![Stephen King Presents : Kingdom Hospital (4 Disc Box Set) [2004] [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71emIBrMNML.jpg)
Product Description Kingdom Hospital is the first television series written and produced by Stephen King, the legendary master of horror. Kingdom Hospital is not like other hospitals--it is built on the wreckage of two horrific fires. The first fire, during the civil war, burned down the Gates Falls Mill, where small children toiled away under nightmarish conditions--nearly all of the long-suffering children were trapped and died in the fire. The second fire destroyed the "old Kingdom," a creepy hospital where an evil doctor performed hideous experiments on patients. The "new Kingdom" is the site of strange, paranormal phenomena, where the unquiet dead still roam. In every episode, over 20 regular and recurring characters check in and out of Kingdom Hospital, playing out the eternal conflict between good and evil. .co.uk Review Kingdom Hospital is horror novelist Stephen Kings adaptation of Danish director Lars Von Triers cult mini-series The Kingdom, geared very much for an American audience. The story unfolds across 15 hours, telling the story of a hospital in Maine thats been built on the site of a 19th Century mill fire that killed most of its young occupants--themes that King fans will be familiar with. In the present day, Kingdom Hospital is haunted by the ghost of ten-year-old child labourer Mary and, even more bizarrely, a fearsome giant anteater-like creature called Antubis. It falls to the ace doctor Hook (Andrew McCarthy), the paraplegic artist Jack Coleman (Peter Rickman) and the hypochondriac psychic Sally Druse (Diane Ladd) to enlist the help of a surreal assortment of hospital staff and patients to help Mary and save Kingdom Hospital itself from certain doom. Fans of Stephen King will probably enjoy the blend of black comedy, spectral horror and general weirdness, which owes a big debt to previous television series like Twin Peaks and even ER. But too often, Kingdom Hospital seems to be trying too hard to make itself into a cult series, something which King is just not a subtle enough writer to carry off. But Kingdom Hospital looks good, especially the CGI Antubis, who steals every scene in which he appears. Generally, though, the series is more of an entertaining experiment than a cult-in-the-making. --Ted Kord
A**R
Great story plot
Must watch
C**A
Kingdom Hospital - Not that bad but not that good that I'd want to be admitted.
I love, love, love, anything King related, although I will be critical and not just a super fan that sucks up anything that his name is put to. I am having a complete revival of tv shows that I used to love and Kingdom Hospital was one of them. It's not quite what I remember. The acting can be a bit dubious in places, although there are standout performances from a couple of people - I'm quite impressed with Horn-rimmed glasses man (I don't know his name, I only remember him being in Heroes), who actually plays a coma patient quite well and I can never fault Andrew McCarthy seeing as I've been in love with him since first watching Catholic Boys. The storyline is intriguing and unsettling and it does have the King vibe, despite it not being an original King story. There is also almost a Lynchian element to the performances and off kilter storyline.I've only given it three stars because there is definitely room for improvement on this but all in all an enjoyable and entertaining watch. It also fits nicely in my small Stephen King museum I appear to be creating in my house.
L**S
great drama, if you know the basis of it.....
Having seen Lars Von Trier's original work "Riget The Kingdom", this series is the American adaption with a few more characters thrown in, more surrealism and up to date effects, although Von Trier's RIGET is a truly original gritty piece of work, that remains great as it is.This series takes it to a whole new level, and in a somewhat different direction, with plotlines, animation and you can feel S. King's personal influence and touch adapting this, although there still are running similarities with RIGET. A good surrealist horror/drama/black comedy set in a hopsital, built on a foul history, based around the lives of the living and the dead inhabitants. Hours of entertainment, if you take it for what it is, and try not to compare it too much to King's other work, or Lars Von Trier's work. It is a mix of minds.
M**L
I first saw this a good few years ago and enjoyed it
I first saw this a good few years ago and enjoyed it, so thought I would watch it again on DVD, it wasn't as good second time around, but i did find it a good watch. The comedy bits in it were not overly to my liking, I prefer a ghost story to be more serious.
T**R
Not his best, but still good
I love anything to do with Stephen King. This was not one of his best, but still worth a watch if you’re a fan of his work.
M**E
Great viewing
Originally saw bits of this when on late night TV. Bought the series as something to view when nothing on the channels. A really strange quirky series but highly entertaining which kept us watching.
D**T
Original is better by lars von trier
Original is better by lars von trier.... but saying that its lovely to see a version that didnt just try to do a straight copy. Its adds characters and situations that make very interesting viewing
M**Y
An excellent horror series!!!
A great show where all the characters play a specific role and do so par excellence. However, the best character is Mary, played by a very young Jodelle Ferland. Stephen King produces, and appears, in this series and does a fantastic jodelle with production & editing. This series is a must see for all.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
3 weeks ago
