This book by Stephen King has a much darker ending than the film

Stand by Me is one of Stephen King’sthe most personal and autobiographical stories. It moves away from the horror genre the author is known for and instead focuses on youth and friendship. Directed by: Rob ReinerThe film focuses on Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton) and makes him think back to his childhood, especially to a long weekend he spent with his friend Chris Chambers (Phoenix River), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) and Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell). Although the film deals with themes of loss and isolation, the overall tone is retrospectively hopeful as Gordie remembers the good times he had as a child. The original ending of the novella Stand by Me based on, entitled The bodyhas a much darker ending. Gordie is still a writer who uses his childhood experiences as material, but the sound is much more disturbingThe revelation of what happened to his small circle of friends only underscores that Gordie’s childhood is over and he will never get it back.

Stand by Me

Based on a novella by Stephen King and directed by Rob Reiner, Stand By Me tells the story of a group of young boys who embark on an expedition to find the body of another missing boy from their hometown. It stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell. The film is considered one of the most influential films of all time.

Release date

8 August 1986

Duration

89

Studio

Columbia Pictures

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“Stand By Me” is one of the greatest cinematic stories about friendship

Stand by Me succeeds mainly because of the chemistry of the four main actors. The naturalness of their interactions makes them feel like real friends. From their constant teasing to the most vulgar insults about each other’s mothers, it is clear that the four of them really enjoy each other’s company. Chris and Gordie in particular have a deeper bond and Chris shows concern for Gordie’s future, something Gordie’s parents stopped doing after his brother Denny (John Cusack) has passed away. Likewise, Chris shows how comfortable he is around Gordie when Gordie collapses, recalling the story of how a teacher abused her position of power and spent the milk money that Chris stole and wanted to return. Their dynamic shows that their relationship is more than jokes and silliness, as is the case with Teddy and Vern. The two really rely on each other for emotional support, and their friendship is mature.

The film also uses narration successfully, as it feels like more than just a means of conveying information to the audience. Throughout the running time there are interludes from the author (Richard Dreyfus), who is an older Gordie. It reminds the audience that this is Gordie’s story, and creates a wistful feeling of nostalgia when he thinks back to his childhood. Furthermore, it creates a clear distinction between past and present, reminding the audience that what they are seeing is a memory of Gordie’s youth.

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The end of “Stand By Me” is bittersweet

Right at the beginning Stand by Me, It is revealed that Chris Chambers was stabbed to death in a fast food restaurant while trying to break up an argument, while an older Gordie stares off into the distance, clearly reflecting on his childhood. This tone continues throughout the film, showing Gordie remembering the times he had with Chris and how much he valued their friendship. There is sadness that Chris is gone, but it is bittersweet, as the two had no contact for years. Gordie writes that he will miss Chris every day – and The decision to write this down rather than speak it out shows this sadnessthat he almost can’t bring himself to admit that Chris is no longer there. The general theory is that childhood is the golden years and you never have the friends you had when you were twelve. Chris’ death allowed Gordie to remember this time of his life and eventually immortalize it in his writings.

As for Vern and Teddy, they simply disappear from Gordie’s life, but they are given appropriate stories to provide the audience with some closure. The film recalls their future in a way that reminds the audience that this is Gordie’s perspective – everything is a little uncertain, but sounds like it could be accurate. Even though they are no longer a part of Gordie’s life, you get the feeling that they are still there, perhaps thinking back to that summer with the same affection as Gordie. The film then describes how Chris and Gordie went to college together, and although Chris struggled, he worked hard and eventually became a lawyer. River Phoenix’s portrayal describes the sense of injustice Chris feels towards the world and the cards he was dealt. The ending seems hopeful because it shows that Chris left Castle Rock and didn’t fit the stereotype that was expected of him. There’s a constant sense of finality to it, and while it’s sad, it’s also thought-provoking.

How is the ending of Stand By Me different from Stephen King’s novella?

Stephen King’s original ending for Stand by Me is a much darker portrayal of the instability of friendship. Chris’ death is only revealed at the very end of the storyalthough the specifics are all the same. Keeping this information means that the loss hits much harder than in the film adaptation. Seeing Gordie and Chris’ close relationship throughout the novella, which is similar to that in the film, only to then learn that Chris is gone is an emotional punch to the gut. It’s not bittersweet and thoughtful like the film – it’s painful, and Gordie struggles with the news. Even though Gordie is grieving over Chris in the film, the film doesn’t linger on that, whereas Stephen King’s original ending really emphasizes the overwhelming sense of loss. It’s not just Chris’ death that makes the book so disturbing, though – all three of his friends have died until Gordie finally writes his story. The end of such a free-spirited story is sudden and shocking. Although the boys would find a dead body, the tone of the original story was still about childhood freedom from girls and responsibility.

As abruptly revealed in the novella, Vern died in a house fire at a “big drinking party” where someone fell asleep while smoking a cigarette. Gordie notes that Vern himself may have been asleep and “dreaming about his pennies,” which may always be his abiding memory of Vern. King’s decision to include the detail that they identified Vern and his four friends by their teeth seems unsettling and out of step with the naivety that Vern exuded as a child. Teddy, on the other hand, “had a miserable car accident,” his lifestyle leading to his death reminiscent of the likes of Ace and Eyeball. Teddy’s attempts to join the Army and leave Castle Rock make him sympathetic, and knowing he wasn’t given the opportunity to do so is disheartening.

Knowing that Gordie is the only one left of the group on which the short story focuses, is deeply tragic. The mood doesn’t seem as reflective as in the film. Gordie’s feeling in the novella that “my friends are dead, but Ace is alive” reflects the harsh reality of Castle Rock and the injustice Gordie feels. King repeatedly emphasizes that this story is a nostalgic tale of freedom, but reality catches up with everyone. Not only is Gordie’s childhood over, but his friends are gone too.

Stand by Me can be rented in the USA on Prime Video

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