Different Seasons: Book vs Film

**Bean the Mono** · July 19th, 2011

I will start this off by saying that I love movies and have seen many in my days, but I am ashamed to admit that Shawshank Redemtion and Stand by Me are not on that list. I have seen Apt Pupil years ago before getting into reading as much as I do now, and had no idea it was a short story by SK.
After just finishing different seasons, (which was phenominal btw) I DL'd the movie, but it was nowhere near as good as the story. So my question is, are the other films from this collection worth a view?
I have been told dozens of times that Shawshank is excellent and I plan on watching that one, but for a 28 year old guy, is Stand by Me going to be worth the effort? I personally thought that it was a great story, but found it to be the weakest of the four from Different Seasons.
Just a simple question from a noob, and keep in mind that I will still watch The Sandlot if its on TV...
Thanks!

**jcadams** · July 20th, 2011

Stand By Me is so worth watching!! It's a great movie with a great soundtrack and cast.

**sam peebles** · July 20th, 2011

Both are definitely worth watching. I think Shawshank is one of those rarities where the movie is actually better than the book. Just one of the best movies ever made, of any genre, whether adapted or original. Just plain awesome.

**JohnDalglish** · July 20th, 2011

Hi,

Yes, definitely worth watching IMO.

I'd further recommend The Green Mile, Misery, Dolores Claiborne, The Mist, Storm of the Century and more.

Long days and pleasant nights

**GNTLGNT** · July 20th, 2011

Stand By Me is a well-done cinematic vision...it won't disappoint, no matter what your age....

**Bean the Mono** · July 20th, 2011

Thanks for the advice. I think I will have to watch both.

@john, I have all of your recommendations under my belt (film & book) except for Storm of the Century. Havent read/seen that one yet. But all others were excellent. I did not see the ending to 'The Mist' (movie version) coming. Quite a shocker...but a good one!

**king family fan** · July 21st, 2011

I liked these movies.Well worth your time to watch them. Be your own judge,you won't be sorry.

**jellydonut25** · July 22nd, 2011

They are both great movies. Shawshank is basically just as good as the story. A couple of things lost in translation, but one added touch that I personally liked was that in the movie, the warden of Shawshank is the same person throughout the movie.

Personally, I like Stand by Me BETTER than "The Body" -- The Body feels a bit too long at certain points, specifically that one wierd foray into a story about some girl that the narrator had written (I don't remember specifics, it's been a while since I read the story)...Stand by Me chews some of the fat and makes for a faster paced, excellent coming-of-age film

**Laymonking** · July 27th, 2011

Stand By Me is worth watching as it is one of rare instances where the movie is actually better than the story. And also it is a perfectly flawless movie.