VFX Artists Praise John Carpenter’s 1983 Cult Horror Classic

Summary

• Corridor Crew praises the groundbreaking practical effects behind John Carpenter’s
  Christine
  , emphasizing its innovative use of reverse footage.
• Minor imperfections in the special effects “vacuum-formed” model do not detract from the film’s charm as a testament to practical effects.
• A planned remake of
  Christine
  in 2021 has stirred excitement, with John Carpenter and Keith Gordon wishing success to the new director.

Popular VFX artists praised the groundbreaking work behind John Carpenter‘s 1983 supernatural horror film, Christine. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the film features an eerie sentient car with a lethal life of its own and stars Keith Gordon as its unsuspecting teenage owner.

Youtube channel Corridor Crew (Jordan Allen, Sam Gorski, & Niko Pueringer) meticulously analyzed intricate details behind the film’s effects. The team is known for their insightful commentary on visual effects in their popular video series, where they dissect both the best and worst of CGI in film. Christine has garnered attention for its pioneering use of practical effects.

Christine

Release Date May 11, 1983

Runtime 110

Tagline How do you kill something that can’t possibly be alive?

Corridor Crew focused particularly on a mesmerizing sequence where Christine restores herself from a battered wreck back to pristine condition. They revealed how the filmmakers cleverly utilized reverse footage alongside a duplicate model made from softer, more flexible plastics. This model was systematically destroyed using high-powered hydraulic pumps, only for the footage to be reversed, creating the illusion of the car’s miraculous self-repair.

Despite their general admiration, Gorski pointed out minor imperfections in the “vacuum-formed” model, which somewhat revealed the mechanics behind the magic. Nevertheless, this scene remains a testament to the innovative spirit of practical effects in the pre-digital era. Christine may not have won Stephen King’s outright approval, but its blend of horror and technical artistry continues to earn praise.

John Carpenter and Keith Gordon Weigh In on the New Vision for Christine

Christine, the 1983 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, helmed by John Carpenter, has maintained an intriguing foothold in popular culture despite its age and the original author’s well-publicized discontent. Stephen King has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the adaptation, much like his grievances with The Shining, citing a lack of engagement with the cinematic interpretation of his work.

Related John Carpenter’s 10 Best Movie Characters From morally ambiguous anti-heroes to slasher icons that are pure evil, John Carpenter’s characters are among the most creative of the past decades.

In 2021, an announcement reignited interest in Christine’s menacing allure. Sony Pictures Entertainment, in collaboration with Blumhouse Productions and headed by producer Jason Blum, declared plans for a remake of Christine. Bryan Fuller, known for his work on Hannibal and American Gods, was tapped to direct and pen the script, marking a new chapter in his career. Despite the completion of the script later that year, updates have since been scarce, though both John Carpenter and Keith Gordon have extended their well-wishes to Fuller’s endeavor.

Carpenter
: Oh boy. Well, good luck to him.
It will probably be better
.

Gordon
: I think [Fuller’s] really talented, and a good person to do it. I mean,
I don’t have a negative feeling about people remaking something, especially 40 years later.
Christine could be told in a different way and not be an insult to the original. There’s a very short list of untouchable classics that should never be remade – films where their groundbreaking-ness or idiosyncrasy is what makes them special. I wouldn’t want to see anybody’s remake of Citizen Kane, or 2001, or Raging Bull.

The upcoming remake may stir excitement among the original film’s fans, but it begs the question: How will modern filmmaking techniques and visual effects elevate the sentient car’s terrifying capabilities?

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