Stand By Me (Deluxe Edition) [DVD]

I've been a Stephen King fan for a very, very long time. I've seen almost all of the film adaptations of his work and I have read all of his novels, short stories and novellas. Some of his works stand out for me more than others. Some of his stories go beyond the gore of horror to have real meaning and the story and its characters stick with you well after the credits roll on the movie or you turn the last page of the book. Stand By Me is one of those works.Simply put, this story is about four young boys who set out on a journey to see the body of a boy who was killed by a train. Sounds pretty basic and run of the mill horror, doesn't it? It is anything but. The journey the four young heroes of the film takes is more than just walking the 20-25 miles to where the body is located. It is a journey of discovery for each one of them. All four boys are flawed in some way. They all have something holding them back and keeping pain in their lives. On the way to find the kid, they find themselves buried beneath those flaws, come to terms with their pain and emerge stronger for it. Chris (River Phoenix) admits to his best friend, Geordie (Wil Wheaton) the truth about what really happened to the milk money that forever labeled him as a "thief". Chris comes from a poor family with a bad reputation so no one even bothered to find out the truth. Geordie finally confronts the death of his beloved brother, the clear favorite of the Lachance boys. Geordie's parents died the day their eldest son did and barely stop to realize they have another son who needs them and that they can draw comfort and strength from the family they have left. Geordie has been the "invisible boy" all his life. Teddy (Cory Feldman) comes from an abusive home but still somehow manages to love his father despite his having burned his sons ear on the stove. Teddy proudly tells anyone who will listen about his father storming the beach at Normandy and Teddy himself wants to demonstrate the same bravery his father did during the war. He craves something he will probably never get: his fathers approval and love. And then there is sweet little Vern (Jerry O'Connell). He's afraid of his own shadow and probably not the brightest bulb in the package. But he has a good heart, knows right from wrong and is a loyal, honest and trusting friend. Vern is the kind of friend that I think every one of us would like to have at some point in our lives. All of these young men are, really. Then there is the other side of the equation. Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland) and his gang. These boys are bad to the core. They do whatever their leader Ace tells them to do and love the reputation they get from it. Two of Ace's gang are the older brothers of Chris and Vern and these two older boys are how the young boys find out about the body.This movie is set in 1959 but it can easily apply to any year, any person, any situation. There isn't a single one of the four main characters that someone cannot identify with. We all have a little bit of Chris, Geordie, Teddy or Vern in us; maybe a little bit of all of them rolled into one person. We're all afraid of something, we've all longed for the acceptance and love that never came, we've all been misunderstood because of something out of our control and we've all pushed emotions down so deep that it has taken something big to force us to deal with them. For every single one of us there is one point in our lives that we can remember with the clarity that the older Geordie (the narrator, Richard Dreyfuss) has of this overnight trip to find Ray Brower. Sometimes it brings us happiness but sometimes it brings us pain (maybe brings us both).This isn't a movie about a dead kid, this is a movie about life. All the ups and the downs, the good and the bad. It shows some things that are uncomfortable to deal with such as child abuse and the loss of a child. It doesn't sugar coat anything or leave you with the impression "this was just some made up junk in a movie". Between Stephen King's writing, Rob Reiner's directing, and the brilliant acting of four extremely talented young men this movie made you feel something. Perhaps it brings back some memories of your own childhood or even makes you think about something happening right now.The cast in this film is remarkable. No better choices could have been made for any role in this film. Each actor brought strength and power to their roles and it's easy to see why all of the main characters (the four boys as well as Ace) are all well-known and easily recognizable names now. You can't help but be moved watching this movie knowing that just like Chris, the amazing River Phoenix left this world much too soon.Unless there are outtakes or bloopers on a disc, I don't buy movies for the extras. I'm just not interested in that kind of thing. I want a quality copy of the title film and that's it. However, this DVD has some very nice special features on it. My favorite is the "Stand by Me" music video. It shows classic footage of the late Ben E. King then moves forward many years and shows him singing the song with a young River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton in the audience. Both young men get up and dance with King. With two of those men not with us anymore, that was a wonderful extra to have on the DVD.I would highly recommend this movie to anyone of any age. Young and old alike can take something good away from this movie and feel better for having watched it.

