Alternate versions

Salem's Lot originally aired as a two-night mini-series with the first episode airing on 17 November 1979 and the second episode airing the following week on 24 November 1979.

A total of four different versions exist: the original CBS broadcast version, the CBS re-broadcast version shown a year later, the European theatrically released version, and the DVD/Blu-ray version. The original CBS broadcast version ran a total of 200 minutes including commercials. The CBS re-broadcast version shown a little while later was edited down to 150 minutes. The European theatrically released version which was edited even more down to 112 minutes (and cropped to 1.85:1) not only omitted a bunch of scenes but also had slightly more violent alternate takes of others (such as the infamous scene where Sawyer forces Crockett to put the shotgun in his mouth; in the original TV version he simply just holds it against his face). This version has only ever been released on VHS. Finally, there's the DVD/Blu-ray version which runs a total of 183 minutes. This version contains the original unedited miniseries (without commercials) but it edits out the end credits of part 1, a preview of what would happen in part 2, a lengthy recap at the beginning of part 2, and the opening credits of part 2 (which were now shown at the beginning of part one as they have Reggie Nalder's name added to the cast list, which was not included in the original credits to part 1). So this version, instead of being presented in its original two-part format, is instead shown as a 3-hour-long movie. Despite this, there are no actual scenes edited out and is still the original unedited CBS version as seen in its original broadcast.

A shorter version running 112 minutes was made for theatrical release outside the US, and was later released on home video. This version has alternate takes of certain scenes, contains more violence, and was rated R.

The BBC version was 2 x 92 mins (in a 95 minute slot) the UK broadcast on Monday 7 September and Wednesday 9 September 1981 was at 9:25-11pm and was ad free as the UK broadcaster the BBC who unlike the US broadcaster CBS does not broadcast adverts

Broadcast on network TV in the United States to fill a 200-minute time slot; later cut to 150 minutes. An alternate 112-minute cable TV cut was released theatrically in Europe and is available on video in the USA. The 112-minute version contains an altered scene of Cully Sawyer threatening Larry Crockett with a shotgun. Larry holds the shotgun barrel in his mouth, though, in the miniseries, he holds the barrel in front of his face. There is also an extended scene with Bill Norton impaled on antlers. Also, Salem's Lot: The Movie has some different music from the mini-series version.

The VHS 1987 version omits the scene where Ben and Mark are in Guatemala, and a vampirized Susan is laying down on a cot in a hut. Then, Ben enters the room and impales her in the chest with a wooden stake.