Movies

Cujo

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Thinking back on movies by Stephen King that were made in the 1980s, several timeless masterpieces instantly spring to mind. Among them are “The Shining”, “Stand By Me”, “The Dead Zone”, and certainly, the chilling 1983 production, “Cujo”. Directed by Lewis Teague, this film tells a harrowing story of a rabid St. Bernard causing havoc as it terrifies a mother and her son, who are trapped in a Ford Pinto on a scorching summer day. Both the book and movie resonated with audiences not just due to their dark themes, but also because of their powerful endings. Remarkably, star Dee Wallace has recently disclosed King’s reaction to the film’s finale, which deviated significantly from his novel.

In an interview on Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko, actress Dee Wallace discussed her illustrious career that spans roles in Steven Spielberg’s E.T., The Howling, Rob Zombie’s Halloween, and Cujo. In Cujo, she played Donna Trenton, a mother who bravely fights off the titular St. Bernard dog determined to devour her and her son, Tad (Danny Pintauro). Although Donna ultimately kills Cujo in the film, in the book, young Tad succumbs to dehydration and heatstroke. However, unlike in the novel, Tad survives in the movie. Wallace shared that Stephen King’s reaction to this significant change was akin to a sigh of relief, as he didn’t want the filmmakers to experience the same level of criticism he received for the storyline.

Stephen King expressed gratitude to his readers following the publication of ‘Cujo’, saying, “I’m glad the child survived in the end. I’ve never received as much criticism for any other work I’ve written.

In reflecting on the storyline, I often ponder what the impact might have been if ‘Cujo’ ended differently – if Tad had perished alongside his father just as in Stephen King’s novel. The 1980s audience was accustomed to happy endings, so would they have embraced such a somber and sorrowful conclusion? We know that the bleak ending of ‘The Mist’ in 2007 resonated deeply with viewers, but it’s debatable whether the same reaction would be elicited by ‘Cujo.’

This film was incredibly personal and confining, keeping us invested in the characters for nearly an hour and a half. The prospect of cheering for the two protagonists only to find Tad’s lifeless body at the end would have been heart-wrenching.

Dee Wallace Says She Told Producers to Change the Ending of ‘Cujo’

Wallace disclosed later on that she significantly influenced the alteration in the film’s ending, even making it a prerequisite for her participation. During this period, she was basking in the glory of her success from “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial“. She unequivocally communicated to the producers that “the child cannot perish”. She further elaborated on her motives:

Back in the ’80s, I must admit, it’s a tricky business to please everyone who walks into a cinema. A significant portion of the audience might not have had the chance to read the book that inspired the film they’re about to watch. So, we as filmmakers need to tread carefully to ensure an engaging experience for all.

Fortunately, everything turned out well, and “Cujo” ultimately became a box office success, leaving audiences with a satisfying ending. It’s rumored that the novel is being adapted again by Netflix, this time with producer Roy Lee leading the project. There are also discussions underway for Requiem for a Dream’s Darren Aronofsky to direct. As more information about the project emerges, stay tuned. In the meantime, you can watch the original 1983 film on Pluto TV.

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2025-05-01 18:06

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