Stephen King's Golden Years (1991)

Reigning horror master Stephen King (Misery, Pet Semetary, The Shining) creates a chilling vision of scientific progress run amok in this electrifying, original techno-thriller! Starring Keith Szarabajka (Missing, "The Equalizer) and Frances Sternhagen (Misery, Doc Hollywood), Golden Years features make-up and special effects supervised by the legendary effects master Dick Smith (The Exorcist, Amadeus) and a plot that builds to an astonishing ending. When aging janitor Harlan Williams is accidentally exposed to exotic chemicals in a lab explosion, he undergoes an extraordinary change. It's a process the government will do anything to learn more about - no matter who has to die in the process. Soon, Harlan, his wife Gina and the lab's beautiful security chief are on a cross-country race to evade a murderously effective federal agent. But even as he stays one step ahead of his ruthless pursuers, Harlan continues his transformation into something the world of science has never see...or imagined!

Loved it!

as a Stephen King fan, I loved this when it was first shown on tv, and I loved it when I watched it again on DVD. June 23, 2008

Not a miniseries: Prematurely cancelled

When this show first aired, it was my absolute favorite. I loved the sci-fi concept, the fugitive-style stay one step ahead story, and of course the titular David Bowie song.

The reason why I've given this dvd 2 stars is that the full story was never allowed to unfold. This is NOT a miniseries. This was a full-fledged television series, meant to play out over a number of seasons. The main character, Harlan, who ages backwards, was played by an actor in his mid-thirties. Had the show been kept on the air for two or three seasons, we would have seen him regress back to that age.

The slapped-together series finale was poorly handled, though really there was no good solution. The show was dependent on having multiple seasons, and no ending could have worked. Better to simply pass it by and remember the show for what it was: an intriguing television experiment that was not allowed to work.

I do think sometimes: In the modern age of cable channels putting out quality shows, wouldn't it be wonderful if a channel like Sci-Fi were to commit to three years of a Golden Years remake, and do it right this time? February 7, 2008

Abridged Version

Years ago, I had the opportunity to watch the complete Golden Years miniseries. Great series; I really liked it.

This, however, is not it. This piece is a butchered version of the original-- cut down to fit the media, I suspect. It is better than nothing.... but not by a whole lot.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a full version; there's not enough interest in it. My advice: Buy it second-hand for a cheap price. May 12, 2006

Would have Been Five Stars, But.....

This movie was one fun ride. It was so very well done. The acting was so unique, the old man (getting younger) and his wife (who was also in Misery) were so perfect they could never have been better. The Terry chick was so cool, the way she'd pull her gun out to get what she wanted. The general, and the Andrews guy were both great characters, and all the supporting people were fantastic!

So, you may ask, why not five stars? Why have I lowered it from great to really good? Well, the ending. Everyone who's seen the movie remembers the ending. It's horrible! I've read about how different this is on TV, and the ending on the video and DVD is horribly quick and hazy, so very unsatisfactory that people may develop a knee-jerk reaction and go bash this movie. Don't. Aside from the horrid (and I mean HORRID) ending, the movie is a five star expierience. I was riveted in my seat, unable to leave my television set, it was that good!

I got this for Christmas in a Stephen King 5 Pack Collection (The Golden Years, Thinner, The langoliers, The Stand, Cujo), and loved it. January 7, 2003

Too choppy from the middle to the end

I saw the most of the original series when it came out years back but grew bored. When I was the DVD, I decide to buy it and see how it ended.

The first two hours on this DVD is great. I think it was the two-hour premiere. However, it goes downhill in the next two hours. Things were taken out that made the plot confusing and even worse some thing were left in that did not make the story flow. The last two hours are disjointed and for some reason goes away from the Protagonist. We don't see him.

The ending had to be re-done because the original ending was a cliffhanger for the following season. The ending totally reeks. It is really, really bad. You sit on your sofa for 4 hours and then it ends the way it did was he most disappointing of all.

Buy the Storm of the Century instead. That was four hours of chills. October 1, 2002

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