's hard to make an adaptation that compares well to the story (especially when you take into account the imagery involved in a horror story) but I feel that this one failed miserably.

On the other hand, one of my friends who has never read the book quite enjoyed it (would rate it a 3/5), but could see the above point as soon as they read the original story.

If you are a Staphen King fan, watch it. If not, it's just an average horror film with a different twist.

Original and scary
Review date: 2001-08-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is one of the better King adaptations with George A Romero, the master behind Night of the Living Dead trilogy directing a fine cast. Thad Beumont(Tim Hutton) has been writng under the name of George Stark but is forced to stop when someone threatens to blackmail him, but George Stark isn't happy and comes back to get revenge. This film has an excellent storyline and doens't slaughter the original book. It manages to scare and a lot of parts make you jump. Their is quite a lot of gore but not to much. The scares are more psychological. I would recommend this to any fan of the horror genre as it is an enjoyable but scary film.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Amy Madigan
Robert Joy
Timothy Hutton
Julie Harris
Michael Rooker

Creators:
Timothy Hutton (Primary Contributor)
Amy Madigan (Primary Contributor)
Tony Pierce-Roberts (Cinematographer)
George A. Romero (Producer)
George A. Romero (Writer)
Pasquale Buba (Editor)
Christine Forrest (Producer)
Declan Baldwin (Producer)
Stephen King (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070005523
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-10-22
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1993-04-23
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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