Customer Reviews

Return to Salem's Lot [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

'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.

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!

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" ....

In the late 1970's, when Stephen King was just beginning to be well-known, Warner Brothers bought the rights to his second published novel, "'salem's Lot", and went about developing it for the screen. The list of directors considered for the film is a veritable "Who's Who" of Hollywood horror directors; even George "Night of the Living Dead" Romero was approached. The job ultimately went to Tobe Hooper, at the time best known for "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

Eight years after Hooper's version saw life as a TV miniseries, director Larry "It's Alive!" Cohen released this "sequel", which is really more of an interpretation. "A Return to Salem's Lot" is reportedly what Cohen wanted to do with the original film. Rather than have an outside vampire come in and wreak havoc, as was the story in King's novel, Cohen envisioned a town settled and inhabited entirely by vampires.

Fortunately, he was taken off of the project.

Cohen's "Return" is a quirky, occasionally uneven horror film, with mediocre production values. Cohen seemed unsure whether he wanted to do straight horror or a horror comedy, and mixing them didn't work in this case. This film is best suited for hardcore horror fans or, if there are any, Cohen fans.

PS Fans of the first film may be interested to note that some of the "burning mansion" shots from that film were included in the climax of this erstatz "sequel."

Completely unlike the big budgeted original Salem's Lot (a 1979 TV movie), this movie has lots of spirit and spunk and is slightly campy at times. The action seldom slows down and there are enough plot twists to keep one interested. Director Cohen is a master of making credible low budget flicks (Black Caesar, Q) and having strong overall casts. The beautiful young woman who played actor Michael Moriarity's love interest just one example of this. The movie deserves to be on DVD!
Fifteen years after this movie's release it was still a prime time feature on the Sci-Fi channel.

This film is loosely based on the original "Salem's Lot" only by the name of the movie and the location where the events are supposed to take place. It does not tie in much beyond that. The premise this time is more unusual. The town is completely occupied by vampires and those that serve them. One of the more bizarre things in this movie is the servants of the vampires are half vampire, half human offspring of the vampires themselves. These offspring can move about in daylight and are the virtual slaves of their own parents. Their purpose is to make the town look normal for passerby's and to work during the day while the vampires rest. They also take Anne Rice's theory that a child who is turned into a vampire would have to mature mentally and yet would be trapped forever in the body of a child to the next level. There is one scene depicting a wedding where the bride and groom appear to be children but are actually adults. Overall, they tried to do something a little different with this movie and it makes it interesting. What it has going for it is lots of old school horror movie elements with a few new twists. If you're a fan of the older style horror movies or just looking for something a little different featuring vampires this movie just might be the one for you.

Salem's Lot was probably one of the scariest movies that I've ever seen. Then there was a sequel. Sequel? I saw both films at a video store that my grandfather owns. A Return to Salem's Lot was there. I practically wore out the tape because I watch it every chance I get. I practically wear it out because there is no DVD release. Shame. This movie has some great moments. It may not be as scary as the original but the film does have its moments. If Warner Bros. is looking for a cult classic to put out on DVD then maybe they should get this film. If they do, please don't screw it up.

If your a fan of 80's B-Movies like myself, this one is a must-have in your collection. While this doesn't compare to the original Salem's Lot, there is still entertaining humor to be had in this one. Most will rate this film terrible, but as the title of my review goes, it's only for the campy B-Movie collector only. too bad it's not officially on DVD....

Larry Cohen has a lot to say about America, just as George Romero, Tobe Hooper, and Ira Levin (Roman Polanski) do. Dawn of the Dead, TCM 2, and Rosemary's Baby are great movies because of the statements they make about the USA. Cohen does the same in this pseudo-sequel to King's relatively straight-forward horror yarn. Cohen has more on his mind, just as he does in The Stuff, Q, the It's Alive movies, and The Ambulance. One need only see the flagpole with an American flag going through a vampire's heart to know what I mean. If you enjoyed Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, watch this one.

Though the premise is really cool and some intentional humor is pretty funny (in one scene a vampire woman says, "My husband says I have a drinking problem."), the most funny scenes are unintentional. Everything is just so overdone...the acting, the gore, EVERYTHING, that it just turns out to be a comedy in the end. This has 99.9% no relation to the TV movie "Salem's Lot" (also a great vampire movie), but in the end is very entertaining. Has to come to DVD!