It (1990)
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A group of outcast children must confront a shape-shifting predatory monster that feeds on their fears in the town of Derry.
The story
In the town of Derry, Maine, a group of outcast children known as 'The Losers Club' encounter a terrifying, shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise. The monster, which takes the form of an evil clown, feeds on the fears of its victims. The children, who first confront the creature in 1960, vow to destroy it. Thirty years later, the group—now adults—must return to their hometown to face the entity once more after it resurfaces. They must confront their past and the lingering threat of the monster to ensure it is destroyed for good.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1960, a young boy named Georgie is killed by Pennywise the Dancing Clown. His friends, the 'Losers Club,' discover that Pennywise is an ancient creature that awakens every thirty years. They eventually defeat it in the sewers, believing it is dead. In 1990, the group reunites as adults to face the creature again. They are hunted by the monster and a deranged man named Henry Bowers. During the final confrontation in the sewers, they discover Pennywise's true form as a massive, spider-like monster. While some members are injured or killed, the survivors ultimately destroy the creature. Afterward, the survivors go their separate ways, their memories of the ordeal fading over time, except for a journal kept by Mike Hanlon.
- First release year
- 1990
- Runtime (minutes)
- 192
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tommy Lee Wallace
- Writers
- Tommy Lee Wallace · teleplay; Lawrence D. Cohen · teleplay
- Cast and characters
- Tim Curry · Pennywise; Richard Thomas; Annette O'Toole; John Ritter; Harry Anderson; Jonathan Brandis; Tim Reid; Dennis Christopher
- Genres
- Supernatural horror; Psychological drama; Coming-of-age
- Themes
- Fear; Friendship; Loss of Innocence
- Tone and mood
- Horror; Suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- Supernatural; Monster; Time Jump
- Source material / true-story basis
- Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name
- Reception
- The miniseries was a significant success for ABC in 1990, drawing 30 million viewers. While critical views were mixed initially, it became well-known for Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise, which is considered one of the scariest clown characters in film and television.
- Awards and nominations
- Emmy Award · Outstanding Editing for a Single-Camera Miniseries or Special · 1990 · Nomination; People's Choice Award · Favorite TV Mini-Series · 1990 · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The production had a budget of $12 million, which was double the usual television budget.; It was ranked the tenth best television miniseries/film in 1990 by the Orange County Register.; USA Today named Pennywise the best television clown of 1990.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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