Alternate titles : The Vampires of Salem, The Marsten Mansion.

Tagline : "The Ultimate in Terror..."

Salem's Lot David Soul (from cult 70's cop show "Starsky & Hutch") stars as troubled author Ben Mears, who's returned to his home town to work on his new novel about a dilapidated old mansion, known as the Marston House, which stands overlooking the town. The house has something of a bad history, as all it's previous owners have been linked to a string of murders and disappearances.

Despite having stood empty for the last 20 odd years, the locals still go out of their way to avoid it. But by some strange co-incidence, he finds that someone has recently just moved into the old property. This turns out to be a mysterious antiques dealer named Richard Straker (played by veteran British actor James Mason), who has bought the house with his business partner, a man named Barlow.

Shortly afterwards though, Mears is alarmed to discover that since their arrival, people in the town have started to go missing. Then, other townsfolk have fallen mysteriously ill and died. And if all that wasn't enough, their bodies started disappearing from the morgue.

It soon becomes apparent that evil forces are at work, the local Sheriff is certainly spooked by the recent occurrences, but vampires are just creatures of legend aren't they?

Based on the novel by Stephen King, this was filmed back in the late 70s, originally as a 2-part TV movie, which was subsequently re-edited for a theatrical release. Whilst the film does look a little dated now, this is still an excellent and chilling vampire tale and is a must for all King fans and lovers of Vampire cinema.

Overall Marks : 6/10.

Terrifying Trivia

Extra Info

 

Cast & Crew

Buy Online

 

Buy the UK BD  [Amazon UK]

Buy the UK DVD  [Amazon UK]

 

Buy the US BD  [Amazon US]

Buy the US DVD  [Amazon US]

 

Notes on affiliate sites.