This 1979 TV movie is based on the crackling good novel by Stephen King. The story concerns Ben Mears (David Soul) who is returning to his hometown of Salem's Lot. He has come back to write a new novel and settles in to his seemingly quaint home. Soon after, strange occurrences begin happening in this little town. People start disappearing and reappear as terrifying vampires with pale visages and nasty, pointed teeth. Ben slowly discovers the truth and with the help of Mark Petrie (Lance Kerwin), a young escape artist and aspiring actor, tries to stop the vampires.
James Mason and Reggie Nalder are the lead villains. The former plays Straker, the evil shopowner who is new to town. Nalder plays the blue-faced vampire Barlow whom Straker is also introducing to the unsuspecting citizens. Nalder makes Barlow a truly scary individual and doesn't say a word, just hisses and stares! Yikes!
Salem's Lot is a fast-paced, action-packed and compelling story. In addition to a great cast, it has a great music score by Harry Sukman (yes, that is his name) and assured direction by Tobe Hooper who directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Billy Idol's classic music video Dancing with Myself.
See this movie in its' four hour original miniseries TV form to get the whole story (This version IS on DVD). The two hour version shown on HBO in the early 80's is okay, but it omits a lot of the movie and some characters are reduced to only a cameo.
This movie doesn't suck!
Comments