Dark Half [DVD] [1991] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is not one of Stephen King's more well known films or books unless you are a big collector...yet somehow i dare say this story is one of the best of his i have ever seen (still want to try the book version). Were it no for films like IT, The Shining and Carrie i think this film would seriously be more well known. It has a dark mix of horror and mystery...not for the squeamish.

In 1982, George A. Romero directed Creepshow, which was written by Stephen King. Nine years later in 1991, Romero took on another King story, The Dark Half. For many years, serious writer, Thad Beaumont, has been writing trashy but successful novels under the pseudonym of George Stark, when somebody tries to blackmail him, he decides to reveal it publicly himself and kills off Stark. The only problem is, Stark refuses to be buried.Timothy Hutton is really good as Beaumont, he's even better as Stark. The film is dominated by Hutton, the cast is relatively small and with Hutton playing two characters, he's almost always on screen. Amy Madigan plays the wife of Beaumont, she plays her role well enough without it being a standout performance. Michael Rooker is slightly underused in his role as town sheriff, but he still manages to impress.Although the film was made in 1991, it wasn't released until 1993. The studio had gone bankrupt causing a delay. It cost $15,000,000 and was a failure in terms of box office success, making roughly its money back minus marketing. According to author Stephen King, the story of this film was part autobiographical as it was inspired by events that led him to reveal his own writing pseudonym of Richard Bachman. The Dark Half is probably the most underrated of the King adaptations, despite it being a much better film than some other much more successful King films. I'm a big fan of both Romero and King, and despite this not being as good as the phenomenal Creepshow, it's a creepy, engaging, thought provoking movie.Highly recommended if you enjoy the work of King or Romero, or just like subtle horror that requires you to think. Romero has had a couple of stinkers in the last few years, maybe another King adaptation could get him back to the level I'm sure we all want to see him at again.

Classic horror at its best , a great film to add to any Horror fan’s collection

the book wasnt amazing, this movie isnt amazing, it is an interesting story

I have read this book years ago and finally I got to watch the film, scary especially the birds...Timothy is brilliant as the writer and can look really mean as the book caracter.My advice see it but maybe not alone...

Timothy Hutton has to be an under rated actor. I didn't know he would be as good as he was in this finely craft suspenceful movie in a dual role. Well written and acted with a nod and a wink to other classic movies such as Hitchocks the Birds. Well worth a punt.

I liked this adaption of the King book by the late great George A. Romero. I still need to read the book so i imagine this isn't that close like most book to film adaptions ain't but i still enjoyed it a lot. Some of the effects look dated now but when i seen this on cinema years back i thought it had some great effects. Loved the villian character typical of Kings writing and also liked the setting as well. Overall 8/10.

Must watch again and again, a twist a mystery a puzzle. This film is so imaginative that it holds the viewers attention all through the film with surprising ending. It is definitely a must see Steven King story. Timothy Hutton plays a wonderful part as the hunted and the hunter.