Stephen King Reveals the Worst Book Adaptation Ever Made

Stephen King, a renowned master in the realm of literary horror, has penned some of the most outstanding books over the past five decades. His works have also indirectly influenced several top-notch horror films during this period, with many film adaptations becoming genre classics. Although he’s been vocal about his disapproval of certain adaptations, he hasn’t shied away from expressing support for those he genuinely likes. He sets high standards for what he believes constitutes a successful screen adaptation of his works. Interestingly, these standards aren’t exclusive to the film and television adaptations of his own stories. As an avid reader and movie enthusiast, King has found both mediums satisfying as often as he’s been disappointed, but the adaptation he deemed the worst was not even based on one of his own tales.

People who have both watched the 1973 movie “The Day of the Dolphin” and read the original novel it was based on, would undoubtedly recognize that the two differ significantly from each other in multiple aspects. Although it’s difficult for any film adaptation to perfectly mirror its source material without making necessary adjustments, the significant changes made by movies like “The Day of the Dolphin,” alterations that fundamentally transform the essence and mood of the original story, are likely to leave a bitter aftertaste for the reader.

Stephen King Has His Own Set of Standards for Film Adaptations of Books

He Doesn’t Mind Changes, as Long as They Don’t Completely Go Against the Intent of the Original Work

According to Stephen King, creating an effective movie adaptation of a book, whether his or someone else’s, involves some basic principles. He’s generally okay with filmmakers using creative freedom to tell their own version, as long as they don’t overstep certain boundaries. While not every novel element may translate seamlessly onto the screen, a movie can alter story elements as necessary for it to thrive independently. However, it becomes problematic when the adaptation strays so far from the characters and original narrative intent that it undermines them significantly.

Lately, King commended Mike Flanagan’s work on “The Life of Chuck” for effectively portraying the key aspects of his inspiring short story, and he was impressed by Oz Perkins’ creation “The Monkey” for its ability to humorously embody the absurdity of its premise despite numerous alterations. However, “The Shining” is a unique case; readers of the book understand that it’s not only a multilayered tale with intricate characters and themes, but also an intensely personal one, stemming from King’s own struggle with alcoholism.

As a die-hard fan of Stephen King’s works, I must admit that Flanagan’s film interpretation of “Doctor Sleep” made valiant efforts to rewrite certain aspects that raised eyebrows among readers. Yet, the cinematic rendition of Kubrick’s adaptation of “The Shining,” in comparison, fell short for me and many others. Instead of enriching the narrative and deepening the characters, it seemed to undermine the essence of King’s original story by saying very little, which felt more like hijacking someone else’s tale than an authentic adaptation.

King expounded upon these sentiments in a piece for Entertainment Weekly, stating that while a subpar adaptation can be annoying, what truly irks him is when the movie strays from the book’s core message to deliver little substance, effectively failing to do justice to the original work. In King’s own words, “the book will always stand as something they ‘can’t destroy’.

The Film Adaptation of The Day of the Dolphin Goes Against the Book In All the Worst Ways

Ignoring the Satire and Themes Explored in the Novel, the Film Creates a Tonal Imbalance by Trying to Tell a More Serious Story

Regardless of whether you’ve read Robert Merle’s novel “The Day of the Dolphin” or seen its film adaptation with George C. Scott, you’ll still find it hard to believe how dramatically different the book and movie versions are compared to most other adaptations. Originally published in 1967, Merle’s story is about a scientist who successfully trains a group of dolphins to speak English. His plan is to utilize them in espionage, but they get kidnapped as part of a covert plot to assassinate the President. This sets off a desperate race against time for the scientist to save both the dolphins’ lives and the President’s life.

In essence, Merle’s novel delves into the strained relations and customs associated with the Cold War era, skillfully combining elements of suspenseful science fiction and high-octane action. Yet, it also subtly pokes fun at its own implausible premise. Contrastingly, Mike Nichols’ 1973 film adaptation departed significantly from the book’s original intent, offering a perspective that was diametrically opposed to the story’s underlying message.

The movie essentially shares the same narrative about a scientist interacting with dolphins and a sinister plan to weaponize them, but it tells this tale in a unique way. Instead of adopting a humorous or light-hearted approach, which might have been expected, it opts for a serious tone, creating a noticeable shift in mood between the initial and subsequent parts. The opening scenes show George C. Scott’s character, Dr. Jake Terrell, interacting with dolphins, which presents as a contemplative drama, delving into profound themes about the link between human and dolphin intelligence; although it deviates significantly from the book’s intentions, this aspect is skillfully executed and could have stood independently as its own storyline.

In the second part of the story, the espionage element takes over, starting with the kidnapping and rescue attempt of the dolphins. This is where things start to get confusing, almost like watching two unrelated movies merged together oddly. It’s no wonder Stephen King considers it a prime example of how a fantastic book can turn into a disappointing film.

Stephen King’s Dislike For The Day of the Dolphin is Completely Understandable

Most Viewers Have Regarded It as a “So Bad, It’s Good” Kind of Movie

As a fan, I must confess that the idea of an Academy Award-winning icon like George C. Scott sharing the screen with a couple of chatty dolphins might strike some as downright peculiar. Yet, the novel The Day of the Dolphin somehow maintained a harmonious balance in its tone, managing to create a sense of fun amidst such an unconventional premise. The movie, however, seems to straddle two worlds – yearning to be distinct from its literary source material, yet appearing uncertain about the kind of film it truly aspires to become.

Throughout the entire movie, the narrative and dialogue from the actors are presented in a stern, stoic manner with an earnest tone of gravity. This unconventional method of handling the absurd concept – using dolphins as assassination tools – results in a tonal conflict that dramatically contrasts with the intended seriousness the film was aiming for. Yet, this strange emphasis on melodrama is surprisingly intriguing, making it a movie that defies belief and must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Although reading or watching this adaptation might be a bewildering encounter for people who loved the original book due to its unusual shifts in tone, it could also seem like an extraordinary enigma to those unfamiliar with it. The notion of the worst movie adaptation ever created is often subjective, and while some may find The Day of the Dolphin intriguing in a manner that was never intended, it’s easy to comprehend why Stephen King views it as a cinematic catastrophe and an act of disregard towards the original work.

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2025-07-06 04:27