A hugely well done adaptation of Stephen King's second novel, "'Salem's Lot" about a writer, Ben Mears (David Soul) who returns to his hometown to write his new novel, about a spooky house which will hopefully help him face a childhood trauma. He had entered into the town's "haunted house" as a child and had a vision of its ghostly owner hanging, dead.
Returning years later, he learns that the home has been purchased by two antiques dealers, Richard Straker, and Kurt Barlow, who plan to set up shop in the small town. Straker, a suave, debonair British gentleman, is the epitome of gentility and plays the part of the retiring antiques salesman. His partner, whom no one has met yet, is said to be off on buying trips and will be revealed soon. When a local child goes missing, however, and other residents are found dead of mysterious circumstances, things kick into high gear.
The direction, acting, and sets are all really top notch. When you think of a tv miniseries, you may immediately think cheap, but this production really shines with excellent locations, and special effects. The shots of vampires floating and clawing at windows are the stuff nightmares are made of. James Mason as Straker is the highlight, delighting in playing the evil familiar of the vampire Barlow. In one terrifying scene, bringing the wrapped up corpse of a boy to be left for a snack for his master.
With the miniseries format, this movie gets time to breathe and let the characters develop, which could not happen in a 2 hour cinema release. The ending is rather sad, as Ben and a surviving boy must continually hunt down the vampires that have escaped Salem's Lot, traveling to Guatemala on their latest endeavor.
Definitely check this one out, it truly holds up over 40 years later. **Highly Recommended**
Returning years later, he learns that the home has been purchased by two antiques dealers, Richard Straker, and Kurt Barlow, who plan to set up shop in the small town. Straker, a suave, debonair British gentleman, is the epitome of gentility and plays the part of the retiring antiques salesman. His partner, whom no one has met yet, is said to be off on buying trips and will be revealed soon. When a local child goes missing, however, and other residents are found dead of mysterious circumstances, things kick into high gear.
The direction, acting, and sets are all really top notch. When you think of a tv miniseries, you may immediately think cheap, but this production really shines with excellent locations, and special effects. The shots of vampires floating and clawing at windows are the stuff nightmares are made of. James Mason as Straker is the highlight, delighting in playing the evil familiar of the vampire Barlow. In one terrifying scene, bringing the wrapped up corpse of a boy to be left for a snack for his master.
With the miniseries format, this movie gets time to breathe and let the characters develop, which could not happen in a 2 hour cinema release. The ending is rather sad, as Ben and a surviving boy must continually hunt down the vampires that have escaped Salem's Lot, traveling to Guatemala on their latest endeavor.
Definitely check this one out, it truly holds up over 40 years later. **Highly Recommended**