NOW THERE’S A NEW NAME FOR TERROR…
Cujo, a lovable St. Bernard, is bitten by a rabid bat and eventually turns into a deadly monster; Donna (Dee Wallace) and her son Tad (Danny Pintauro) happen to cross his path.Ā The Stephen King novel unexpectedly turned into a straightforward but highly effective thriller that one half hour into the story creates a claustrophobic situation that seems very probable (and thus frightening). This is certainly a movie for cat lovers. Well directed and Charles Bernsteinās music sets the mood both in moments of horror and tenderness. Great performances by Wallace, young Pintauroā¦ and the five St. Bernards and one Rottweiler who play Cujo.
1983-U.S. 91 min. Color.Ā Produced byĀ Robert Singer, Daniel H. Blatt.Ā Directed byĀ Lewis Teague.Ā Screenplay: Don Carlos Dunaway, Lauren Currier.Ā Novel:Ā Stephen King.Ā Cinematography:Ā Jan De Bont.Ā Music:Ā Charles Bernstein.Ā Cast:Ā Dee Wallace (Donna Trenton), Danny Pintauro (Tad Trenton), Daniel Hugh-Kelly (Vic Trenton), Christopher Stone, Ed Lauter, Mills Watson.
Last word: “‘Cujo’ is the hardest thing Iāve ever done in my career. Working with a 4-year-old child and five dogs was exhilarating, exhausting, and empowering. I have special memories of working with my husband Christopher Stone and watching the hot air balloons drift over our valley every morning at 5:30 or 6:00 […]Ā Lewis Teague was brought in three days after we started filming. Thank God. His gentle guidance was invaluable on the set. He had originally taken a look at it. Ā Iām not sure of the specifics about what happened, but I am thrilled that it turned out the way it did.” (Wallace, Upcoming-Movies)