Salem's Lot

Superb modern vampire thriller. A must see for all vamipre-movie lovers. No more words needed. This is really a great film and very well worth watching more than once.

Teaser: Not many Stephen King novels hold up well on-screen, and made-for-TV vampire movies aren't known for good values but this version of Salem's Lot defied the odds and is top-notch.

Plot: David Soul plays a successful writer, drawn back to his native village in Maine by lingering childhood memories of the evil 'Marsden House.' Just at that time, Barlow (James Mason) and Straker also arrive. They are actually a human front man and an old vampire, drawn by the same house, and by the petty sins and intrigues of the small, isolated town.

Acting: Soul is good but doesn't have to carry the film himself. Veteran character actor Kenneth MacMillan does a great police constable, and a young Bonnie Bedila does a good love interest. Others such as Lew Ayers fill in well.

The rest: Directing, cinematography, and editing are obviously for-TV but not bad. The effects are still pretty scary and not too cheesy even at the worst moments. The plot is generally, but not always predictable. Real structures and places, not sets, make the film more believable.

In short- Still scary, creepy, nightmare-inducing. A real value price, too. If you like scary movies, this is a must-have.

Actually, I enjoyed this version way better than the Rob Lowe re-make of a couple years back. And I thought this version exceeded the novel in some ways.

Best parts: James Mason just crackles with British irony throughout, especially when he tells eager townspeople how much they will like meeting Mr. Barlow (the vampire). Also (small spoiler) Barlow is made up to be the virtual clone of Max Shreck as Count Orlock in Nosferatu!

Oh, yeah; you gotta have this one.

This an all time classic as far as dracula movies go, its somewhat scary and the story line is great.

I've seen "Salem's Lot" about a bizillion times and I still LOVE IT! The cast is great, the plot moves along, and the part that I still love is when I finally get to see the elusive "Mr. Barlow." Spooookkkyy! Just the thought of having "Mr. Barlow" putting his fangs in my neck gives me the heebie jebbies!

In the many ways horror television was hampered in the 70's regarding horror, it's surprising this 2 parter was so successful at the creep out. Since the grue had to be downplayed, Tobe Hooper and crew relied on mood and implication. And considering the standards and practices albatross around his neck, did a really good job.

I thought that David Soul was perfectly cast, and even though Lance Kerwin was about 2 years too old, the uncanny resemblance between the two actors really helped the story. Barlow was scary but somewhat inane, James Mason taking up the slack.

BTW, here's how you use the Kurt Barlow that Stephen King envisioned. Keep him in the shadows, his voice quiet, calm and detached. Reasonable. Then, savage and animal in an instant. Remember our friend Hannibal Lecter? It's not that difficult.

This is what really drives me crazy though, with HBO and SHOWTIME in existence will somebody somewhere please give the treatment that Stephen Kings novels deserve to THE STAND and SALEMS LOT as well?

The fact that so many Stephen King novels have been adapted within a muzzled TV framework is basically an absurd joke.