'Salem's Lot (2004 film)

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The promotional picture of 'Salem's Lot.

Salem's Lot' was a two-part miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's classic vampire story 'Salem's Lot. It featured Rob Lowe as writer Ben Mears, Rutger Hauer as Barlow, the lead vampire, Donald Sutherland as his lackey Straker, and James Cromwell as the tormented priest, Father Callahan.

The story set out to bring the 1975 novel into modern times. Characters now use cellphones and the internet. There are also a number of small injokes to other King works. (A dog is named Cujo, and "Stand by Me" is sung at a karoake).

It got a mixed reaction from both critics and fans. Most praised the lavish production values and the casting, but many were put off by the major changes to both the novel's plot and characters. For example, Father Callahan, rather than being the tragic character whose faith fails him, now turns into Barlow's new apprentice after Straker is slain. At this time the fifth Dark Tower novel, Wolves of the Calla, had come out, which featured the return of Father Callahan's character and the start of his redemption. This made his turn to villainy in the film all the more blasphemous to the fans.

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