It has been six years since I first read Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot and being a huge King fan I have always found myself disappointed in the film adaptations of his novels except of course for the few really good ones such as The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, but even Jack Nicholson’s version of The Shining didn’t satisfy me too much, of course due to the fact that the effects are dated and so on, but I digress.
King has seemed to find his niche applying his talents not only to the page of late, but also to the small screen as several of his books have been brought to life on television including such titles as The Tommyknockers, The Stand, The Shining, Storm of the Century and more and now here comes another with ‘Salem’s Lot, which is set to air on TNT Sunday the 20th at 8 pm (ET).
‘Salem’s Lot is a dark story that takes place in the small town of Jerusalem’s Lot, and as with the majority of King’s books things are not always what they seem as an unexpected visitor has been invited to spend some time in the old mansion referred to as the Marsten House, a house in which writer Ben Mears (Lowe) has an all-to-familiar past with and is about to have to visit those demons once again.
Ben has returned to ‘Salem’s Lot in an attempt to restore his writing fame by writing a story about the small town, but he soon realizes that he is not the only newcomer to town as, in familiar King fashion (Needful Things), antique dealer Richard Straker (Sutherland) has also arrived to open up a new shop with his silent partner, Kurt Barlow (Hauer). Soon after their arrival the town begins to change as the overwhelming thirst for blood seems to take precedence over every other ambition.
Considering the fact this is a made-for-TV adaptation I expected nothing much but once it was said and done I must say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
I have become a huge fan of Rob Lowe’s with the hit series The West Wing and it goes without saying that Donald Sutherland is an amazing actor, but once you throw in Golden Globe winner Rutger Hauer, Samantha Mathis and Homicide: Life on the Street‘s Andre Braugher you have one of the best casts ever assembled for a television mini-series.
While the budget for special effects is not as high as you would have for a feature film, the film creators knew their limits and only overstepped their boundaries once that I can remember, and although you will not be cringing in your seat from fright you will be kept on edge for the duration and only wanting more once it ends Sunday night keeping you in suspense until Monday.
I honestly cannot remember exactly how the book played out, but I can tell you that I do remember it keeping to the rules of vampire lore and the main rule to remember is that a vampire cannot come inside your house unless he is invited, but this is definitely one movie you won’t mind inviting into your living room.
‘Salem’s Lot will premiere on TNT Sunday, June 20 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) and conclude Monday, June 21 at 8 p.m (ET/PT) so be sure to tune in or set your TiVo as King fans and horror genre lovers will be intrigued for sure.