Just let my son and his friend who are about the same age as the boys in the movie. It is a fantastic movie that captured their attention the whole time.Highly Recommend this movie!

It was all good business

I know, I know the movie can not always be like the book, though I wish in this case it was. I really did love this movie, it is a great coming-of-age story brought to life.

Enjoyed this movie. I’m a fan of Jerry O’Connell.

This story is about not growing up so fast! Such a great movie!

Best and most favorite movie of all time, hands down. I have seen it more than my brothers have seen Star Wars, This film means that much to me and was a huge part of my child hood (80s kid). The characters are all too realistic and relate-able for those from defunct homes.This film has taken on so much meaning for me throughout life and I have related to it on many levels throughout the years.These kids were going through some very tough and even adult issues. The isolation Gordy felt at home and the alienation his father cast on him, making Gordy feel as though it should have been him who died because he didn't amount to his brother in his father's eyes. Chris being misjudged by everyone, the resentment he had for being his brother's brother instead of being considered an individual, and wanting to be a peacemaker... he wanted more for himself but wasn't confident that he would ever overcome being " just one of those low-life Chambers kids". I feel that was a huge bond for Chris and Gordy. They both felt compared to their brothers, and though Chris' brother wasn't dead, Chris still in a sense had "lost" his brother, being that Eyeball never had his back. Chris also had distance with his parents; the mother seems to have been absent and the father was an alcoholic. I feel Chris and Gordy really mirrored each other with their home life and connected on a deeper level separate from the other boys, and you see that deep connection in the woods when Chris cries, and then again at the end where Gordy is the one crying and Chris is the one comforting him. They have so many intimate moments where their bond shines, and they really did have a friendship beyond the realm of the group. Several scenes there are moments where they don't even have to say anything, they just look at each other with a knowing, and we all have a friend we've been able to do that with. You can almost communicate without speaking because you know what the other is thinking. That is something so intimate and powerful to have translate onto film. It came so naturally. There is a real deep and trusting love amongst brothers there.Chris had an old soul quality about him, which he clearly shows in his love for Gordy, saying he wished he was Gordy's dad so he could convince Gordy to aim higher, comforting Teddy when he broke down and became defensive of his abusive father, and keeping him from train dodging. I think Chris was trying to be the father to everyone else that he never had. Then there was Vern who got poked at and made fun of, just for being himself. His brother wasn't there for him either. He didn't get to have much of a voice, and probably felt invisible (much like Gordy, who felt invisible at home as well as "weird" for who he was) which has some irony to it, since he was teased for his size. Teddy was living with the reputation of his father pinned to him, and everyone knew his dirty laundry, which really paralleled Chris' situation. All of these kids were ghosts. Gordy and Chris ghosts of their brothers, Teddy of his father and Vern of himself. No wonder they were all so close. I find it to be relateable time and time again throughout the years with all of the heavy themes going on in this film.In the end, they all just wanted to be something, known for something great; something heroic. At home they were nobodies. Their true family, was each other.

I saw the film on tv several years ago and is about changes and I it would a good to add to my library of vhs tapes.

