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"It's only consider a Classic because it's one of Stephen Kings earlier works....."
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Cult Movies and Horror movie directed by Fritz Kiersch
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Rating:
CHILDREN OF THE CORN
+3
This is one of those movies that seems to divide people, some love it and consider it a classic while others not so much. I know people on both sides of the fence on this subject and have listened to them all on their thoughts. Me myself I fall somewhere in the middle since I do like the movie but admit that it is not as great as some say. In fact if you want a good one check out the first filming of this story on "Stephen King's Nightshift Collection" movie called "Disciples of the Crow". It is a better telling of the story and like the story is a short film.
Based on King's short story the film follows a couple traveling the country that happen to have an accident near the town of Gatlin Nebraska. This town though is not as it seems when the couple arrive, the town has a secret that may be the end of them both. An entity known only as "He who walks behind the rows" has taken control of the town's children and has them following his religion. And with that control he has them kill off all adults in brutal fashion.
Now it seems that those who believe that this is a classic believe so for one of a couple of reasons I think, could be wrong, have been before. Any way I think a lot of people put this as classic status because it is a King movie, and one from the 80's none the less. Now that can be easily disputed because is that really a reason to label something classic? Then of course there are those who consider it a classic because they watched it when they were young. Now for those who say that I will not debate you at all because I am guilty of that with some titles as well, so I can see that. You are not looking at it as another movie that you would judge more realistically today because it holds a special place in your heart. I am down with that because I do the same thing with movies I watched as a kid.
Now on to those who hate this movie all I can say is most I have talked to did not have actual reasons for disliking it other than so many call it a classic because it is a King flick from the 80's. Now I am not talking about everybody because there are people who have actual reasons for disliking it like there are those with actual reasons to like it. Any way as for my opinion I have to say I actually like this movie, not love although there are things I love in it.
Now at full length it was always going to hard to make the short story stay interesting. Don't get me wrong I think there maybe someone out there who can make the right film for this, someday maybe. In order for this to work as a full length film it would have to have suspense like crazy and atmosphere throughout the entire film. I feel like if this story could be done like the old school horror films it would be a huge success. But any way I have to say I loved the actual short story and like the movie. It has flaws of course but the idea always was interesting to me. Plus I always loved the "He who walks behind the rows" line, super cool line in my opinion. Then of course I thought John Franklin was creepy as child preacher Isaac, but it was Courtney Gains who stole the show. I always liked his portrayal of Malachai and the scene where he is yelling "Outlander" was great.
Now of course the film has its flaws such as the pacing, the movie tends to move slowly at times. That seems to be the films biggest problem I think and some of the acting is not up to par. Also time has not helped that ending and its special effects which is not the movies fault I must point out but it is there. I believe director Fritz Kiersch did what he could with the adaptation since at full length it is not horrible.
I have to say that no matter how I feel about the flick the DVD is great with behind the scenes stuff and an excellent commentary. This is one of those commentaries in which they actually give some good behind the scenes stuff up and tell some funny stories from the set. Like the kid in the road thing with the accident at the beginning. Any way I would say if you are interested in King's films then pick up the special addition here for the special features.
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More Children of the Corn (1984) reviews
I have to say that no matter how I feel about the flick the DVD is great with behind the scenes stuff and an excellent commentary. This is one of those commentaries in which they actually give some good behind the scenes stuff up and tell some funny stories from the set. Like the kid in the road thing with the accident at the beginning. Any way I would say if you are interested in King's films then pick up the special addition here for the special features.
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I had a feeling I wasn't going to like this but I manage to get through it. Nearly everything that Stephen King has ever written seems to have been turned into a film or TV series; in fact, I'm surprised that no one has tried to make a mini-series from the guy's grocery list. Let's face it, if they did, it couldn't be any less interesting than 'Children of the Corn.' Based on one of King's many short stories, this 1984 horror flick sees Linda Hamilton and Peter Horton playing … more
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FM_ALEX
Ranked #4
Ranked #4
I basically am just a normal person obbsessed with Mixed Martial Arts, pro wrestling, movies of all kinds, music of all kinds, books of all kinds, and of course foods of all kinds. Just trying to keep … more
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About this movie
The murder rate is as high as an elephant's eye in this flaccid adaptation of Stephen King's short story. While driving through Nebraska en route to a new job, medico Burt (Peter Horton) and his wife Vicky (a pre-TerminatorLinda Hamilton) nearly run over a mutilated boy who staggers from the cornfields. Seeking help, they enter the town of Gatlin, whose under-20 residents have butchered their parents per the decree of junior-grade holy roller Isaac (John Franklin), who preaches the word of a being called "He Who Walks Behind the Rows." King's original story (from his 1978 collectionNight Shift) was a lean and brutal mélange of Southern-gothic atmosphere and E.C. Comics-style gore, which scripter Greg Goldsmith effectively neutralizes by adding a youthful narrator (a grating Robbie Kiger) and putting an upbeat spin on the story's morbid conclusion. Fritz Kiersch's direction is TV-movie flat, with the sole inspired moment (hideous religious iconography glimpsed during a bloody "service") delivered as a throwaway. Aside from Horton and Courtney Gains (as Isaac's hatchet man Malachai), the performances are dreadful, and the depiction of the Lovecraftian monster-god as a sort of giant gopher inspires more laughter than terror. Amazingly, the film spawnedsixsequels; Franklin (Cousin Itt in theAddams Familyfilms) later appeared in and wrote 1999'sChildren of the Corn 666.--Paul Gaita
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Director:
Fritz Kiersch
Screen Writer:
Stephen King,
George Goldsmith
DVD Release Date:
April 10, 2001
Runtime:
92 minutes
Studio:
Starz / Anchor Bay
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Yes indeed, I truly do believe that.
"and one from the 80's none the less."
I'll go along with that even quicker. I been seeing that a lot since around 2007 or so. People are regarding things as classics only because it's old.
"Then of course there are those who consider it a classic because they watched it when they were young."
Nostalgia... I have to be honest, this is one of those reasons for loving something I had been rapidly losing respect for over the years.
Personally, I hate this movie. I tried watching it again some years ago and it was a pain to get through. To this day, I haven't seen any of the sequels and I have no desire to either.