I have to admit I didn't quite like this movie. The idea in itself is not a bad one, I haven't read the book so I can't say much about that but the movie is somewhat boring. It runs for about 3 hours when I get the idea that the plot would be better for a movie one hour shorter.I bought this movie knowing that it's director, Tobe Hooper, was the big man behind "The texas chainsaw massacre" which I loved. Salem's lot didn't live up to my expectations. It's plot develops real slow and it is quite predictable, the fact that it is an old movie doesn't justify that in any way. The movie desperately tries to create a chilling atmosphere yet never quite reaches it, which has nothing to do with the year the movie was made in.I can't say I found the watching of this movie a total waste of time, and it isn't expensive either. But if you like Tobe Hoopers work i'd skip this one and go straight to Poltergeist.