Salems Lot (1979)

I recorded Salem's Lot The Complete Mini Series off of Encore and determined that the DVD is, in fact, the complete unedited version. 183 minutes (as indicated on DVD) is the actual running time of Salem's Lot. It's on Encore all month (I'm writing this in September of 2014), so anyone is free to check this info. Encore is showing this as 2 parts, just as it was in 1979.Encore indicates the running time as 1 hr 40 minutes per episode, which equates to 200 minutes. The reason for the difference with the 200 minute original running time and the 183 minutes on the DVD, is that during Part 1 (Encore Mini-Series), there is a prologue previewing what you will see during the 2 parts (same as in 1979). Then, at the end of Part 1, you have the entire closing credits shown. Since the DVD shows this as one complete movie instead of breaking it into the 2 parts shown on TV...you won't get the closing credits twice. You only see them one time, after the complete DVD is over....During Part 2, you have a lengthy recap of Part 1 AND the Opening Credits shown AGAIN (on the DVD you only see them once, not twice, since it's not broken down in 2 parts)...I took the 200 minute running time (as that's what shows on my DVR) and subtracted the Prologues from both nights, the Salem's Lot ending Credits from Part 1, and the Salem's Lot beginning Credits at the beginning of Part 2, and I came up with 184 minutes...but keep in mind, I didn't do this to the second..just minutes, so it may be off by a minute or so.I had my DVD running in the background on a computer and the end of Part 1 synced up perfectly with the same spot on the DVR...nothing was edited. Therefore, I'm confident the DVD of Salem's Lot is exactly the same as the mini-series. If someone is a purist, then yes, you are missing the prologue recaps, the ending theme music and credits after part 1 (but you get it at the end of the DVD) and Salem's Lot opening credits at the beginning of Part 2 (keep in mind, you get them at the beginning of the DVD). As far as the story itself, nothing is edited....It's on all month on Encore, anyone is free to do the same thing.I've owned this for years, but I ordered another one recently to determine if there were any changes. It's identical to the original release, other than being in a clam case, instead of the cardboard snapper case that was part of the previously issued DVD.As I did watch the Encore presentation in High Def, to be honest, the DVD is just as good, since the source appears comparable to what's on the DVD. I didn't notice any significant improvement. In fact I think the DVD is from a cleaner source.Some have commented that it was edited into a 3 hour single movie by CBS for the second showing, and that is correct...but keep in mind, the 3 hour version on CBS had commercials, so the actual running time was about 2 1/2 Hours. The second broadcast was cut by about 33 minutes. All 33 of these cut minutes are on the current DVD.As an FYI, I've seen both of the versions when they were originally broadcast. I can say for certain, the DVD is the complete version...minus prologues, and a repeat of the opening and closing credits on both parts. If you are holding off because you feel the DVD is edited, you are missing out. This is it. In fact, I prefer not having it broke down into 2 parts as the continuity of the DVD makes this a better viewing experience.

Great Movie! Salem's Lot is in my Top 5 favorite horror movies of all time. As a teen in the 80's I was blessed to have lived in the golden age of Horror movies. With all the Horror movies of that era I too had my favorites. The Exorcist, Halloween, Salem's Lot, The Thing, Poltergeist, Alien, Fun House, Jaws and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It wasn't until I was older that I realized a majority of my favorite horror films were all Tobe Hooper's. Wow, mind blown. That lead me to the personal conclusion that Tobe Hooper is the greatest horror filmmaker ever. His style of filmmaking is haunting, he masterfully builds suspense buy allowing you to be in that moment of fear for just the perfect amount of time. He lures you in slowly, dragging out the suspense for so long that that you just want whatever is coming to jump out and scare you. But it doesn't, slowly you start to see it coming yet you cannot look away! Then there are the moments you expect it to drag out and BAM, he hits you with a quick shock. As with most great horror films it's what you know is there lurking somewhere in the dark but don't actually see that's the most frightening. Thank you Mr. Hooper for bringing such joy into my life through the art of filmmaking.I won't be a book snob and critique the differences between the book and this film as I don't feel that this is the intent for reviews of this item.With that out of the way I guess I should review the actual physical media which is the intent of this section. The DVD is basic but decent quality and play's well. The DVD menu and the case look dated compared to todays Blu-ray's but nothing too unexpected of an DVD, do we actually need a menu anyway? As for the movie on this disc, I believe this is the is the original uncut version of the film and IMO that is how it should be. I do wish someone would put out a re-mastered Blu-ray of this film and I eagerly await it's arrival.

