The movie...good or bad?

[baylorbear2008]

Ok, I just finished the book yesterday and now I want to see the movie. What are your opinions on the movie? Obviously I know it can't compare near the book in terms of detail and all sorts of stuff, but what opinions and thoughts go through your head when someone mentions this movie?

[Mr. Palmer]

The first thought that comes to my mind when the film is mentioned is: THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL ENDING!!!

Other than that, I enjoy the film. It's a decent timekiller.

[JohnDalglish]

The first thought that comes to my mind when the film is mentioned is: THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL ENDING!!!

Other than that, I enjoy the film. It's a decent timekiller.

Hi,

Exactly, the ending sucked an otherwise not too bad film IMO

Long days and pleasant nights

[Sweet One]

What if Cujo were remade? What would you change about it (not just the ending, anything)?

[baylorbear2008]

Sweet One...I see your avatar is the poster for the movie Cujo...and I don't know if it is just me, but I can't take the picture they used for Cujo seriously, I think it is the eyes...they look too much like a cartoon's eyes.

[Sweet One]

Seriously, I didn't want this avatar, becuase it shows Cujo after he was rabid, and he certainly doesn't look very "sweet". I wanted to use a less evil pic, but the moderator says we can only use the ones on this site. dunno why, But rules is rules.

[GBPack1]

I thought the movie was okay. It's worth a watch in my opinion

[ymwilson]

For me, the movie was a disappointment.
They left too much out of it. Like understanding what the dog is FEELING once he's rabid. They also "skim over" Tad's fear of monsters, which made his fear in the book so terrible once the dog starts going nuts.
Just my opinion though, hope you enjoy it - cuz you know you gotta see it no matter what!!

[Sweet One]

Harlan Ellison said that the movie Cujo is not of the same quality as the book. I'd have to agree, because the characters have so much more depth in the book. The characters in the movie seem like themselves, but are pale imitations in comparisom. King himself has said that Cujo is his favorite film adaptation. To quote him: "it's a big dumb slugger of a movie. It stands there and keeps punching."

[cwinter4]

The movie was a little slow but had tension.

[saga]

this is a scary movie i like it :)

[atlantis]

It bothered me that the ending was changed. Maybe they needed something a little less depressing :confused:for the movie crowd.

[Not Me]

I enjoyed it. The early ad I remember seeing as a kid was creepy. Just a quick shot (from a dog's eye view) of a person looking toward the camera through some weeds or brush or something and calling out, "Cujo?". But when I saw the ad I did not know anything about the book or what a Cujo was and the ad did nothing to reveal this. Later I found out what the book/movie was about, and it all made sense. I saw the movie later as a teen on VHS. The actress that played the mom was pretty hot as I recall. I think she might have been the mom in Pet Semetary too. I am bad with actress' or actors' names. I think she might have also been in a recent straight-to-DVD film called "Mortuary", which was LAME and the years were not kind to her.

But as far as Cujo the book or movie go: "Nope, nothing wrong here."

BB

[hemingway2z]

Cujo was the very first SK for me. Absolute a gas, and a half. Afterthe book as well.Today saw a big a fluffy St Bernard. He about came through the back seat window at me. Guess the breed has been kinda tainted, eh? Unless he is pscyic about what I've been watching. The poor dear.Guess someone got the flask aroud 'is neck and is a bit testy. An excelente'move and novel, no dought one of de better. yeah yeah yeah.

[marie96]

I liked the movie, but not the ending..

[Denise Marsden]

I enjoyed it. The early ad I remember seeing as a kid was creepy. Just a quick shot (from a dog's eye view) of a person looking toward the camera through some weeds or brush or something and calling out, "Cujo?". But when I saw the ad I did not know anything about the book or what a Cujo was and the ad did nothing to reveal this. Later I found out what the book/movie was about, and it all made sense. I saw the movie later as a teen on VHS. The actress that played the mom was pretty hot as I recall. I think she might have been the mom in Pet Semetary too. I am bad with actress' or actors' names. I think she might have also been in a recent straight-to-DVD film called "Mortuary", which was LAME and the years were not kind to her.

