“Stand By Me” A Memorable Classic Film About Friendship

Next up on my little book to screen series is a popular coming of age drama from 1986. Based on a 1982 Stephen King novella, this film’s title is derived from the 1961 song of the same name and was also nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. The film I’m talking about is the Rob Reiner film “Stand By Me.”

After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body.

On the way, Gordie Lachance, Vern Tessio, Chris Chambers and Teddy Duchamp encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives.

Just a lark at first, their adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.

Rob Reiner’s “Stand By Me” is a timeless, coming of age story that is a film that everyone should put on their “must see” list. This iconic ‘80s classic delivers memorable moments, great acting from the cast and an incredible soundtrack.

Following the four main characters on their little adventure gives us a look at everything that the young friends are going through and how they try to get through it. All of the cast (even the supporting cast) did an amazing job. And despite the whole cast doing a great job, I think it was the late River Phoenix that really stole the show as Chris Chambers.

Phoenix’s performance in this film also made his little tough character really sensitive, especially when Chris breaks down by the campfire with Gordie. This film also showcases the power of friendship and the bittersweet nature of childhood memories. There’s also a fairly memorable moment in the film that makes you not want pie for a while.

You can currently stream “Stand By Me” on the Max streaming service and other PVOD rental services.

Trivia: The film was adapted from the Stephen King novella “The Body.” Director Rob Reiner considers this the best film he has ever made. The film’s success resulted in renewed interest in the Ben E. King song, which inspired the title used in the film and is featured on the soundtrack,

King’s version of the song was originally released in 1961, and was re-released at the time of the film’s release. The re-release would reach the Top 10, peaking at No. 9 in the fall of 1986.

For anyone not familiar, “The Body” is a novella written by Stephen King and was published in King’s 1982 collection “Different Seasons.”

MPA: Rated R   (running time 89 minutes)

• After director Rob Reiner screened the movie for Stephen King, he noticed that King was visibly shaking and wasn't speaking. He left the room and upon his return, told Reiner that the movie was the best adaptation of his work he had ever seen.

• Kiefer Sutherland claimed in an interview that in one of the locations of the film, a Renaissance Fair was being held and the cast and crew attended and bought some cookies. Unfortunately, the cookies turned out to be laced with pot and two hours later, the crew found Jerry O'Connell high and crying somewhere in the park.

• River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Wil Wheaton and Jerry O'Connell got into a lot of mischief in the hotel they were staying in during filming. This included throwing all the poolside furniture into the pool, Wheaton fixing video games in the lobby so they could play them for free and Phoenix (spurred on by the other boys) unknowingly covering Kiefer Sutherland's car in mud, only discovering whose car it was when Sutherland confronted a scared and nervous Phoenix about it later.

• The pond the boys fall into was a man-made pool because the crew wanted them to be "safe and secure" and did not want to put them in a real pond because they did not know what would be in it. However, Corey Feldman stated in an interview that the joke of the whole thing was the pool was built, buried and filled with water in the beginning of June and by time they got to film the scene, it was the end of August. So it had been out in the woods for three months and they did not know what was in it anyway.

• While practicing his lines, Jerry O'Connell was impressed that, as an 11-year old, he was being allowed to swear.

• Sean Astin said he auditioned for the role of Chris right after River Phoenix had done his audition. When Astin walked into the room, he said he knew that he had no chance because he saw the filmmakers were choked up and holding back tears, meaning Phoenix had just nailed his audition. Astin said he was equally impressed by Phoenix's performance when he saw the film, and agreed that Phoenix was the right actor for the part.

• The novella and the film take place in the town of Castle Rock (Maine and then Oregon, respectively). Castle Rock became the name of Rob Reiner's production company.

• The film's success resulted in renewed interest in the Ben E. King song, which inspired the title used in the movie and is featured on the soundtrack. King's version of the song was originally released in 1961, and was re-released at the time of the film. The re-release would reach the Top Ten, peaking at #9 in the fall of 1986.

• River Phoenix had auditioned for the part of Gordie Lachance, but director Rob Reiner thought that he would be better cast as Chris Chambers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaiZ6ZQoO-Y