MovieChat Forums > The Stand (1994) Discussion > Surprisingly strong cast for mid-90s tel...

Surprisingly strong cast for mid-90s television

posted 6 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8319)
7 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this recently for the first time and have to comment on the cast.

The mid-90s was not like today. TV was not considered prestigious like it is now and film actors rarely crossed over to the TV side, except for the occasional guest starring spot.

In The Stand we have Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Rob Lowe, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Molly Ringwald (back when she still was somebody) and, very briefly, Kathy Bates.

That's a damn cast, especially for a 1994 TV mini-series! I'm very surprised they were able to pull so many names together for this thing.

[–] Gary O. (999) 6 years ago

With the exception of Molly Ringwald, I agree with you. The reason that I excepted Molly was that I thought she was miscast. She is attractive and a good actress (even here), and I don't agree with those who said she did a poor job acting here, but to me, she just was not Frannie.

The problem was not her acting; it was casting her.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 6 years ago

I agree about Molly. She was miscast. I disagree with the OP. Molly was a somebody in the 80s. She had lost steam by the time this film was made.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8319) 6 years ago

She was definitely on her way out, but it was 1994, not 2004.

We were still close enough to the 80s where her name meant something.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8319) 6 years ago

I will have to take your word on the casting. I never read the book. In fact, I only watched the show because I've been on a Stephen King mini-series kick lately, having also watched Storm of the Century, Rose Red and the Shining mini-series with Steven Weber.

I thought the first half of The Stand was pretty good. The back half was disappointing. But I was very surprised by the strength of the cast.

[–] Gary O. (999) 6 years ago

The novel is definitely worth a read. It's long, but a very good book.

[–] TandyMan (10406) 6 years ago

I still watch this every few years. It's a very impressive production. All these great actors aren't just big names, they put in some of their performances as well.

[–] Gary O. (999) 6 years ago

I enjoy watching it as well. It is one of my favorite films.