But as far as Cujo the book or movie go: "Nope, nothing wrong here."

BB I felt the Cujo movie so much that I got myself a st. bernard and named him Cujo. Great film fab book!!!!!!!!!

[bookslinger]

Yes indeed, the ending is different and that was an unpleasant surprise. Also, it would be good if the actress who played Tad's mom would act more and shriek less. (jmho) I can't remember her name at the moment- something Stone I think. Not Sharon Stone but something like that. The movie itself is sort of fun, I saw it at the drive-in about 25 years ago, it's a GREAT drive-in movie!:laugh:

[JosephDurham]

I saw the movie when I was young, but remembered that I didn't find it to be scarry, but just a good movie in general.

[qu33n0f3mpir3]

cujo is the reason alot of people are afraid of dogs.
The book is way better than the movie though, lol.

[youngfibre]

I think as i remember the movie was ok.watched it a long time ago. Reading the book reminded me of one of Dean Koontz books (Dragon Tears?), with a nice little doggy that saved the day. I kept thinking if Cujo had met that dog and talked to him he would have found a way to explain Cujo's feelings to everyone else.
Most books are better than the movies anyway.

[Lord Moe]

the movie had so many jump moments I simply can't ignore it. It's a good movie. I can never remember when to expect the dog, and they did a good job of making the dog scary.

[dejolane]

I really loved this movie too because it was Stephen King's too. Anything that has the name SK attached to it,you know it will be great.

[fushingfeef]

I watched this movie last night for the first time in many years, and it was better than I remember it. I think the first time I watch a Stephen King movie I am mentally comparing it to the book, and they never quite match up. After the passage of time, I can view more objectively. The different ending didn't bother me this time around, and the movie was still pretty tense despite knowing the ending.

[Abbie]

What if Cujo were remade? What would you change about it (not just the ending, anything)?

They could call in red zone dog expert Cesar Milan in to rehab the dog. (wink wink!)--Abbie

[ginapenn]

The movie was alright but if you're watching it for the first time, you have to keep in mind that it was originally made quite a long time ago. Once you get past that, it's not a bad watch. I also wish they would have kept the original ending.

[hemingway2z]

cujo was fun to watch for vicarious thrill. with images of the country farm hot and the fear of silence as all that i hear is summer locus . the scent of the summer heat that will not end and a scent from being rubbed up against by a slobering mad dog, feeling i am trapped with nothing but death for me and my child, but not knowing when. like on a battle grounds which there will be no victory.
have a nice day !
mo mo mo mo mo mo .

[Er0tic NeUr0t1c]

I really loved this movie too because it was Stephen King's too. Anything that has the name SK attached to it,you know it will be great.

Not always true, i tend to dislike SK movies. i have a friend who refuses to read Salems Lot no matter how many times I promise it'll be good and its all because he saw the movie. I havent seen it yet but ill prolly be pissed...

1408 was a good one though

[dejolane]

Loved Cujo. Glad a don't have a dog like this.

[HayleyDiva]

This is the only book ever that was not as good as it's movie counterpart. To me. Maybe I was too young, but it was really hard for me to stay interested. I kept wanting to put it down and go crawling back to my lame teen horror stories. The ones that are always about some little brat who gets really scared for some reason and then everything is magically resolved. The movie was much better for me. I didn't notice the cereal story so much and it was all about the lady and her son getting away from that dog. It was a great movie of his.

[Velswab]

I've recently finished CUJO, the novel.
I seem to recall an annoying yelling and screaming during many scenes in the movie, so much so, I was unnable to finish the movie.

I hate the movie, and I loved the book.
Also,
the woman screaming throughout the film presentation of 'The Shining', pissed me off, and I WANTED her to die, so she would shut up.

