Carrie (1976)
Evaluation and Summary
In this episode of 'What Went Wrong,' hosts Chris and Lizzie examine Brian De Palma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's 'Carrie,' marking the film's 50th anniversary. The episode explores the production history and challenges behind bringing King's debut novel to the screen. Key topics include why the novel initially struggled to find an adapter in Hollywood, the circumstances that led De Palma to pursue the project despite initial reluctance from studios, and De Palma's surprising resistance to casting Sissy Spacek in the titular role—a decision that ultimately proved crucial to the film's success. The hosts also investigate the infamous prom massacre sequence, examining both its cinematic impact and the behind-the-scenes realities of filming such an intense and technically complex scene. The episode promises insider perspective on how the practical effects and choreography created genuine tension and danger on set, making the sequence as harrowing to produce as it is to watch. The framing suggests the episode will balance critical analysis of what 'went wrong' (or right) during production with appreciation for how De Palma overcame obstacles to create a horror classic. The show appears to focus on production history, casting decisions, and technical filmmaking challenges rather than plot analysis or thematic criticism.
Verdict: A solid production-focused episode with strong behind-the-scenes knowledge and good entertainment value, but limited critical depth and unclear pacing efficiency.
TV & Film rubric
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Critical insight 2/5 20%
Show notes promise production history and behind-the-scenes details but give no indication of deeper thematic or artistic analysis of the film itself.
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Behind-the-scenes knowledge 4/5 20%
Strong focus on production challenges, casting decisions, De Palma's reluctance, studio resistance, and on-set filming of the prom sequence suggests substantive insider knowledge.
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Entertainment 3/5 15%
Two-host format with anecdotal production stories (De Palma's casting doubts, dangerous on-set conditions) suggests engaging conversation, though notes don't confirm comedic or particularly lively delivery.
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Substance 3/5 15%
Covers multiple production angles (adaptation history, casting, technical filmmaking) with specific details, but limited scope suggests some padding may exist in a 77-minute episode.
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Delivers on its title 4/5 15%
Title 'What Went Wrong' is somewhat ambiguous, but episode clearly explores production obstacles and challenges that could have derailed the film, delivering on the promised investigation.
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Value for time 3/5 15%
At 77 minutes for a production history deep-dive, pacing is reasonable but notes don't confirm whether the length is fully justified or contains tangential material.
Worth it if you're interested in classic horror filmmaking, Stephen King adaptations, or Brian De Palma's directorial approach rather than thematic film analysis.
Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.
Show notes
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