Salem's Lot (1979)
Last Watch Date - September 28, 2025
Total Times Watched - Once
Comments
This is technically a 2-part miniseries, but I bought it as a 1-part "movie." That means this will appear as both TV AND Movies. Isn't that exciting?
What I know most about this movie is that the cover inspired Ghost's first album. That album is much better than this movie, but that's not really saying too much as that album is at least a 9/10. So what do I think of THIS movie?
Stephen King movies are notoriously sloppy. There are so very few that are actually GOOD. Many of them have good parts but the whole doesn't quite work. The story in this is fine, although I think the vampires are oddly zombie-like. Very slow, seemingly idiotic and only driven by an urge to .. uhh create more of them I guess? It doesn't seem like they actively kill many people, they just seem to make more and more of them. This seems like a flaw in their plan as their food source (humans) is becoming competition after one feeding. What's the point?
The acting in this movie is really good because they actually got good actors to do it. So while the premise is a bit odd, it feels more realistic because of the acting. I was surprised to see Fred Willard in this, especially in a serious role. His appearance and disappearance has no bearing on the movie. There are a few characters like this.
I don't know if the book has this going on in it, but the movie feels longer because of how many weird detours they take. It makes the pace of the movie feel almost as slow as the vampires move. Why are we plodding around the cemetary so much in the beginning? Why are we focusing on this guy's dog? Why are there so many shots of people staring out windows?
There are parts of this that are reminiscent of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Both were directed by Tobe Hooper so I doubt that's an accident. It's weird to see the taxidermy animals, antlers, and bones in this context. I don't think it fits the vampire vibe very well. Speaking of the vampires, I'm glad they're monstrous and more Nosferatu-like than sparkle-skinned and sex-starved. Vampires are best when they're scary, not staring blankly into the distance in a blue tinted frame.
Recommended?
Hmm, sure. It's dated but it was enjoyable.
