I ordered the Blu-Ray version on Amazon today. There's no arrival date as of yet but it's scheduled to get to me on the day of release.
I don't expect this version to be earth-shattering. I'm a videophile who has invested a ton of money into my home theater system and I always buy the best version of what's out there for maximum value. I'm mainly interested in the commentary by Hooper and any other special features that may be available.
The extras are pitiful. Warners only bothered to include a comm track with Tobe Hooper who sounds like he's chewing a wasp when he speaks.
So many missed opportunities, could and should have had a featurette 'Return to Salem's Lot' with a tour of Ferndale California. 'The Making of Salem's Lot', cast and crew interviews, picture gallery but no all we get is a fkn comm track.
It's all a deep end.
This is exactly why I decided to skip buying this, mainly b/c Hooper basically gives his "commentary" in the bio from a few years ago. Besides, seeing the vampires on my grainy dvd is just as cool as crystal clear, imo.
shareWhy don't you just watch it on VHS since it doesn't make a difference or is just as cool then Stones? I remember that's what a lot of people were saying when dvd came out, "What I have is good enough so why bother", now those same people are rocking dvd and Blu Ray players. This same pattern happens in every industry.
Also, if Hooper giving his "commentary" in his bio negates buying this, then why do we continue to discuss the same things over and over again on here. If you can engage in the same discussions about the same movie why not explore new possible avenues to expand the discussions. It's not impossible for him to cover something in the movie that he may have forgotten in his book, and it's not impossible that he could shed even more light on something that he's already covered. If we should avoid any discussion because we think we've heard it before then what is the point of being on this board? How many threads about how this movie has effected us over the years have you participated in Stones?
Anyway, I think you're just being stubborn but it's ok. If you just don't want to pay the money, I'll get an extra copy and send it to you, I'm not buying a player though, lol.
If I didn't respect you as a fellow Salem's Lotician I wouldn't waste these words telling you these things. I'm not trying to change your mind, I just think this thing can go deeper.
The dvd was a gift actually. It's more than just about the money, but Robs is a respected poster, so that almost seals it for me to NOT buy this. I had a feeling this "new" version could be a disappointment. If there were extra deleted scenes, than I'd consider it, but not with just 1 person doing commentary, when there's a better commentary in the bio, imo. I don't think that constitutes stubbornness, but it's your money, spend as you wish.
shareI agree Robs is a respected poster, but this was sealed with you way before he said anything and you know it. This is our 3rd or 4th time talking about it and there was no way you were going to change your mind, short of a Reggie Nalder commentary which is impossible.
The lack of deleted scenes is a huge disappointment. I would have preferred that over the commentary and Blu Ray display.
BTW, the poster 'allenm' is me, that was my old handle. Not sure why it's still there so if you see it's actually me posting.
A few deleted scenes, especially with Barlow(Nalder said there were deleted scenes of him), may have pushed me to consider it. Let's also just say that I'm not surprised of the negative, albeit early, review. The main reason I was sure I wouldn't buy it was b/c there's no deleted scenes and that's the main reason.
shareOk Stones. You should still consider getting a Blu Ray player though. Not for this movie because it's only so much they can do with 1979 filming, but for some of the newer stuff, like Marvel movies, it's awesome!
shareA few deleted scenes, especially with Barlow(Nalder said there were deleted scenes of him), may have pushed me to consider it.
Can you tell me where to find the shooting script? I'd like to see that.
shareIf you read the original shooting script, there are no scenes with Barlow that were cut. I'm not sure what scenes Reggie would be referring to although he was there and I wasn't so I can't be too dismissive of his claim.
In an early draft of the shooting script Barlow does appear with Ralphie in Danny's hospital room so maybe they shot that scene and that's what Reggie is thinking of??
You are lucky to get any special features even on new releases, let alone one that is nearly 40 years old. I wrote Warner Brothers years ago about releasing this on Blu Ray. That they forked out money for a Tobe Hooper commentary is more than I was expecting to be truthful. What you are asking for would only come from someone like Scream Factory. The studios are not going to put the time and money into this.
shareI can see why you'd be reluctant to buy the BD version stones, and there's only so much they can do with regards to clean ups.
People assume that because it's BD it will be hi-def. All depends on the quality of the transfer, for a proper clean up, and depending upon the condition of the camera neg, they usually produce a new Interpositive, then you'll have a Colorist, and sound editor. It's labour intensive and expensive so the cynic within me says that it won't be a proper clean up and they've simply run the film through a 'dust buster', nothing more.
It's all a deep end.
did you buy it?
shareYeah because I'm a completist nerd. Hasn't arrived yet, I'm hoping they've made the effort with the clean up. Will report back with my findings..
