SALEM'S LOT: Still good after 30 years...

[David Lee]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/82/Salemslotthemovie.jpg/225px-Salemslotthemovie.jpg

I just have to say that I have been really enjoying the 1979 T.V. Adaptation of Stephen Kings second published novel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem%27s_Lot_(1979_TV_mini-series)). It really held up well! I have been so shocked that something that terrorized the 8 year old me still get's a good reaction out of the old fart me. But more importantly the show itself holds up, the production values and the effects are still quite good. If you haven't seen it in awhile? You should catch it on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuUorE6GTAc)or if it's on netflix or other format.

Nice to see somethings from childhood are still good...

Happy Halloween!
-Dave

[Meule]

It has been quite a while since I last saw this, but I've always enjoyed it.
Now I'm dying to see it again

[MIB41]

I LOVE Salem's Lot. A timeless classic that still holds plenty of chills to this very day. It's a staple at our household during Halloween or just whenever the mood strikes me. I'm very surprised no one has ever done a custom Salem's Lot vampire!

[Orion]

Great book and I remember enjoying the mini-series. I tried to track down the DVD this year, but couldn't find it. Nice to see I can catch it on youtube.

[megoapesnut]

Oh YEAH, great miniseries and awesome book, my favorite Stephen King novel by far. I watch the miniseries every year or so. I got my DVD from Amazon, I am sure they still have it available.

[wilbs518]

I watch this every year. Great movie.

[bgrimm77]

I just watched it the other night. My girlfriend had never seen it. It will alway's remain one of my top 5 favorite Halloween movies!

[johnmiic]

I saw a re-run of it on cable a few years back and it's still potent.

[alex]

I couldnt find a u.k release for this, so I specially bought a multi dvd player to watch it. I remember as a kid it scared the crap out of me, especially that scene where the vampire rises in the kitchen

[Goblin19]

Definitely still a good movie, with great atmosphere.

[The Toyroom]

Definitely scary when I was a kid....don't think I've seen it since

[David Lee]

Man when that James at 16 kid snags the cross off his Aurora style model kit to fend of the other kid vampire?! that's classic stuff...

-Dave

[Karen-bionic-fan]

I have it on now , its superb , going to watch freaky stuff all day :terror: best stay away from the mirror lol :terror:

[kissrules78]

The part where the kid is floating outside the window gave me nitemares for years, I don't know why I was allowed to watch this (I can't remember when I actually saw it on TV but I hope to heck it wasn't when it originally aired, I was 6 for crying out loud ma--6!!!).

[Nostalgiabuff]

I was maybe 8 or 9 when it originaly aired and it scarred the bejesus out of me. gave me nightmares. that Nosferatu clone was just plain scary as hell.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have never seen this, but given the great recommendations here, I will check it out by next Halloween!

Chris

[Goblin19]

When I was a kid, at some point shortly after the window scene, my mom asked me if I was okay. I said yes, but closed my eyes so I didn't have to watch and fell asleep soon after.

[Batman]

Yes it is classic and the master scared the crap out of me!

Especially that shot when David Soul was going to stake him then his head popped up!

I still jump when I see that...:terror:

[wolfie]

Am i right in saying that there are various versions of this knocking about?

[megoapesnut]

Various versions meaning different version of the 70's miniseries or different versions of Salem's Lot itself? There was a remake of it some years ago with Rob Lowe as Ben Mears and Rutger Hauer as Barlow. I do not know of any different versions of the actual 70's miniseries.

[megoapesnut]

Did anyone catch the Mego mummy figure in Mark Petrie's room as they were panning through it in one of the scenes?

[wolfie]

I was right, the dvd runs 183 minutes but there is a 112 minute version which was released in cinemas in the UK and is shown on cable in the US and is probably still around on VHS.

[MIB41]

Did anyone catch the Mego mummy figure in Mark Petrie's room as they were panning through it in one of the scenes?

Yep! I've seen that. I like the Aurora models he has as well. Great stuff.

[jimsmegos]

One of the few movies that ever really scared me as a kid. Still creeps me out today. Especially the window scene. Excellent flick!

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I don't think I have seen it but I remember reading it...I must have been 13.

[megoapesnut]

I don't think I have seen it but I remember reading it...I must have been 13.

Yeah, it is a great book. By far my favorite Stephen King novel. I read it once a year or so. I love how it doesn't really come across as a horror novel. The way it is written, it seems like it actually could have happened somewhere.

[artskull]

Anyone ever seen a custom of Barlow the vampire? Even as a Nosferatu wannabe, he was certainly creepy to me when I was 12.

[bleit1701]

I"m not really creeped out by movies but this one still gives me the willies. Something about the mood that says 'something evil is behind right now!'

[Bruce Banner]

Yeah, there are at least a couple of different cuts of the original version.
IMDB has the specs:

Broadcast on network TV in the United States to fill a 200 minutes time slot; later cut to 150 minutes. An alternate 112 minutes cable-TV cut was released theatrically in Europe and is available on video in the USA. The 112 minute version contains an altered scene of Cully Sawyer threatening Larry Crockett with a shotgun. Larry holds the shotgun barrel in his mouth, though in the mini-series he holds the barrel in front of his face. There is also an extended scene of Bill Norton impaled on antlers. Also, Salem's Lot: The Movie has some different music from the mini-series version.


DVD contains 183 minute version which is the complete mini-series.


The VHS 1987 version omits the scene where Ben and Mark are in Mexico, and a vampirized Susan is laying down on a cot in a hut. Then, Ben enters the room and impales her in the chest with a wooden stake.


It's a great adaptation.
I recently bought the novel (again) because it has some expanded content.