Salem's Lot TV version, 1979

[Hedji]

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

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Hedji]

Or... Barlow has you hypnotized!!!

[YoungOnce]

I read the book last summer, and can't remember if it was like that in the book. Either way, the way you remember it sounds cool. I hope it does exist, and we one day get to see the scene.

Well, what you said about mixing up movies is completely a possibility. It was a long time ago, the actual airing in 1979.

But in my mind, it's very vivid. Crazy... I mean... I could be crazy...

[Bruce Banner]

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

[Hedji]

Excellent. Would love to hear if you find it.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

I'll have a check on this later and report back. The shotgun in the moth scene is 100% on my DVD, but going to have to check for Barlow floating around any room. Like I said in my earlier post, I'm only 'sure' it's there.

[Hedji]

I read the book last summer, and can't remember if it was like that in the book. Either way, the way you remember it sounds cool. I hope it does exist, and we one day get to see the scene.

[YoungOnce]

If so, I would love to see it. If its an outtake that got edited in, or whatever. Is it just Barlow floating inside the Marsten House, or is it another predatory scene?

Not saying it doesn't exist, but Tom Holland borrowed Heavily from the climax of Salem's Lot when he made Fright Night. The Jerry Dandridge vampire turning into a bat and flying around the house could maybe confuse memories. Just a thought.

I could be completely off, but my memory was of the boy Mark, and maybe someone else with him, exploring the old house in a scene earlier in the movie. That's where he sees Barlow, maybe for the first time. He escapes. The DVD movie shows Mark breaking into the house near the end for the climax of the series and that's it. It's crazy, but that's how I remember seeing Barlow either flying or floating in one of the rooms in th old mansion.