Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1022 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-12-26
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Director's Cut, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 108 minutes

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

Synopsis
The 15 rating given to 1408 belies this film's truly terrifying effects on its audience. Though it's far less gory than its peers, it has frightening moments and a creepy mood throughout. John Cusack (IDENTITY) plays Mike Enslin, a gifted writer who has turned his talents to paranormal travel books. His stays in haunted hotels never shake him, but he's intrigued by New York's Dolphin Hotel. Room 1408 has been the site of dozens of deaths, and this is a selling point for the sceptic in Mike. Despite the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson, BLACK SNAKE MOAN), Mike resolves to stay in the haunted room. No one has lasted more than an hour in 1408, and Mike has his work cut out for him. Though Cusack got his acting pedigree in comedies, he proves he's able to adeptly carry a horror film. He occupies practically every frame of the film, often alone, and he's great at making the audience share in his fear. This is the second English-language film from director Mikael Hafstrom (DERAILED), and he does a good job of establishing tension. A lot of the credit is due to the film's sound crew, whose detailed work goes far in giving 1408 its unsettling feeling. Like THE SHINING, this is based on the writing of horror maestro Stephen King, and it's a similarly creepy tale set in a hotel. But in its execution, 1408 is far more indebted to classic horror films such as the original 1963 version of THE HAUNTING.

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly good...
One of the most elaborate horror/thrillers I've watched for quite a long time. At first look, the premise of the film suggests that it is just another trite and cliche-drenched tale of a "haunted place"; but as the story unfolds, the essence of the film turns out to be a different. Having a plot somewhat reminiscent of some old Stephen King adaptations like "The Shining" and "Rose Red", "1408" has lots of twists and turns with more than enough depth and dimension, working both paranormal and psychological level.

Today's horror/thrillers depend too much on graphic violence; where blood, gore, decapitations, and dismembered bodies galore. But here, the film's appeal comes from its effectiveness in creating a foreboding mood and claustrophobic feel of a Kafkaesque hotel room, capturing the essence of King's story very well. Not overly violent and with almost no blood and gore, the villain of the story is not a psychopathic killer, pervert, monster, specter or a mutant, it's the room itself. John Cushack does a good job by being the vainly struggling foe of this evil and mysterious room.

This "Director's Cut Edition" - 8 minutes longer than the Theatrical Edition - has some minor but interesting variations and has vastly different alternate ending, which makes the film more complete and realistic, as far as I'm concerned.

To sum up, "1408" can be seen as a confusing mess and it might be quite a difficult watch for some, but ultimately rewarding if you invest enough time and patience to sit through. (3.8/5.0)

Excellent ghost story with a lot of rewatch value
This is an excellent ghost story movie with a lot of rewatch value, Cusack is brilliantly cast as a thinly disguised version of Stephen King (who wrote the original story in the collection Everything's Eventual) touring haunted locations and Samual L. Jackson does not disappoint as the owner of a hotel who does not wish to doom Cusack by renting him a lethally haunted room.

There's not much in the way of gore but there is a sustained sense of menace, lots of classic haunting cliches, ie changes in temperature, technology is no solace, characters are tormented by their own inner fears, hopes and memories and in some respects its a bit like a kamikazi reimaginging of the Scrooged story.

There's also a sub-plot about self-sacrifice and redeeming qualities which isnt immediately obvious (the movie bares a rewatching but that's no chore since the performances are so good and there's plenty of talking points).

The protagonist does everything to overcome his impersonal and malign adversary, the adversary does everything to try and break him down, in the end its the threat not to himself, not his own fate but of others which threatens to break him altogether.

A good moralistic ghost story, well cast, well directed, much better than the original story (although dont skip the story either). It's been a while.

Haunting!!!
1408 left its mark on me long after I first saw it, it's haunting and draws the viewer in brilliantly. John Cusack's performance is awesome, he is undoubtedly one of the finest actors around! I'm not sure why a lot of other people aren't keen on 1408 except to say that maybe they thought it would be a more bloody affair or something. No cheap thrills here, just a fantastic psychological horror that will haunt you long after you've finished watching it!!!