1408 [2007]

Average customer rating:

1408

This DVD has the CORRECT ending!

Stunning Film and Atmosphere

1+4+0+8= 13. Room 1408 is in the 13th floor .Much spookiness is guaranteed surely?

Horror without the gore

1408 [2007]
Starring: John Cusack , Samuel L. Jackson , Mary McCormack , Tony Shalhoub , and Jasmine Anthony
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000WM9WKA
Release Date: 2007-12-26

Amazon.co.uk Review

Conclusive proof both that one man can power a horror film, and also that John Cusack is one of the most believable actors of his generation, 1408 is an entertaining and surprisingly effective Stephen King adaptation, albeit one that runs out of steam by the final reel.

The premise finds Cusack's character as an author of paranormal books, even though he doesn't believe in such things himself. However, when researching his latest work, he checks into the mysterious room 1408 at The Dolphin Hotel in New York, managed by Samuel L Jackson in an effective cameo. But room 1408 is a room where nobody has lasted more than an hour in it, and thus Cusack considers it the perfect location for some book research.

It's in the build up of its premise where 1408 is very much at its strongest. Cusack is a compelling guide through the story, and the film delivers some effective chills and jumps as the tension ratchets up. Into the final act and this control is relaxed, and as a result some of the potential is wasted, but you're still hard-pushed to feel short-changed as the credits role. For 1408 proves to be both an effective little horror film, and one of the best Stephen King adaptations in many, many years. --Simon Brew

Customer Reviews:

1408.......2008-03-14

Hmmm this is a creepy film to watch, there isnt anything horrific as such, just really creepy things going on.
I wondered where it was going to lead as i was watching it, i imagined myself to be in his shoes so to speak, so i could be in the plot, loved the bit where hes looking at the flat opposite, and where he decides to walk on the window ledge outside, if youre afraid of heights you ll be shutting your eyes at this point.
I actually thought the ending was good and finally realised why it kept showing him in a burnt out room when i came to the end of it.
I enjoyed it and would recommend it
One to stay in my collection.
Thumbs up from me

This DVD has the CORRECT ending!.......2008-03-13

If you want to adhere to Hollywood conventions where everybody survives and its a happy ending then you will have liked the rubbish, predictable ending we got at the cinema.
The ending available on this DVD is how the director intended the film to conclude originally and is definitely a much more believable ending.
For those angry about the missing DVD extra and the people who didn't see the theatrical end to this, each ending is available on youtube.

Stunning Film and Atmosphere.......2008-03-08

What a superb film, great performance from Cusack and stylishly filmed and delivered, yes there are small parts in the film that could have been delivered differently and possibly better, BUT my wife who doesn't like gorey horrors anymore thoroughly enjoyed this film, I loved the suspense the atmosphere it created and the times where you didn't know what was real and what wasn't, a great creepy film to view with a nice bottle of wine, well worth a watch.

1+4+0+8= 13. Room 1408 is in the 13th floor .Much spookiness is guaranteed surely?.......2008-03-08

I'm not a massive Stephen King fan .In fact I would go as far as to say he is hideously over-rated. Having said that there have been some excellent movie adaptations of his books and short stories. "The Shining", "Dead Zone" ,"Salems Lot" "Shawshank Redemption" spring readily to mind. 1408 is based on a short story and is not deserving to slot easily into the preceding list. What is frustrating is it could have if it had stayed within the story's simple premise rather than evolve into an overwrought special effects bonanza.
Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a hack writer of supernatural travel books like "Ten Most Haunted Bed And Breakfasts" , Ten Most Haunted Public Toilets"( I made that one up) but in truth is cynical about the paranormal though he uses the catchphrase "Stay scared" at book signings , something that George A Romero ,a friend of Kings uses.. He receives an anonymous postcard that gives clues to the existence of the Dolphin hotel in New York which has a haunted room -room 1408. His interest piqued he tries to book the room only to be told it's not available.
His publisher Sam Farrell (Tony Shalhoub) gets his company's lawyer to look into this and he finds an obscure law that says if a hotel room is free then no paying customer can be denied access. Now this seems to me a convenient plot device to keep things moving forward so Enslin is soon arriving at The Dolphin where he engages in a fascinating exchange with the manager Mr Olin (Samuel L Jackson)Olin doesn't want Eslin to stay in the room at all and when pushed puts it in a very Samuel L Jackson type way :"Its an evil f***ing room".
Mr Olin is right .Once Enslin is happily settled in room 1408 things start going awry . Little things at first then escalating to ghastly apparitions , full blown mania and some nice psychological torture involving the death of Enslin,s young daughter. The conclusion is neither happy or especially sad and though I have,nt seen the ending used for the theatrical release so cannot comment on which is better ,it's hard to disagree with other reviewers who say it would have been nice to have the option on the DVD.
1408 is helped considerably by John Cusacks natural charm and he gives a terrific performance showcasing a man going from weary scepticism to full blown boggled eyed insanity . Director Mikael Hafstrom sets up the premise very well and the first ten minutes in 1408 are superbly done as he uses silence to create genuine tension so when the spooky stuff starts it really gives you a jolt.
However the last third is ridiculous hysterical nonsense that completely dissipates any apprehension or mounting terror . 1408 could have been a nerve shredding experience of psychological dread. The carefully constructed and captivating set up truly makes the viewer think they are in for something incrementally petrifying but a couple of decent heart in the mouth moments(One is actually so good it made my heart leap out of my mouth and run screaming round the room) aside it,s not scary at all. Indeed as it is it's more like a high tech fairground ride where the anticipation far outweighs the actual experience.

Horror without the gore.......2008-03-04

I really enjoyed this movie,and I put it up there with The Shining. it starts slowly building the charactors, but when he enters room 1408 it really starts moving up a gear and becomes a rollercoaster with plot twists ,which will keep you guessing to the end. Excellent lead role by John Cusack and a movie you will want to watch again.This proves that you do not need loads of blood and gore to make a horror movie

Average customer rating:

1408 [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: John Cusack , Samuel L. Jackson , Mary McCormack , Tony Shalhoub , and Jasmine Jessica Anthony
Director: Mikael Håfström
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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