This film is special for more than a few reasons... it really does give substance to the phrase "they don't make them like that anymore." I remember watching the [somewhat shorter] version of this on television as a child in the early 80's and frankly having the pee scared out of me. The overall mood and imagery in this film are incredible, every second of this film is overshadowed by an intense feeling of dread that you just don't see too often in films, especially these days.This really is a combination of the perfect story, director, and cast coming together at the perfect time. It's crazy to think that this was a made-for-tv mini-series (although I think it did get a theatrical release in Europe). Decent films do get made for television these days, but IMHO our overly-PC culture treats children like precious little snowflakes, taped up in bubble wrap and floating around a bin of styrofoam peanuts. This film would never fly today on network television.... partially because of a few scenes that are truly psychologically horrifying, and also because there are plenty of adults in this film acting like... well... adults. Give the youngins some credit - they can handle far more than we think. It may be a tangent, but I feel like a lot of people go way too far trying to "protect" their children from the realities of life... it's strange to me when they're surprised that after all that, their [now adult] children lack the basic skills to be self-sufficient. But hey, that's me.At any rate, this film would also never happen again because it would be rare to have a made-for-tv film directed by the likes of Tobe Hooper, and rarer still to have a network with the courage to let that director follow his vision.If you can't tell I'm a big fan of this film; it's American gothic horror at its finest. It has a perfect blend of horror and camp, intelligent characters, and the camp factor is just enough to keep you coming back for repeated viewings.Highly recommended.

No se ve ni en dvd ni en computadoras es de región de Estados Unidos

Hadn't seen this movie in awhile and it's still as creepy as I remember. Salem's Lot is my favourite Stephen King novel and this movie does it justice. A little dated but it's an old movie so of course it's going to be dated lol. Shipped fast and was well packed and arrived in perfect condition.

Salem's Lot is one of those films that I never grow tired of. What I like about the NTSC version, is that the Film is all on one disc. The Region 2 DVD is on 2 Discs, therefore spoiling the continuity of the film. This is the version that for me is essential, as I want to see the film in one sitting.Tobe Hooper did an amazing job, despite the Limitations of what was allowed for TV Movies back in the late seventies. Salem's Lot works well in that regard, because it is more of a solid story relying on Characters, Tension and Shocks, rather than violence.Salem's Lot seems to be a lot darker too on this version which I prefer. The Film starts straight away without the menu screen which is great. The film seems to have a new lease of life on this Disc, and yet still manages to be really creepy and dark.The acting is pretty good all round, in particular Geoffrey Lewis, who plays Mike Ryerson. James Mason is menacing as Mr Straker, and of course who can forget Mr Barlow. Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, Lance Kerwin, Elisha Cook provide solid supporting roles.I like the pacing in this film, where Tobe Hooper slowly builds the tension. The Vampires floating outside the window is still very effective and creepy.The NTSC Disc has the original trailer, as an extra, which is not on the Region 2 version. this adds a nice little touch to the film. Apparently the US version had been deleted for some time, so it was great to see Warner Brothers re release this Film on DVD.I hope one day Warner Brothers will release a Special Edition of Salem's Lot, as this film really needs it. The Soundtrack is now on CD, there is the Book, by Tony Earnshaw, now we need a new DVD, with lots of extras.

Arrived earlier than expected and in good shape. Watched it and it worked well. I remember originally watching it at time of release and enjoyed. I've always been a Stepen King fan.

Still a great series. The Master is still the spookiest vampire!