Rating: 
Summary: Effective Vampire Thriller
Review: SALEM'S LOT is without a doubt the best miniseries adaptation of a Stephen King novel, and it rivals studio films like CARRIE, CUJO and THE SHINING. While not necessarily a fan of King's fiction, I appreciate that he weaves intricate relationships between key players into the fabric of his stories and builds characters with depth instead of just presenting one-dimensional folks dealing with scares. The best film adaptations of his work, those mentioned above, preserve these little details and SALEM'S LOT is no exception. With this in mind, consider only the definitive 183-minute version available on double VHS or DVD, as nearly every second of the film is essential and alternate VHS versions rob the viewer of nearly 70 minutes of film.
SALEM'S LOT is an exceptional triumph in that it doesn't really tell a new story, but it keeps the viewer's attention for a full three hours. The plot is basically the old standard: a vampire has settled in Salem's Lot and is quickly infecting the entire town. A brave few hunt the vampire and his minions down. The final confrontation between our hero, Ben Mears and Barlow made me wonder why people always try to stake a vampire in his coffin just as sunlight is waning - why don't they do it first thing in the morning with hours of daylight to spare? The dramatic tension is the obvious answer, and it works well in this film. In addition, the vampire make-up was remarkably well-done and James Mason deserves special mention for his incredibly evil performance as Barlow's henchman, Straker. A fine supporting cast is composed of TV actors as well as Hollywood names like Elisha Cook and Marie Windsor.
As cinema, the film has a deliberate, steady pace. Tobe Hooper's direction is not particularly innovative, but he does manage to create an eerie atmosphere throughout and provide more than a few real scares, despite the limitations imposed by the television format. The only drawbacks are necessary full screen presentation and the obvious commercial breaks which sometimes disrupt climactic points in the film. These minor irritations aside, SALEM'S LOT has a true cinematic feel.
All in all, one of the better vampire films I've seen. Highly recommended for purchase on DVD - you'll not get a better vampire film for your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Vampires are actually.............................Monsters !
Review: I saw this mini-series when it aired in 1979. I was 12. It was by far the most terrifiying vampire movie I had seen and to this day it is still the BEST. It doesn't present the vampire as some suave and irresistible Christopher Lee or Peter Sarandon. This vampire is not looking to charm you into giving up a neck bite. He is vicious and will kill you in a heartbeat to get your blood! I still watch it annually around Halloween to get a good scare. It is pure horror. No frills,no BS. It is SCARY !
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Stephen King Film
Review: This movie with interest you if it doesn't scare you. There is not much chance of it not scaring you anyway.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best T.V. films.
Review: Director Tobe Hooper(The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist) did a fine work for adaption Stephen King novel. The film has good performances from the cast, especially James Mason as the protector of the vampire. Some good scares from T.V. movie. We can see that the picture needed a bigger budget but it was fine the way that it`s looks. It is the most successful adaption for Stephen King`s only from television. DVD has fine picture quality and the sound is only one channel mono sound. Does played well on a home theater. Is better of seeing The Miniseries than Salem`s Lot:The Movie, it runs about 100 minutes and we never know what happen to Susan Norton, played by Bonnie Bedelia(Die Hard, Needful Things) but The Miniseries does. 4½ Stars/5 Stars.Travia:George A. Romero did want to directed the film, after the succesful Dawn Of The Dead. Stephen King was thrill but after finding out there was 2 or 3 another vampires films that came out in 1979. Movies Like:Nosferatu The Vampyre and another remake of Dracula. Warner Bros decided to make it for Television. Romero change his mind directing it, he didn`t want do the picture, he knew his vision for the film wasn`t possible for T.V. and Then Hooper came on board to filmed the Miniseries, after leaving a few days making science fiction picture was replaced by another director. Romero did work with Stephen King on Creepshow and the director did a small tribute to the book Salem`s Lot on Day of the Dead, while the zombie Bub was reading the book! Grade:A.
Rating:
Summary: A Vampire Movie that doesn't Suck
Review: Not all Stephen King books have translated well into cinema. There are some wonderful exceptions, principally Misery and Salem's Lot. The movie holds to the original story as closely as any literary adaptation I've seen. A few characters have been consolidated to streamline the film, and of course several subplots sacrificed. The general physical descriptions of Straker and Barlow, interestingly, are interchanged (except for the teeth), in their transition from print to celluloid. Performances by David Soul, Bonnie Bedelia, Gregory Lewis, and Lew Ayres are excellent. Of special note, James Mason, in one of his final performances, is superb as the sophisticated stranger/entrepreneur and covert servant to the sinister force that has come to Salem's lot. For a twenty year old movie, originally made for TV, I believe it holds it's own against any other offerings from this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Will make you wonder about your neighbors even more!
