Famed novelist and screen writer Stephen King is no stranger to the supernatural. In near every story he’s ever penned there are dark elements of what exceed any and all remote possibility. Years back, these otherworldly stories were adapted in miniseries format. One such story, was Storm of the Century. The three part series was told over the course of about four hours, winning praise from television audiences and critics everywhere. It probably won’t be long before it’s made into a feature length production, but for now, this will have to do. In truth though, there’s no need for a remake.
The available version of Storm of the Century stands on its own two feet. The show while dated, is still a timeless episodic journey full of suspense and driven by rich writing. It takes place in a small island town where a massive blizzard is rapidly overtaking the area. Out of nowhere comes a drifter known as Andre Linoge. The mysterious man begins wreaking havoc amongst the townsfolk, knowing the most intimate details of their lives that only they could know and in turn, using it against them. He only asks for one thing: Give him what he wants, and he’ll go away. Stephen King’s original piece tells an ominous tale of darkness, death, and of the presence that exists beyond the borders of reality.
There’s no denying that the production is very ‘1990s’ in some respects. At the time though the FX were considered award season worthy, hence the Emmy it received for sound editing as well as the nominee it garnered for special visual effects. Stephen King’s writing, as usual, is what carries the whole thing. The story is sinister in nature but compelling as far as the subject matter goes, the idea behind it well thought out with all bases covered on the part of King. Director Craig R. Baxley enhances King’s universe by creating an atmosphere that is dreadful with a riveting tone that is ultimately unrelenting throughout. The series is pretty heavy in the casting department, but everyone pulls their weight when called to be in frame. The most impressive of the bunch is Colm Feore as Linoge. He took to King’s character like a cow to cud. In every moment he’s on screen, his presence is terrifying. He commands every scene with an indescribable fear factor, this of which keeps him in constant control over everyone involved and of everything around him.
Storm of the Century could only come from the mind of someone like Stephen King
What it takes to generate this sort of idea is not impossible for other writers, but it’s certainly not probable given the body of work he currently has on the market. He’s one in a million, and Storm of the Century is one of his better stories suited for screen which actually became adapted as a novel after he had already written the screenplay. As of now, this miniseries is currently on YouTube at no cost to view.
