Discover all the adaptations of Salem’s Lot, Stephen King’s famous book about vampires

One of the most famous books by the American writer Stephen King is The Vampire Hour, or Salem’s Lot in the English original. In Brazil the opera and its adaptations were also called Mansão Marsten, but they all tell the same story.

Author Stephen King is widely known for his horror and suspense stories. And in Salem’s Lot, he presents us with a scary plot about vampires in a small town in the United States.

The book has already been adapted several times, for cinema, television and, most recently, for streaming. In this article, we highlight each of these adaptations. Follow us!

The story of Vampire time – Salem’s Lot

Written by Stephen King, who considers it one of his favorite works, Vampire time is a horror book that tells the story of a successful writer who returns to his hometown, Salem’s Lot (or Jerusalem’s Lot), a rural town in the United States infested by vampires.

The town of Salem’s Lot is also mentioned in other Stephen King stories and, in addition to the audiovisual versions, has a radio drama adaptation.

Film and television adaptations of “The Vampire Hour”

The first audiovisual adaptation of the book was this two-episode miniseries. Directed by Tobe Hooper, great master of horror and responsible for the classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).

The plot faithfully follows the events of the book. The production stars David Soul in the role of Ben Mears and James Mason (from film classics such as Lolita AND A star is born (1954)) as Richard Straker.

Over the years, this miniseries has become a cult in the horror genre and a reference for many vampire films and series.

Continuation of the 1979 miniseries, written and directed by Larry Cohen, an independent filmmaker known for low-budget horror films such as A monster is born AND The thing.

In the plot, an anthropologist who takes custody of his son decides to return to Salem’s Lot, where he vacationed as a child and inherited a house from an aunt. Upon arriving, he realizes that the city is overrun with vampires.

With a more comedic and satirical tone, the film stars Michael Moriarty in the lead role. Also noteworthy is the participation of the legendary director Samuel Fuller (of films such as White dog AND Passions that hallucinate) as a Nazi hunter who joins the protagonists in the hunt for vampires.

Another two-part miniseries adapting King’s book, but this time the plot is set in the 2000s, unlike the book, which is set in the 1970s, the era in which it was written.

In the story we follow Ben Mears, a writer who, as a child, witnessed a traumatic scene in the Marsten mansion, where he found bodies resulting from a murder-suicide pact. Years later, Lot returns to the city of Jerusalem, still haunted by this event.

The cast includes Rob Lowe (from 9-1-1: Lone Star) in the lead role of Ben Mears. Highlights for the Dutch actor Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner AND Death hitchhikes) as Kurt Barlow and Donald Sutherland (The Twelve Condemned (1967), MTHESH* (1970)) as Richard Straker.

Production that acts as a prelude to the book and the films that adapt the story Salem’s Lot. The story is set in 1850, approximately 120 years before the events of Salem’s Lot.

In the plot, Captain Charles Boone moves with his three children to the old family home in Preacher, Maine, after the tragic death of his wife at sea. There he will have to face the dark secrets of his lineage and fight the darkness that has haunted his family for generations.

With only one season, the horror series features Adrien Brody (Oscar winner for The pianist).

The most recent adaptation. It is directed by Gary Dauberman (Anabelle franchise), who already has experience in Stephen King adaptations, such as the screenplay for En: Chapter 2.

The plot follows writer Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown of Salem’s Lot to write about the mysterious Marsten House, which he believes attracts evil spirits. Recently purchased by Richard Straker and his partner, the house seems to be connected to strange events that occurred in the city.

Ben suspects a connection with vampires and must convince everyone of the terrible conditions facing the city.

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Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.