STEPHEN KING'S SILVER BULLET

US, 1985, 95 minutes, Colour.
Corey Haim, Gary Busey, Megan Follows, Everett Mc Gill.
Directed by Daniel Attias.

Stephen King's Silver Bullet is based on his novella, Cycle of the Werewolf. It is generally a routine werewolf story - although it highlights the average American town and its being terrorised by a werewolf. The werewolf is, in fact, the town's minister.

The focus of the film is two children, brother and sister, played by Corey Haim (Lucas, Licence to Drive, Lost Boys) and Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables). The sister tells the story from the perspective of adulthood, a story of family life, clashes, her believing him about the werewolf, their fighting it together with their rowdy uncle Red, played by Gary Busey. Everett Mc Gill (Union City, Quest for Fire, Dune) is the reverend. Terry O Quinn (Stepfather) is the sheriff.

The film highlights the tradition of the werewolf, especially with effective special effects. However, it is a Stephen King short story rather than a complex novel.

1. Enjoyable werewolf story? Piece of Americana? The werewolf tradition?

2. Werewolves in the United States? The full moon, the transformation of the man into werewolf? The irony of it being the minister? His nightmares with his congregation turning into werewolves? The silver bullet and the folklore about werewolves?

3. The plausibility of the plot, the apple pie American town, the transformation by the deaths, the vengeance and vigilante action? The children and their confrontation with the monster?

4. The framework: the ordinary American town, Jane telling the story, from an adult perspective? Her relationship with her brother, at home, the mounting tension in the town, the deaths, the funerals? The confrontation with her brother, believing him, her participation in the end, her final comments, her love for Marty?

5. His being in a wheelchair? His friendship with Brady, playing tricks with Jane? His adventurousness, at home, his parents taking his side, clashes with Jane? The life of the town, friendship with Uncle Red, his rowdy style? Marty and playing with Brady, Brady's death? The funerals? The silver bullet, his riding? The shooting of the werewolf, the discovery that it was the reverend? Jane's helping with the collecting of the tins and bottles? The menace on the bridge, his being rescued? The final confrontation, the silver bullet, the death of the reverend? Marty's humour?
6. Jane and her story, the victim of practical jokes, resenting her parents? Life in the town? Helping Marty with identifying the monster? The finale and its violence? Her storytelling?

7. Uncle Red, the rowdy uncle, his sister's reaction, his entertaining Marty, the silver bullet and the riding? His drinking? At the funerals - and the drinking? His not believing Marty? The machine and the car crash? His arranging for the silver bullet to be made? Arranging for the parents to be out of the house, the final fight?

8. The reverend, his plea for community spirit at the picnic, his role in the community, the funerals and his sermons, sympathy? His nightmare with the congregation as werewolves? His pursuing Marty in the car and trying to kill him? The final confrontation, his transformation, his death - and return to normal?

9. The sheriff, his hesitancy, the townspeople rising up against him, the vigilant action, his plea? Brady's father and his turning the people against the sheriff? Marty and his giving him the information? Checking out the reverend, the transformation, his death?

10. Brady, his playing tricks, his being killed? The pathos of his funeral? His father's grief and stirring the crowd?

11. The bar, the reaction to the deaths? The barkeeper? The vigilante group? Stirred up after the funeral, Brady's father? Their search in the night? The werewolf pursuing and killing? The earlier victims - the woman going to commit suicide (and the reverend saving her from the sin of suicide)? The man threatened in his home - and his vigilante attitude?

12. A picture of the American town? Family life? Atmosphere of menace? The town's reaction? The supernatural and nightmares? The tradition of werewolves?