The Dark Half
Product ID: 7358812
Details
- ColorColor
- FormatColor DTS Full
- LanguageEnglish
- Runtime2 hours and 2
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Product Description Masters of horror Stephen King (The Shining) and George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) have created a "gripping, creepy, frightening" (L.A. Reader) film that "thrills, shocks and works us over" (Los Angeles Times)! Featuring an "intelligent screenplay and first-rate cast" (The New York Times), including OscarÂ(r) winner* Timothy Hutton, The DarkHalf will keep you captivated to the chilling end. Horror writer Thad Beaumont (Hutton) hopes to distance himself from his murder novels and from George Stark, the name he has used to anonymously author them. To achieve this, he cooks up a murder of his own: a publicity stunt that should lay Stark to rest forever. But when the people around him are found gruesomely slainand his own fingerprints dot the crime scenesBeaumont is dumbfounded until he learns that Stark has taken on a life of his own and begun a gruesome quest for vengeance! *1980: Supporting Actor, Ordinary People desertcart.com Although it lacks the creepy subtleties of Stephen King's celebrated novel, George Romero's underrated adaptation of The Dark Half ranks among the best films based on King's fiction, with Romero taking care to honor King's central theme while serving up some gruesome gore in the film's much-criticized 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, pseudonymous alter ego George Stark (the bestselling "dark half" to Thad's light), who then assumes an evil, autonomous form (again played by Hutton) to lethally defend his role in Thad's creative endeavors. 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 his own survival as an artist. Romero skillfully develops the twin/duality theme to explore the writer's dilemma, and 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 favors a pulp sensibility with clunky exposition to explain Stark's existence, but The Dark Half is a laudable effort from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon
| Actors | Amy Madigan, Julie Harris, Michael Rooker, Robert Joy, Timothy Hutton |
| Asin | 0792841328 |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 |
| Director | George A. Romero |
| Item Model Number | 027616786623 |
| Language | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) |
| Media Format | Closed-captioned, Color, DTS Surround Sound, Full Screen, Multiple Formats, NTSC |
| Mpaa Rating | R (Restricted) |
| Number Of Discs | 1 |
| Product Dimensions | 7.5 x 5.38 x 0.6 inches; 3.2 ounces |
| Release Date | January 1, 1991 |
| Run Time | 2 hours and 2 minutes |
| Studio | Alliance Home Entertainment |
| Subtitles | English, French |
| Writers | George A. Romero, Stephen King |
User
Review of Scream Factory Bluray Edition
Thank you, Scream Factory!"The Dark Half" is a vastly underrated movie with a great cast. Orion Pictures went bankrupt during the filming of the movie, which resulted in some hit and miss special effects."The Dark Half" is one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations. Prior to this release, it has only been available in a full frame dvd transfer.What we get:*An above average wide-screen transfer*A very informative and entertaining "making of" documentary*Deleted Scenes*Director's Commentary track*Behind the scenes Special Effects footage*Stills Gallery*Theatrical TrailerI just finished watching this excellent release, along with all of the bonus material (other than the director's commentary track.)The transfer looks very good overall, with occasional soft shots and very minor damage.The new uncompressed surround mix sounds fantastic and really showcases the terrific score.Highly
User
Good movie.
Good movie.
User
a good adaptation from the book
I received this item in fine condition, in the time advised. I have no issues with my order. I love this movie, though it was filmed some in/around Pittsburgh PA so that might be part of it. I find that it is a well done adaptation from the Stephen King book. I liked the cast, and just overall I thought it was good.
User
Great Movie!
I must say I absolutely loved this movie! Timothy Hutton is one of my favorite actors, and Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, so the movie was perfect! I greatly admire Hutton's ability to play not only the hero, Thad Beaumont, but also the villian, his 'evil twin' George Stark. One scene in particular strikes me. Beaumont, in an effort to discover what Stark's plans are, lets him take over his body, or at least his hand, and askes him questions while Stark writes the answers with Beaumont's hand. Hutton did a wonderful job of acting this scene, making us believe that he was indeed talking to his dark half. Favorite quote in the movie, involves a People Magazine reporter while interviewing Thad Beaumont about his pseudonym George Stark. Reporter: "You'll uh, forgive me for noting, but these behaviors could be interpreted as classic symptoms of schizophrenia." Beaumont: "Yes, I'll forgive you for noting that. I don't think George would, though."
User
Good Stephen King movie
Good drama & Acton. Edge of your seat movie
User
Region B only
The movie is enjoyable. Region B disc, so will not work on US bluray players.
User
Region B/2 will not play in USA players
With so many EU discs being region free, I took a chance. Not this time. This is region B (bluray) and region 2 (dvd). Neither will play in USA players. I don't have any ill feelings to the seller I should have checked and it should have been listed in the description. What they did do is get me the imported disc well before the estimated delivery window so kudos for that. I have dealt with this seller before and they have always been top notch.
User
Great Movie for Stephen King Fans
As always Stephen King movies are as good as the books. This was particularly creepy because of the dual character played by Timothy Hutton. Great movie to watch in the dark with a big bowl of popcorn to munch on to keep the stress levels in check.
User
Thank you
Thanks
User
Se ve muy bien
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User
Top notch king / Romero movie
No matter what some king fans say .. it’s been a favourite of mineThis writer has two sides of his inner writer personality.one he writes general non gory novels and he writes more grusesome novels as George stark
User
Gelungene King-Verfilmung
Als Buchkenner finde ich den Film zu Stark - The Dark Half von Stephen King sehr gelungen, da er sich nach am Buch bewegt und die Personen einen Eindruck wie in der schriftlichen Vorlage hinterlassen.Story: Autor Thad Beaumont will sein Pseudonym George Stark endlich aufgeben, wird von diesem aber heimgesucht und terrorisiert, nachdem sich mysteriöse Morde in Castle Rock ereignen...Nichtleser können dem Film bestimmt auch etwas abgewinnen, für alle Horrorthriller-Freunde bestimmt einen Blick wert; vor allem, da Horrormeister George A. Romero hier Regie geführt hat.Die hier erhältliche UK-DVD beinhaltet neben dem Originalton auch deutschen Dolby Digital 2.0 Ton. Als Extras liegen nur Trailer bei. Diese Fassung von The Dark Half ist komplett ungeschnitten.
User
I didn't know he would be as good as he was in this finely craft suspenceful movie ...
Timothy Hutton has to be an under rated actor. I didn't know he would be as good as he was in this finely craft suspenceful movie in a dual role. Well written and acted with a nod and a wink to other classic movies such as Hitchocks the Birds. Well worth a punt.
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