Hyped as the first "original" mini-series written by Stephen King this originally aired in three parts (and runs an at times dull 156 minutes!) but it could've easily been cut down to a nice, compact two hours.

On the Maine island town of Little Tall things couldn't been more "small town" as everyone knows everyone, there's little conflict, and they barely need to have any sort of law enforcement (in fact local grocer Tim Daly doubles as the Marshall) but all that is thrown into conflict when they not only have to face a brutal winter storm that effectively cuts them off from the outside World, but they also has a stranger in their midst with Colm Feore who seems to have the power to know everything about everyone and influence people to do things against their will (and this being a horror movie it usually involves murder). He's there for something and it's up to Daly and the townsfolk to find out what.

While the premise gives director Craig R. Baxley the perfect opportunity to build mood (and he does a pretty good job of it at first) this just gets too tiresome due to the utter repetivness of it, I swear if I had to hear Feore's character say "Give me what I want, and I'll go away" one more time. Plus the problem is that the entire thing feels dragged out, King's script lacks explanation for a good portion of the running time (I found it annoying that it didn't reveal what Feore wanted until the town did - though it's admittedly easy to figure out), and it's just bland.

Feore gives an alright sarcastic performance and the acting overall is good, Baxley does direct it steadily, and there's a few striking moments; but over all this is quite passable. (Chris Hartley, 9/26/04)

Directed By: Craig R. Baxley.
Written By: Stephen King.

Starring: Tim Daly, Colm Feore, Debrah Farentino, Casey Siemaszko.