| The movie "The Night Flier" was based on King's short story "The Night Flier" which first appeared in the collection "Prime Evil" edited by Douglas E. Winter. This book was first published as a limited edition (limited to 1000 copies) hardcover by Donald M. Grant in April 1988. It was republished for mass market as a trade hardcover by New American Library in June 1988. It was later collected in King's Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993).
This excellent film starring Miguel Ferrier and Julie Entwile had me totally captivated from the first minute. Although it is not totally true to the short story, the theme and feeling of dread are accurately carried onto the screen by director Mark Pavia, and through brilliant acting, a good script, and some rather gruesome special effects.
This film adaptation aired on HBO (November 1997) and was seen in European territories prior to the American theatrical release. An unknown vampiric Cessna pilot is suspected of night murders at remote airfields. At the tabloid Inside View, longtime reporter Richard Dees (Miguel Ferrer) expresses disinterest, so eager newcomer Katherine Blair (Julie Entwisle) is instead given the story by editor Merton Morrison (Dan Monahan). Then there's another murder, prompting Dees to reverse himself. He demands the story back and takes after the killer in his one private plane, tracking witnesses, gathering grue, and staging photos when the subject looks too dull. Blair is also on the trail, and the two newshounds are soon competing. Both are out for blood — and so is the night flier. Stephen King campaigned for director Mark Pavia and co-scripter Jack O'Donnell to steer The Night Flier after he saw their short film Drag, which King
called "the best short horror film I've seen in 20 years." Locations included Wilmington, North Carolina. The character of tabloid journalist Richard Dees was first introduced in Stephen King's 1979 novel The Dead Zone.
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Stephen King Movie Index
