Stephen King's The Stand

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: May 8, 1994
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17

Critic Reviews

  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Apr 14, 2021
    90
    I've seen the first six hours, and if I weren't here writing this, I'd be home watching the finale. I'm that hooked. [8 May 1994, p.6C]
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  2. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: David Zurawik
    Apr 14, 2021
    90
    Ringwald jokes aside, The Stand is an impressive piece of work. It has a convincing, realistic look, relentless pacing, strong performances and a sense of grandeur as well as humor and irony. [8 May 1994]
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Miles Beller
    Apr 14, 2021
    90
    This four-night, not-so-mini TV event that takes its story from the best-selling Stephen King book keeps you watching and waiting and on the edge of your seat. A captivating video version of King's horror parable (complete with religious "significance" of grand betrayals, Armageddon endings and messianic resurrections), The Stand shapes up as a chillingly absorbing descent into horror and things that go boo! in primetime. In scope and magnitude, The Stand delivers King-sized chills and thrills. [6 May 1994]
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  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Apr 14, 2021
    83
    If The Stand itself isn’t the perfect King adaptation, that doesn’t really matter, because perfection isn’t what a pop-culture omnivore like King aims for anyway. He’s after glorious excess, and The Stand has that in spades.
  6. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Tom Feran
    Apr 14, 2021
    80
    Visually arresting, epic in ambition and impressively acted by a splendid cast, The Stand" looks like King's close encounter with "The Andromeda Strain" crossing "Wild Palms, building its suspense around a deadly epidemic that wipes out most of the world's population and leaves the survivors seeking a new beginning for good or evil. [8 May 1994, p.1J]
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  7. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    Apr 14, 2021
    75
    Entertaining. But is it worth eight hours of your attention? Not unless you’re laid up with a bad flu bug you just can’t seem to shake.
  8. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    Apr 14, 2021
    70
    WATCHING The Stand, the four-night mini-series is like falling face-first into a yard-wide triple-cheese pizza: it is large and is messy, and even if you find the experience repulsive, you cannot easily disengage yourself.
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  9. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Apr 14, 2021
    70
    The Stand is kitchen-sink King, a garish pop-culture potpourri of mystical-religious hokum and grisly kitsch. You'll love it or hate it. Maybe you'll love to hate it, or hate to love it...But start watching, and you'll almost surely be hooked. [6 May 1994, p.1D]
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  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: John J. O'Connor
    Apr 14, 2021
    70
    But score a couple of solid hits for the good folks. Ray Walston is crustily effective as an elderly artist. And in the movie's most tender relationship, Rob Lowe, whose character can neither hear nor speak, and Bill Fagerbakke, as a mildly retarded Li'l Abner-type country boy, are outstanding.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. 123unded
    Apr 4, 2017
    9
    Try and watch all in one go for the total post apocalyptic effect. Though this is over twenty years old I would recommend for the storylineTry and watch all in one go for the total post apocalyptic effect. Though this is over twenty years old I would recommend for the storyline and actors.… Full Review »
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Jan 30, 2018
    9
    When the world ends, the battle between good and evil begins. Based on the post-apocalyptic novel from Stephen King, "The Stand" is quite anWhen the world ends, the battle between good and evil begins. Based on the post-apocalyptic novel from Stephen King, "The Stand" is quite an undertaking at a whopping 6 hour running-time. It's a mini-series worth watching though. There's a cast worth caring about, the author's special brand of horror, and one of the most memorable villains ever created. Plus, unlike most Stephen King adaptations of the time, this one had some money behind it. Especially in comparison to the other made-for-TV offerings.

    Personally, I think this did a better job of telling The Stand's story than even the book did. Despite often being listed as among King's best works, I do not consider myself a fan of the written version. This cinematic adaptation from Mick Garris though? Oh yeah, I'm behind it one-hundred percent. The reason for that is because the characters are so much more likable here. Their more despicable qualities didn't make it in. As a result, I was able to root for the heroes as opposed to wanting to see them all die at the hands of Randall Flagg and his much more sympathetic cronies. Our leads aren't the cruel, mean-spirited people they were in the source material and that makes all the difference.

    Of course, the stylish interpretation, (mostly) great visuals, and little flourishes of life in the soundtrack go a long way as well. It really sells the post-apocalyptic setting. The majority of the acting is spot-on. Another relative rarity for King adaptations. The only weak spot in that department comes from Molly Ringwald surprisingly enough. The star of the show though? That is undoubtedly Jamey Sheridan as The Stand's big villain himself. His portrayal of Randall Flagg is one for the ages. A shame it goes under-looked as this never made it's way to the big screen. His work as "The Walking Dude" makes for one of the most memorable performances as a villain anyone has ever done.

    Lovingly crafted by Mick Garris, The Stand stands out as one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date even after all these years. It does more than justice to the novel as it manages to surpass it, despite almost following it to a T. Genuine attention to detail have brought to life a story of an age old battle in a new setting. Mix in some potential frights and a remarkable sense of hope in a world largely populated by dead bodies, and you've got a recipe for success. It will take up a lot of your time to get through this meaty story, but it's worth every second.    … Full Review »
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