The Long Walk is one of my favorite Stephen King novels (most of my faves are his lesser known novels). He wrote it in 1979 under is pen name Richard Bachman. I never thought I’d see the day when the book made it onto film. Turns out, our current political climate was the perfect time to adapt this material.
The story follows a group of young men who volunteer to go on a long walk to win money. They have to walk at least three mph or get a warning. Three warnings and they get a bullet to the brain. If they leave the road, they die. If they attack the soldiers keeping them in line, they die. Last one left gets more money than they can ever spend. King’s version of The Hunger Games before we knew what The Hunger Games were.
What makes this so interesting is that everyone is struggling in an America that saw a war tear our country apart. Instead of spreading the wealth and helping everyone, the government has decided that this long walk will inspire people to work harder so they do it annually and give the money to one person. The beatings will continue until morale improves. That sort of thing. And it’s not too far from where we are now. Like I said, the timing of this adaptation is shockingly poignant.
The film sets up the story from one man’s perspective as he is dropped off by his mother played by Judy Greer who makes every second of her limited heartbreaking screen time count. He befriends three other men as they start a five day journey that will take them over 300 miles of constant walking.
Both Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson give such watchable performances that there were more than one occasion where I was on the verge of tears. Each death has meaning in this film, which is shocking given how many die. Even the unlikable characters have moments of brevity. Mark Hamil adds menacing oversight to the proceedings with his growly demeanor.
While these horrors are going on, the film also gives some beautiful cinematic shots of middle America. Farmland and small towns struggling to survive. People on the outskirts of society just trying to get to tomorrow. Shades of the Great Depression. How sadly haunting it is to watch.
This is damn near perfect film adaptation. I’m having a hard time finding much fault in it except to say that it changes the ending from the book and that doesn’t even bother me much. I actually think it makes the film better, that change. I won’t spoil it for you, though. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
4.5 out of 5 stars. I can’t believe how many horror movies I’ve given such high ratings to this year. but I’m here for it.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
The Long Walk is one of my favorite Stephen King novels (most of my faves are his lesser known novels). He wrote it in 1979 under is pen name Richard Bachman. I never thought I’d see the day when the book made it onto film. Turns out, our current political climate was the perfect time to adapt this material.
The story follows a group of young men who volunteer to go on a long walk to win money. They have to walk at least three mph or get a warning. Three warnings and they get a bullet to the brain. If they leave the road, they die. If they attack the soldiers keeping them in line, they die. Last one left gets more money than they can ever spend. King’s version of The Hunger Games before we knew what The Hunger Games were.
What makes this so interesting is that everyone is struggling in an America that saw a war tear our country apart. Instead of spreading the wealth and helping everyone, the government has decided that this long walk will inspire people to work harder so they do it annually and give the money to one person. The beatings will continue until morale improves. That sort of thing. And it’s not too far from where we are now. Like I said, the timing of this adaptation is shockingly poignant.
The film sets up the story from one man’s perspective as he is dropped off by his mother played by Judy Greer who makes every second of her limited heartbreaking screen time count. He befriends three other men as they start a five day journey that will take them over 300 miles of constant walking.
Both Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson give such watchable performances that there were more than one occasion where I was on the verge of tears. Each death has meaning in this film, which is shocking given how many die. Even the unlikable characters have moments of brevity. Mark Hamil adds menacing oversight to the proceedings with his growly demeanor.
While these horrors are going on, the film also gives some beautiful cinematic shots of middle America. Farmland and small towns struggling to survive. People on the outskirts of society just trying to get to tomorrow. Shades of the Great Depression. How sadly haunting it is to watch.
This is damn near perfect film adaptation. I’m having a hard time finding much fault in it except to say that it changes the ending from the book and that doesn’t even bother me much. I actually think it makes the film better, that change. I won’t spoil it for you, though. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
4.5 out of 5 stars. I can’t believe how many horror movies I’ve given such high ratings to this year. but I’m here for it.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share this: