HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 26: STEPHEN KING'S IT (1990)

For my generation it seems there is no more infamous a horror film than Stephen King's IT. If I were to base cultural impact off my personal experiences over the last 25 years I'd say everyone's fear of clowns is a direct result of this movie. Be it the concept, the image, the book, or the film I've had more people speak in terrifying regard of this film than any other. Sure, Jason and Freddy are scary, but people enjoy Jason and Freddy. People hate PENNYWISE either because he was so scary or because they hate clowns. Some hate clowns because of Pennywise. It's a vicious cycle.

Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, the man who gave us the unjustly vilified HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982) and FRIGHT NIGHT PART II (1988). Wallace was a good friend of JOHN CARPENTER and has worked with Carpenter on several of his earlier legendary films. Needless to say the man knows horror. And then there's Stephen King, master of horror on the printed page. SALEM'S LOT, PET CEMETERY, CARRIE, THE STAND, THE SHINING, CHRISTINE, CYCLE OF THE WOLF, and the list goes on. Among all of these legendary stories IT stands out in my mind as his horror masterpiece. And given IT's reputation I'd say that claim is justified. Naturally it was only a matter of time before someone brought IT to the screen. And who better to do it then the protege of John Carpenter, Tommy Lee Wallace.

THE PLOT

A dark entity stalks the children of Derry, Maine. Back in the 1960's a number of children were murdered. All the children of Derry are terrorized in their own unique ways as if IT knows each of their personal fears. IT disguises itself as a clown, something all children love, lures them away, and then kills them. Seven friends nick named "The Losers Club" take it upon themselves to put a stop to IT, whatever IT is. Researching the history of Derry, one of them discovers that IT has been terrorizing Derry since the 1700's. And they discover IT's name: Pennywise. In a climactic confrontation the seven friends seemingly defeat IT.

30 years later. Another child of Derry is found murdered. Mike Hanlon, the only one of the original seven friends to have never left Derry, recognizes the style of the killing. IT's back. The Losers Club are drawn back together to bring an end to Pennywise once and for all. But the power they possessed as kids, the power of belief, is gone. And Pennywise knows they're coming back and he still knows their greatest fears. What's more now they're rational thinking adults, their childlike beliefs long since gone along with their power to defeat him. What hope have they against the embodiment of fear?

THE GOOD

Tim Curry. One of the most underrated and under-appreciated actors out there is Tim Curry. Whether it is the voice Chancellor Palpatine, Long John Silver, Wadsworth, the Lord of Darkness, or Dr. Frank-N-Furter the actor knocks it out of the park, be it drama, comedy, fantasy, or horror. His portrayal of Pennywise is among the horror movie greats, perhaps even the single handed reason why we all are afraid of clowns. The eyes. The teeth. The voice. All of it has stuck with us in our memories and our nightmares. It's a true testament to Curry and the make-up and effects teams on the film. Pennywise is actually in the movie very little  and being that this is the only movie he is featured in it seems even more amazing that he has endured so much.

The story. We also have to thank Stephen King for providing us with such a terrifying story. The concept is so universal it touches on everyone's fears and nightmares. It takes the shape of what we fear the most. And it is so insidious that it preys on the most innocent of victims: children. Again, there's nothing more frightening and heart wrenching than a killer preying on children. It's the "boogie man" concept to the Nth degree. Everyone has there own personal boogie man. Stephen King created a monster that is all of them at once. A monster called Pennywise, the dancing clown.

THE BAD

Translation. Something was lost translating the book to film. That is a huge factor in almost everyone of the films based off Stephen King's stories. What works in a book doesn't necessarily work in a film. Like many of King's stories there are a large number of characters each with their own back stories and everything. You can take that much time in a book but in a movie it's too much. It bogs down the movie. Then there descriptions and what's left for your imagination to fill in. Most people's imaginations scare them far more than what you can show them... most of the time. Tim Curry does an amazing job of scaring us but as for the most intricate details of Pennywise's being I'm afraid no amount of special effects could do it justice. It's just the nature of the beast. Stephen King's style works best in a book. I suppose the fact that this was a TV mini series and had to abide by the rigid censors of television didn't help things either.

THE VERDICT

The notorious and horrifying Pennywise a.k.a. IT is still as horrifying today as he was back in 1990. The terrifying image of the clown has infected or psyches and perpetuated a life long fear of clowns in many people. Unfortunately what our imaginations perceive can never be outdone by film. This is another film where less would've been more. During the movie there is a scene where the kids are watching the 1957 classic I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF. When Pennywise's true form is revealed it kinda feels like an old 50's monster movie. The limitations of television special effects and censors also played a large part in limiting the film's potential. All in all I think our memories have made this movie more than it actually is. Regardless it is still a modern classic with perhaps the most frightening clown in film history.

Overall Ranking: 6 out of 10

Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10

I hear the clown in season 4 of AMERICAN HORROR STORY is pretty damn scary too.