1408 (film)
| 1408 | |
|---|---|
| File:Fourteen hundred and eight.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mikael Håfström |
| Written by | Scott Alexander Matt Greenberg Larry Karaszewski Stephen King (short story) |
| Produced by | Lorenzo di Bonaventura |
| Starring | John Cusack Samuel L. Jackson Mary McCormack Jasmine Jessica Anthony Tony Shalhoub |
| Cinematography | Benoît Delhomme |
| Distributed by | Dimension Films MGM |
Release dates | June 22, 2007 |
Running time | 106 mins. |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | 25 million[1] |
1408 is a 2007 film based on the Stephen King short story of the same name. Swedish film director Mikael Håfström is the director. The cast includes John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson and Mary McCormack. The film was released in the US on June 22, 2007, although July 13th is mentioned as the release date in the trailer posted on the website. The film has been rated PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images, and language.
Plot
Mike Enslin (Cusack) is a skeptic that has made it his personal mission to debunk supposedly supernatural hot spots through various, seldom-read novels. His motivation comes from remorse over his daughter’s death, Katie, and a resentment that if something divine did exist then it let her die. An anonymous sender mails him a card warning him not to visit the Dolphin Hotel and stay in Room 1408 which he accepts as a challenge. After much pleading with the hotel’s manager (Jackson) he gets to stay in the room which he is warned that there have been 56 deaths in and no one has survived more than an hour.
The events start normally but quickly spiral down from the clock counting down to an hour, to apparitions attacking John, to the room freezing and then flooding, to what he thought was an escape only to be brought back in the room, to something impersonating his daughter appearing to him and then dying in his arms. However, through all of the psychological torture Mike survives the hour within the room, but realizes the evil force within will just keep repeating the hour of hauntings until he "checks out."
Mike instead sets the room on fire which evacuates the hotel, summons the firemen, and prevents his separated wife (McCormack) from trying to come to the room which had hijacked a phone call from Mike and told her to come. She arrives at the Dolphin and begs for the fireman to rescue Mike from the burning room which they are able to do and he escapes with only minor injuries.
The film ends with Mike completing his novel with a special section backtracking on his skepticism and giving reference to room 1408 for it. He then plays back his tape recording of the room with his wife that has the conversation of him and his deceased daughter, proving that the events were real.
Cast
- John Cusack as Mike Enslin
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mr. Olin
- Mary McCormack as Lilly Enslin
- Jasmine Jessica Anthony as Katie Enslin
- Tony Shalhoub as Sam Farrell
Production
In November 2003, Dimension Films optioned the rights to the 2000 short story "1408" by Stephen King. The studio hired screenwriter Matt Greenberg to adapt the story into a screenplay.[2] In October 2005, Mikael Håfström was hired to direct 1408, with the screenplay being rewritten by screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.[3] In March 2006, actor John Cusack was cast to star in the film,[4] joined by actor Samuel L. Jackson the following April.[5] In July, actress Kate Walsh was cast to star opposite Cusack as the protagonist's ex-wife,[6] but she was forced to exit in August due to scheduling conflicts with her role on Grey's Anatomy. She was replaced by actress Mary McCormack.[7]
Reception
Reviews were mostly positive for the film and was certified "Fresh" by Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 75% and currently has a rating of 8.0/10 by IMDB, stating that "relying on psychological tension rather than overt violence and gore, 1408 is a genuinely creepy thriller with a strong lead performance by John Cusack."[8] Most of the reviews praise both Cusack's and Jackson's performances in the film, and many of the positive reviews say that the film was one of the best King films since The Shining.[citation needed]
On its first weekend, 1408 debuted at #2 and made $20.6 million, and exceeded expectations ( $12-18 million), making it the first thriller or horror film since April's Disturbia to be successful at the box office this year.[9]
Alternative ending
Director Mikael Hafstrom has stated that the ending for 1408 was reshot because test screeners felt that the original ending was too much of a "downer". The alternative ending will be included on the DVD release.[10]
References
- ^ Box Office Mojo (2003-11-05). "1408". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ David Rooney (2003-11-05). "Dimension checking into room '1408'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Hafstrom to direct '1408'". Variety. 2005-10-25. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ian Mohr (2006-03-08). "Cusack finds a room in King's '1408'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Michael Fleming (2006-04-03). "'1408' gets another guest". Variety. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ian Mohr (2006-07-11). "Walsh's room is '1408'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ian Mohr (2006-08-13). "'1408' books a new tenant". Variety. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1408/
- ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/
- ^ http://www.cinemablend.com/dvdnews/Advance-Hint-At-1408-DVD-Contents-4676.html Advance Hint At 1408 DVD Contents - DVD News
External links
