Movie spotlight
Stephen King's World of Horror
This horror documentary is not the same as the 1986 TV special Stephen King's World of Horror nor the 1988 VHS release of the same name, which runs 45 minutes, was distributed by Front Row Entertainment and is about King himself. Instead, This Is Horror (copyright 1989) was a TV special which ran in four 60 minute increments. This new special used some framing footage from the original 'World of Horror' but is primarily newer interviews and behind-the-scenes footage about what was hot in horror in the late 80s. Here in the U.S., a condensed 90-minute version made its way onto video courtesy of Goodtimes in 1990. Elsewhere, the entire special was released as 2 different tapes running 90 minutes apiece. In the UK these were titled This is Horror: A Video Encyclopedia of Horror (Volumes 1 and 2) and in Germany they were called Best of Stephen King's World of Horror (Parts 1 & 2).
Insights
Plot Summary
Stephen King's World of Horror is an anthology series that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche and the supernatural. Each episode presents a self-contained tale of terror, often featuring ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and nightmarish circumstances. The series explores themes of fear, obsession, and the thin line between reality and madness, showcasing King's signature blend of psychological dread and shocking twists.
Critical Reception
As an anthology series with varying directors and writers for each segment, critical reception was often mixed, with some episodes being lauded for their originality and scares, while others were considered less effective. It garnered a cult following among horror enthusiasts for its faithful adaptations of Stephen King's short stories and its atmospheric presentation.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its faithful adaptations of Stephen King's iconic horror stories.
Felt inconsistent in quality across different episodes.
Appreciated for its atmospheric and often unsettling tone.
Google audience: Audience reception appears to be that of a niche cult following, with fans appreciating the connection to Stephen King's work and the anthology format, though consistency across episodes is sometimes noted as a drawback.
Fun Fact
While often cited as a series, 'Stephen King's World of Horror' was actually a collection of individual TV movies and short films produced and distributed, rather than a traditional episodic series, with different production companies and creative teams for each installment.
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