The anticipated horror project “Rose Red,” which draws inspiration from the esteemed “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson, was envisioned as a collision of creative greatness between Stephen King and Steven Spielberg. This haunted house tale revolves around a massive, sinister mansion that stands desolate, awaiting the arrival of unsuspecting visitors. When a parapsychologist, accompanied by a group of clairvoyants, decides to delve into the secrets it harbors over a weekend, their fate takes a turn. King’s script, inspired by the legendary narrative and other reportedly haunted places like the infamous Winchester Mystery House, evolved into an extended 255-minute miniseries, costing an impressive $35 million—quite the sum for television at the time. The cast boasted talents such as Nancy Travis, Julian Sands, Melanie Lynskey, Emily Deschanel, and many others.
Although “Rose Red” isn’t widely recognized as one of King’s premier achievements, it retains a certain allure and evokes nostalgia for the era when King’s miniseries adaptations were major television events. Examples of these include “The Stand,” “The Shining” in its miniseries form, and “Storm of the Century.” However, despite its merits, the performances in “Rose Red” have been critiqued for being excessively dramatic, and the intended fear factor falls short, despite an abundance of characters disguised in spectral makeup. A lighter moment does present itself with King’s cameo as an unexpectedly aged pizza delivery man. Nonetheless, this rendition of “Rose Red,” which is available on Hulu for the curious viewer, did not involve Spielberg in its final form.
The collaboration was tantalizingly close to happening, but ultimately Spielberg’s involvement was not to be.
FAQs About King and Spielberg’s Almost Collaboration on “Rose Red”
What is “Rose Red” about?
“Rose Red” is a miniseries about a haunted mansion investigated by a parapsychologist and a group of psychics. It takes cues from Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House” and real haunted spots like the Winchester Mystery House.
Was Steven Spielberg involved in “Rose Red”?
No, “Rose Red” was almost a collaboration between Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, but Spielberg ultimately did not contribute to the miniseries.
Is “Rose Red” considered one of Stephen King’s best works?
While it has its unique charms and reminds viewers of the times when King’s miniseries were significant television events, “Rose Red” is generally not considered one of King’s best works.
Is the miniseries available for streaming?
Yes, “Rose Red” is available for streaming on Hulu.
Who starred in “Rose Red”?
The “Rose Red” cast included Nancy Travis, Julian Sands, Melanie Lynskey, and Emily Deschanel, among others.
Conclusion
The near-collaboration between two titans of suspense and storytelling, Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, is a cinematic “what could have been” that continues to fascinate fans of the genre. “Rose Red,” while not achieving the heights of some of King’s other works, stands as a testament to a time when television miniseries could captivate audiences with elaborate horror narratives. Although Spielberg’s touch is absent from the miniseries, the intrigue surrounding the project remains, enticing viewers to explore this haunted house tale. Remember to check out “Rose Red” on Hulu to form your own impressions of this ambitious, though slightly flawed, piece of television history.