Stand by me...and buy me! (Stand By Me (DVD))

Member Name: chilipepper27

Product:	Stand By Me (DVD)
Date:	13/11/07 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A fantastic film

Disadvantages: none

Stand by me is one of my all time favourite films. The film was released in 1986, and was released on DVD in 2000.

~The Story~

The story is narrated by Richard Dreyfuss, who appears at the end of the film. He is writing a book about a particular time in his childhood, sharing memories of his friends and the experiences they had growing up.
The story is set in a small Oregon town in the year 1959, where we follow the story of Gordie (Wil Wheaton), a sensitive 12 year old boy, who feels invisible after the death of his older brother. His best friend Chris (River Phoenix), who is labelled a trouble maker because of his background, and his two other friends Teddy (Cory Feldman), also from a troubled background – people think he’s crazy. And then there’s Verne (Jerry O’Connell), slightly chubby and a bit of a scaredy-cat!

The four friends are spending most of their time together during the summer holidays, hanging out in a tree house, smoking, playing cards, and trying to find ways to keep themselves amused. Until a story of a boy’s unfound body, a kid named Ray Browers who had been hit by a train and killed came to light after Verne overheard his older brother talking about the whereabouts of the body.
The group of friends decide they could be town heroes by making this discovery, and so set off on their two day journey. Their adventure brings them laughter, sadness, terror and most of all a friendship stronger than ever.

~About the film~

The film is based on the 1982 Stephen King book ‘The body’. In 1983, Bruce Evans and Raynold Gideon who were two ‘Starman’ screenwriters, who had approached many different studios to finance the film but no-body seemed interested, thinking it had little box office appeal. Finally, mini-major Embassy pictures agreed to finance the film, but unfortunately, two days before production the company was sold, and Colombia pictures had no interest in the film.
But an ex co-owner of Embassy named Norman Lear, decided to put his own money up to finance the film with a $8 million budget.

The principal photography started in Oregon in 1985 and the actors were chosen to play the four young boys. But in 1986, Colombia pictures had a change of heart and decided to buy the films worldwide distribution rights from Norman Lear. After a re-think, Colombia decided the films title ‘The body’, was misleading and so made the decision to change it, a few ideas later and ‘The body’ became ‘Stand by me’.
The film was released in 1987 in the UK.

~My Thoughts~

A truly superb film, that is still as strong over 20 years on. A brilliant heart warming story of friendship and growing up with fantastic acting by some very talented young actors, which includes the late River Phoenix who was 14 in this movie, a beautiful, hugely talented actor who sadly died later in life at the young age of 23.
This film is a real iconic movie that will be loved for many years to come. Although I’m glad the title was changed from ‘The body’, it conjures up all kinds of thoughts – it could be anything from a sex film to a horror film! Whereas ‘Stand by me’ is a perfect insight to what the film’s all about…good solid friendships.

One of my favourite parts of the movie has to be Gordie’s story telling about the pie eating contest, really funny! And not forgetting the boys walking the train tracks over the bridge – I won’t give anything away if you haven’t seen it, but it always has me tensed up when watching it! I also love the song ‘Stand by me’ from the movie, by Ben E.King, because although I’m a ‘Rock n’ Roll’ chick at heart, this is one of my all-time favourite tracks.
If you haven’t already seen this film then I definitely recommend you watch it!
A great film to have, that’s not out of place in anyone’s DVD collection.

~Extra Features~

* Feature length commentary by director Rob Reiner.
* Featurette: ‘Walking the tracks: The summer of Stand By Me’.
* Filmographys.
* Isolated score.
* Music video – Ben E.King ‘Stand by me’.

And an interactive menu with Language choice, multiple language subtitles and scene selections.

~Trivia~

Although the boys played 12 year olds, River (Chris) was 15 in the last month of shooting, Corey (Teddy) was 14, Wil (Gordie) was 13 and Jerry (Vern) was 11.

Kiefer Sutherland and Corey Feldman both co-stared in the 1987 film ‘The lost boys.’

The film won a golden globe for ‘Best motion picture – drama’, an Academy award for writing adapted screenplay. And a Golden Globe for best director.

Run time 86 mins.
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Kiefer Sutherland.
Certificate 15

Summary: A real classic film about coming of age and true friendship.