The Bottom Line
- One of the best film adaptations of Stephen King's work
- John Cusack delivers a powerful performance
- The extended, unrated cut is just as good as the theatrical release
- Decent collection of bonus features
- None worth noting
Description
- Theatrical cut and new unrated, extended director's cut with a completely different ending
- Commentary by director Mikael Hafstrom and writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski
- Four featurettes on the 'Secrets of 1408'
- 'John Cusack on 1408'
- 'Inside Room 1408'
- 5 deleted scenes with optional commentary
- DVD Release Date: October 2, 2007
Guide Review - 1408 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD Review
After a personal tragedy, writer Michael Enslin (Cusack) turns from writing serious fiction to books on haunted houses, cemeteries and other creepy places. After receiving a postcard telling him to check out the Dolphin Hotel's room 1408, Enslin decides to add it to his travel plans.
Enslin quickly finds that checking into that particular room isn't easy. The hotel's manager (played by Samuel L Jackson) tries his best to convince Enslin to leave the room alone. Dozens of deaths have occurred in the room and no one has ever been able to last more than one hour in 1408. However Enslin stubbornly insists on staying in 1408 and won't take no for an answer. If everyone thinks 1408 is haunted, then Enslin's determined to investigate it and write it up in his next book. But the room has other plans...
The Bonus Features
Go directly to the extended, alternate cut if you've already seen 1408 during its theatrical run. If you're a newbie to the movie, then it's a real toss-up. Both versions are great so flipping a coin might literally be the way to go.
Most commentary tracks with just directors and/or writers are a little dry, but the one included on Disc 2 with the alternate version of the film is actually pretty interesting. You'll catch things you might not have picked up on while watching the movie, making it worthwhile to devote a couple of hours listening to the commentary. The other bonus features, including the behind the scenes featurettes, are pretty much the standard fare. Decent, but nothing to write home about.
Fortunately, the film's so entertaining that even if the bonus features were purely puff pieces, 1408 on DVD would still be worth renting or buying.
