Salem's Lot TV version, 1979

[Hedji]

Or... Barlow has you hypnotized!!!

[drquest]

This seems to talk a little about the gun in the mouth scene.

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=506242

This also confirms the shotgun scene.

http://www.mondo-digital.com/salemslot.html

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

Had a flick through my DVD a couple of nights back and I can confirm that the gun in the mouth scene is included on the UK DVD. As for Barlow floating around the old house, I could find nothing. As I say though, I did only have a flick through and could have possibly missed it 'IF' it is there. I need to watch all the way through.

For those who may not know, it's getting a blu ray release in Germany on September 22nd. No news on any other countries as yet, but it can't be far off.

[Toyman_Chris]

I am a huge fan of this miniseries and I really enjoyed the Rob Lowe remake (possibly as much). I do not recall a "Barlow floating" scene and I have seen the movie at least 20 times. I have the original DVD version that was first released and it was just like the two VHS tape version.

[great_chandel]

Many years ago, Fangoria Magazine reported that the makeup on Barlow had been ranked the scariest vampire ever on screen (Nosferatu was a close second).I loved the original "Salem's Lot." James Mason was a superb actor! Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Lew Ayres, Geoffrey Lewis -- all marvelous (and all deceased). It was by far the best role David Soul ever had. However, the remake was just a poor man's rehash. As good as Rob Lowe and Donald Sutherland are in certain roles ( The Stand and Invasion of the Body Snatchers come to mind), the TNT made film was very disappointing on all levels.

[YoungOnce]

Many years ago, Fangoria Magazine reported that the makeup on Barlow had been ranked the scariest vampire ever on screen (Nosferatu was a close second).I loved the original "Salem's Lot." James Mason was a superb actor! Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Lew Ayres, Geoffrey Lewis -- all marvelous (and all deceased). It was by far the best role David Soul ever had. However, the remake was just a poor man's rehash. As good as Rob Lowe and Donald Sutherland are in certain roles ( The Stand and Invasion of the Body Snatchers come to mind), the TNT made film was very disappointing on all levels.

And I agree. I love that Barlow was not a dashing, Dracula-type vampire. He was a raw and violent creature. I don't think the show would have lived on in my memory if he had been another handsome leading actor type. This might be my favorite Steven King adaptation.

[Hedji]

Yup. As much as I like Rutger Hauer, nothing about his Barlow was memorable in the TNT remake. It was nice to see some scenes from the book, like the rotten bus driver with the Vampire kids. But the 1979 version has it beat in every other way. I'm sure the TNT version will not be remembered decades from now traumatizing kids the way the original did.

[mazinz]

not sure if you were aware of this but the US blu for Salems lot is coming out shortly (Sept from Warner Bors) also with a new commentary track

[Hedji]

Can't wait. Dirt cheap at about $10 with a new Tobe Hooper commentary track.

[cjefferys]

Love the book and love the TV miniseries. Still one of my very favourite works by King.

For fans of the book, the character of Father Callahan shows up in the last three volumes of King's Dark Tower series.

[Spawn67]

Did anyone see this when it originally aired?

[enyawd72]

Did anyone see this when it originally aired?

One of the best King adaptations ever put on film...I think it holds up incredibly well. I think it still scares people who see it for the first time. I watched it when it first aired in 1979 at the tender age of seven. I don't even remember the Master, but there are two images that terrified me and I have never been able to get them out of my head...the first was Ralphie Glick floating outside the window clawing to get in, and the second was Danny Glick sitting up in his coffin.

I'm 44 years old now, and I often stay up late on the weekends to work on art or models...sitting at the kitchen table right next to our French doors, and sometimes, just sometimes, I look over my shoulder and half expect to see Ralphie Glick floating there. Still gives me the creeps to this day.

[Mikey]

I've never even heard of a Rob Lowe Rutger Hauer remake until today.

[LonnieFisher]

I watched it when it originally aired. I didn't like it. I thought it was boring.

[Hedji]

Like Dwayne, I saw it at the same age, and it ruptured my 7 year old brain. I mean, this thing messed me up for real. I could not sleep for months after. Months. I had to sleep with my back to the window because of the Glick boys scenes.

Today, I adore it.

Incidentally, it is now on Blu Ray, but Warner underestimated the demand for it, so the distribution is really poor. My Barnes and Noble preorder is in total limbo. I'm obsessively checking every day. People who have received theirs say the restoration for Blu Ray is stunning. This is now my number one holy grail for home video.