Annoying high-pitched screaming,
is not my idea of a good way to deliver a scene: whether or not the director WANTS you to hate the character, there are other ways of doing this...

I have a zero tolerance to annoying screaming.

:)

[Lina]

Yesterday I watched Cujo. Unfortunately, I haven't read a book, so I can't compare it with a movie. But I can say that I like the movie very much. To my mind, it's a real good movie. By the way, I've always been a little bit afraid of dogs, but I guess after this movie I'll be much more scared! This dog is absolutely terrifying!

[Laura666]

I was so dissapointed that the ending was changed...but that is how they made movies then. I always enjoyed the book more...the ending was sad..but Stephen King always surprises and is not afraid to take chances.

[danie]

Dee Wallace played the mom in Cujo, and Danny Pintauro, Jonathan from Who's the Boss, played Tad. Dee Wallace (who also goes by Dee Wallace-Stone) was also in E.T. and The Howling.

[kellyw]

I agree with what most are saying, the movie is pretty good but I wish they would have kept the books ending. I still say it's worth watching though. Hope you enjoy!

[Micke]

I think that the ending of the movie is a little rush. It doesn't bring out the feelings you get when you read the book. I also think the book contains more gore than the movie and much better story.

With this I don't want to scare you off from the movie because the movie is good, but the book is much better.

[venomxxcujo]

I liked the movie at some times but disliked it most of the time because of how much they left out. And it just seemed like if you were going to make a movie about Cujo you would add everything ( or almost everything ) the book had though they left out quite a few parts. For example, it would have been nice if Tad died at the end, not that I'm trying to sound mean or against children living, but I think the movie would have had a better ending if Tad would have died, that way we could see the sad emotions and half-insane rages Donna had after her ordeal. Plus if they would have put more in about Steve Kemp and Donna's affair it would have been better, though that may bore some people, listening and watching about other peoples problems with their marriage.

And yes, the book had much more gore and feeling to it. The actors were okay and the actor who protrayed Tad really looked terrified as if the nice dog on the set whom was wearing some make-up was actually really Cujo, the 'monster' from his closet. The dog had a pretty good look though he looked really rough up-close on the T.V.

A good movie. If I were rating it from A to F or one to ten it would be a C minus and around the five range for the scale of numbers. Though I will recomend this-- you might want to read the book first. Eh... That is all. Sorry if my opinion bored you all to death.

[M2H]

The book was "alright" but I have to give the movie a poor review. Maybe it was the fault of the filmmakers or maybe it was just hard to adapt, but overall the movie was uninteresting and didn't "rope me in." Maybe a remake would work but it seems like this concept has been done many times before (i.e. Man's Best Friend).

[Jimmie]

I´ve always liked the movie.. but they should have made the same ending as the book. I just bought the movie on blu-ray disc. A great documentary is included. :D

[mr.jingles120]

i disagree
i think both were great

[Christiane17]

I did like the movie. It was pretty representative of the book, but I thought the ending was not well done. I prefered the one in the book. I thought the dog was really well trained and gave a magnificent performance. :laugh: It was creepy I should say. :oh:

[Ebony]

The first thought that comes to my mind when the film is mentioned is: THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL ENDING!!!

Other than that, I enjoy the film. It's a decent timekiller.

I totally agree...
I also saw "The Fog" a few days ago and was wondering about the brutal ending which differs from the book. So I don´t understand why they changed it in Cujo (and other movies).
The book was really scary because it deals with something that could happen in real life...

[Laura666]

I totally agree...
I also saw "The Fog" a few days ago and was wondering about the brutal ending which differs from the book. So I don´t understand why they changed it in Cujo (and other movies).
The book was really scary because it deals with something that could happen in real life...



I feel the same way...but I think they did not keep the original ending because a mass audience may not have liked it!