An „Stand by me“ kann man wunderschön sehen, was man aus einer Kurzgeschichte alles rausholen kann. Dabei grenzt es schon fast an ein Wunder, dass es diesen Film überhaupt gibt, denn die beiden Drehbuchautoren und Produzenten BRUCE A. EVANS und RAYNOLD GIDEON, blitzten mit ihrer Idee bei allen großen Hollywood-Studios ab.Erst das kleine und eher unbedeutende Studio „Embassy Pictures“ gab ihnen die Chance den Film zu verwirklichen. Um diesen Film zu verwirklichen standen Regisseur ROB REINER lächerliche 8 Millionen $ zur Verfügung, „Stand by me“ spielte allein in den USA aber 52 Millionen $ ein.Der Titel leitet sich vom gleichnamigen Song von BEN E. KING ab, ursprünglich sollte er eigentlich „The Body“ heißen, nach der Novelle von STEPHEN KING. „The Body“ wurde aber von Columbia Pictures abgelehnt, weil er sich eher nach einem Sexfilm oder einem Bodybuilder-Film anhören würde. ROB REINER kam dann auf die Idee ihn „Stand by me“ zu nennen.Überhaupt ist der Soundtrack zum Film granatenmäßig gut, um ein authentisches Zeitgefühl zu schaffen, haben sich die Macher unzählige Hits aus den späten 50ern zu Nutze gemacht. Neben der Musik von BEN E. KING gibt es u.a. auch noch Hits wie „Everyday“ von BUDDY HOLLY, „Great Balls of Fire“ von JERRY LEE LEWIS oder „Lollipop“ von den CHORDETTES zu hören.Trotzdem der Song „Stand by me“ erst 1961 erschienen ist, die Handlung aber 1959 spielt, wurde er als Titel ausgewählt.Die Darsteller sind wirklich große Klasse, vor allem RIVER PHOENIX finde ich grandios. Am Ende des Films werden ja die Geschichten der vier Freunde erzählt, was aus ihnen geworden ist. Dabei gibt es wirklich überraschende Parallelen zum wirklichen Leben einiger Akteure, so verstarb RIVER PHOENIX (Chris Chambers) tatsächlich sehr jung, COREY FELDMAN (Teddy Duchamp) landetet tatsächlich im Knast und WILL WHEATON (Gordie Lachance) ist inzwischen ein erfolgreicher Autor. JERRY O'CONNELL (Vern Tessio) arbeitet sehr erfolgreich als Schauspieler, in Deutschland ist er vor allem als Detective „WOODY“ HOYT aus der Serie „Crossing Jordan“ bekannt.Einige der Figuren des Films, wie etwa „Vern Tessio“ oder „Gordon Lachance“, kommen auch noch in anderen Romanen von STEPHEN KING vor. Auch das Städtchen „Castle Rock“ kommt in vielen Werken KINGS vor.Neben den oben erwähnten Jungschauspielern haben mir auch noch KIEFER SUTHERLAND (Ace Merril) und RICHARD DREYFUS als erwachsener „Gordie Lachance“ sehr gut gefallen.„Stand by me“ gefällt mir so gut, weil er sehr stimmungsvoll ist und die Jugendzeit der vier Hauptprotagonisten sehr authentisch darstellt. ROB REINER hat die Stimmung der 50er-Jahre und das Flair des ländlichen Oregon sehr schön eingefangen.Die einzelnen Figuren werden sehr detailliert beschrieben, ihre Charakter klar herausgearbeitet, das ist wirklich große Klasse.STEPHEN KING selber war voll des Lobes über diesen Film, er sagte später einmal, dass er „in seinen Augen die erste gelungene Verfilmung eines seiner Werke sei“. Mehr Lob an Regisseur ROB REINER geht nun wirklich nicht.Die Story ist gar nicht mal so raffiniert, aber was ROB REINER und die Drehbuchautoren BRUCE A. EVANS und RAYNOLD GIDEON daraus gemacht haben, sehr wohl.Erzählt wird die Geschichte vierer Freunde, die durch Zufall erfahren, wo die Leiche eines vermissten Jungen liegt. Kurz entschlossen begeben sie sich auf eine zweitägige Wanderung, bei der sie einige Abenteuer erleben ….Mein Fazit: Die Stärke des Films ist die Tiefe, der emotionale Hintergrund, die Gespräche in denen die Jungs über ihre Probleme und Ängste berichten. ROB REINER setzt überhaupt nicht auf Action, diese ist sehr spärlich gesät, er setzt voll auf Handlung, Emotionen und Tiefgang.Ich persönlich finde den Film einfach klasse, er gehört zu meinen absoluten Favoriten, deshalb kann ich ihn auch ohne Bedenken und mit gutem Gewissen weiterempfehlen.

