It (miniseries)
It is a 1990 supernatural horror drama miniseries directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, adapted by Lawrence D. Cohen from the Stephen King novel of the same name.
Plot
The story revolves around an inter-dimensional predatory shapeshifter which has the ability to transform itself into its prey's worst fears, allowing it to explore the phobias of its victims. It mostly takes the form of a sadistic, wisecracking clown called Pennywise, in order to trick and murder children. The protagonists are The Lucky Seven, or The Losers Club, a group of outcast children who discover Pennywise and vow to destroy him by any means necessary.
The series takes place over two different time periods, the first when the Losers first discover Pennywise as children, and the second when they're called back as adults to defeat Pennywise, who has resurfaced.
Cast
The series features an ensemble cast, which includes Dennis Christopher, Annette O'Toole, John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Richard Thomas, Tim Reid, Richard Masur, Michael Cole, Olivia Hussey, and Tim Curry as Pennywise.
Background
Originally thought as a four-part eight-hour series, ABC enlisted writer Lawrence D. Cohen to adapt the 1,138-page King novel. Production on It began in early 1990, and the series was filmed over a period of three months in New Westminster, British Columbia in mid-1990.
Aftermath
It aired on ABC over two nights on November 18 and 20, 1990, and was a major success for the network, attracting 30 million viewers in its premiere. Since its initial television broadcast, the miniseries has gotten positive reception and becoming a cult sensation following in recent years.
It (miniseries) Media
John Ritter had made several attempts to appear in a King adaptation before he worked on It.
Olivia Hussey portrays Bill Denbrough's wife Audra.
King was strongly dismayed at the limited market for horror on television, and had low expectations once the miniseries was greenlit.
George A. Romero was originally planned to be It's director, but his scheduling conflicts and the miniseries' length decrease influenced him to drop out of the project.
The Lost Lagoon served as It's filming location for the Captain Hanscom scene.
The appearance of Pennywise was based on Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925).
The use of a hair dryer gave Bellis the idea to use a major seventh as the first interval for It's title theme.
Other websites
Quotations related to It (miniseries) at Wikiquote
