Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2045 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

More Thriller than Horror
Not to say that there aren't a few moments in the film that aren't a bit creepy, but on the whole it works better as a psychological thriller than as a horror. I was looking for the elusive 'ultimate Horror' and tried this after watching some promising trailers, and, undeterred by Mr King's poor transition onto celluloid in the past, selected it to join my collection. It is worthy of watching, indeed I will watch it again, but it is not the film which it protests to be in its publicity. For those people who are hard and fast Horror buffs - watch only if you are truly at a loose end, but for those out there who rarely watch horror or who scare easily - this is for perfect for you to get your 'saturday night shock'. Cusack does a good job with the material, his 'madness' is believable (although I wasn't always convinced by his fear), and as remarked on by another reviewer, the use of the Carpenters is extremely effective.
This film has highs and lows, a good effort but not truly scary. Interesting to see a modern release without all the gore!!
Watch it for fun - a good rent or borrow, if you must buy it, any more than £8 and you may feel a bit cheated.

An extra star for shock value
Okay, so '1408' isn't the world's best film or anything, but the last time I jumped out of my skin this much I was watching the bag scene in 'Audition'. Admittedly I caught this at the flicks, which is kind of a different experience to the one you'll have with the DVD in your living room. But the scene at the window (you'll know when you've watched it) had me hunched in my seat with fear, and when it comes to horror films that's high praise indeed.

This bears scant resemblance to the Stephen King short story it was based on. (You can find this in 'Everything's Eventual' if you're so inclined.) Ghost-hunter Mike Enslin, purveyor of low-grade horror stories (not that this is in anyway autobiographical...) checks into the Hotel Dolphin with his laptop and trusty dictaphone, having just had a tip-off that room 1408 might be haunted. Add up the numbers...ah, now you see how clever he's been! Samuel L Jackson is a convincing presence, as always, playing the hotel manager who tries to dissuade our hero with pricey liquor and gory tales, but the film really belongs to Cusack. From the moment the door locks behind him, it's basically one man and a raft of special effects. If you witnessed Cusack's mildly annoying straight-to-camera performance in 'High Fidelity' (hey, only Ferris Bueller can get away with that kind of thing) you might have your head in your hands at this point, but it's okay, he's on Malkovich form this time and infinitely watchable.

In fact, it's the special effects that get in the way. What's sinister about this film is the concept - a kind of pitch black Groundhog Day. You'll never hear The Carpenters again without being seriously creeped out (if you weren't already) and it's the little touches like the mint on the pillow, the folded toilet paper, the weird telephone calls, that give you the goosebumps. They really didn't need to break the bank making walls turn to water, etc, as proven back in the eighties by Kubrick's version of that other hotel story, The Shining (running out of ideas, Stephen?). Visually there's nothing here to rival those two little girls, and I'm betting they cost a lot less than the CG budget for 1408... There's a highly annoying red herring as well, and a bit of hamfisted backstory about Enslin's father that doesn't go anywhere. You might not necessarily like the ending. But don't be holding any drinks when he steps up to the window, or you're pretty much guaranteed to wet your pants.

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