'Salem's Lot (2004 TV mini-series)

Salem's Lot' was a two-part miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's classic vampire story 'Salem's Lot. The story set out to bring the 1975 novel into modern times. Characters now use cellphones and the internet. There are also a number of small inside jokes to other King works. (A dog is named Cujo, and "Stand by Me" is sung at a karaoke). Large portions of film were shot at Creswick and Woodend, in Central Victoria, Australia.

The movie received mixed reactions from both critics and fans. Most praised the lavish production values and the casting, but many were put off by the major changes to both the novel's plot and characters. For example, Father Callahan, rather than being the tragic character whose faith fails him, now turns into Barlow's new apprentice after Straker is slain, which happens in the original novel. At this time the fifth Dark Tower novel, Wolves of the Calla, had come out, which featured the return of Father Callahan's character and the start of his redemption. Some were also critical of some of the unnecessary attempts to modernize the story, with the inclusion of cell phones, etc.

Cast

Main

• Rob Lowe as Ben Mears
• Dan Byrd as Mark Petrie
• Andre Braugher as Matt Burke
• Donald Sutherland as Richard Straker
• Samantha Mathis as Susan Norton
• Rutger Hauer as Kurt Barlow
• James Cromwell as Father Callahan

Supporting

• Robert Mammone as Dr. James Cody
• Andy Anderson as Charlie Rhodes
• Robert Grubb as Larry Crockett
• Steven Vidler as Sheriff Parkins
• Brendan Cowell as Dud Rogers
• Christopher Morris as Mike Ryerson
• Todd MacDonald as Floyd Tibbits
• Bree Desborough as Sandy
• Elizabeth Alexander as Ann Norton
• Julia Blake as Eve Prunier

Rutger Hauer has played very powerful vampires at least twice before in Dracula III: Legacy and in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Donald Sutherland appeared with Rutger Hauer in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Samantha Mathis, Christopher Morris and Martin Vaughan also appeared in Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King, written by Peter Filardi.

Rob Lowe played Nick Andros in the TV adaptation of The Stand.

Andre Braugher appears in the 2007 film adaptation of The Mist as Brent Norton.

Soundtrack

• The song featured over the end credits is a cover of The Rolling Stones song "Paint It Black" by Gob.
• Australian punk band The Disables also has two songs featured in the film, "The Lackey Country" (at 0:44:15 in the film) and "All Bets Are Off" (1:04:00)

References

External links

• Liljas-Library's review of 'Salem's Lot.
• 'Salem's Lot at RottenTomatoes.com
• Online Review of the DVD with screencaps
• Official Website
• Script Online
• Another review with pictures