Pet Sematary- Book and The Story of Its Filming
"Pet Sematary" is a horror novel written by Stephen King, first published in 1983. The story follows the Creed family who move to a small town in Maine, where they discover a mysterious pet cemetery located in the woods behind their new home.
The Creed family's young son, Gage, is tragically killed in an accident, and in his grief, the father, Louis Creed, decides to bury him in the pet cemetery, which he learns has the power to bring the dead back to life. However, the revived Gage is not the same as he was before, and he brings with him a terrible evil that threatens the entire family.
The book explores themes of grief, loss, death, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order of things. It has been both praised and criticized for its disturbing and graphic content, including scenes of violence and death.
"Pet Sematary" has been adapted into two feature films, one in 1989 and another in 2019. The novel remains one of Stephen King's most popular and influential works, and is often cited as a classic of the horror genre.
Pet Sematary – The Story of How Stephen King's Book was Turned into a Movie
"Pet Sematary," Stephen King's popular horror novel, has been adapted into two feature films. The first film was released in 1989 and the second in 2019. Here is the story of how each adaptation came to be:
1989 Film Adaptation:
In the mid-1980s, Stephen King was approached by Mary Lambert, a music video director who was interested in directing a horror film. Lambert pitched the idea of adapting "Pet Sematary," and King agreed to sell the film rights for a low price, as long as he could have creative control over the script.
Lambert directed the film, which was shot on location in Maine, where the book was set. The movie starred Dale Midkiff as Louis Creed, Fred Gwynne as Jud Crandall, and Denise Crosby as Rachel Creed.
The film was released in 1989 and was a commercial success, grossing over $57 million at the box office. However, it received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its creepy atmosphere and disturbing content, while others criticized its uneven pacing and over-the-top performances.
2019 Film Adaptation:
In 2010, Paramount Pictures announced that they were planning to remake "Pet Sematary" with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Steven Schneider producing. The project went through several directors before Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer were hired to direct in 2017.
The new film starred Jason Clarke as Louis Creed, John Lithgow as Jud Crandall, and Amy Seimetz as Rachel Creed. Unlike the 1989 film, the 2019 adaptation deviated from the book's plot in significant ways, including changes to the ending.
The film was released in 2019 and received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its dark tone and effective scares, while others criticized its lack of subtlety and reliance on jump scares. It grossed over $113 million at the box office.
Overall, "Pet Sematary" remains a popular and influential work in the horror genre, and both film adaptations have their fans and detractors.
Pet Sematary – Actors Who Starred in the Stephen King Movie
There have been two film adaptations of Stephen King's "Pet Sematary." Here are the actors who starred in each adaptation:
- Dale Midkiff as Louis Creed
- Fred Gwynne as Jud Crandall
- Denise Crosby as Rachel Creed
- Brad Greenquist as Victor Pascow
- Miko Hughes as Gage Creed
- Blaze Berdahl as Ellie Creed
- Susan Blommaert as Missy Dandridge
- Michael Lombard as Irwin Goldman
- Jason Clarke as Louis Creed
- John Lithgow as Jud Crandall
- Amy Seimetz as Rachel Creed
- Jeté Laurence as Ellie Creed
- Hugo Lavoie and Lucas Lavoie as Gage Creed
- Obssa Ahmed as Victor Pascow
- Alyssa Brooke Levine as Zelda Goldman
Both adaptations have received mixed reviews from critics, but are still popular among fans of the horror genre.