Tales from the Crypt Reviews
May 31, 2013
Peter Cushing is brilliant as Mr Grimsdyke in this excellent Amicus anthology story - a poignant performance as the grievung widower and then a genuinely scary zombified version as he wreaks revenge on his cruel neighbour. The cast is filled with well known faces from Patrick Magee, Geoffrey Bayldon, Robert Hutton and Duncan Lamont to Richard Greene, Joan Collins and Sir Ralph Richardson/
Matthew J.
February 17, 2013
"... And All Through the House" kicks off the movie and boy is it good. With it's chilling atmosphere, some good jump scares and a fine performance by Joan Collins this is the best story of all. 90%
"Reflection of Death" is a silly episode, too short to generate any real scares and too clumsily shot not to be predictable. 20%
"Poetic Justice" has a touching story and a great performance by Peter Cushing, but it suffers from the fact that there isn't a single scare in it's run, 80%
"Wish You Were Here" would have been great if it was just a little longer and had less of a laughable ending. 70%
"Blind Alleys" on the other hand is terrific if you are willing to suspend your disbelief for 20 minutes. It's fun and the end sequence is rather something of a thrill. It also benefits a lot from two strong performances by Patrick Magee and Nigel Patrick. 90%
All in all "Tales From the Crypt" has little in the way of intelligence but it's as fun as you can get with a 90-minute anthology. Good stuff.
Just as any other anthology "Tales From the Crypt" has to be judged one story at a time:
"... And All Through the House" kicks off the movie and boy is it good. With it's chilling atmosphere, some good jump scares and a fine performance by Joan Collins this is the best story of all. 90%
"Reflection of Death" is a silly episode, too short to generate any real scares and too clumsily shot not to be predictable. 20%
"Poetic Justice" has a touching story and a great performance by Peter Cushing, but it suffers from the fact that there isn't a single scare in it's run, 80%
"Wish You Were Here" would have been great if it was just a little longer and had less of a laughable ending. 70%
"Blind Alleys" on the other hand is terrific if you are willing to suspend your disbelief for 20 minutes. It's fun and the end sequence is rather something of a thrill. It also benefits a lot from two strong performances by Patrick Magee and Nigel Patrick. 90%
All in all "Tales From the Crypt" has little in the way of intelligence but it's as fun as you can get with a 90-minute anthology. Good stuff.
December 6, 2012
First-rate, classic horror anthology. Don't expect the darkly humorous, cartoon-like TV show based off of the same 50's comic book. This is genuine, Hitchcockian suspense. (Not that the series isn't great; it's just different)
Kevin Rimney
November 3, 2012
Could have been better, could have been worse. Over all it holds up well I think considering it's age.
Worth a watch for fans of such stuff.
Very well done, based on the old classic EC comics but done in the British style of horror at the time.
Could have been better, could have been worse. Over all it holds up well I think considering it's age.
Worth a watch for fans of such stuff.
October 24, 2012
Very gloomy and well presented. A perfect homage to the EC horror comics series, definite recommended viewing for anyone who likes classic horror graphic fiction and a clear source of inspiration to anyone starting out in horror.
September 6, 2012
I have always loved horror anthologies, those morsels of poetic justice wrapped together under an overlapping theme and enthralling the viewer with something new around every corner. I knew this movie existed so there was, gleefully, no mistaking it with the late '80s-early '90s HBO special (although some of those were passable) and I'd have to give this one 8/10. I'm not sure how all those blind duffers managed to erect those walls of razor blades without cutting themselves up in the last segment, though!
