Let me just start by saying that I don't really like TV movies much at all. I don't like the way that they tend to have that "watered down" feeling, or that they can only seem to cast really bad, has been actors. Of course there are exceptions to this, but in my opinion, that is a rarity.
That being said, for some reason, I love TV miniseries. Especially the SK miniseries. Now don't get me wrong, some of them are bad...I mean BAD. But still, for some reason, I can always seem to appreciate them. I will also say (and this goes for regular TV movies as well) that TV miniseries are no longer made like they used to. Back in the 70's and 80's you could find miniseries that were just as good (if not better) than some theatrical releases. If you don't believe me, watch "V" or "Roots".
In 1979, Tobe Hooper directed the first (and possible the most acclaimed) of the many miniseries incarnations of SK stories/novels: Salem's Lot. I remember watching this movie as a kid, and it scared the ever living shit out of me. I had nightmares for many years because of this miniseries. I just now watched it for the first time in over 10 years, and it still has some quite disturbing moments. I think that anyone who has seen it will agree that they will always be creeped out by the vampire children scratching at the window, or the main vampire, Barlow, with his overgrown fangs, and nasty face. There are also some really great performances. Most notably is James Mason as Straker, who is eerie and menacing to the end. Granted, many true fans of the SK novel will be quite disappointed with some of the ways that the story is twisted. I myself, was kind of hoping for a more faithful interpretation. My biggest disappointment was that Barlow did not seem like he was the mastermind to anything. He seemed like he was an animal that was being controlled by Straker. That in no way is what SK had in mind when he created the character. But that being said, it still maintains the overall feel of the book.
Just today, I watched the 2004 'Salem's Lot miniseries starring Rob Lowe. In this version, I saw that a lot of things were kept more faithful to the book. I love Donald Sutherland as Straker, and Rutger Hauer as Barlow. They both did a great job in embodying their roles. My biggest problem with this version is that it has lost that creepy "haunted" feeling that the book and original movie portray so well. It seemed a little too modernized to be haunting. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it is the only way I can describe it. I wish that there was a combination of the two movies, one movie that keeps faithful to the book, and also maintains the creep factor. Oh, well.
Anyway, moving on to the next book, which is also about a very haunted place...
That being said, for some reason, I love TV miniseries. Especially the SK miniseries. Now don't get me wrong, some of them are bad...I mean BAD. But still, for some reason, I can always seem to appreciate them. I will also say (and this goes for regular TV movies as well) that TV miniseries are no longer made like they used to. Back in the 70's and 80's you could find miniseries that were just as good (if not better) than some theatrical releases. If you don't believe me, watch "V" or "Roots".
In 1979, Tobe Hooper directed the first (and possible the most acclaimed) of the many miniseries incarnations of SK stories/novels: Salem's Lot. I remember watching this movie as a kid, and it scared the ever living shit out of me. I had nightmares for many years because of this miniseries. I just now watched it for the first time in over 10 years, and it still has some quite disturbing moments. I think that anyone who has seen it will agree that they will always be creeped out by the vampire children scratching at the window, or the main vampire, Barlow, with his overgrown fangs, and nasty face. There are also some really great performances. Most notably is James Mason as Straker, who is eerie and menacing to the end. Granted, many true fans of the SK novel will be quite disappointed with some of the ways that the story is twisted. I myself, was kind of hoping for a more faithful interpretation. My biggest disappointment was that Barlow did not seem like he was the mastermind to anything. He seemed like he was an animal that was being controlled by Straker. That in no way is what SK had in mind when he created the character. But that being said, it still maintains the overall feel of the book.
Just today, I watched the 2004 'Salem's Lot miniseries starring Rob Lowe. In this version, I saw that a lot of things were kept more faithful to the book. I love Donald Sutherland as Straker, and Rutger Hauer as Barlow. They both did a great job in embodying their roles. My biggest problem with this version is that it has lost that creepy "haunted" feeling that the book and original movie portray so well. It seemed a little too modernized to be haunting. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it is the only way I can describe it. I wish that there was a combination of the two movies, one movie that keeps faithful to the book, and also maintains the creep factor. Oh, well.
Anyway, moving on to the next book, which is also about a very haunted place...
Well I have to say after watching both of these miniseries that the original directed by Tobe "anything worth doing is worth overdoing" Hooper is just fantastic. Amazingly enough it is probably 1 of a couple of films that he has actually done justice to and made well. For a TV miniseries it is actually quite creepy. I know it doenst follow the novel as well but it does capture the correct mood. I dont mind differences between books and film as long as the differences still honor the original intent of the work. Now, when it comes to the remake. It does follow the book more litterally than it's predecessor however it lacks any kind of good scares. It is 4 hours of fluff. I'm not saying dont watch the newer version but if you have to pick 1 over the other, as always I would take the original. Just the thought of the crate slowly creeping up on the 2 drivers in the truck, in the original, as they are tranporting what they think is a piece of furniture but not; it still gives me goosebumps and that moment isn't even in the book.
ReplyDelete