Review: First of all 'Salem's Lot is a fantastic book, Stephen King's follow up to Carrie, the book cemented his status as a blockbuster novelist, and well, the rest is history. However, for many Stephen King fans his let downs have come in the form of movie adaptations. But with 'Salem's Lot the film is so much a complimentary companion piece that it's almost like watching the novel, almost. The movie was unfortunately made for television and therefore limited what could be shown on screen. Director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist) more than adequately compensated for these limitations by distilling much of the overt violence in the novel down to menacing atmospheric techniques and subtle implications. Which for some reason is scary as hell. There are some scenes that should be down right laughable (the hospital scene for instance) but instead provoke a jump from the viewer, and yes, I'll admit it, even a scream. For all the horror movies I've seen this was the first to make me sleep with the lights on (of course I don't recommend letting an eight year old watch this movie, thanks Mom). I saw this before I read the novel and although I would have to say hands down that the novel is above and beyond better in the depth of its description and characterization, the movie can stand alone as a masterpiece. The only other vampire movie that can even come close to the scare factor of 'Salem's Lot is the original 1922 Nosferatu starring Max Schreck (and that's a silent film folks). If you like horror movies and you haven't seen this yet you've been kidding yourself. True horror fans know how great this movie is, Stephen King fans couldn't be more appreciative. One of the top 10 horror movies of all time. It will make you wonder about your neighbors more than you already do. Perfect for Halloween viewing and any old time you would dare question the existence of the supernatural!
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing version of a stellar book
Review: Many of the other reviewers here have given this movie high marks, noting that it did what it could under television contraints (less violence and gore). I don't agree with them. The movie (or rather the miniseries) should stand up on its own and not use the television guidelines as an excuse. My problem with this movie is that it didn't frighten me at all. When the vampires showed up, I laughed. Their makeup was horrible, especially the makeup of the head vampire Barlow. He has some weird buck teeth instead of "normal" vampire fangs. Another big drawback of Barlow's character is that he doesn't talk. In the book, Barlow was an enticing bad guy. In the movie, he's pathetic. The acting is just ok, nobody really stands out. Overall, I was really disappointed. I love horror movies, especially vampire movies, but this one was just a waste of my time. I admit, though, that I have a bias. I have read, and enjoyed, the novel Salems Lot, written by Stephen King. The problems of the movie are glaringly obvious when compared to the book. The movie/miniseries combines too many characters into too few characters. Part of the novel's appeal was that it described a small town slowly dying. In the miniseries, we only see around 10 people in the town. Straker turns into some superhuman man in the movie. His appeal in the book was that he was a normal guy, not a vampire. That was what was frightening. The DVD itself contains only the US miniseries and a trailer. The quality is OK, maybe slightly better than television broadcast quality. Sound is in mono. Bottom Line: Forget the miniseries. Read the book. The best parts of the book have been cut out, or changed, making this a very disappointing miniseries. To see a miniseries based on a Stephen King novel done right, get The Stand.
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This movie is better than most horror movies. Tobe Hooper, restricted to tv limiations, trades gore for atmospere, showing a real talent. Who can forget the window tapping in the show. Barlow the vampire is terrific, especially his first appearance in the prison. James Mason also does a very good job, his seductive voice is perfect for his character. David Soul is also good. I watched it twice, and it was even better the second time.
Rating:
Summary: My General State of Mind
Review: Salom's Lot the full length miniseries is definatly one of my top ten favorite films. I saw the movie when I was young and just recently purchased the full length miniseries, after that I read the book. The book is the best. The movie is a chopped up version of the miniseries and the miniseries is a chopped up version of the book and even though I love the miniseries I had to give it four stars becuase it was only half faithful to the book, and the book was the best.
Rating:
Summary: AMONG THE SCARIEST VAMPIRE FILMS EVER!
Review: I remember seeing this film as a young boy. It frightened me that much I couldnt sleep for months if the light wasnt on in my bedroom. Although there are two versions of Salems Lot (The Movie & The mini series) I will only suggest the Mini series. The Movie version is modified beyond recognision and should be avoided in my opinion. The mini series gives you a better idea of the plot and builds up greater suspense. Reggie Nalder plays a terrifying Nosferatu vampire named Kurt Barlow whom infects the town of Salems Lot with his unending thirst for blood. With help from his day time guard Mr Straker (James Mason) soon the town of Salems Lot becomes a haven of evil as more residents rise to hunger the blood of the living. A young boy Mark Petrie (Lance Kerwin), and a writer Ben Mears (David Soul) who returned to Salems Lot after spending his childhood there, attempt to put an end to the evil that is manifest within the Marsten House... When you watch this movie, you will find it extremely difficult to look out your bedroom window at night again.
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