Stand by Me

Story

This coming of age film set in the late 1950s, follows four boys on the hunt for the body of a missing child from their hometown. Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern set out on a hike over several days and encounter many adventures along the way.

Why we chose it

A coming of age story about friendship, growing up and the search for identity

Where it came from

This film is based on a Stephen King novel called The Body.

The novel was based on Stephen King’s experience of growing up in Durham Maine. He had three friends who inspired the characters in his novel. When Stephen King was four he witnessed a horrifying event. He and his friend were playing near a railway track when his friend was hit by a freight train. He had no memory of the incident and was only told about it years later.

Stephen King wanted to write a story based on his childhood and eventually inspiration hit early in his writing career.

Where it went next

This film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and two Golden Globe Awards: one for Best Drama Motion Picture and one for Best Director.