The Dead Zone - Comparisons Between the Movie & the Book

Recently, I both finished reading Stephen King's "The Dead Zone," and watched the movie, as well. It was not the first time in either case, although I seem to have gotten far more out of my reading the book this time than the last time, which was right around 1997 or 1998, when I was obviously a lot younger.

This was always one of my favorite works from King. I think I saw this movie well before I ever started reading his books, and enjoyed it, as well. And the novel was great when I read it two decades or so as well, too.

Somehow, though, I got far more out of it this time around, despite already obviously being familiar with the story. Perhaps this familiarity helped me to pay attention to the small details that it seems I overlooked the first time that I read it, or the previous times that I watched the movie.

Also, for some reason, I was under the impression - mistaken, apparently - that the movie and the book were very similar, with minor differences. In fact, there were quite a few differences, and some of them were quite substantive! However, by and large, it seems that the spirit of the novel and the movie were consistent, with only the details varying. Most likely, this was out of necessity, since you cannot fit as many minute details in a movie as you can in a 400-page novel.

If you have not read the novel, I would highly recommend it. This is a perfect example of how the label of being a writer of "horror" does not always strictly apply for King. Yes, this is horror, and in many respects, this is truly one of King's most frightening works. But it is not what most people would necessarily think of in terms of horror, and if another novelist - one not known as a horror writer - had written this, I think it very well might have received a lot more credit, and would not fall into the "horror" genre at all. Needless to say, King does an excellent job in this truly scary novel, and there has never been a more apropos time than now to read this book.

I was surprised by how substantial the differences were between the movie and the book, although I will also say that, for the most part, the movie stays true to the general message in the movie. That said, I think that Greg Stillson seems a lot more nightmarish in the book, because you can visualize just how popular he becomes, and who seems to be drawn to it. Perhaps this is especially haunting for me now, having seen the rise of Donald Trump to the White House. There seem to be some comparisons to be made between Stillson and Trump. Both have big mouths, both appeal to the emotions of their followers, who by and large have seen better times. Both were also dismissed, with many people feeling that they surely must be joking, even though they were actually dead serious in their political positions. And both seem to have a certain recklessness which, when dealing with international politics, seems so irresponsible as to be almost literally playing with fire. Trump's bravado might backfire, much like Stillson's bravado in this novel and movie eventually allows some kind of diplomatic crisis to get far, far worse on account of him.

This really is a great book or movie, and most people my age seem to know that. At least, in most cases, they have seen the movie.

But many younger people are not aware of it, despite a more recent television series based on it, which I only saw a few episodes of. I would highly recommend you check one of these things out,  and I guess a brief summary should follow.

So, here goes: a young teacher named Johnny Smith is out on a date with coworker and fellow teacher, Sarah. They have a good time, and it seems very promising. However, Johnny goes home at the end of the evening, and gets in a horrific car accident. He is in a coma for four and a half years, and when he wakes up, everything has changed. Sarah has married, and has a child. Johnny's job is gone, and simple control over his own body, things that he used to take for granted, are also now gone.

Now, the following will be filled with spoilers, to both the book and the movie (and presumably, the television series), so be warned!

Last chance before I delve into the details.

Okay, you have been warned!

One thing that he discovers, however, are these incredible psychic abilities to see events in the future. He saves someone's home from a fire (in the movie, he also saves a child from that same fire). He is able to identify that his doctor's mother is still alive after they were separate during World War II. He saves a student from certain death (although again, there are differences between the book and the movie here). Most importantly for the public eye, he solves the mystery of a local killer who has eluded police for years now.

All of this would be horrifying enough for anybody to see. Many people view Johnny as a hoax, or as some kind of a freak. Clearly, these abilities have done him no favor. However, the most troubling thing for Johnny is yet to come. He sees the future of a rising populist politician, and comes to understand that this man's future will be the man in charge at the White House. And once there, this man will begin World War III.

Unless, of course, Johnny does something to stop it.

It's a damn good story, and enough to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Some differences between movie and book:

No wheel of fortune in movie, which was actually a prominent part of the book.

Johnny is driving the car when it crashes in the movie, but in the book, he is being driven in a taxi.

The crash takes place on a Thursday night (a school night, which affects why Johnny was on the road, and why Sarah gets the call notifying her about what happened) in the book, while all of this takes place on a Friday night in the movie. 

Johnny grabs the nurse in the movie, but it his his physical therapist in the novel. He reveals less shocking things, if you will, to the nurses in the book at first. Just glimpses of his psychic abilities, really.

Johnny is in bed the first time that he sees Sarah in the book, while in the movie, he is outside and trying to walk, and the scars on his leg, which have just been freshly operated on from an operation days ago, are clearly visible.

Wiesak sets up the press conference in the book, while it is Johnny who sets it up in the movie. The obnoxious reporter hands him a medalian that belonged to his suicidal sister in the book, while in the movie, he simply goes up to Johnny and gives him his hand.

Frank Dodd is with Sheriff George Bannerman, driving in the car on the way to Johnny's house, while in the book, Dodd and Johnny never actually meet. Yet, Dodd goes home and kills himself after he sees Johnny, because he knows the gig is up. Johnny touches the mother in both, but in the movie, she tries to kill him, while in the book, she does not. In the book, Johnny gets the call from Bannerman, who asks Johnny to meet him. At first, Johnny refuses, much like he does in the movie. But then they meet over a bowl of chili. In the book, Johnny and Bannerman go to the town common, with the press right behind them. The press has recognized Johnny, and are already having a field day.

Sarah surprises Johnny with a visit in the movie, while in the book, she enthusiastically brings up the idea with John, suggesting that they had unfinished business.

Roger Chatsworth (father of Chuck) seeks Johnny out in the movie, not the other way around. He also seems like a supporter of Greg Stillson in the novel, finding him amusing, and seems to be a fan, while in the movie, he is giving Stillson money, but talks trash about him once Stillson is gone. Sarah and her husband, Walt, are also supporters of Stillson in the movie, but not in the novel.

There is no thin ice, no hockey, in the book, but there is a high school graduation party at a local steakhouse, where the restaurant catches fire. In the movie, Charlie is much younger, not nearly as athletic, and he, against his father's wishes, decides not to play hockey.


Chatsworth throws him out of house in movie, but in book, he tracks Johnny down, so grateful is he for saving his son's life.

Only asks one person in movie, asks several in the book, enhancing the perception that he is completely, perhaps unhealthily, obsessed with the Hitler assassination question, and Greg Stillson more specifically.

We see Greg Stillson decide to launch a nuclear strike, but we do not see the aftermath.

In the book, Stillson still seems uncertain about where he is going to go, and he does not quite utter further political ambitions. In the movie, he speaks outright about not only his desire, but his certainty, that he will one day be President.

Johnny's stay at the town hall lasts much longer, and several times, he almost screams out and gets caught.



One question I had about the movie which feels like an inconsistency: if Johnny can get readings from objects, why can he not get one from the political button that Stillson hands him?