[Wanderer From Ys]

Danny Pintaro was talented as a child, but my god was he annoying. After a few minutes of listening to him, I start to root for Cujo, which kinda ruins the point of the movie. Anyway I think it's one of the better movies with Kings name attached, but I've never read the book either, so I don't know what was left out.

[Ebony]

Danny Pintaro was talented as a child, but my god was he annoying. After a few minutes of listening to him, I start to root for Cujo, which kinda ruins the point of the movie. Anyway I think it's one of the better movies with Kings name attached, but I've never read the book either, so I don't know what was left out.

You really have to read the book...can´t help myself but it´s one of those books that really make you laugh (I´m not joking - there are many passages in Stephen King´s books that are quite funny because he has a special sense of humor, that´s why I love him).

[Nemesis44UK]

I think the film was a pretty good stab at it, actually. Certain scenes where Cujo is lumbering out of the mist were hair-raising. The book is obviously better and I think that the brave move of keeping the book's ending would have elevated the movie to "classic" status as it was so brave. Having said that, movie audiences would not have approved at the time and the movie may well have tanked.

[Gavvo1976]

I'm gonna have to disagree with a lot of ya when I say that Cujo IMO is a superb King adaption. Yeah, the ending was changed but I read that even Stephen King liked the ending better and after watching the movie said if he could rewrite the novel he would keep the ending the same as the movie version. Dee Wallace is superb, especially the scenes with Tad. I thought the director kept true to the book in many ways. Let's face it, there have been much worse adaptions over the years! For me, this goes deffo into my top 5.

[Mr.Torrance]

The movie was very good until the ending. I'm aware that people would have been very upset if they had let Tad die, but wasn't that the whole point in that?? Cujo was meant to be a dark and somewhat depressing story, and the ending just totally ruined it. It wasn't just that they let him live, it was the way it just ...ended so duddenly. What about Brett Camber getting his new puppy at the end? What about the after results of the incident. To me it basically says : "Okay, the family lives happily ever after, so screw the Cambers, no one cares about them or their demonic dog." Despite my negativity towards the ending though, I loved the beginning of the film with Cujo chasing the rabbit through the field while the happy music plays. I think this scene would have had even more significance, had they kept the book's darker theme, theerfore people could notice the change in the story's mood more. So I'd have to rate it as "Okay." It had some good creepy scenes like Brett's encounter with Cujo in the fog, and Gary Pervier's death, but it seemd to skip out on some more important elements such as the town's dark history.

[Sweet One]

Yes, Tad's death was essentially the soul of the novel. Taking it out ruins it it as far as the Naturalistic masterpiece that it i The pointless nature of human condition was the whole point in the book.

I didn't want Tad to die, but it doesn't matter to me that he lived in the movie. So what? The movie isn't canon, not in the SK universe at least, so they light as well gone ahead and kept it as true the book's pessimistic vision as possible.

[NeuralDefekt]

All in all, I think I can say that I enjoyed the movie - but as the book came first for me I found myself scrutinising every detail they left out, the things they skimmed over and of course the things they changed! I think failing to go into depths about some aspects was a big let down, but then we have to remember that they can't put everything into a movie. When I remember that much, I am fine with it.

There are still some little things I think they might have done better, or differently, to keep more along the original line but I liked it well enough. Not my favourite King movie, by any stretch, but I watch it now and then.

- ND

[Dances_in_Underwear]

I watched the movie very recently, and I was not a fan. It was good until the end. I HATED how it just...ended. I mean, the audience doesn't even know if the parents stayed together or if the little boy was alright. I don't know. I hear the book was pretty good, but the movie was terrible. In my opinion.

[Ebony]

A movie will never be better than a book because everything that´s really important depends on your imagination.

[Dances_in_Underwear]

I did appreciate it for how different it was than your typical SK movie. There wasn't much supernatural elements, only hints of it. So in that regard it was special. But still, the movie could have been a lot better. But I place that fault on the people who made the movie, not SK.

