Book adaptations are always controversial. Whether it is a page-to-page recreation or welcoming artistic changes, there seems to be no right answer. But when the source material comes from a writer as beloved as Stephen King, things become even more complicated.
When director Rob Reiner adapted King’s novella ‘The Body’ into the 1986 coming-of-age classic ‘Stand By Me’, he didn’t hesitate to take liberties. Small adjustments in the film actually ended up transforming the story. And even Stephen King had to admit the movie version was better.
‘Stand By Me’ Isn’t A Completely Faithful Adaptation Of Stephen King’s Story
Stephen King’s novella ‘The Body’ follows Gordie Lachance, who looks back on a defining childhood friendship with Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio in the small town of Castle Rock.
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When the friends come to learn that a local boy has died after being struck by a train, they set out to find the body in hopes of becoming local heroes. The journey becomes far more than that when they confront a gang of older teenagers led by Ace Merrill, who also want to claim credit for the discovery.
In King’s novella, the confrontation ends with Chris grabbing a gun, forcing Ace and his gang to back down, though he does promise a retaliation. As the story circles back to the present, we learn the tragic fates of Gordie’s friends. Chris was fatally stabbed while trying to break up a fight, Vern died in a house fire, and Teddy was killed in a car crash. Meanwhile, Gordie is left with nothing but memories.
When Reiner adapted the story for ‘Stand By Me’, he altered several details. But one last-minute change stood out the most. Instead of Chris reaching for the gun, Gordie becomes the one who picks it up.
On the movie’s 30th anniversary, Reiner recalled this change sticking for the final version because ultimately it is Gordie’s journey. When they screened the movie for Stephen King, he said, “When you had Gordie pick up that gun, I thought, why didn’t I have that?“
How The Changes Made The Movie Even More Impactful
‘The Body’ and ‘Stand by Me’ basically tell the same story, but they frame Gordie’s memory in very different ways. King’s novella is a deeply personal elegy. Readers do not get to learn the fate of the boys until the very end, forcing them to reassess the entire adventure.
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Reiner’s film takes a different approach. ‘Stand By Me’ opens with the news of Chris’s death. Now that the audience knows that Chris is gone, the tone of the adventure totally changes.
Moreover, the gun change becomes especially powerful. By having Gordie confront Ace himself, the climax becomes the defining moment of Gordie’s personal growth. As he looks back at his memory, there is a sense that he is still searching for closure. He concludes, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”
Rob Reiner’s version of the story is a rare example of film adaptation making changes so effective that there is no question about it. Even the original author wished he had thought of it first.
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