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Summary: One of the Greatest stories ever
Review: This is one of Stephan King's best stories that was turned in an ok movie. The story was more graphic and the ending was much better, but this is an excellent movie all the same. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in history to see how they can take things that happen all that time ago, and bring them back into today's society. Great movie and even better written story
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Summary: Stephen King Tackles the Holocaust
Review: This is the story in which Stephen King Tackles the Holocaust, a dangerous and difficult topic at best of times, an explosive one if it is not handled well. But the King of Horror pulls it off with great skill, sensitivity and panache. A uniquely insightful psychology thriller about an aged SS officer living under an assumed identity in idyllic American suburbia, whose true identity was discovered by a teenager and who was subsequently 'blackmailed' into telling the youth his true-life experience as a death camp commandant in Poland. Stephen King handled this potentially difficult subject with his usual consumate skill at managing the dramatic, and the director skilfully translated this on-screen with a relentlessly masterful control of the build-up of plot tension. This is the best, and like the very best of DARK chocolate it is also very dark and bitter. One of the better on-screen treatment of the Master of Horror, Stephen King. A remarkably keen-eye and un-preachy treatment of the issue of ex-Nazis and their subsequent lives living incognito amidst their arch-enemy, America. If one is interested in this topic one should also watch MOTHER NIGHT (1996, starring Nick Nolte) for a dramatic adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's 1961 novel of the same title.
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Summary: It's best to let the past remain in the past
Review: Based on a book by Stephen King, 'Apt Pupil' is a movie that is as fascinating and entertaining as it is disturbing. Sometimes it is wiser to let the past remain in the past, as high-school student Todd (Renfro) finds out. After studying the Holocaust in school, Todd personal research leads him to former Nazi concentration camp commander Kurt Dussander (McKellen), who is living in his neighborhood. Todd threatens the old man with exposure as a war criminal unless Dussander tells Todd all his 'stories', 'everything they're afraid to show us in school'. Thus began Todd's unusual relationship (though never friendship, as Todd's motives were neither friendly nor sincere) with the ex-Nazi officer. Soon things began to spiral out of control. Dussander had been living as a recluse before Todd's interference, but now Todd had triggered off Dussander's memories, with deadly consequences. Todd's morbid fascination with Dussander led him to treat Dussander as a stooge, buying him a SS Officer uniform as a Christmas gift and making Dussander march at his sadistic command. Not one with a kind heart in the first place, Todd kills a pigeon with a broken wing at his school gym, has a nasty confrontation with his well-meaning best friend and displays other behavioral changes after being haunted by Dussander's 'stories'. Dussander tries to kill a neighbor's cat, Todd's grades slip, Todd makes a deal with his guidance counselor, the friendly neighborhood tramp witnesses Dussander donning the SS uniform and the plot generally thickened and grew more intense. While 'Apt Pupil' is a praiseworthy departure from the traditional teen horror flick, many questions are left unanswered, for instance; How did a teenager manage to identify the elderly man as a Nazi war criminal when the governments and even the Interpol failed to do the same? Also, at the interrogation of Todd, why did his pathetic and contradictory answers fail to rouse the suspicion of the investigating panel? Why did the police not keep a closer watch on their detainee when they knew it was a Nazi war criminal they had in their custody? A weak ending also limited the potential of the movie to become a classic. An exciting film if you believe that there is at least a little evil even in the best and brightest of us, otherwise an insult to the memory of the Holocaust.
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Summary: Pathetic Adaptation
Review: There sometimes seems to be an instinct among moviemakers to try and sanitise the stories they adapt from disturbing books - a sort of attempt to reach the greatest number of people by disturbing the fewest.The adaptation of "Apt Pupil" seems to fall in this category. The short story in Stephen King's "Different Seasons" is about a boy who decides to sate his curiosity about the Holocaust era by talking to a concentration camp supervisor who happens to be his neighbour. The descent of Todd Bowden from a curious youth, to a controlling presence in Dussander's life (witness the SS uniform sequence), to a disturbed murderer, is the theme running in the book, and is what makes it so compelling. The fact that the filmmaker chooses to show Todd's worst moment as his moment in the basketball court, and his blackmail of his guidance counsellor, is to me losing the essence of the story. It then wouldn't strike anyone why the interaction between Todd and Dussander is such a big deal. In addition, there is the dawning moment in the book where Dussander's hospital roommate discover's Dussander's true identity. This involves a pot of lamb stew, and its use as a remarkable instrument of torture. While it may have been hard to film, it is, to me, what shows up the evil in Dussander, and the depths that Todd is plumbing. All in all, therefore, the movie is the story of a boy who met a Nazi war criminal, heard good stories, killed a bird (oops, did I give that away?), and settled down to a life happily ever after.