[king family fan]

I enjoyed Cujo .I watched the movie and read the book. I looked the book the best

[nate_watkins]

The movie was definitely one of the better film adaptations. Loved the book, and although the movie wasn't 100% true to the book, it's still a good flick.

[Gladys]

j'ai prêté le livre à mon petit frère et il me l'a toujours pas rendu. Depuis j'ai lu 6 ou 7 livres, et j'attends toujours.... Je verrais bien le film après avoir lu le livre, même si il n'a pas l'air si bien que ça.

[A Plymouth's Fury]

I love the film version of "Cujo". Yet, I will say that for all of you who seem to really dislike that film, I am a huge fan of its star - Miss Dee Wallace. Having said that I do feel that the movie is good. It has tension that builds as the film progresses. For example, as an audience member you see a perfectly healthy dog turn into a raging monster who turns on his own family and [along with adultery, etc.] helps to tear apart another. I think that the acting is great and I do find it to be a good film. I can, however, understand why so many of you - especially all of the great King fanatics - are not too fond of the film. I would also like to have seen what they would have done with the Frank Dodd scenario but the film is what it is. I will say that the beginning of the "Cujo" novel is just out-and-out scary. I feel that had it have been in the film it would had really added to the horror and intensity. Yet, had it been a part of the film we would probably be discussing that now because Cujo is still rabid and many feel that he was possessed by Frank Dodd and was out to kill Tad. That would have been some film. Who knows, maybe someday a more "faithful" version of the novel will be made. And yes I do hope Dee is in it! [LOL]

[Doktor_Slyus]

The book is much more better, I think
But it is usual thing in the case of SK:cool2:

[The Darkening]

Ok, I just finished the book yesterday and now I want to see the movie. What are your opinions on the movie? Obviously I know it can't compare near the book in terms of detail and all sorts of stuff, but what opinions and thoughts go through your head when someone mentions this movie?

It's a good movie and stays true to the book except for one large difference toward the end! I enjoyed watching it anyway, though it's been a good few years since I last saw it.

[Talisman42]

it scared the livin daylights out of me the first time he charged the car window!

[Silhouette86]

The movie ending didn't bother me at all. It is scientfically impossible for Tad to have lived in the movie, but nobody wants to see a little boy die after practically watching him suffer for an hour IMO. The movie- the latter half of it, anyway- was very intense. Loved the movie and the book.

[Sweet One]

The movie ending didn't bother me at all. It is scientfically impossible for Tad to have lived in the movie, but nobody wants to see a little boy die after practically watching him suffer for an hour IMO. The movie- the latter half of it, anyway- was very intense. Loved the movie and the book.

Not true. Plenty of people wanted to see Tad die. I've read posts (not on this forum) by people who were so annoyed by Tad's screaming they wanted Cujo to bite his head off.

Plus, there's posters on this forum who think the ending sucked. Did they want Tad to survive? I don't think so. But in these cases, I rather think it's becuase they wanted the film to stay true to SK's nihilistic vision. The movie changed naturalistic intent of the book.

[JohnDalglish]

Plus, there's posters on this forum who think the ending sucked. Did they want Tad to survive? I don't think so. But in these cases, I rather think it's becuase they wanted the film to stay true to SK's nihilistic vision. The movie changed naturalistic intent of the book.

Hi,

Aye.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Sweet One]

I was thinking of you!

[SEShell]

Yes, I wasn't very impressed with the movie after I read the book, I liked the ending in the book much better.

