For a two part TV movie that came out in 1979, this is superb. Great setting, acting and the best vampire ever on screen. Just wish Kurt Barlow had gotten a little more screen time. If you haven't seen this genuinely scary move, order it on demand now.

It is never an easy task in adapting a Stephen King novel. His books include many details regarding plot and characters, with many intricate components. A sterling job has been done in bringing the bestselling book of "Salem's Lot" to the small screen. The mini series had to be a long one in order to include the various characters and plot details. The production also succeeded in that there is no foul language included, any sexual content is both mild and minimal and the violence serves a purpose. Regarding the fact that there were two different versions of "Salem's Lot" - one for television and one for the cinema - the only one to see, is the mini series. It has a superior narrative and a more thorough plot. In addition, the majority of the production is a flashback. David Soul plays a successful writer who returns to the town of his childhood so he can write a book based upon the notorious Marsden house. He is a man who is persecuted by an experience he had as a boy and it concerns entering the Marsden house. Soul does quite well as Benjamin Mears but James Mason gives the best performance as Straker the antiques dealer and guardian to his undead master. A plague and a wave of vampirism is about to be unleashed upon the town of Salem's Lot. The plot really warms up after about 30 minutes. Before then, all the main characters are depicted as we discover what their role in the story is. The atmosphere and suspense is well maintained throughout and looking at the location where the mini series was made, I can actually envision there being vampires roaming the countryside that surrounds Salem's Lot. There are so many great scenes. Amongst them, the scene where Lew Ayres is paid a visit at home by an undead creature of the night, children vampires stalking their prey, David Soul fending off a female vampire at the local morgue etc. As Mears, Soul displays much vulnerability and isn't exactly a "superhero" kind of character. He finds himself thrown into the position of being the hero but he isn't afraid to display his fear regarding the horrible events that take place. The ending could have been a bit better and I feel it was rushed. The Count should have come into the series a bit earlier. This is an intelligent and thought-provoking bit of television and it bears repeated viewing.

Great adaptation of Steven King that is struggling to escape from 3 hours of boring movie. Everyone who knows at least bit of King will recognize his background here, even those who did not read this book or even knew about it. Story is completely Kingish and it's very good. Acting, music, scenography, everything is great. But nevertheless I fell asleep during watching this movie and I had to rewind few times. Story simply does not contain enough material for 3 hours movie. If they took more details from the book 3 hours wouldn't be nearly enough, but when they reduced the book to minimum there was not enough left to fill 3 hours. I suppose they intended to build tense atmosphere slowly and gradually, and maybe in 70's movie was accomplishing that goal, but today, or at least for me, this was extremely boring experience.6/10

Can you believe this a made for TV movie?! This movie is awesome - extremely scary vampires in this one. These vampires are not your modern day vamps - this movie is a good example of how mean and vile vampires are - just like the old folklore and legends about them. Within this film contains the way vampires should be on film - evil. The vampires in Salem's Lot will remind you of the old 1922 film Nosferatu - yes they are that scary.And the story of Salem's Lot is so damned good too! If you like vampire stories, along with mystery and thriller films and a lot of horror then Salem's Lot is a movie you will not want to miss.Yes this movie is a must see for all Vampire fans - and it's hard to believe that this movie was made for television but it was. I was 7 years old when it aired on TV - I was completely terrified then and the movie still creeps me out today.9.5/10