Storm of the Century Is the Most Underrated Stephen King Movie

by

As a long-time fan and devotee of Stephen King’s works, I must say that “Storm of the Century” is one of my all-time favorites among his adaptations. Having watched countless versions of his stories over the years, this miniseries stands out as a hidden gem that truly captures the essence of King’s storytelling.

While it might seem surprising to some, not all adaptations of Stephen King’s works are successful. There are indeed quite a few that could benefit from being reimagined, and some simply aren’t worth revisiting. Despite the fact that he is a master of horror and the best-selling author in history, this doesn’t guarantee that every one of his works will make for a great movie or TV show.

Delving into Stephen King’s cinematic universe, you encounter films such as “The Lawnmower Man,” which poses challenges in creating a top-tier feature film due to its complex theme, and adaptations like “Silver Bullet” or others that undergo significant alterations from their original narrative. However, the 1999 ABC miniseries “Storm of the Century” buck this trend, as it is not derived from a novel but directly from a script penned by King himself, resulting in a high-quality production.

The three-part television event unfolds the tale of inhabitants from the quaint Maine island town of Little Tall, bracing for an impending severe storm which could cut off their access to emergency aid. As they anxiously gather necessities, a strange man appears and brutally kills an elderly woman. Claiming to be André Linoge, he exhibits an enigmatic control over the townsfolk and repeatedly asserts that if they comply with his demands, he will depart. Can you hazard a guess about what he is seeking?

As hurricanes Milton and Helene wreak havoc across America, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, I find myself drawn to the gripping tale of “Storm of the Century.” This chilling adaptation by Stephen King is often overlooked yet stands as one of the finest horror miniseries ever made.

This article contains mild spoilers

A Well-Written Miniseries

Initially, what sets Storm of the Century apart is that it wasn’t adapted from any prior work by King. Instead, he penned it as a screenplay when he recognized that the story wouldn’t succeed as a novel. Eventually, this concept was transformed into a television miniseries, retaining King’s signature character development – a hallmark of his novels’ success.

Craig R. Baxley, being adept at handling Stephen King’s works, brings his expertise to the table having directed Rose Red, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, Kingdom Hospital, and Storm of the Century. In Storm of the Century, he chose to stick closely to King’s guidelines as the screenplay was exceptionally well-crafted by the author who is familiar with miniseries format and rhythm. This is evident in the strong dramatic backdrop of Storm of the Century, with episodes one and two predominantly focusing on drama, considering the possibility that Linoge is truthful or merely bluffing. Fortunately, all is unveiled in the miniseries’ grim conclusion.

The Impressive Dramatic Element

Stephen King’s screenplay, initially published as a hardcover script rather than revised, required significant character development. This was reminiscent of his work in “Under the Dome“, but he creatively employed the miniseries’ opening episode and initial act to enhance crucial drama for characters essential to the resolution of the conflict. He utilized Linoge’s skill at uncovering hidden truths about others, as well as dynamics that effectively portrayed their personalities and actions.

As a cinephile, I must say that crucial moments in this captivating tale unfold at the local supermarket where our protagonist, the supermarket manager, is reacquainted with townsfolk upon meeting Linoge for the first time. Deep dialogues take place within the church, and Mike Anderson’s interactions with the entire community are noteworthy. The lead characters are the manager and the constable who find themselves tackling nearly every problem in the town, as tensions escalate and order begins to crumble. Tim Daly delivers an exceptional performance under the guidance of King’s compelling screenplay, demonstrating resilience and artistic brilliance that brings the story to life with authenticity and passion.

The series’ resolution showcases King’s mastery of the medium, despite his minimal screenwriting involvement across his career. Watching the characters grapple with a situation that amounts to a murder is heart-wrenching and vital for eliminating the town’s chief danger, as suggested by Linoge.

The Captivating Villain

Colm Feore brings André Linoge to life, and the distinguished Canadian actor may be delivering the most significant role of his career, offering one of the finest performances seen in any horror miniseries. Linoge is chilling and icy – he doesn’t rely on physical violence, intense acting, or even prosthetic makeup. He simply portrays himself, speaking with a cold, unyielding voice, embodying an unforgiving and merciless evil presence.

In a captivating opening, Linoge skillfully creates an atmosphere of dread from early in the series. Even when he’s off-screen, his influence remains palpable. His mastery over situations is noteworthy, and there’s a playful edge to it that makes Linoge one of the subtly powerful yet underestimated antagonists within Stephen King’s literary realm.

Stephen King Loves Storm of the Century

There’s a particular reason why “Storm of the Century” is Stephen King’s preferred TV adaptation of his works – he was captivated by director Baxley’s portrayal of the snowy island village, which he felt perfectly embodied his screenplay. Moreover, King was thoroughly impressed with Colm Feore’s performance as Linoge. It isn’t difficult to understand why this less-acknowledged miniseries is considered on par with the blockbuster series that dominated mainstream television during its time.

“Storm of the Century” is a winter TV show that you can enjoy during snowy weather, even though it’s a horror series as well. The portrayal of the town’s values in the drama is intense, and the ensemble cast, carefully chosen for the role, does an excellent job bringing them to life. However, the story takes a dark turn, revealing something terrifying: a test of civilized society’s values and the gruesome choices Linoge forces upon them. Thankfully, the miniseries maintains a level of appropriateness for ’90s television, not crossing any graphic boundaries.

In a universe filled with numerous adaptations of Stephen King’s novels, the lesser-known gem “Storm of the Century” stands out as it beautifully embodies King’s talent for portraying warped moral compasses amidst turmoil. The character Linoge is a force of equilibrium, and he enacts this in a town that initially seems pure, but ultimately harbors sin. Residents of Little Tall Island have never been penalized for their hidden transgressions, and Linoge doesn’t so much as restore balance; instead, he employs a terrifying compulsion to make them confront the shadows lurking within their souls. This confrontation ultimately leads them to discard the very last vestiges of morality. You can stream Storm of the Century on Hulu via the link provided below, or watch it for free on YouTube.

Stream Storm of the Century on Hulu

Read More

2024-10-10 01:34