"The Stand" (1994) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

8 May 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

The end of the world is just the beginning.

Plot:

After the world is decimated by a man-made plague, a battle of literally Biblical proportions ensues between the survivors.

Plot Keywords:

Virus | Population | Plague | Old Woman | Mute

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Gary Sinise	...	Stu Redman (4 episodes, 1994)
Molly Ringwald	...	Frannie Goldsmith (4 episodes, 1994)
Jamey Sheridan	...	Randall Flagg (4 episodes, 1994)
Ruby Dee	...	Mother Abigail Freemantle (4 episodes, 1994)
Miguel Ferrer	...	Lloyd Henreid (4 episodes, 1994)
Corin Nemec	...	Harold Lauder (4 episodes, 1994)
Adam Storke	...	Larry Underwood (4 episodes, 1994)
Rob Lowe	...	Nick Andros (4 episodes, 1994)
Laura San Giacomo	...	Nadine Cross (3 episodes, 1994)
Ossie Davis	...	Judge Richard Farris (3 episodes, 1994)
Matt Frewer	...	Trashcan Man (3 episodes, 1994)
Ray Walston	...	Glen Bateman (3 episodes, 1994)
Rick Aviles	...	Rat Man (3 episodes, 1994)
Peter Van Norden	...	Ralph Brentner (3 episodes, 1994)
Bridgit Ryan	...	Lucy Swann (3 episodes, 1994)
Kellie Overbey	...	Dayna Jurgens (3 episodes, 1994)
Chuck Adamson	...	Barry Dorgan (3 episodes, 1994)
Sam Anderson	...	Whitney Horgan (3 episodes, 1994)
Cynthia Garris	...	Susan Stern (3 episodes, 1994)
Billy L. Sullivan	...	Joe (3 episodes, 1994)
Bill Fagerbakke	...	Tom Cullen (2 episodes, 1994)
Shawnee Smith	...	Julie Lawry (2 episodes, 1994)
Warren Frost	...	George Richardson (2 episodes, 1994)
Tom Holland	...	Carl Hough (2 episodes, 1994)
Stephen King	...	Teddy Weizak (2 episodes, 1994)
Sarah Schaub	...	Gina McCone (2 episodes, 1994)
Bruce MacVittie	...	Ace-High (2 episodes, 1994)
Dan Martin	...	Rich Moffat (2 episodes, 1994)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	...	Monster Shouter / ... (2 episodes, 1994)

Also Known As:

Stephen King's The Stand
Apocalipsis (Spain) (video title) [es]
El virus asesino (Venezuela) [es]
L'ombra dello scorpione (Italy) [it]
Le fléau (France) [fr]
O Vírus Assassino (Portugal) [pt]
Pestens tid (Sweden) [sv]
Stephen Kings 'The Stand' - Das letzte Gefecht (Germany) [de]
Tukikohta (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

366 min | USA:359 min (DVD version) | 60 min (6 episodes) | Germany:345 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | Australia:M | Germany:16 | UK:15 | USA:Unrated | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Boulder, Colorado, USA

Company:

Greengrass Productions

Trivia:

The book features many references to, and similarities with, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. One less obvious reference may be the name Nick Andros. Middle-Earth features an island called Cair Andros.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When Nick goes back to Tom on the bench with Julie following, the muffler of a boom mic is briefly visible.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Stand: The Making of... (1994) (TV)

Soundtrack:

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Get snowed in one weekend and have this film on hand.

If you are a King fan you will (no doubt) be aware that most of his works have been poorly re-produced in film and/or TV. This production is an outstanding exception. It is very faithful to the book in context and spirit ... well acted and directed.

As an aside from the movie…this story is, in my opinion, a major changing point in King's career. This story is more (or maybe as much) science fiction or fantasy than his more familiar horror style.

I am no fan of Molly Ringwald and this is her best performance of date (that I have seen). Rob Lowe (who I was also no great fan of) is brilliant and Gary Sinise as Stu was consistent and well cast.

Ruby Lee's part (probably one that would make or break the whole production) as Mother Abigail Freemantle was probably not given enough screen time but this is a HUGE book so you can't cover every moment.

Larua San Giacomo as Nadine Cross and Adam Stork as Larry Underwood were good overall but had moments of over acting….moments out of hours is not a big deal I guess! The only real disappointment was Corin Nemec as Harold Lauder. His performance was not that bad.. That was not the issue. The issue is he was all WRONG for the part. I can't think there are not fat ugly teenagers in Hollywood who could not have played this part. His "added on" acne and horn-rimmed glasses were WHOLY unconvincing. The pretty boy underneath the make up was glaringly obvious. Cast this part better and we move into 9+ ground.

This series is LONG … seeing it in one sitting (unless you are a mad-for-King fan) is probably not realistic. But if you get snowed in one weekend you will be glad you had this film on hand. The only fiction series of length I have seen that is better than this is Lonesome Dove….and that is a cast I would not want to battle for second!