Kiefer Sutherland Shares Story of STAND BY ME Co-Star River Phoenix and How It Inspired the Film's Title

When it comes to coming-of-age films, Stand by Me holds a special place in my heart and the hearts of many movie enthusiasts. The 1986 Rob Reiner-directed masterpiece, based on Stephen King's short story "The Body," introduced audiences to a group of young friends embarking on an adventure to find a dead boy, and along the way, it becomes a journey of self-discovery and friendship. Kiefer Sutherland, one of the film's stars, recently shared a touching story from the set, shedding light on how a shared experience with River Phoenix led to the film's iconic title.

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Kiefer Sutherland reminisced about his time filming Stand by Me and fondly remembered his late co-star, River Phoenix, saying:

“We were making Stand by Me, which was a Stephen King short story called The Body, and River Phoenix was learning guitar and playing guitar and he was actually very, very good. And he was getting really good at a very, very fast rate, and I was playing Stand by Me and singing that song, and he said, ‘Oh, I love the melody of that song,’ and he hadn’t heard it before.”

Inspired by Phoenix's curiosity and eagerness to learn, Sutherland took it upon himself to teach him the song. Little did they know that this simple act would go on to have a significant impact on the film's title.

Director Rob Reiner happened to be walking by during Sutherland and Phoenix's little music lesson. Sutherland said:

"So I was teaching it to him, and Rob Reiner walked by and said, 'Oh, I haven't heard that song for a long time, I love it. And then that was the end of that discussion.”

Reiner ended up incorporating the classic Ben E. King song, "Stand by Me," into the film's soundtrack. It became a pivotal element in the movie, beautifully complementing the heartfelt journey of the young protagonists. Naming the film after the song "was part of the conversation," Sutherland revealed.

Released in 1986, Stand by Me captures the essence of childhood friendships and the bittersweet moments of growing up. The film also starred a talented ensemble cast, including Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell, who delivered unforgettable performances that have continued to resonate with audiences for generations.

This is such a fun little tidbit of information about an incredible film. Reiner was recently asked about his most underrated film, and he used the opportunity to share his feelings about Stand By Me. He shared why this particular film holds unparalleled emotional significance for him.

“That's the one that means the most to me, that has the most emotional connection for me of all the films I've made. I don't know if it's my best, but it's the one that means the most to me. I was 12 in 1959. I had three other friends; I didn't go through what they did, but I also had the feeling of not knowing how my father felt about me.”

We talk in-depth about Stand By Me and the making of it in an episode of our Secret Level podcast, which you can listen to here.