VHS : Needful Things [1993]

Rating: - Needful Kings
Set in the small township of Castle Rock - a fictional location created by Stephen King - 'Needful Things' is the tale of an antiques shop run by Leland Gaunt, the Devil himself, played by Max Von Sydow. As the proprieter of the New England business, Gaunt gets his claws into the town, just as antiques dealer Straker did in the King masterpiece 'Salem's Lot'.

Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Ed Harris, 'The Creepshow' & 'The Stand') does not buy the salesman's evil pitch. He sees straight through Gaunt's evil plan immediately.

Incidentally, Pangborn also turns up in King's 'The Dark Half' and is played in the subsequent movie by Michael Rooker.

Gaunt practically buys his way into the township, offering the residents antiques of their choice in return for payment of their souls. It is up to Pangborn and Polly Chambers (relation of Chris Chambers in 'Stand By Me' aka 'The Body') played by Bonnie Bedelia ('Salem's Lot') and schoolboy Brian Rusk to bring down Gaunt.

Typically 'Needful Things' is set in small-town Stephen King Maine --- a part of the world that will forever be associated with the horror author. The scenery is stunning, especially the coastline. There is plenty of action as well as a thriller feel and some very amusing moments too. Fans of 'Salem's Lot' will identify with this film, notably the similarities in story and characters. Evil invades a small town, slowly influencing its inhabitants, especially the obligatory young boy (related to King's own childhood escapades perhaps?)

So enter 'Needful Things' and indulge your curiosity. But a little curiosity shop this is not. Probably one of the better Stephen King adaptations.

Also stars Amanda Plummer and J.T. Walsh

---

Rating: - Buy Now. Pay Later. A fantastic film!!!!!
On reading the book which is one of King's very best it is clear to see that the film has considerable potential which isn't quite met. However it is a great effort with a great performance from Max Von Sydow (Leland Gaunt). It tells the story of a new shopkeeper who comes into town and opens a shop that has something for everyone. However Gaunt is not as nice as he seems and has an alterear motive and begins an evil mission against the town. A fantastic film which is thoroughly entertainig but not as scary as the book.

---

Rating: - What went wrong?
Stephen King's Needful Things is a brilliant book, full of the basic humanity of (most of) the characters and with everything well explained. This film misses out pretty much all of the story line, leaving the bare bones which confuses as the plot is wildly random with gaping holes. I understand that it would be impossible to include every bit of the storyline, but pretty much ignoring it completely goes a little too far . . . . .

---

Rating: - 3 and half Stars
As you would expect from such a great writer as King the plot itself is of the highest quality. Yet the general feel of the film isn't scary enough - afterall the material is pretty terrifying, it just doesn't have enough atmosphere. Strangely unfrightening film, but, nontheless a quality tale.