Dead children and dead animals. Stephen King was really going for a heartbreak / gut punch combo when he was writing the 1983 novel PET SEMATARY. When that material made it to the screen in the 1989 film adaptation, directed by Mary Lambert from a screenplay by King himself, it was one of the most deeply disturbing movies I had seen up to that point. I was just a young kid at the time, and what PET SEMATARY had to show me struck me to my core.
PET SEMATARY obviously had an impact on John Campopiano and Justin White as well, as the pair have spent the last four years working on UNEARTHED & UNTOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY,
a documentary film chronicling the origins of Stephen King’s bestselling horror novel, PET SEMATARY, as well as the subsequent film based on his novel. Through extensive interviews this documentary showcases the stories of many cast and crew and highlights how the local communities in Maine played an invaluable role in making the film. In addition to first-time interviews by cast and crew members and never-before-seen video footage from the sets in Maine, this documentary will also take you on an extensive tour of the filming locations from the film – emphasizing the true local flavor and influence of Maine on this timeless horror film.
According to Fangoria, the distribution rights to the documentary have now been acquired by Terror Films, who are planning to release it sometime in early 2016.
That's great news for Campopiano and White, the movie they've put years into will finally be making it out into the world, and for horror fans in general. It will be interesting to hear the stories behind the story that has troubled and scared so many of us.