After a deadly plague kills most of the world's population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a malevolent being - to face each o... Read allAfter a deadly plague kills most of the world's population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a malevolent being - to face each other in a final battle between good and evil.After a deadly plague kills most of the world's population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a malevolent being - to face each other in a final battle between good and evil.
- Won 2 Primetime Emmys
- 3 wins & 7 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFor years it was planned to make this story into a theatrical film, directed by George A. Romero. Stephen King did many drafts to make it of a suitable length for a feature film, and when he couldn't get it short enough they considered breaking it into two separate films before finally letting Rospo Pallenberg write a draft. But before they could make it, King was offered the chance to make this mini-series for television.
- GoofsWhen Nick and Tom first meet Ralph, they are headed in opposite directions, but going to the same place. Nick and Tom get into Ralph's truck and head back the way they came from, yet they are all allegedly headed to Nebraska.
- Quotes
Scientist: I can't believe a piece of Southern Fried Chicken like you is going to survive this.
- Alternate versionsThe version most widely seen now on DVD and Blu-ray differs from the original TV broadcast and Worldvision home video release. Among numerous small changes to credits and transitions (for instance removing many of the fades to black for commercial), it also restores explicit footage to two scenes and adds a third altogether.
- The death of Dayna in Randall Flagg's office is more graphic, with Flagg picking up and tossing away her bloodied dead body after she commits suicide by throwing herself onto a jagged glass frame; the original version instead cut to the lobby downstairs, where people look up uneasily upon hearing Flagg roar.
- Nadine and Flagg's "wedding night" is longer, with more reaction shots of Nadine and additional shots of Flagg unzipping his pants and positioning himself.
- A short scene has been added in which Flagg drives back to Las Vegas the next morning, with Nadine (with her hair bleached white) in the passenger seat.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1994)
- SoundtracksBABY CAN U DIG YOUR MAN
Composed by Al Kooper & Stephen King
Performed by Al Kooper
Produced by Al Kooper for Stephen King's "The Stand"
I am glad to report to other 'Stand' fans that it aint' half bad. Granted there are some horribly miscast parts. Molly Ringwald failed to portray Fran's immense courage and determination and was (I'm sorry to say) neither young enough nor pretty enough. Corin Nemec as Harold was just a TOTAL joke. Harold was FAT, FAT, FAT with long greasy hair -not a skinny dweeb in a track suit. When I think of Harold I imagine Philip Seymour Hoffman (or Meat Loaf in his Rocky Horror days). Finally I must also mention Laura San Giacomo as Nadine - she played her like some kind of manic depressive( ! ). However, there is enough about the film that is excellent that it kind of makes up for that. I have to single out Gary Sinise as Stu - he must have read and loved the book himself as his performance had incredible depth and thoughtfulness. In addition Adam Storke and Rob Lowe were tremendous as Larry and Nick respectively and Bill Faggerbacke WAS Tom Cullen.
The music and cinematography were an integral part of the film's power to pull you in and bewitch you. I watched the whole thing in one go as I literally couldn't switch off.
If you are a Stephen King fan you shouldn't be afraid to watch this and if you aren't then it's a cracking story, very well told.