Product Details

• Actors: Michael Moriarty, Samuel Fuller, Ricky Addison Reed, Andrew Duggan, Evelyn Keyes
• Directors: Larry Cohen
• Writers: James Dixon, Larry Cohen, Stephen King
• Producers: Larry Cohen, Barry Shils, Janelle Webb, Paul Kurta
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: December 13, 1993
• Run Time: 101 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302814766
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,277 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

A man returns to his small Maine hometown to find it overrun with vampires.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sequel in name only, but it has redeeming value., November 22, 2005

By 

William Matson (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return to Salem's Lot [VHS] (VHS Tape)

'A Return to Salem's Lot' was filmed and released many years after the original Tobe Hooper movie/mini-series, 'Salem's Lot', based upon Stephen King's original book. Unlike most King books, 'Salem's Lot' is one that you could imagine a full-length sequel to. To date, there never has been a sequel in print, aside from a short story in King's 'Night Shift.' However, it shared no common characters from the full-length book, so it was pointless. For this reason, it is easy to see the curiosity value and interest in a cinematic sequel. This Larry Cohen film stars Michael Moriarty, Samuel Fuller and Tara Reid. Moriarty is the main character, Joseph, a self-absorbed career man who has spent too many years ignoring his son. You'll find none of the stars from the original mini-series, though you shouldn't be surprised. Such is often the case with sequels, particularly in the horror genre. Writer Stephen King does not approve of this particular sequel in any shape or form. It only exists, in the first place, because somehow he signed a contract along the way allowing for sequel rights to 'Salem's Lot.'

With that said, 'A Return to Salem's Lot' has nothing to do whatsoever with the first movie. The story just happens to take place in Salem's Lot, but it could have realistically been any other small town in America, or abroad. There is no reference to the original film or any of its characters. This is good, though, in that somebody has no need to watch the original 'Salem's Lot' to understand this sequel.

In some ways, this movie is a slap in the face to the original. Here, the origin of the vampires is briefly explained during a schoolhouse scene. It is suggested these vampires came over on a ship that was thought to have sunk, around the same time as the Mayflower. A purist of King's book or the 'Salem's Lot' movie may find their stomach turning right about here, if it wasn't already before. It is also explained that these vampires (led by Judge Axel) have inhabited the town of Salem's Lot for hundreds of years. This is in contrast to the original movie where an outsider invades Salem's Lot, proceeding to slowly feed on the town and gradually build an army of the undead.

In other ways, this has some stark similarities to the original. Like Ben Mears from 'Salem's Lot', Joseph is also a successful professional in his field who returns to Salem's Lot, a town he has not visited since his childhood. You will also notice there are humans (called "drones") who protect the head vampire, Judge Axel, in 'A Return to Salem's Lot'. They are active in town during the day and play a role similar to Richard Straker who protected the head vampire, Barlow, of the original story. The boy in this sequel, Jeremy, nearly mirrors the role of Mark Petrie from 'Salem's Lot.' At the risk of spoiling the ending, the fate of the vampires in this film also matches that of the first movie and the book it was based on.

The storyline is standard b-film fare, with Joseph, and his son Jeremy, being protected by the vampires of Salem's Lot long enough for Joseph to write a chronicle (bible) documenting their existence. Over time, the two get drawn closer into the circle of vampires which prompts them to attempt an escape. One thing leads to another and Joseph angers Judge Axel. What follows is a race to destroy the vampires, as it is the only chance they have to leave Salem's Lot alive. There are very few twists or surprises in 'A Return to Salem's Lot', making it a predictable movie. While numerous humans are killed during this movie, you don't actually see anyone who is killed return as a vampire. This is never explained. Meanwhile, in 'Salem's Lot' several characters died and later came back as vampires.

There are still some nice touches here that would have been appreciated in the original. The town of Salem's Lot appears to be far more isolated in 'A Return to Salem's Lot', almost like a long-lost town. The music is very well done, with a mesmerizing title theme which plays during the opening and closing credits. You will also find that the demise of the key vampires here, such as the son Jeremy's love interest (Tara Reid), is much sadder than the original 'Salem's Lot.'

Viewers mistakenly refer to this as a stab at comedy, which isn't entirely accurate. It is more campy or quirky than laugh out loud funny. Moments like the vampires sucking blood from cows or Judge Axel's undead wife explaining to Joseph how life as a vampire leads to financial security are cringe-worthy, but won't be taken by everyone as funny. The directing is steady and the acting isn't top-notch, but the characters and script are strong enought to carry the movie. There isn't anything mind-blowing or spectacular, but nothing in this movie falls flat, either.

I wouldn't ever recommend 'A Return to Salem's Lot' for a devoted fan of the movie, 'Salem's Lot.' Most of them who saw this will tell you they hate it. However, fans of vampire films like 'Graveyard Shift', or Larry Cohen's other work, might appreciate this a little more. I will openly say that 'A Return to Salem's Lot' would be more fondly remembered if it had a different title and didn't rely on the Salem's Lot moniker. It stands very well on its own. However, I also imagine far fewer people would have been aware of its existence.

You'll notice this is only available for VHS, a stark surprise given the number of years since its release. It is more than a minor oversight that this film, which has its own charm, has never seen release on dvd. Someday, you'll likely see it get a limited release in a budget priced line, perhaps to capitalize on the involvement of a young Tara Reid. 'A Return to Salem's Lot' also has the potential to be lumped into a two or three dvd package of other Michael Moriarty and/or Larry Cohen movies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Horror Film for People Who Don't Like Horror Films, September 6, 2002

By 

Linda K. Brengle (New Albany, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Salem's Lot [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Actually, this little movie has a number of things to recommend it. A youthful Michael Moriarty looks charming romping about in baggy shirts and cargo pants with a camera slung over his shoulder. And there's a geriatric Indiana Jones---ex-Nazi killer, now Vampire slayer--played by a no-nonsens Samuel Fuller. When these two actors team up at the end of the film, along with Ricky Addison Reed who plays Moriarty's young son--it's really a lot of fun. There are also two eye-popping love scenes involving Katya Crosby, although the size of Ms. Crosby physical endowments seems to be in inverse proportion to her acting ability. And the film is riddled with amusing moments---some unintentional (B grade actors who looked as if they were cast because they just happened to wander onto the set at the right moment) but also intentional ones (hilarious dialogue deliver by actors with deadpan commitment). All in all, this movie is a great choice if you're looking for something TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Above Average Effort, Needs DVD Edition, January 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Return to Salem's Lot [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Using Michael Moriarity (before he found fame on "Law and Order") and a talented cast of veteran character actors, "A Return to Salem's Lot" is a wonderfully quirky effort that I am worried may not make it to DVD. Sharing practically nothing with the earlier "Salem's Lot" (a well-made, by-the-numbers straightforward effort that looks great on DVD), this is a worthy effort that stands on its own. Moriarity also good in the '82 horror flick "Q" ....