Salem's Lot (1979) DVD Re-Release - April 29th, 2014

[zbinks]

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Awesome. Now I can sell my current DVD and upgrade to this... DVD.

[MrClarke]

Dammit. I saw Salem's Lot 1979 and got excited. A DVD re-release means jack on here.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

I am almost to the point where I'm going to pick up a DVD of this. Waiting for the blu-ray is becoming irritating.

[dsman71]

Havent seen it but now I have a reason to rent it

[sukraj]

I remember watching this when I was a kid its very scary.

[jalind]

I just bought the DVD directly from WB and presume it's the 2009, not the 2014 re-release. I would prefer Blu-ray and am willing to wait for one, or to get one from Region B or C if one isn't likely to be released anytime soon in Region A. I have an all-region Blu-ray and DVD player for that reason. This "film" however was done as a 2-part TV miniseries in 1979 (~3 hr run time without commercials), in the era of 1.33:1 aspect ratio NTSC analog TV, by WB Television on a $4M budget.

My research has been unable to find what medium was used for the "filming" but best guess would be that it was not on 24fps 35mm film, but 1" Type C videotape which had been introduced 3 years earlier and was in more common use. (Videotape had been in use for TV broadcast since the late 1950's.) Certainly it was nothing less than 3/4" U-Matic videotape. The quality of 1" Type C is high, but it's definitely not 35mm film. Shooting it with videotape for TV broadcast would have greatly simplified distributing it for TV broadcast in 29.97 fps NTSC (on videotape), especially in light of the budget. Shooting it on film would have required scanning 24 fps color film stock with a Telecine 2:3 pulldown for NTSC TV broadcast. The theatrical cut for European theatrical distribution was less than 2/3 the miniseries runtime, and was done later. Conversion from NTSC videotape to 24fps 35mm film for theater projection uses a "film-out" process. Granted, this is speculation, but it's an educated one regarding budget and cost.

The upshot of this is if Salem's Lot was shot on videotape, even using the highest quality systems of that era, a Blu-ray isn't going to be much of a PQ improvement compared to DVD. All of the TV miniseries from the analog NTSC era that I've sought on home video are available on DVD, but not on Blu-ray. Creating a Blu-ray would have to satisfy WB executives with a solid business case that it could not only pay for itself, but would project some reasonable profit margin.

This is why I'm not holding my breath for Blu-ray of this or some other NTSC era "made for TV" movies prior to the advent of HDTV. Others' thoughts on this are most welcome.

[madmojo]

I actually wish they'd do a two disc version with both the theatrical version released in Europe and the original TV version that's longer. Sometimes you're in the mood for a 3 hour piece of entertainment, and sometimes you want something shorter.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by jalind

I just bought the DVD directly from WB and presume it's the 2009, not the 2014 re-release. I would prefer Blu-ray and am willing to wait for one, or to get one from Region B or C if one isn't likely to be released anytime soon in Region A. I have an all-region Blu-ray and DVD player for that reason. This "film" however was done as a 2-part TV miniseries in 1979 (~3 hr run time without commercials), in the era of 1.33:1 aspect ratio NTSC analog TV, by WB Television on a $4M budget.

My research has been unable to find what medium was used for the "filming" but best guess would be that it was not on 24fps 35mm film, but 1" Type C videotape which had been introduced 3 years earlier and was in more common use. (Videotape had been in use for TV broadcast since the late 1950's.) Certainly it was nothing less than 3/4" U-Matic videotape. The quality of 1" Type C is high, but it's definitely not 35mm film. Shooting it with videotape for TV broadcast would have greatly simplified distributing it for TV broadcast in 29.97 fps NTSC (on videotape), especially in light of the budget. Shooting it on film would have required scanning 24 fps color film stock with a Telecine 2:3 pulldown for NTSC TV broadcast. The theatrical cut for European theatrical distribution was less than 2/3 the miniseries runtime, and was done later. Conversion from NTSC videotape to 24fps 35mm film for theater projection uses a "film-out" process. Granted, this is speculation, but it's an educated one regarding budget and cost.

The upshot of this is if Salem's Lot was shot on videotape, even using the highest quality systems of that era, a Blu-ray isn't going to be much of a PQ improvement compared to DVD. All of the TV miniseries from the analog NTSC era that I've sought on home video are available on DVD, but not on Blu-ray. Creating a Blu-ray would have to satisfy WB executives with a solid business case that it could not only pay for itself, but would project some reasonable profit margin.

This is why I'm not holding my breath for Blu-ray of this or some other NTSC era "made for TV" movies prior to the advent of HDTV. Others' thoughts on this are most welcome.