I bought the UHD blu ray because I wanted to see this at it's very best. The picture looks absolutely lovely, I really like the cinematography, films the outdoors and the woods are among my favourite settings for a film. The detailed lush green environment looks really great. The film is similar to It in several respects, the small town surrounded by woods, fears, dreams, troubles, a small group of underdogs, abusive parents, older bullies who are also violent delinquents.In this film though there's no supernatural evil after anyone, the main dangers are man made, trespassing on railway lines, leeches, bullies and more.The performances and characters are all good, quite believable a group of boys who act tough but are still children deep down. The film absolutely nails the bravado, the bickering and the strong friendships that boys form at this age. The dialogue is fast, messy and sounds natural. It is slow in parts but concludes in a satisfying end. It feels largely realistic and not too Hollywood. The film is also broken up with a soundtrack straight from American Graffiti. The props and costumes really sell the period setting. Everything looks like it was filmed practically too another huge bonus, I can just picture the kids today running in front of some terrible green screen if this was shot today.My main issue with the film is the complete freedom the boys have to just disappear for days. The parents are always conveniently removed from these kinds of stories to allow the adventure to happen.The narration I'm not sure was really needed either to follow the story.

What an absolute 80's classic, if you have seen this film then you just know, if you haven't seen it then you must. This blu ray version comes with a cardboard sleeve with embossed gold writing on it over the plastic box and is a must have to any blu ray collection! Those who have seen it will relate to the title more than anything, now an adult that question (which is I suppose rhetorical) crops up an awful lot and we all know the answer. Life moves pretty fast, too fast in fact, the old cliche "The boys go out to find a dead body and find....themselves" sums up what this is about and what life is about, a constant journey of discovery that dependant on your childhood (all boys were from different backgrounds) means some grow up at a different pace to others, you forget these are kids by their performances, they are all good but the stand out is of course River Pheonix. If you ever need a reminder that as adults "life gets in the way" this is it. A timeless masterpiece...."Friends come in and out of your life like bus boys in a restaurant, did you ever notice that?".

Most people of a certain age know this movie and those up and coming will learn of it in the future especially if their parents grew up in the 80's when it was made. It's a great movie, shows the innocence of childhood before you get trapped in the rat race. Everything in the movie is great apart from the pie eating contest which for me is out of sync with the rest of the movie, but that's a minor quibble. Service of the movie was prompt and it was in perfect condition. A five star movie, it is timeless. The reason its timeless is because everyone was young once, so should be able to relate to it, even if they won't admit it. Rob Reiner did a great job in capturing the essence of youth, and a great song by Ben E King rounds things off nicely.

Rob Reiner's Fantastic drama - Stand by Me is a film about being young and what it means to be young and for me it's the best and most important time in your life, when your young you have no depression, cares, problems or worries, all these come in time though but as I've said it's the best time!Stand by me has a simple plot here - 4 12 year old boys hear of a deceased boy of which he remains in the backwoods of Castle rock, as they want to go and see the dead body they set of on a 2 day adventure, the only problem for them is that a local and more older teenage gang led by Kiefer Sutherland wants to get to the dead body first.The 12 year old gang are mostly taken charged by Geordie ( Richard Dreyfuss child actor) and Teddy (Cory fieldman) Geordie is still mixed up by the death of his elder brother played by John Cusack so Geordie is out to prove to his family that he is just as important but the family don't want to know, just like my real family. Chris - played by the late River Phoenix backs up the gang and helps Geordie and says that to keep writing as he'll be a great writer one day! As they progress through the town to get to the dead body they encounter some dangers and wonder if they will ever get to it!One of the best films released in 1986, and one of the best films of the 1980s, Stand by Me is a film which is greatly missed today!The standard Blu-ray disc here is a good, sharp presentation as it shows good colours in the fields and the country side, the audio is HD DTS and is very good as when the train comes a long way off you can hear it coming, the dialogue is well balanced and there is no audio issues at all.I haven't checked on the extras for the disc yet but I'm sure there's some here!Even on standard BD Stand by Me is a good purchase un till a new version comes along so I'm well impressed with this product, very good!