The Dark Tower Movie Deserves More Appreciation

Stephen King’s most intricate work is arguably his “The Dark Tower” series, consisting of seven main novels and two additional tales. Many of King’s works have been successfully adapted into films or TV shows, but this extensive narrative presents a unique challenge. The 2017 movie “The Dark Tower” didn’t fare well, even disappointing its fanbase, but its poor reputation is undeserved. Transforming a piece of fiction from a novel to a film or even a television series is always a complex task. Occasionally, the alterations made improve the final product.

Although 2017’s The Dark Tower, directed by Nikolaj Arcel, is an adaptation of the popular source material, its inaccuracies are just one part of the issues surrounding it. For now, it’s the only film available for fans about Roland the Gunslinger, but it manages to preserve enough of the story’s charm to merit some recognition.

The Dark Tower Series Ties Together Much of Stephen King’s Work

Fans Waited 22 Years to See Roland Complete His Journey

2024 marks the anticipation of a new project by the renowned author-director, whose previous interpretations of Stephen King’s work have stirred excitement among fans. However, given that it took an accomplished writer like King 22 years to complete this saga, it’s clear that this adaptation will be a lengthy process. As the series progresses and unfolds with time, it incorporates characters and incidents from other works by the author. The car accident King survived in 1999 is also significant to the storyline, serving as a pivotal plot device. With seven books and two additional stories making up this expansive narrative, adapting it promises to be quite a challenge.

The tale kicks off with the memorable phrase: “A man clothed in black darted through the desert, and his pursuer, the Gunslinger, followed close behind.” This story’s focal point is the titular tower, which serves as a hub connecting all realms. No matter how much wickedness resides within each world, this Tower keeps at bay an even darker force from dominating existence itself. Roland, a knight-like figure hailing from Gilead, becomes fixated on this pursuit, gathering companions along the way, including Jake, a boy possessing psychic abilities who initially meets his end.

In essence, the captivating tale of “The Dark Tower” is steeped in legend, primarily revolving around a hero whose fixation has left him battered yet capable of igniting courage within others. The enigmatic adversaries are none other than the mysterious Men In Black as hinted at initially, and a more malevolent entity called the Crimson King. Accompanied by his “ka-tet” (a term referring to his companions), Roland encounters numerous obstacles along the way, among them a mad train that possesses sentience and has an affinity for posing riddles.

Even at the Height of Prestige TV, The Dark Tower Is Impossible to Adapt

The Movie Was Meant to Be a Sequel to the Books, Rather Than an Adaptation

In their adaptations, the filmmakers have a tenuous connection to the original source material. After two unsuccessful attempts at adapting “The Dark Tower”, Arcel openly admits in the special features that his film is a sequel to the books. The ending of the final novel, which was highly debated among fans due to its controversial nature, suggested a recurring theme in the story. An object hinted at in the last lines of the book can be seen among Roland’s belongings. The creators intended this film to continue the cycle, hoping that it would encourage long-time book enthusiasts to support the movie. However, this didn’t happen in reality.

J.J. Abrams was set to adapt the series with Lost producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, but they couldn’t figure out how to adapt it.
Ron Howard and Universal Pictures were going to adapt the books as a hybrid “universe” of films and TV series.

According to King himself, he considered this adaptation as a suitable approach to the story in the supplementary features. If The Dark Tower had been well-received, additional aspects of the fantasy series could have been explored in subsequent tales. In reality, many elements in the movie are taken directly from the books, albeit not the first one. Contrary to expectation, The Gunslinger is more about a quest that concludes with Roland and the Man in Black engaging in a conversation rather than a battle. However, in an attempt to satisfy both dedicated fans and newcomers to the story, some elements might have been altered or simplified, potentially leading to mixed reactions.

After eight years, it would be worthwhile for even the most critical viewers to reconsider. The film’s loyalty to the source material is palpable, from Jake’s use of the “monster house” to locate Roland, to the fight against the Low Men in the “real” world. In a similar vein, the movie effectively condenses the central conflict and the Man In Black’s plan for those familiar with the books. However, these references and the ultimate goal might have been confusing for newcomers. Nonetheless, there was much about this film that was truly impressive.

