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The 7-minute YouTube version of The Box that's worth watching
A mysterious stranger offers the deal of a lifetime. If you press an ominous button, someone somewhere in the world will die—and you'll be given a briefcase containing $10 million. Sound familiar?
No, it's not RIchard Kelly's The Box. Nor is it the Twilight Zone episode "Button, Button." In fact, the creators of the popular YouTube video "Black Button"—which has more than 1.4 million hits—state that they only learned of the RIchard Matheson short story that inspired both of those adaptations "long after we'd finished the film."
And you know something? We don't really care. All we know is that for a budget of only $200, the filmmakers managed to come up with an award-winning short film worth watching.
Check it out below.
By TheGigaShadow at 7:33 PM ON 11/08/09
"state that they only learned of the RIchard Matheson short story which inspired both of those adaptations "long after we'd finished the film."
Yeah, right. And if you believe that, I've got a bridge for sale you'll want to know about.
By Mandy at 10:19 PM ON 11/08/09
I like this version better than the movie or Twilight Zone episode. It's a better twist.
By bingus at 12:47 AM ON 11/09/09
Ahh Robert Grubb. Been a while since I've seen him. Looks like he made this with one of his relo's.
By cfolliot at 1:14 AM ON 11/09/09
VERY well done, but I agree that the film makers had to have known the story. I will give a little lee way in that maybe they saw it years ago like I did and subconciously came up with this interpretation. Btw, is anyone else bothered by the main character wearing a white shirt which blends into the background? Even while I thought "maybe it's symbolism" it still bugged me.
By Mandy at 4:01 AM ON 11/09/09
cfolliot, haven't you been paying attention? Both this, the film, and the Twilight Zone episode are based on a classic short story.
But I like this version best.
By Sheep Farm at 4:49 AM ON 11/09/09
Religion plays a role is almost everything.
By XcalPro at 9:48 AM ON 11/09/09
Never saw this episode of 'Chuck'.....
By KatsuKaze at 11:21 AM ON 11/09/09
Now this is the version of "The Box" I wish I had paid to see in the theaters... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiFKm6l5-vE
By Omen at 12:09 PM ON 11/09/09
Simple & powerful.
The mark of a good story.
By Hunter Green at 1:28 PM ON 11/09/09
The trolley problem has existed for at least as long as that story, if not longer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem Though this film (and perhaps the movie) violate the premise, which makes for a good story, but the original question is worth addressing too.
By jhawks1510 at 4:59 PM ON 11/09/09
"The Box" is a total ripoff of my novel that was just about to get published when the movie was announced and now I'm left hanging out to dry. It's about this guy who gives away free toilet paper to couples down on their luck. If they accept it, somebody in the world somewhere gets diarrhea. Then they get the toilet paper, someone else gets diarrhea, etc. It was a riveting novel. Now I'm screwed!
By Alhazred at 9:50 PM ON 11/09/09
Hey SYFY Is this all the stories U have for Monday? I know there's a lot more gonig on in the genre world! C'mon guys get off your butts!
By Mandy at 1:11 AM ON 11/10/09
Ummm, jhawks1510, this short film, the Box, the Twilight zone episode Button Button are ALL based on an old short story. No one stole your novel's plot. Technically YOU stole from Twilight Zone and the short story.
By ET II at 8:25 AM ON 11/10/09
#Well, you came and you gave without takin'
But I sent you away, Oh Mandy,
because of your sense of humour bypass#
Visit mobile.syfy.com/wire on your mobile device.
ET II:
#Well, you came and you gave without takin' But I sent you away, Oh Mandy, because of your sense of humour bypass#...More »