It

Stephen King’s It is a two-part American television miniseries adapted from King’s 1986 novel of the same name. ABC broadcast its first part on November 18, 1990, and its conclusion on November 20. Tommy Lee Wallace directed the production from a teleplay by Lawrence D. Cohen, who had previously written the screenplay for Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation of Carrie. Although its story is set chiefly in the fictional Maine town of Derry, the miniseries was filmed in British Columbia, including New Westminster. The narrative moves between 1960 and 1990. In 1960, seven socially isolated children form the Losers Club: Bill Denbrough, Beverly Marsh, Ben Hanscom, Richie Tozier, Eddie Kaspbrak, Mike Hanlon, and Stan Uris. They discover that Derry is preyed upon by a shape-shifting entity that commonly appears as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Pennywise exploits each child’s particular fears, including Bill’s grief over his murdered younger brother, Georgie. The children confront the creature in the town’s sewer system and make a blood oath to return if it ever comes back. Thirty years later, Mike, the only member who remained in Derry, recognizes the return of the killings and telephones the other Losers. Most have left town and become successful adults, but their childhood memories have largely faded. Bill is now a novelist, Beverly is a fashion designer, Ben is an architect, Richie performs as a comedian, Eddie works in risk management, and Stan is an accountant. Stan, unable to face the renewed terror, dies by suicide shortly after Mike’s call. Tim Curry’s Pennywise is the miniseries’ most recognized performance. His version of the clown speaks with a theatrical, taunting manner and repeatedly uses the line, “We all float down here.” Richard Thomas plays adult Bill, while Jonathan Brandis plays the younger Bill. Annette O’Toole and Emily Perkins portray adult and young Beverly; John Ritter and Adam Faraizl play adult and young Ben; Dennis Christopher and Seth Green play Richie; Richard Masur and Jack Dylan Grazer’s predecessor, Adam Faraizl, are among the adult and child ensemble; Tim Reid plays Mike, and Marlon Taylor plays him as a child. The returning Losers ultimately enter Derry’s sewers again, where Pennywise takes the form of a giant spider-like creature. They destroy its heart, ending its cycle of feeding and freeing Derry from its influence. The miniseries received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries or Special.