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Summary: Insult to my intelligence
Review: This was without a doubt, the worst movie I've ever seen. The plot revolves around a cartoonish elderly Nazi who gets his thrills by trying to gas neighborhood cats in his kitchen oven. That isn't even the most proposterous aspect of the movie. I bought this DVD on sale ...and I'm disgusted that I even contributed that much to the makers of this film. If you're into hateful, juvenile propaganda, this film is for you.
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Summary: A powerful adaptation of King's most compelling story
Review: I have always regarded Apt Pupil as one of Stephen King's greatest and most compelling pieces of fiction. The film adaptation was a long time coming; years ago, a version starring Ricky Schroeder as Todd Bowden was stopped just as production began, and rumors and speculations about a possible movie frittered around for years-until 1998. While this movie is not quite as powerful as King's novella and substitutes a brand new conclusion to the story, it is still an incredible exploration of evil. Brad Renfro is effective as the disturbingly curious Todd, but it is Ian McKellen's superlative performance as Dussander/Danker that makes this movie an unforgettable psychological thriller. I also like to pay tribute to animals who contribute their talents to films without even a mention in the credits. There is a cat that appears in one powerful scene of this movie, conveying vivid emotions of curiosity, helplessness, and fear before delivering a truly frenzied, physically impressive, action-packed performance of high caliber indeed. Todd Bowden is an intelligent, fairly normal teenager whose interest in the Third Reich mutates into a dangerous obsession when he locates and identifies an old German war criminal living in his own neighborhood. Confronting the old man, he convinces him to admit who he is, promising him that he will tell no one his secret as long as Dussander does one thing for him. Todd wants to know everything about the Holocaust, what Dussander did, how he did it, how he felt, etc. A very strange bond develops between this odd couple, each character holding information that could destroy the other's very world, each seeking to gain the upper hand; it is a power struggle between two ruthlessly cunning individuals. As time goes on, both Dussander and Todd begin to change, affected by the evil that is their constant topic of conversation. The tension builds up throughout the film, culminating in a very satisfying conclusion (although I still prefer King's original conclusion). This is not a horror movie so much as a movie about horror and, in particular, obsession. There are some disturbing events in the movie, and one has to question which character is more evil than the other. It is difficult to really like either leading character, but one is intensely interested in the final outcome that must inevitably come; true evil can be hidden only so long. When I first learned of this movie's release, I was thrilled to finally see the story brought to life, yet the movie seemed to come and go with little fanfare. This is one of the best Stephen King adaptations out there, and I feel this movie deserves much more attention and acclaim than it has received. The message of Apt Pupil speaks to everyone, not just horror fans, providing a very real warning about the dangers of obsession. Evil can be borne anywhere, even in the heart of Middle America.
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Summary: Impressive acting, suspensful & thrilling plot
Review: I was truly blown away after I finished watching this movie. Of course Ian's performance was great, but Brad Renfro stole the show. He has come a long way since playing Mark Sway in the Client. Yes, the subject matter in Apt Pupil was disturbing, but it provided a valuable history lesson for me. I higjly recommebd this film.
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Summary: A POWERFUL MOVIE
Review: What happens when you put together Sir Ian Mc Kellen, Brad Renfro, a nazi soldier and an obsessive boy? A five star movie. Every scene keeps you waiting and thinking, "What's gonna happen next?" Brad Renfro gives an amazingly talented and realistic performance while Sir Ian McKellen is fully in german soldier character. Casted well, plot is extremely suspenseful, and you never know who your neighbours are......
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Summary: New, Exciting, Riveting, Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Review: This movie is great!! I recommend this movie to anyone who reads Stephen King. The plot is scary as well as the characters. This movie shows the real meaning of evil and is definitely worth buying!
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Summary: A bone - chilling thriller
Review: I, being a Brad Renfro fan (obsessor), was overly -impressed by this wonderful movie. Also, being a Stephen King fanatic, I hought the story line was great, intensive, and kept me watching. I recommend this and every Brad Renfro movie, or any Stephen King novel, to all!
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