Comments on: Salem’s Lot (1979)

by: paulwjm

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:20:14 +0000

Seems I’m outnumbered about the theatrical version! It may well be because this is the cut I got to know most (because it was available for years before the full-length if I recall correctly). I remember many scenes scaring the piss out of me in SL, even as an adult! This was the first time I’d really watched it where many of those scenes didn’t have the same effect unfortunately. I think that’s a good point about Barlow, Cal, it definitely adds to the impact of the character.

You may well be right about the ’sequel’, Mike, but it’s been so long since I saw it that I can’t make critical comments.

by: Cal

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:28:15 +0000

I’ve only watched this version once and I have to say I was a little disappointed as it all seemed to move too fast. I preferred the original TV version, which, if I remember correctly, was shown in two parts. I watched this long before reading the novel, but believe me there’s plenty of stuff not included even in the longer version. This was probably the most meandering Stephen King novel of them all, and contained many trivialities and extraneous information. So even the longer version feels trimmed down considerably.

But you’re right about the vampire. I don’t know of a more frightening depiction of the subject. I particularly remember a scene involving the priest which scared the living p*ss out of me as a kid.

I always liked the fact (in the film and in the novel) that Barlow’s background is never known. In today’s films, it’s likely he’d get the full sympathetic “origin of a vampire” back-story and completely blow all the mistique.

I want to see this again now!

by: Mike

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:27:17 +0000

I have to admit to liking the TV version more - it takes a while to get going, but you do see all the character development and what makes the heroes tick. When it was shown over here, I remember being absolutely terrified by it - the kid at the window, which looks ridiculous now, was horrendous at the time.

As for A Return to Salem’s - bobbins, as I recall.