First, 'Salem's Lot (1979) was absolutely shot on 35mm film.



Budgeted at $4 million and originally set to be a feature film, Tobe Hooper shot the TV movie no differently than any other theatrical film. There was always going to be more explicit footage for a European theatrical release (which would be shorter). The original 4-hour film (3 1/2 hours minus ads) aired over two nights on November 17 & 24, 1979.

There can definitely be a Blu-ray release since the it was shot on film and it should probably be in both 1.33:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratios since it was shot 1.85 (for Europe) but protected for TV.

My VHS tape from 1979 when I recorded 'Salem's Lot off the air has a running time of 210 minutes.

When SL was released on Laserdisc in 1993 the time was 193 minutes.

When SL was released on double cassette in 1993 the time was 186 minutes (on cassettes) 184 minutes (box packaging).

When SL was released on DVD in 1999 the time was 183 minutes.

The drastically cut-down theatrical version was 112 minutes.

A Blu-ray should be released and should restore the film to the proper 210 minute running time.

[Omen2002]

I don't have a DVD to check, but I took a look at a laserdisc on ebay and it lists a Part One Teaser Prologue, Part One Opening Credits and Part One End Credits and then disc 2 has Recap Prologue and Part Two Opening Credits and then End Credits. Link to laserdisc - maybe someone can procure a picture of the back of the laserdisc cover. I tried but couldn't get it to save properly to read the chapters.

I wonder if the DVD releases remove the prologues and any of the two opening credits. I have no idea what the running time on those bits are either. Food for thought.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by Omen2002

I don't have a DVD to check, but I took a look at a laserdisc on ebay and it lists a Part One Teaser Prologue, Part One Opening Credits and Part One End Credits and then disc 2 has Recap Prologue and Part Two Opening Credits and then End Credits. Link to laserdisc - maybe someone can procure a picture of the back of the laserdisc cover. I tried but couldn't get it to save properly to read the chapters.

I wonder if the DVD releases remove the prologues and any of the two opening credits. I have no idea what the running time on those bits are either. Food for thought.

Even if all previous versions had recaps and credits and LD's and DVD's had them removed there's no way that adds up to the current time discrepancy of 27 minutes.

I'm not even sure if the 193 running time of that LD includes the credits and recaps which would bring the time down to probably 183.

LD back

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by jalind

I just bought the DVD directly from WB and presume it's the 2009, not the 2014 re-release. I would prefer Blu-ray and am willing to wait for one, or to get one from Region B or C if one isn't likely to be released anytime soon in Region A. I have an all-region Blu-ray and DVD player for that reason. This "film" however was done as a 2-part TV miniseries in 1979 (~3 hr run time without commercials), in the era of 1.33:1 aspect ratio NTSC analog TV, by WB Television on a $4M budget.

My research has been unable to find what medium was used for the "filming" but best guess would be that it was not on 24fps 35mm film, but 1" Type C videotape which had been introduced 3 years earlier and was in more common use. (Videotape had been in use for TV broadcast since the late 1950's.) Certainly it was nothing less than 3/4" U-Matic videotape. The quality of 1" Type C is high, but it's definitely not 35mm film. Shooting it with videotape for TV broadcast would have greatly simplified distributing it for TV broadcast in 29.97 fps NTSC (on videotape), especially in light of the budget. Shooting it on film would have required scanning 24 fps color film stock with a Telecine 2:3 pulldown for NTSC TV broadcast. The theatrical cut for European theatrical distribution was less than 2/3 the miniseries runtime, and was done later. Conversion from NTSC videotape to 24fps 35mm film for theater projection uses a "film-out" process. Granted, this is speculation, but it's an educated one regarding budget and cost.

The upshot of this is if Salem's Lot was shot on videotape, even using the highest quality systems of that era, a Blu-ray isn't going to be much of a PQ improvement compared to DVD. All of the TV miniseries from the analog NTSC era that I've sought on home video are available on DVD, but not on Blu-ray. Creating a Blu-ray would have to satisfy WB executives with a solid business case that it could not only pay for itself, but would project some reasonable profit margin.

This is why I'm not holding my breath for Blu-ray of this or some other NTSC era "made for TV" movies prior to the advent of HDTV. Others' thoughts on this are most welcome.

