Salem's Lot

1979 | Tobe Hooper | George Dzundza | Stephen King | Vampires | Book Adaptations “Salem’s Lot” was the second ever Stephen King adaptation, based in his second book of the same name, and is a three hour TV mini series directed by genre-legend Tobe Hooper. Rewatched this after having read the book, so I guess I’ll have a couple of things to say about that. First of all, the book was absolutely amazing. Not my favorite King, but definitely a fantastic work. My opinion of the film in general hasn’t changed much. I still think it’s a good although not great film and it’s a good adaptation too. But not a perfect one. Despite its three hour runtime, it obviously doesn’t have enough time to adapt every part of King’s book. A lot of storylines and many of the 50+ named characters from the book are completely omitted. It shifts around plot points and some characters were combined into one, like Dr. Cody and Mr. Norton, some occupations changed and it does a lot more compromising beyond that. Some of the more important side-characters do a lot of stuff other side-characters, most of which the film doesn’t include at all, do in the book. It also changes the backstory of both main character Ben Mears as well as of main attraction the Marsten house. And for some reason, the film also changed a couple of names. Sometimes only first names, sometimes complete names. But despite having to leave out so much and despite changing a whole lot of stuff and in many ways differing from the book completely, like in the last act, the film pretty much gets its essence, tells basically the same story and includes most of the important beats and scenes. But I don’t like everything the film does. In the casting department in particular, I have a couple of nit-picks. I don’t necessarily mind David Soul as Mears, but some other side-characters aren’t cast perfectly if you ask me. But Straker in particular is completely miscast and the film doesn’t really get the essence and appeal of his character. He’s not the bald, intimidating, commanding and striking guy he’s in the book, but just another peculiar and sometimes even kinda amusing old guy. Don’t like what they did with him at all But Barlow is great. Certainly one of the best vampire designs of all time and his scenes are great, although he too is changed very much from the book. The well-spoken and mildly sadistic man who can put you under his spell with just one look into his eyes becomes a mute and ugly monster without much happening behind its forehead. It’s not that I mind that and I certainly liked the change, it’s just that I would have liked to see some of his other scenes. But yes, “Salem’s Lot” is a good but flawed film, both as a film on its own and as an adaptation. Looking forward to the quasi-sequel and the early 2000s adaptation.