Salem's Lot

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3:17

Salem's Lot

PG

1979

1h 52m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Based on the Stephen King novel, Ben Mears has returned to his hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House that resides on a hill overlooking the small town. His project is curtailed, however, when he finds out that someone has bought the long-empty property. But when people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.

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Critics Consensus

Director Tobe Hooper and a devilishly charismatic James Mason elevate this television adaptation of the Stephen King novel, injecting the vampiric tradition with fresh blood and lingering scares.

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Malcolm Knox

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 23

I don't know if things were just a little more sinister in the '70s, but I came out of this glancing uneasily over my shoulder.

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Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

Mar 24

Salem’s Lot is a masterclass in televisual terror.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

06/24/2006

It places the emphasis on Hooper's fluid camerawork, creepy atmospherics, and skilful handling of the gripping climax.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Mar 30

3/5

Completionists will no doubt want to stick with the original cut (the miniseries or extended movie) that gives you all of the footage, while those looking for a tighter telling of the tale will lean towards the theatrical version.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 1

3.5/4

Small-screen restrictions require the bloodletting be kept to a minimum, but director Tobe Hooper and scripter Paul Monash nevertheless manage to construct a first-rate chiller out of King's fertile source material.

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Gregory Nussen

Screen Rant

Oct 1

8/10

Tobe Hooper's 1979 adaptation of Stephen King's Salem's Lot gets 4K restoration, highlighting its timeless horror and relevance to today's small towns.

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Rob G

@Googanaba Aug 18

Saw this as a kid and it scared the crap out of me. Now, all these years later, nobody can still make a version that tops this little TV mini series though many have tried. Forget all the remakes, this is the only version that matters.

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Edgar R

@elliot_ducs Jun 28

Esta película no me aburrió en ningún momento, soy fan de Stephen King y esta película me encanto, su ritmo lento y tenso la verdad es impactante, si acostumbras mucho ver películas de acción esta película no te gustara porque se toma su tiempo para generar el ambiente tan tenso del pueblo, el vampiro "Barlow" no es lo principal en la historia, no es el "Jefe final" por así decirlo, la película se centra en ver como el pueblo se va convirtiendo en vampiros, y Barlow no aparece hasta tarde porque eso no es el centro de la película, la película no necesita al vampiro mas peligroso para dar miedo, sino que utiliza la tensión del ambiente para lograr darnos miedo, vemos poco a poco lo que esta pasando hasta que llega al punto final donde conocemos a Barlow, la verdad que es una gran película 10/10

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Erin M

@Mightymotes May 2

I didn’t realize it was a tv mini series, and as a result was thinking there were too many scenes of different townsfolk being attacked. Now that I’m aware it was a series ,that makes me feel better about some parts dragging on at a slower pace! Great acting and scares galore and good story are all part of this horror classic!! I liked the ending too.

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Ed B.

@EdLee Apr 22

Salems lot (1979) is one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations of all his books. The casting spot on. David Soul & James Mason play their roles very well. Supporting cast perfect. Especially the Monster. As well as the Glick Brothers. Setting and photography is perfect for this tale. I watch at least once a year..

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Todor Y

@Phantom961 Apr 11

I like this, longer than 2024 remake. In my opinion some older movies that used practical effects instead of CGI are way better.

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Bigbossbalrog T

@Jigokju Mar 25

The best Vampire movie ever. Better than Dracula, better than Carmilla. The best version of Stephen King's classic! A great, awesome experience!

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Tobe Hooper

Director

David Soul

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James Mason

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Synopsis

Based on the Stephen King novel, Ben Mears has returned to his hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House that resides on a hill overlooking the small town. His project is curtailed, however, when he finds out that someone has bought the long-empty property. But when people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.

Director: Tobe Hooper
Producer: Richard Kobritz
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2016
Runtime: 1h 52m

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