From Wikipedia:
‘Salem’s Lot is a 1975 horror novel written by Stephen King, and was the author’s second published novel. The title King originally chose for his book was Second Coming, but he later decided on Jerusalem’s Lot. The publishers, Doubleday, shortened it to the current title, thinking the author’s choice sounded too religious.
The novel has been adapted into a television mini-series twice, first in 1979 and years later in 2004. The novel was also adapted by the BBC as a seven part radio play in 1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/’Salem’s_Lot
Mark’s thoughts on this movie:
We chose to start with this movie to review mostly because this was one of the first horror movies that Toby and I watched together. We have a real thing for vampire flicks and this is a good one. The book is better, by far, but the made-for-tv movie wasn’t a bad adaption. This movie has always kind of given me the chills. The thought of the way this vampire-virus might spread through a small town is compelling. We are talking here about the 1979 version and not the newer one in 2004 – we might review that one later, but as I’ve read the book about 12 times and have watched the movie at least that many in the last 4 years we’ll stick with this one first.
One of my favorite parts in this movie is when the good doctor, played by Ed Flanders and Ben Mears played by Starsky and Hutch star, David Soul go to the morgue to see if a woman who they believe to have been bitten by a vampire would rise from the dead or not.
The vampires are a bit hokey by todays standards, but the movie seems to move along quite well and the acting is OK for a TV movie. I’m a huge fan of this movie. Its not the best vampire ever made – I’d leave that to Vampires by John Carpenter (the original – not the follow-ups), but this movie tends to do a pretty good job of following a pretty good book.
The other thing I like about this movie is that it seems to be one of the few films based on a Stephen King novel (except maybe Carrie, Firestarter, Coojo and IT) that really flows well. I mean the movie seems to take out all of the extra fluff from the book and really moves through the scenes with intesity.
If you haven’t seen the original Salem’s Lot, you should. It makes for a great night curled up on the couch with your significant other.
I’d give this one an 8 out of 10 stars.
What are your thoughts Toby? What about our visitors? Any comments from the peanut gallery?
Click on the link below if you wish to purchase From Dusk Till Dawn.
Tags: Salem's Lot, Stephen King, Vampires
Here are my thoughts on the movie:
I would agree with you Mark that Salem’s Lot is a must see for everyone that enjoys vampire movies. Now I’m not sure if you should watch it with your significant other or not though. She would need to enjoy vampire movies as well.
One of my favorite parts of the movie is when the brother has been already taken by the vampires and comes to his brothers window and the brother lets him in and is bitten. One of the reasons I like that part is of the music. There is also a YouTube video of most of it. You can check it out here
I’d give Salem’s lot an 7 out of 10 stars.
I think even if your significant other doesn’t enjoy vampire flicks that is even more reason to watch it with them. They”d be jumping in your lap! And that is not always a bad thing.
What does everyone think about reviewing John Carptenter’s Vampires next? One of my favorites and Toby and I have watched that together about 50 times.
And the rest of our list might be (please offer suggestions about what you guys want to discuss):
Dusk till Dawn
Night of the Living Dead
Bordello of Blood
Queen of the Damed
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I like the series better than the movie and NO Toby its not just because of Sarah Michelle Gellar – well not all anwyay)
Fright Night
Underworld
The Hunger
Blade
Lost Boys
Near Dark
As you can see I really dig vampire flicks
I also think we ought to throw in a couple of new, but good movies including:
The Others
The Grudge
Ring
The Saw Series
etc.
Suggestions are always welcome
Toby pick one of the above to do your next blog!
shnark!
I like the scene when the vampire brother appears at the window as well–for a couple of reasons.
1. It’s scary.
2. I’m not an expert on literary criticism but what little I have read of criticism written on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, for example, focus a lot on the blatant sexuality of vampires (a fine focus for movies like the From Dusk till Dawn series). What I especially like about this scene is that it’s two brothers, so unless your a critic who’s willing to go down the homosexual incest road, you’re not going to be able to simply explain this away by saying that it’s all repressed sexuality. (For the following my memory may be failing me on the details–it’s been a while since I’ve seen this one.) It’s about a young boy who desperately misses and grieves his brother who just died and feels quite a bit of guilt about his brother’s death. To wrap up, it’s one of those scenes that drives home how evil and insidiously dangerous a vampire is–a vampire is more than just a sex-crazed predator.
Anyway, I happened upon this site and couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. See you tomorrow at the picnic!
Yeah I like that scene too. It is really creepy. Especially the nails scraping on the window. It is almost as bad as nails on the chalkboard.