Starring - Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell & Kiefer Sutherland.
Running Time - 89 minutes
Rated - 15

This is one of the oldest films in the Top Ten and a movie that may have passed many of you by. Stand By Me is the story of true friendship and the loss of innocence. It follows four young boys each with their own problems and burdens on their lives on an unforgettable adventure.

The group is comprised of the flamboyant Teddy (Feldman), tough guy Chris Chambers (Phoenix), overweight and over-frightened Vern Tessio (O’Connell) and sensitive Gordie Lachance (Wheaton). Wanting to become heroes within their home town the four boys set out on an adventure to find a missing dead body. What does follow is a trek of self discovery for the entire group whose own personal strengths are highlighted and weaknesses exposed.

The dangers that the group are exposed too only manages to bring the group together stronger. They sneak smokes, tell tall stories, escape from trains and face the junk mans dog Chopper. When they realise that a local gang is also after the body it gives the four of them a strength they never knew they had.

Although this film is over twenty years old now for me it is completely ageless. The laughs are abundant in the film and it moves along at a perfect pace. The young actors give sterling performances, in particular was River Phoenix whose young death ripped the movie industry of a potential star.

Best Bit: All I’ll say is leaches and underpants.
Rating: 5 out of 5, a true heart warmer and a rare opportunity to see a young movie star in River Phoenix.