The Dark Tower Movie Is Ambitious and Fun, Making It Worth a Second Look

King’s Cyclical Story Is Getting Another Iteration, Not Being Retold

In a fresh take, Idris Elba portrays Roland, and his genuine on-screen charisma adds depth to the character. Although many book readers visualized Clint Eastwood as Roland, Elba skillfully embodies Roland’s unique mix of aloofness and empathy towards others. He also infuses Roland with humor that is more apparent in the performance than in the written text. Elba’s dry wit, particularly his amusing responses to Coca-Cola, painkillers, and hot dogs, genuinely elicits laughter. The connection he develops with Tom Taylor’s Jake Chambers mirrors the one from the books, both in its authenticity and fulfillment.

In “The Dark Tower,” it’s the action scenes that really stand out. The novels have Roland performing feats that seem impossible, particularly with reloading his gun, and this was skillfully portrayed by Arcel and the stunt team. A flashback featuring Dennis Haysbert as Roland’s father beautifully encapsulates their relationship and the Gunslinger’s role in this legacy within a short span of time. Unfortunately, Idris Elba’s Roland lacked the traditional cowboy hat, which was a bit disappointing. However, his performance overall significantly enhances the movie, even when the storyline itself stumbles.

In numerous works by Stephen King, both the books and their adaptations, a figure known as “The Man in Black” makes an appearance. This character is also recognized beyond the grandeur of the epic tale, “The Dark Tower.” Matthew McConaughey delivers a remarkable performance in this role, arguably contributing more to the film than all seven books combined. He portrays the most malevolent version of the character in live-action, and his encounters with Roland in the movie are enthralling, particularly those scenes exclusive to the film. If there’s anything about “The Dark Tower” that surpasses the original material, it’s the depth that McConaughey adds to the character.

From Racism to Book Purists, This Movie Was Doomed to Fail Regardless

The Dark Tower Is a Movie Judged for What It Isn’t, Not What It Is

Indeed, Ida Elba’s selection for the role sparked debate and received racially charged criticism. If it’s true that Stephen King’s remake will feature a white actor portraying Roland Deschain, this decision is particularly troubling due to its potential to reinforce the idea that overt racism can be effective. Interestingly, despite his frequent claims that he envisioned Roland as Clint Eastwood from Sergio Leone films, Flanagan publicly supported Elba, expressing approval both of her initial casting and her performance. It’s essential to clarify that Ida Elba had no influence on the film’s eventual failure.

We didn’t lose it; we simply couldn’t grasp it. We made an attempt, but it proved elusive. We assembled parts, but they slipped through our fingers, constantly changing shape. Each person had a unique perspective, making it challenging to maintain control. Regrettably, many of us who initiated it eventually let go.

The main issue with ‘The Dark Tower’ is, surprisingly, its heavy reliance on elements from the book series within its narrative. This can leave viewers unfamiliar with the story feeling confused or as if plot twists are unearned. On the other hand, fans who know every detail might not even notice this homage to the saga because the story has changed so drastically. The writers’ shortcomings may stem from trying to cram so much recognizable lore into just 90 minutes, as if they knew it was their only opportunity to adapt it.

Although there may have been some hesitation during production, King suggests that if Amazon Studios fully embraces the narrative, it could become the adaptation fans have longed for. While 2017’s “The Dark Tower” isn’t flawless, it offers a credible portrayal of another chapter in Roland’s tale. Reading the books provides insight into the film’s events, but understanding that the movie is its own story enhances the entertainment value.

Should The Dark Tower film turn out to be the sole live-action adaptation that fans receive, then the filmmakers weren’t just bold and visionary; they were forward-thinking in their attempts to incorporate ideas and scenes from all seven novels. Perhaps with time or Mike Flanagan’s adaptation, The Dark Tower of 2017 might eventually garner the recognition it truly deserves.

The Dark Tower is available to own on DVD, Blu-ray, digital and streams on Netflix.

2025-04-18 00:08