[Montreal$ingle]

I saw the movie when it came out in theaters. I just did not enjoy this one at all, although it was my discovery of SK. I saw "The Shining" some time after it was released. Cujo? Hmmmm. I remember my initial reaction to the opening scenes. Odd, I thought. But, then too, most horror movies start with odd types of scenes. I thought the "nice mommie, cute little boy" thing was...not my cup of tea. After seeing this movie, I didn't go out and buy any SK novels, I'll put it that way. It was some years later that I discovered "The Dark Half" -- 1994 -- and that led to me going on an SK reading binge which lasted about three years. I allow for this movie -- as well as a few other stories from Stephen -- because "nobody's perfect". Also, he has written so many books; he has never let a slip stop him. I admire him and have a great respect for him because he's been so tenacious over the years. Not only does a person who is considered a great author write great things most of the time; but they are also great because of their intensity and pursuit of the tone and color of the stories. Stephen has definitely grown over the years -- and in very, very good ways. I'm proud to call him my favorite modern author.:) Hope all have a very, very good Thanksgiving Week...and stay safe, want to see you back here next week!:)

[aKINGreader4ever]

Hey All,

I saw the movie when it came out in the early 80's; and I thought it was terrible. tThe majority of the film took place in a car; and to me I thought it could have been improved a lot. I always tell people that the movies that R based on Stephen King novels R not as good as the books. I didn't read Cujo; but I did see the movie; and I usually read his book B4 I see the movie, My bad.
THX,
-K-

[ake!]

Not a fan of them completely changing the ending

[Rational Optimist]

I am reading it now. I am praying they cast the film correctly and do it justice on the big screen. This King creation is one of my favourite on time travel. I have read too many stories on time travel. I can`t even remember them now. This one I will remember. He does this right.

[AchtungBaby]

I liked it.

[EMTP513]

I didn't like the movie. I wanted the movie to be like the book or the book be like the movie, not a different book and different movie. That's b/c I'd already read the book first.

[guido tkp]

well...it's far better than any garris directed movie...that said, it is just an Ok movie, for me, at best.

there were moments of tension, but too much of it layed flat...teague was just not seasoned enough a director to get the performance that the king story required and the screenwriter did not do a very good job, imho, of catching kings unique voice...thus, too much caricture instead of deep acting...and this is a story that cries out for almost every role, even cujo, to bare its emotional teeth: there are reasons why things happen

the book as i rememebr, was a bit of a nail-biter...it built up tension and horror slowly, in the very best sense

it is a story that lives in, as someone said, a nihilistic world ..a world we all know exists, but try hard to escape: it dwells there and takes us down for a horrific ride

that is the horror of the story: knowing what is likely to happen, unable to anything about it

and the end..what can i say...to 'hollywood-ize' the ending is a travesty...not nearly as bad as darabonts mischief, but on that level of complete misunderstanding what the heck is going on: it panders in a way kings story does not

but, at no point, was i ever so bored to death, as i am with nearly every garris work, to just turned the damned thing off

worth a look if on the cheap rental rack, but that's about it

but, if you want to be scared...read the book...

[twellwood70]

It was an okay movie. I did connect to it as a child though due to my experiences with big dogs and always seem to get bit by them. Maybe that's why I have always had small dogs in my home..haha.

[OldDarth]

It's a solid movie. Dee Wallace and Danny Pinotauro are very effective in it. Check out the BluRay version - much improved over the previous pan and scan messes released previously.

[Tim D.]

I've always liked it. I thought it was well done and suspenseful. It's not one of my very favorite SK books anyway. I always found it to be a bit slow. And I think they're getting ready to come out with a 30th anniversary edition blu ray of the movie, but I don't know if it will be much different from the previous blu ray or not.

[Shoesalesman]

Lazy Sunday, so I fired up the old VHS and put the movie on. Still a great flick, though I don't remember 80s beards looking so hideous.

[Shalai Short]

I was a kid when I watched Cujo for the first time, and it scared the crap out of me! I played it for my kids (one of whom shares a birthday with Stephen King) and they loved it. I would like to see it remade. It is the first of his works that got me hooked on horror and the what ifs of life.

[Elihunt]

Well the book is definetely better than the movie, but then again I'm a book girl. X~)