Salem's Lot (1979 TV mini-series)
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| Salem's Lot | |
|---|---|
 French Salem's Lot poster |
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| Directed by | Tobe Hooper |
| Produced by | Richard Kobritz |
| Written by | Stephen King (novel) Paul Monash |
| Starring | David Soul James Mason Bonnie Bedelia Elisha Cook Jr. |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | 17 November 1979 (USA) |
| Running time | 184 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4,000,000 |
| Followed by | A Return to Salem's Lot |
| IMDb profile | |
Salem's Lot was a 1979 TV mini-series based on Stephen King's vampire novel, Salem's Lot. The film was directed by Tobe Hooper and starred David Soul, James Mason, Lew Ayres, and Bonnie Bedelia.
The lead vampire in the telefilm was inspired by the motion picture Nosferatu and became a cult classic. And like Nosferatu, the film is distinguished from other works of the vampire genre in that the vampires are portrayed as monstrous and repulsive rather than sexy and charismatic. Though based upon King's novel, the mini-series, due to time constraints and other factors, is not a literal adaptation, but was largely faithful to the book.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
[edit] Plot
The story opens in a small Maine town called Jerusalem's Lot, which the locals refer to as Salem's Lot. Writer Ben Mears, a former resident, returns to the town of his childhood due to his fascination with the Marsten House. Both interested and fearful of the mansion, Mears attempts to rent it, but finds that another new arrival has beat him to the property, the mysterious Richard Straker. Straker opens an antique shop and reveals to townspeople that an even more mysterious silent partner, Kurt Barlow, is also set to move into the Marsten House. Intrigued by the new owners, Mears finds himself a suspect to the disappearance of a young boy, Ralphie Glick, that coincides with the arrival of Straker and Mears. Mears develops a romantic relationship with a local woman, Susan Norton, and reveals to her his view that the Marsten House is somehow inherently evil. Mears renews his old friendly relationship with his old school teacher, Jason Berk, and befriends Susan's father Dr. Bill Norton. During the course of the mini-series various strange events begin to take place after two workmen, Ryerson and Tibbets, are sent to retrieve a large crate and place it in the Marsten House basement. The crate turns out to contain Barlow, the master vampire who has come to the town after having sent his 'familiar' (Barlow) or human thrall to the town to make way for his arrival. Various sub-plots are alluded to such as the real estate agent, Larry Crockett, who sells the property and also happens to be sleeping with his secretary. After Straker cryptically informs Crockett that he will be rewarded, he is attacked, presumably by Barlow. The Glick boy is never found, but returns as a vampire to claim his brother, Danny. Danny is found dead in his hospital bed and is buried, but rises from the dead and strikes first at Ryerson and then a friend, Mark Petrie, who happens to be a horror fan. Though Danny exerts his hypnotic control over Mark, Mark seems aware of the danger as a horror aficionado, and resists Danny and drives him away with a small cross. Thus, begins a showdown between those who are aware of what is happening in the town and Straker and Barlow. Slowly the vampires spread as Mears, Norton, Petrie, and Burke attempt to do something to stop the town's takeover. Mears and Dr. Norton visit the county morgue to examine the body of the now-deceased Mrs. Glick, and during the course of their investigation, she resurrects as a vampire and attacks them. Norton, now convinced, teams up with Mears to take action. Burke, though initially helpful, falls prey to a heart attack following a visit from the vampire Ryerson. Susan, though seemingly skeptical, plays along until she spots the Petrie boy spying on the Marsten House. She follows him and together they enter the house, but are trapped by Straker. Mears and Dr. Norton attempt a rescue and run into Straker who kills Norton. Though seemingly human, Straker turns out to be something of a ghoul as he takes several bullets to the abdomen and continues to move until finally succumbing to his wounds. Petrie and Mears later kill Barlow, but Susan is nowhere to be found. Both flee the town after setting it alaze in the hopes of 'purifying' the evil that has engulfed the town. Later, both are seen in a small town in Central America. Having taken refuge at a mission, Mears and Petrie appear to be running from the vengeful vampires. Mears seems able to know when the vampires are close when he gazes into holy water and goes to pack his things when he finds Susan laying in his bed. It is clear that she is a vampire, and he leans down to embrace her. She prepares to bite him, but he stakes her. Mears and Petrie then leave the mission, presumably with the vampires on their trail.
[edit] Production
[edit] Cult Status
Salem's lot has garnered a considerable cult following. Reasons for this are most probably the adherence to King's original novel and the film's overall quality considering it was produced for television.