It's all a deep end.
how did you know about the particulars then? ex: no deleted scenes, etc?
shareI just bought this ob bluray the other day and got finished watching it. haven't seen it in years! still scary though. I thought it looked great on bluray, the best this will ever look, very clear picture, I was impressed. its only 4:3 format as if your watching it on TV, but its a great update. saw this in a store actually in small movie store, not FYE or best buy so not sure if they will have it.
shareIf you look at the back cover artwork it states clearly; SPECIAL FEATURES: Feature length Audio Commentary by Director Tobe Hooper.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Salems-Lot-Blu-ray/79124/
It's all a deep end.
I ordered mine through Amazon. It's due tomorrow.
shareInteresting.
Amazon.com state that it hasn't been released yet.
It's all a deep end.
Yeah, I haven't gotten it yet.
sharehow did you know he sounds like he's "chewing a wasp" if you didn't see it yet?
shareI must be missing something obvious. I can't find anywhere that says WHEN the blu-ray version will be released.
When?
The release date was the 20th. I've pre-ordered it but it hasn't arrived yet, I'm not sure what's going on.
shareOn amazon, it's still pre-order only. So maybe the release date got pushed back.
shareI received an email from Amazon. They've given a revised delivery date of the 25th October.
It's all a deep end.
It better be worth it when it gets here.
By the way, I assume you're also a 'The Howling' fan?
I'm a fan of the original but I'm certainly not a fan of the sequels.
Yes Salem's Lot had better be worth it. I will be making notes (honestly) whilst I am watching the BD cut. God damn, it better be a proper clean up! :)
It's all a deep end.
I read that there are vertical bars rather than the usual horizontal widescreen bars. Not much other than that.
The original Howling is my second favorite horror movie of all time besides Salem. I absolutely love Howling 2 for reasons that have nothing to do with the wolves and the story.
Skip Amazon and go to FY E.com that's where I got mine sadly it's not widescreen. It's got the vertical bars instead of the horizontal bars. I'm watching right now and I said its a step above the DVD as far as quality
shareIt's full-screen originally, so there isn't going to be a change on any Blu-Ray as far as that issue is concerned.
"A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist" - H.G. Wells
I have it ordered. I don't know why some are griping. I think it is awesome that we are getting a Bluray and that it has a commentary. That is better than nothing at all. It isn't like it is high-priced. I spend ten bucks to get Tobe's commentary. I have listened to his commentary on Lifeforce and Invaders From Mars and he is rather interesting. Could they have done more? Sure. But this is WB. Be thankful that we are even getting this.
Maybe Scream Factory will eventually get this and do more.
- - - - - - -
I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.
Exactly. Im just happy warner actually did something.
I dnt think they will ever license to scream btw, they've tried for creepshow but it will never happen. Scream is able to get the warner/morgancreek stuff hence the crush, exorcist 3 and dead ringers.
They barely let criterion do their stuff, thankfully they are finally starting 2 w Day for night, Badlands, & McCabe & Mrs. Miller.
We need blurays of Blow up and The Devils!!!!!!!
Sad to hear, but typical of WB. But who knows? Sometimes things change no matter how impossible it may have seemed.
- - - - - - -
I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.
We can only be optimistic. When scream first started creepshow was one of their most requested titles along with the thing. They stated multiple times that creepshow just isn't possible, they have tried, but maybe in the future who knows.
The Thing just came out finally, but universal is a lot more lenient with licensing rights.
Criterion has also tried for the devils and its never been a go so far. They did finally get in w David Lynch though.
I must say that I'm more than pleased with the transfer warner did for Salem's Lot, it does look gorgeous and has perfect atmosphere.
The Blu Ray version is not out yet, are you referring to the DVD version?
It's all a deep end.
Um yes the blu-ray is out, certain places started selling it September 20th. Other places October 18th. However it's been very difficult to find and currently out of stock on Amazon.
shareActually, it is out Robs. I just got a message from Amazon today saying their new due date is next Monday but I spoken with a couple of people who got it from local stores.
I wish I had done that instead.
its def out, i picked it up at best buy last week.
shareGood luck with this. After seeing this advertised on Amazon, I ordered original DVD via NetFlix. This is a very old, cliche horror film from 1979, and it severely tested my patience and stamina -- It is over 3 hours long! And now, since there are so many positive reviews, I have watch it again just to rationalize how it could have possibly received 6.8 stars.
It's 3 hours long because it was a TV miniseries, it's presented now with no commercials.
It's much better watching within a historical context, if you see it for the first time today after being saturated with CGI and today's short attention span based format, it can seem to go on forever.
If this film is a cliche, then I haven't seen anything like it since.
share