There is a very good chance actual 35mm film was used due to the fact that it had a planned European theatrical release. It would only be a few yes later that WB would produce for NBC "V" The Original Mini-Series, which was on 35mm - and by the early 80's the use of video tape was in high swing. I was in contact with Kenneth Johnson, the writer/producer/director of "V" who informed of the production.
So, if this is the case a Blu-ray would look wonderful. I know from Kenneth that although "V" was originally mixed in MONO for TV airing. He was allowed by WB to go back and re-mix a stereo, Dolby compatible, surround mix for the DVD release. (Pro-logic w/MONO surround). It was WB who wouldn't go for a 5.1 mix due to cost believing the sales of the DVD wouldn't support the extra cost of 5.1. Turn out they were very wrong and it sold beyond expectation.
A high quality score was done for Salem's Lot with the recording sessions in stereo. Now, what would be really nice is WB did a re-mix in stereo. In the case of "V" it was done due to the pro-active push from the producer. In the case of Salem's Lot if left up to those at WB I would think there would be less of change since I doubt any exec there would even remember or give much credence to it. It awful but those working in the positions that make the choices are usually have a lesser knowledge of what's in the vaults - and it's getting worse.
- Scott B.

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by ditcin

There is a very good chance actual 35mm film was used due to the fact that it had a planned European theatrical release. It would only be a few yes later that WB would produce for NBC "V" The Original Mini-Series, which was on 35mm - and by the early 80's the use of video tape was in high swing. I was in contact with Kenneth Johnson, the writer/producer/director of "V" who informed of the production.
So, if this is the case a Blu-ray would look wonderful. I know from Kenneth that although "V" was originally mixed in MONO for TV airing. He was allowed by WB to go back and re-mix a stereo, Dolby compatible, surround mix for the DVD release. (Pro-logic w/MONO surround). It was WB who wouldn't go for a 5.1 mix due to cost believing the sales of the DVD wouldn't support the extra cost of 5.1. Turn out they were very wrong and it sold beyond expectation.
A high quality score was done for Salem's Lot with the recording sessions in stereo. Now, what would be really nice is WB did a re-mix in stereo. In the case of "V" it was done due to the pro-active push from the producer. In the case of Salem's Lot if left up to those at WB I would think there would be less of change since I doubt any exec there would even remember or give much credence to it. It awful but those working in the positions that make the choices are usually have a lesser knowledge of what's in the vaults - and it's getting worse.
- Scott B.

I remember Television broadcasting in Mono sound until 1985 when the revamped Twilight Zone started airing and it was one of the first shows to come through in Stereo.

The 'Salem's Lot soundtrack is available here:

http://www1.screenarchives.com/title...ALEMS-LOT-2CD/

Entire score mixed, presented from pristine condition multi-channel stereo masters vaulted at Warner Bros. Two-disc set also has cues Sukman subsequently re-fashioned for edited feature version of picture.

[Omen2002]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

Even if all previous versions had recaps and credits and LD's and DVD's had them removed there's no way that adds up to the current time discrepancy of 27 minutes.

I'm not even sure if the 193 running time of that LD includes the credits and recaps which would bring the time down to probably 183.

LD back

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I only meant perhaps the difference between LD and DVD were the prologue, recap, etc.

Here's an interesting ad.

If you could, it'd be interesting to play the VHS recording and the factory DVD at the same time to compare. Sure they'd be off by a little due to pausing to cut out commercials back then. But you should be able to notice missing scenes at least. Maybe a rainy day project.

[JimSmith]

I wish Tobe Hooper could shed light on how long this miniseries actually is and if it was indeed shot on 35mm film or not.

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Awesome. Now I can sell my current DVD and upgrade to this... DVD.

Was wondering why you would sell the old DVD for the new one? Is there something special about the new version? Extras maybe?

[AKORIS]

favorite TV movie of all time...bring on the blu... please??????

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by davidthenikonuser

Was wondering why you would sell the old DVD for the new one? Is there something special about the new version? Extras maybe?

Typically when a blu-ray is announced people will be happy to get rid of their DVD copy. My comment was sarcastic because it's silly that it's getting a DVD re-release when this mini-series/movie is a beloved horror classic. Who's going to care about a new DVD release? Lol

[skyofcrack]

I think the reason WB is re-releasing the DVD is the fact that the original is OOP and it was a snap case. The new one is a keep case but still listed at 183 min.

Hopefully, WB will spend the money to restore the film elements needed to make a BD. After all, this November will mark the 35th Anniversary of the original airing of the Mini-Series. Centipede Press has just released a 300-page book on the making of the film. It's time to honor this classic with more than just a truncated re-released DVD.

[L.J.]

Besides Christine, Salem's Lot is my favorite Stephen King adaptation. Already have the DVD, Hope one day will see a Blu.