“The Long Walk” is adapted from the story of the same name, and it still impacts me as much today as it did when I first read it as it was a story that endured with me, and I had wondered why it had never been adapted into a film.
The path to the screen reportedly went from George Romero to other hands before Lionsgate entrusted “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence to handle the dystopian character drama.
Set in an America that has been devastated by a war that has destroyed the economy, a military leader known as “The Major” (Mark Hamill), leads a special unit to remove material and individuals who are counter to the viewpoints that he believes are needed to restore the country.
A contest is formed where one male from each state is selected via lottery to take part in an ultimate competition, with riches and a wish to be granted are the prize.
Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) signs up and meets Peter McVries (David Jonsson) and others as the competition begins, and forms a bond with some of the other contestants.
The walkers are required to maintain a pace, and failure to do so results in a warning. Those unable to retain the pacing are given another warning, and this continues until a third warning. At this point, failure to regain the walk results in being shot by the accompanying caravan of soldiers who monitor the game and televise it to the nation.
Warnings are removed after an hour of compliance, so activities such as using the bathroom or tying a shoe come with warnings that risk the life of the contestants.
Over the days and nights of the non-stop march, the characters bond, experience pain, loss, and trauma as their numbers rapidly fade and fatigue, and the elements begin to take hold.
The movie does alter the ending from the book, which, while expected, did so in a way that I did not expect, yet does so in a fitting way.
The movie does not have over-the-top action sequences but instead tells a character-driven story where we learn about the characters and their motivations. You see them bond with one another even though they all know that only one of them can survive and that death is a very likely outcome.
The ages of the characters have been increased for the film, as teenage victims were the norm for the book. Certain subplots told from the character’s inner thoughts have been omitted, but the very powerful performances of the cast are what make this easily one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever. The essential ingredient is that the audience must relate, and in many cases, like the characters, which makes the tragic circumstances even more impactful.
The movie is dark, memorable, and powerful, and is a must for fans of dystopian tales.
4 stars out of 5
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