Watch Salem's Lot

In 1979, the horror movie Salem's Lot was released, based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King. Directed by Tobe Hooper, the movie stars David Soul as Ben Mears, a writer who returns to his hometown of Salem's Lot to write a book about the mysterious Marsten House, where he had a traumatic experience as a child. However, something sinister is happening in the small town, as people start disappearing and turning into vampires.

James Mason plays Richard Straker, a mysterious antiques dealer who moves into the Marsten House with his business partner, the enigmatic Kurt Barlow. Lance Kerwin plays Mark Petrie, a young boy who becomes Ben's sidekick in the fight against the vampires. Other notable cast members include Bonnie Bedelia as Susan Norton, a woman Ben falls in love with, and Lew Ayres as Jason Burke, a school teacher who becomes a victim of the vampire plague.

Salem's Lot is a slow-burning horror movie that relies on atmosphere and tension to create a sense of dread. The opening scenes, which show Ben Mears arriving in Salem's Lot and getting reacquainted with the locals, establish a sense of community and nostalgia that is soon shattered by the arrival of the vampires. The movie also explores the theme of evil spreading like a virus, as more and more people succumb to the vampires' influence and turn into undead monsters.

The vampires in Salem's Lot are traditional in their appearance and behavior, with long fangs, glowing eyes, and a thirst for blood. They are also clever and manipulative, using their human appearances to gain the trust of their victims before striking. The scenes where they attack their prey are gruesome and graphic, with plenty of blood and gore on display.

One of the standout performances in Salem's Lot is James Mason as Richard Straker. Mason brings a sense of sophistication and malevolence to the character, who is always dressed in black and speaks in a calm, deliberate manner. Straker's relationship with Barlow is also intriguing, as it hints at a deeper mythology and history behind the vampire plague.

David Soul is also effective as Ben Mears, although he is somewhat overshadowed by the more flamboyant characters around him. Lance Kerwin is excellent as Mark Petrie, providing some much-needed comic relief and youthful energy to the movie. Bonnie Bedelia is charming as Susan Norton, although her character is somewhat underdeveloped.

The cinematography and production design in Salem's Lot are both exceptional, creating a moody and atmospheric backdrop for the horror story. The Marsten House is a particular highlight, with its gothic architecture and eerie interiors. The movie also makes great use of practical effects and makeup, creating some truly memorable vampire designs.

Overall, Salem's Lot is a classic horror movie that still holds up to this day. While it may not be as fast-paced or action-packed as modern horror films, it's a masterclass in atmosphere and tension, with a strong cast and memorable villains. If you're a fan of Stephen King or classic horror movies, Salem's Lot is definitely worth a watch.

Salem's Lot is a 1979 mystery with a runtime of 3 hours and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.