| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jason Robards | ... | Charles Halloway | |
| Jonathan Pryce | ... | Mr. Dark | |
| Diane Ladd | ... | Mrs. Nightshade | |
| Royal Dano | ... | Tom Fury | |
| Vidal Peterson | ... | Will Halloway | |
| Shawn Carson | ... | Jim Nightshade | |
| Mary Grace Canfield | ... | Miss Foley | |
| Richard Davalos | ... | Mr. Crosetti | |
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Jake Dengel | ... | Mr. Tetley |
| Jack Dodson | ... | Dr. Douglas | |
| Bruce M. Fischer | ... | Mr. Cooger | |
| Ellen Geer | ... | Mrs. Halloway | |
| Pam Grier | ... | Dust Witch | |
| Brendan Klinger | ... | Cooger as a Child | |
| James Stacy | ... | Ed, The Bartender | |
In Green Town, Illinois, the twelve year-old boys Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are neighbors and best friends. Will's father Charles Halloway is an old man and the local librarian while Jim and his mother wait for the return of the return of their father and husband that will never occur. The boys know everyone in town, including their school teacher Miss Foley that misses her beauty and youth; the lonely barber Mr. Crosetti that has no girlfriend or wife; the greedy owner of a cigar store Mr. Tetley that is obsessed with money; and the bartender Ed that has severed arm and leg and dreams on being a football hero. One day, Jim buys a lightning rod from the salesman Tom Fury that tells that a storm is coming. During the night, the boys overhear a mysterious train and they run through the woods to see the arrival but they do not see a living soul. However, they find the Mr. Dark's Pandemonium Carnival ready to be enjoyed and they snoop around. Soon they realize that frustrated and ... Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Yes, this was a big disappointment to many Bradbury fans, but it still has enough charm to make it a satisfactory cinematic experience. It is debatable whether or not one should read the book before seeing the movie. You will certainly have a better understanding of what is happening, but the terror conveyed in the book is not present in the movie.
EXCEPT...
There is the scene with Pryce and Robards in the town library. Even with the outdated FX, this scene is pure Bradbury...I could feel the tugging on my heart as Pryce's character ripped each page from the book. Truly a classic moment and not to be missed.
*** out of *****