Post by janntosh on Feb 26, 2021 21:15:32 GMT
technically not a movie though it did get a theatrical release in some countries in an edited form, but what the hell
based on the Stephen King book and directed by Tobe Hooper who was coming off Texas Chainsaw Massacre and premiered in two parts over the course of a week. The film and book it is based on has an interesting concept. A vampire terrorizes not a Victorian era city but an at the time modern day small American town. The miniseries takes advantage of that concept and does it quite well. Hooper creates a tense and eerie atmosphere and there were a couple of moments that had me jump which pretty much never happens to me. David Soul makes for a fine all American lead and somehow the miniseries managed to secure the talents of acting legend James Mason who relishes playing the vampire's keeper. The vampire itself, clearly inspired by Count Orlok from the original Nosferatu, definitely makes an impression in its rather limited screentime
It's not all great though. The script has a few issues including characters that are introduced and just disappear and plot holes (like when the vampire enters the kids house in the end without invitation). The film was made for TV and you are reminded of that with cheesy freeze frames that cut to commercial breaks. James Mason's characters end is quite anti climactic and the series ending makes you think they were hoping to use this as a pilot for a weekly series (and apparently that was the intention). Bonnie Bedelia (of later Die Hard fame) is bland as the love interest and the Lance Kerwin as the kid Mark is honestly flat out bad. But still this is a very enjoyable and creepy miniseries and I can see why it has a following after 40 years. I will probably check the book out.
based on the Stephen King book and directed by Tobe Hooper who was coming off Texas Chainsaw Massacre and premiered in two parts over the course of a week. The film and book it is based on has an interesting concept. A vampire terrorizes not a Victorian era city but an at the time modern day small American town. The miniseries takes advantage of that concept and does it quite well. Hooper creates a tense and eerie atmosphere and there were a couple of moments that had me jump which pretty much never happens to me. David Soul makes for a fine all American lead and somehow the miniseries managed to secure the talents of acting legend James Mason who relishes playing the vampire's keeper. The vampire itself, clearly inspired by Count Orlok from the original Nosferatu, definitely makes an impression in its rather limited screentime
It's not all great though. The script has a few issues including characters that are introduced and just disappear and plot holes (like when the vampire enters the kids house in the end without invitation). The film was made for TV and you are reminded of that with cheesy freeze frames that cut to commercial breaks. James Mason's characters end is quite anti climactic and the series ending makes you think they were hoping to use this as a pilot for a weekly series (and apparently that was the intention). Bonnie Bedelia (of later Die Hard fame) is bland as the love interest and the Lance Kerwin as the kid Mark is honestly flat out bad. But still this is a very enjoyable and creepy miniseries and I can see why it has a following after 40 years. I will probably check the book out.
