1970s US horror based on Stephen King's novel. Author Ben Mears (David Soul), returns to his hometown of Salem's Lot, Maine to write a book about a haunted hilltop house, unaware that an ancient evil has been unleashed on the town. Sinister goings-on lead Ben to believe that the answer lies with Richard Straker (James Mason), a fellow new arrival who has just purchased the haunted house, and his mysterious business partner.