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

[the blob]

Somewhere along the lines, the DVD runtime has got mixed up. I have the UK PAL DVD and I imagine it's the same source as the US DVD as they're both Warner. It has prologues and all credits intact and a full runtime of 183'57" which would give an NTSC runtime of approx 191 - 192 mins. If the US DVD is 183 mins then the only thing I can imagine is that Warner used a PAL source and it wasn't properly converted, which would be very bizarre!

It's a long long while since I saw the original UK TV airing which was in two parts as well but I can't recall anything cut for this DVD so I'm mystified by the additional runtime discrepancy. I'm guessing there may have been cuts to the UK version possibly? I've never seen them mentioned anywhere before. The impaling scene always looked like it could have been cut for one. Now, if there are cuts, then that could lean even more to Warner using a cut PAL source for the DVD.

[Cortiz]

Sadly, if WB is re-releasing this on DVD only at this point, it is safe to say that for whatever reasons, they are not interested in releasing a BD. Othwersie they would have announce it by now.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

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

Probably a dumb question, but that 210 minute running time is without the commercials, correct?

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by zbinks

Probably a dumb question, but that 210 minute running time is without the commercials, correct?

I recorded both nights on two separate VHS T-120 tapes (TDK HS) in the SP mode (2-hour) with commercials then, using another VCR, I edited out the commercials onto another T-120 VHS tape (also TDK HS) but in the LP mode (4-hour). The end result was a 210 min. 'Salem's Lot. I wish I still had those SP raw tapes.

[sukraj]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

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

I love this movie lol

[luv2shop]

Originally Posted by akoris

favorite tv movie of all time...bring on the blu... Please??????

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

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

Originally Posted by l.j.

besides christine, salem's lot is my favorite stephen king adaptation. Already have the dvd, hope one day will see a blu.

Originally Posted by sukraj

i love this movie lol

++++1

Also it doesn't make sense why WB won't release this when they have it in HD running on their WB streaming service.

[Spooked]

I was all too happy to upgrade my DVD and get rid of the snapper case. I can't stand those. This movie is still one of my favorites, and so deserves a 'special collector's edition' Blu-ray. It's a shame Warner is so tight in regards to their film catalog...

[Latheofheaven]

Originally Posted by skyofcrack

I recorded both nights on two separate VHS T-120 tapes (TDK HS) in the SP mode (2-hour) with commercials then, using another VCR, I edited out the commercials onto another T-120 VHS tape (also TDK HS) but in the LP mode (4-hour). The end result was a 210 min. 'Salem's Lot. I wish I still had those SP raw tapes.

Ah... how that reminds me of the many years I faithfully and meticulously did this. I remember doing this with all the original STAR TREK TOS episodes exactly as you describe it here, EXCEPT... the final edit was on BETA!!! because at the time, that format had a slight edge in picture quality.

I did it with ALL of the original AVENGERS series episodes too; and MANY others...

Man, what a LONNNNNNNNNNG way we have come...

[skyofcrack]

Originally Posted by Latheofheaven

Ah... how that reminds me of the many years I faithfully and meticulously did this. I remember doing this with all the original STAR TREK TOS episodes exactly as you describe it here, EXCEPT... the final edit was on BETA!!! because at the time, that format had a slight edge in picture quality.

I did it with ALL of the original AVENGERS series episodes too; and MANY others...

Man, what a LONNNNNNNNNNG way we have come...

Oh, yes. I have thousands of videotapes in storage. One day I'll sift through it all and transfer what I want to a digital format. Hopefully, they'll survive that long. Especially my Best of Everything series which consists of everything from commercials, talk show bits and appearances, music videos and misc tv shows.

[L.J.]

Originally Posted by Latheofheaven

Ah... how that reminds me of the many years I faithfully and meticulously did this. I remember doing this with all the original STAR TREK TOS episodes exactly as you describe it here, EXCEPT... the final edit was on BETA!!! because at the time, that format had a slight edge in picture quality.

I did it with ALL of the original AVENGERS series episodes too; and MANY others...

Man, what a LONNNNNNNNNNG way we have come...

I remember doing that too. Sitting at the tv with your finger on the pause button.

[Hedji]

There's a discussion going on on another message board about a memory of a scene of Barlow floating inside the Marsten House. Someone said they were 95% certain that scene was included on the UK dvd. Anyone know anything about this? False memory, or editing casualty?