Salems Lot 1979 version

[LicensedTaximan]

It would appear, according to Empire magazine, that the David Soul/James Mason '79 tv mini series of the above is being released over here on the 10th July. What it doesn't state (well it isn't an av maggie) is if the soundtrack has been remastered into 5.1 from its' humble mono tv sound, or whether it's in widescreen. I do hope so then I can get rid of my mono tv recorded copy even though i've got it in widescreen. No extras apparently

[Simon6776]

According to Play, it's Fullscreen 4:3, and Dolby Digital (1.0) Mono. Rather disappointing, I have to say. I've been looking for a decent version of this for ages.

[LicensedTaximan]

Your right bu##er, looks like I will be keeping my widescreen tv recorded copy then. A Dolby/DTS surround mix would have done this series (which is more like a cinema film due to its' production values) proud. I also feel that this '79 version is superior to the Rob Lowe remake, what a lost opportunity. Bu##er bu##er and once again with annoyed gusto bu##er.

[lostinspace]

I've got the origial R1 release, and on the back it says it is "presented in a format preserving the aspect ratio of its original North American television exhibition", which was 4:3 in 1979. So no widescreen ever, unless of course it was made in widescreen and just transmitted in a cropped format. It doesn't say what the soundtrack is in, but it is in mono according to my amp.

According to IMDB, it ran 184 mins, but actually runs 183, so maybe there was a cut somewhere? Either way it's TV at its best IMO.

Just a seperate thought.........we want to preserve movies in their original video aspect ratio, but would prefer an updated remix of the sound???

[Simon6776]

Originally Posted by lostinspace

Just a seperate thought.........we want to preserve movies in their original video aspect ratio, but would prefer an updated remix of the sound???

Aspect ratio doesn't really bother me that much. My TV will automatically adjust to the given ratio, so as long as people are the right shape, that's fine. Sound, however, is another matter, and I think it makes a HUGE difference to the overall impact of a movie. Give me 4:3 with DTS 5.1 sound over 16:9 with mono anyday.

Was the orignal film any good , might be thinking of getting it

[LicensedTaximan]

Originally Posted by lostinspace

Just a seperate thought.........we want to preserve movies in their original video aspect ratio, but would prefer an updated remix of the sound???

Whilst I can understand your comments regarding the aspect ratio point I would think that if the various surround formats were avaliable at the time that this production was made then the makers, given the films creepy and atmostpheric subject matter, would have utilised surround sound to good effect, (excuse the pun). Whether the copy I have, which is in widescreen, has been cropped from a 4:3 image I wouldn't know. maybe someone could answer this for us?

[Maki]

I saw this first time around and it was made for TV, and shown over two nights. There was a video release that was shorter and destroyed the enjoyment, but still 4:3. I hope this helps.

[Maki]

The TV version was 4:3 also. I think I worded it badly in the above post!

[lostinspace]

Originally Posted by S-H-A-N-E

Was the orignal film any good , might be thinking of getting it

The original version is TV at its best. Can't speak for the newer version, but buy the original with confidence. It's a superb story, well treated. May be the best Steven King (long) story conversion ever?

Thinking about getting the orignal film and also the tv series

[akarit1]

There is no original movie - just the tv 2 part serial which was fantastic and scared the crap out of me when I was a kid many years ago now. Go buy!

[Maki]

There was Salem's Lot the movie, which was the abridged TV version.

So which is best to buy the Orignal film or mini series ?

[Xusia Of Delos]

Buy the original mini series. It has a far more coherent story line. The "Movie" version had one short additional shot added to increase the violence. This was when one victim was picked up and impaled on a wall mounted pair of antlers and has the victims eyes rolling up.