Salem's Lot (2024)

[L.J.]

Have always liked the 79 version. Has great pacing and like how it made the Marsten house a character. What a great design on the house to. Never really cared for the version with Rob Lowe, it didn't capture the feel of the book. Book is exceptional, one of two books have autographed by Stephen King. Would rather see Wan direct this, but do look forward to seeing what they do with this.

[Hedji]

Originally Posted by L.J.

Have always liked the 79 version. Has great pacing and like how it made the Marsten house a character. What a great design on the house to. Never really cared for the version with Rob Lowe, it didn't capture the feel of the book.

It has so much going for it that doesn't get discussed much, like the score. Which reworks the Dies Irae into a pulsating, driving ostinato. And the theme for the Marsten house, which really builds a sense of dread while using classic horror movie sounds. The pizzicato strings for the Glick window scenes. Very underrated and underappreciated.

I've watched the Rob Lowe version at least 3 times, each time hoping it'll impress me, because I'm such a fan of the book and Tobe Hoooper version, but I just can barely recall the tone of that one.

I suppose the one thing I'd like to see done better is the assembly and effort of the team of vampire hunters... ordinary people from different walks of life forced to collaborate under extraordinary circumstances.

[Zombo]

Absolutely adored the 70's mini-series. The film, not quite as much.

There are a few truly iconic scenes that I will always love and were extremely creepy back in the 70s.

The little brother floating outside of the window and scratching the glass...
The older brother's grave being opened...
The old man in the rocking chair...
The crypt in the house at the end with all of the vampires crawling around...

I would love to see a big screen adaptation of this, so I'm all for it.

I didn't care for the Rob Lowe film version...

[Zivouhr]

1979 Salem's Lot Window Scene - YouTube

This one is very surreal and horrific.

Mr. Barlow - SALEM'S LOT (1979) - YouTube

This one really scared the hell out of me as a tiny kid.

The demonic vampire kid tapping at the window gave me nightmares growing up, but the very demonic looking Nosferatu, holy crap that is one of the most evil looking monster villains I've ever seen to this day. And the scene also with the guy on the rocking chair, saying "Teacher, teacher."

If this new film can capture that look in some way, instead of possibly going for a "natural look" where there's hardly any difference between living or the undead, then I'll probably see this in theaters, as the look of the vampires is really important to making it horrific. I'll try to keep an open mind even so, but I really hope they go for something evil looking to add to the horror theme. The glowing eyes with the dark pupils in the middle really were key.

Salem's Lot ( 1979 ) Trailer - YouTube

[cynatnite]

I remember at school some kids were totally freaked out by the window scenes. We all were trying to figure out how they did that, too.

Plus, the vampire was so Nosferatu.

Love this movie.

[MJD64]

My fellow members have conjured up the best and most iconic scary moments from the '79 version to which I'll add...

Marjorie Glick's resurrection as a vampire in the morgue; slowly sitting up and pulling down that sheet was one creepy reveal...and the jump-scare reveal of Barlow in the prison cell was damn effective as well.

It'll probably come down to the director and cast for me, but I'm eager to finally see a big-screen adaptation of SALEM'S LOT. Screenwriter Dauberman elicits no more than a "meh" from me, so I'm hoping he won't gum up excellent source material...though his physical resemblance to a young Rob Bottin is kinda cool.