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1408 - Director's Cut Edition [2007]


RRP: £19.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Conclusive proof both that one man can power a horror film, and also that John Cusack is one of the most believable actors of his generation, 1408 is an entertaining and surprisingly effective Stephen King adaptation, albeit one that runs out of steam by the final reel.

The premise finds Cusack’s character as an author of paranormal books, even though he doesn’t believe in such things himself. However, when researching his latest work, he checks into the mysterious room 1408 at The Dolphin Hotel in New York, managed by Samuel L Jackson in an effective cameo. But room 1408 is a room where nobody has lasted more than an hour in it, and thus Cusack considers it the perfect location for some book research.

It’s in the build up of its premise where 1408 is very much at its strongest. Cusack is a compelling guide through the story, and the film delivers some effective chills and jumps as the tension ratchets up. Into the final act and this control is relaxed, and as a result some of the potential is wasted, but you’re still hard-pushed to feel short-changed as the credits role. For 1408 proves to be both an effective little horror film, and one of the best Stephen King adaptations in many, many years. --Simon Brew


Surprisingly good...
Review date: 2008-09-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

One of the most elaborate horror/thrillers I've watched for quite a long time. At first look, the premise of the film suggests that it is just another trite and cliche-drenched tale of a "haunted place"; but as the story unfolds, the essence of the film turns out to be a different. Having a plot somewhat reminiscent of some old Stephen King adaptations like "The Shining" and "Rose Red", "1408" has lots of twists and turns with more than enough depth and dimension, working both paranormal and psychological level.

Today's horror/thrillers depend too much on graphic violence; where blood, gore, decapitations, and dismembered bodies galore. But here, the film's appeal comes from its effectiveness in creating a foreboding mood and claustrophobic feel of a Kafkaesque hotel room, capturing the essence of King's story very well. Not overly violent and with almost no blood and gore, the villain of the story is not a psychopathic killer, pervert, monster, specter or a mutant, it's the room itself. John Cushack does a good job by being the vainly struggling foe of this evil and mysterious room.

This "Director's Cut Edition" - 8 minutes longer than the Theatrical Edition - has some minor but interesting variations and has vastly different alternate ending, which makes the film more complete and realistic, as far as I'm concerned.

To sum up, "1408" can be seen as a confusing mess and it might be quite a difficult watch for some, but ultimately rewarding if you invest enough time and patience to sit through. (3.8/5.0)

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Reviews


Excellent ghost story with a lot of rewatch value
Review date: 2008-08-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is an excellent ghost story movie with a lot of rewatch value, Cusack is brilliantly cast as a thinly disguised version of Stephen King (who wrote the original story in the collection Everything's Eventual) touring haunted locations and Samual L. Jackson does not disappoint as the owner of a hotel who does not wish to doom Cusack by renting him a lethally haunted room.

There's not much in the way of gore but there is a sustained sense of menace, lots of classic haunting cliches, ie changes in temperature, technology is no solace, characters are tormented by their own inner fears, hopes and memories and in some respects its a bit like a kamikazi reimaginging of the Scrooged story.

There's also a sub-plot about self-sacrifice and redeeming qualities which isnt immediately obvious (the movie bares a rewatching but that's no chore since the performances are so good and there's plenty of talking points).

The protagonist does everything to overcome his impersonal and malign adversary, the adversary does everything to try and break him down, in the end its the threat not to himself, not his own fate but of others which threatens to break him altogether.

A good moralistic ghost story, well cast, well directed, much better than the original story (although dont skip the story either). It's been a while.

Haunting!!!
Review date: 2008-08-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

1408 left its mark on me long after I first saw it, it's haunting and draws the viewer in brilliantly. John Cusack's performance is awesome, he is undoubtedly one of the finest actors around! I'm not sure why a lot of other people aren't keen on 1408 except to say that maybe they thought it would be a more bloody affair or something. No cheap thrills here, just a fantastic psychological horror that will haunt you long after you've finished watching it!!!

Absolute pants!
Review date: 2008-07-27 Rating: 2 out of 10

I can't believe anyone would be scared by this film. Was really looking forward to it but was so awful felt I had to review it. Boring, overlong and not at all scary. The 15 rating should have warned me it would not be a shocker. John Cusak over acts as usual and no suspense at all. It starts off quite well but as soon as he books into the room it becomes completely boring, crap special effects and I know I'm repeating myself BUT NOT SCARY AT ALL!

I should have known better...
Review date: 2008-07-26 Rating: 4 out of 10

Stephen King, a writer of many long novels, knows his craft well enough to know when an idea is better suited to a short story than a complete book. King's novels and novellas have made for some excellent films (The Shining, Shawshank Redemption, Green Mile) and some workmanlike but decent enough adaptations which at least allow King's dramas to be realised on screen. I would put Salem's Lot and Dark Half into this category.

Cashing in on the King brand name, many adaptations have been made of King's short stories. The problem is that these stories would only make for a film of 30 minutes or so, so they have to be padded out to last the required 90+ minutes. Lawnmower Man. Children of the Corn. The Mangler. Graveyard Shift. And now, 1408. True to type, the "King bit" in this film is pretty good. It's what we're here for. Unfortunately, the film rapidly loses momentum once King has had his say and that's only 40 minutes into the film. After that, as other reviewers have remarked, it just gets plain silly. I didn't see the film in the cinema so haven't seen the alternative ending but frankly I was well past caring by then anyway.

I won't give away the truly scary and shocking moments that occur in the first part of the film after the cynical writer, played decently by John Cusack, finally is allowed by the hotel manager (Samuel L Jackson, good acting from him too) to check into room 1408. I will say that once the King material ran out, and we got to the filler, my first reaction was "why doesn't he make more effort to break the door down?" That's what any normal person would have done. Soon after that I was checking the clock with ever-increasing frequency.

Two stars then as one star is for something with no merit at all and this film has some. I'd suggest renting the film for the first 40 minutes, but I wouldn't recommend buying it as I can't see many people watching it more than once.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jasmine Anthony
John Cusack
Tony Shalhoub
Mary McCormack
Samuel L. Jackson

Creators:
John Cusack (Primary Contributor)
Samuel L. Jackson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437940032
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Director's Cut, PAL,
Release date: 2007-12-26
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)

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