Salem’s Lot (1979) (Movie Review)
Directed By: Tobe Hooper
Starring: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin
Young novelist returning home to Salem’s Lot after many years is disturbed by the strange behavior of its people. He begins to believe that the source of the trouble may be the eerie old Marsten House that overlooks the town.
While a lot of stuff written by Stephen King was adapted for the big screen, I feel Tobe Hooper really did a great job of capturing the scary mood and atmosphere of Salem’s Lot. There thing was originally a mini series that aired during a week, but was cut down to a much shorter VHS version, and then turned into a three hour film on DVD. I have the shorter VHS, but I didn’t watch it and hadn’t watched it. Instead I seeked out the three hour cut to get the more full effect of things and I’m happy I did in a lot of ways. This isn’t a film you will always want to watch a three hour version of, but for a first time viewing and if it has been a long while, the that is a fine version to go with. The end results of this film is one of the spookiest things that has ever aired on TV and while there is no blood, you still got to admire the true horror nature of this thing today.
What could have made the film better than it was? Well, it may be taken off in other cuts, but I didn’t like the start that shows our main characters after the events of this film. I also don’t like the part that goes back to that after the film reaches a part that could have been a nice creepy ending on it’s own. The book-endings of this one is what I think could have hit the cutting room floor to make a near perfect, if not perfect vampire flick. Still, I can’t help but to love the movie and it was love at first watch. Stephen King, Tobe Hooper, and vampires is a great combination for any horror lovers. If you haven’t seen this movie then by all means seek it out NOW.
