A movie based on a book airing on television. Since it's a movie I figured the Movie forum was the most appropriate place for this. I've been waiting 4 years since this was announced. And now it's nearly a week away. All I know so far is that it airs on ABC on the 23rd.

There was a nice article about in Fangoria, but the series doesn't interest me.

I read the book when I was in junior high and liked it. My tastes have changed, though, so I'm not sure how much I would like it now. Anyway, I don't remember much of the story, and I don't really watch TV, but if the reviews are decent I'll probably catch this on the inevitable DVD release.

Site:

http://abc.go.com/movies/desperation.html

I'm curious about this. King saw it and commented on it about a year ago, saying it was amazing, but so scary and graphic that it might get 'trimmed' by the network. Given we had to wait this long to finally see it, I'm wondering if we'll be seeing a good cut or if ABC will have butchered it.

Haven't seen an even halfway decent Mick Garris adaptation of a King story yet, and I don't believe that this will break the trend of awfulness...

While I'm no fan of Ride the Bullet or The Shining, I thought The Stand was fantastic. It's not in the same class as The Dead Zone, Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me or The Green Mile, but I'd probably say it was the second best made-for-television King after Storm of the Century.

Right on. The Stand isn't in the same league as the films you mention, but one of the best of the TV movies they've done.

shouldn't this be in TV Talk?

I don't know, that's a tough call...hmmmm...it's a movie....but it's on TV...oh God...I don't know...ummmm...oh shit....

I set my Tivo to record this and it replaced House. I'm not sure if I can live with that ...

What're you asking me for? Not my thread.

Bronze this post.

Can't wait. Loved the book, IMHO one of Stephen Kings best.

Read the book years ago. I thought it would make a good movie.

Good cast too
Tom Skerritt - From The Dead Zone
Steven Weber - From The Shining
Annabeth Gish
Ron Perlman - From Sleepwalkers
Henry Thomas
Matt Frewer - From The Stand
Charles Durning

Just a reminder that this airs tonight.

Ill be watching house live tonight
and downloading it tomorrow

Read the book years ago and enjoyed it. From what I've heard regarding this production, it was announced, filmed and orginally intended to air as a mini-series. Apparently someone at ABC didn't care for it, as it's been sitting around for over a year. As it was residing on said shelf, it was hacked to death in the editing room to the now existing 3 hour runtime. Removed are most of the scenes regarding character background, depth, motivation etc.

Doesn't bode well.

I was wondering how a nearly 700-page book could be made into a 3-hour movie. Hopefully but unlikely we'll see an extended cut for DVD

Neither does the fact they're airing it against the last American Idol performance show of the season.

Don't know much of this film's history but reading this thread gives me a bad feeling that this is a chopped up version. It seems odd to have a 3hr Stephen King TV movie. Normally you get a 4 hour movie slit up over 2 nights.

Thanks for the heads up. Recording it now.
Although, it's been so many years since I read Desperation that I don't even remember the the details of the novel anymore.

Is there gonna be an adaptation of Regulators, too? IIRC, weren't they sister-books?

I think the events in the book take place in less than day so I'm thinking they could have done it in two. Basicly you have some people come to town. They run into crazy cop. Stuff happens. The end.

Was this supposed to be in HD? Tivo's guide says no but this page at ABC.com has the symbol indicating that it is in HD.

http://abc.go.com/movies/desperation.html

But I just checked the recording and it isn't.. what the hell.

EDIT: Well a quite check to AVSforum and everyone says no HD in their area. I can't fathom why this isn't in HD. Guess I'll just delete.

No HD means no watch from me. I'll wait for DVD.