David S
Super Reviewer
August 22, 2012
Having seen the 'sequel' 'Vault of Horror' I was slightly disapponted with this film. It seems Amicus really got into their stride with 'Vault' and 'Asylum'. However there is still a lot to enjoy here. My favourite stories are 'Wish You Were Here' (a nice little riff of the 'Monkey's Paw' story with a chilling ending and 'Poetic Justice' that has an absolutely heartbreaking performance from Peter Cushing as a victimised old man who gets his revenge in the afterlife. 'Blind Alley' has a great denouement that the 'Saw' franchise would be proud of but is a little slow and 'All Through the House' is an almost silent film with Joan Collins covering up the consequences of a crime whilst a homicidal maniac dressed as Santa is on the prowl outside. Collins is ok but the story feels predictable and the ending is a bit of a let down. The surprise story is 'Reflections of Death' which is genuinely creepy but let down by some poor make-up effects at the end. Tying this all together is Sir Ralph Richardson phoning in his performance as a hammy monk. The stories are short and sweet and if you don't like one then another comes along quick enough. Francis directed some of the best Hammer films (including one of my favourite 'The Curse of the Werewolf') so the film looks slick and he gets good performances from everyone. What surprised me the most was that unlike 'Vault of Horror' not all of these storytellers deserve the fate that comes to them which I guess makes the film a little darker and more sinister that I expected. Overall a fun portmanteau film that would be a great double or triple bill with 'Vault' and 'Asylum'. Maybe I'll watch that collection next Halloween!
Phil H
Super Reviewer
August 28, 2011
Being a British version of the old comic its naturally slightly reserved and a little more serious or gloomy. The cast is made up of some classy stalwartly Brits such as Peter Cushing and Ralph Richardson and many well known characters actors of British film, TV and theatre.
The five short stories are interesting but not wild or effects packed as later movies. The first has Joan Collins murdering her husband at Xmas but being strangled herself by an escaped loony dressed up as Santa who was let in the house by her little girl. Second has a cheating husband seeing his own death and coming back as the undead. Third shows Peter Cushing as an old man being hounded by his snobby neighbours to move as they dislike his scruffy presence next door. The old man commits suicide then comes back from the dead to exact revenge.
Fourth story is a variation on the famous short 'The Monkey's Paw' (also spoofed by 'The Simpsons' so well in their halloween episodes). A recently widowed woman makes bad choices or wishes with a small Oriental statue causing her much grief. The last story shows what happens to a mean money pinching man who runs a home for blind men badly.
The stories are told as predictions of the future by the crypt keeper to a group of people visiting some old catacombs, the frame/wrap plot. The keeper is a much more serious take on what you may be used to these days, very monk like, a normal human face, well spoken, almost like the Grim Reaper. The stories are also quite tame and not overly exciting by today's standards. Some blood on show but its pretty clearly red paint hehe and the odd good bit of makeup/prosthetics on the undead.
The film isn't as fun I thought, its kinda dull and takes itself too seriously. The stories are fair but lean more towards revenge without much visual gore or goo, that's perfectly fine but I always thought these anthologies need at least one or two good monster/creature tales.
Interesting to watch but not a thrilling set, its also a bit dated now naturally, but fun to watch all the over acting and reactions.
Original British horror anthology based on EC's 'Tales from the Crypt' which would eventually lead to the more well known US TV series and films.
Being a British version of the old comic its naturally slightly reserved and a little more serious or gloomy. The cast is made up of some classy stalwartly Brits such as Peter Cushing and Ralph Richardson and many well known characters actors of British film, TV and theatre.
The five short stories are interesting but not wild or effects packed as later movies. The first has Joan Collins murdering her husband at Xmas but being strangled herself by an escaped loony dressed up as Santa who was let in the house by her little girl. Second has a cheating husband seeing his own death and coming back as the undead. Third shows Peter Cushing as an old man being hounded by his snobby neighbours to move as they dislike his scruffy presence next door. The old man commits suicide then comes back from the dead to exact revenge.
Fourth story is a variation on the famous short 'The Monkey's Paw' (also spoofed by 'The Simpsons' so well in their halloween episodes). A recently widowed woman makes bad choices or wishes with a small Oriental statue causing her much grief. The last story shows what happens to a mean money pinching man who runs a home for blind men badly.
The stories are told as predictions of the future by the crypt keeper to a group of people visiting some old catacombs, the frame/wrap plot. The keeper is a much more serious take on what you may be used to these days, very monk like, a normal human face, well spoken, almost like the Grim Reaper. The stories are also quite tame and not overly exciting by today's standards. Some blood on show but its pretty clearly red paint hehe and the odd good bit of makeup/prosthetics on the undead.
The film isn't as fun I thought, its kinda dull and takes itself too seriously. The stories are fair but lean more towards revenge without much visual gore or goo, that's perfectly fine but I always thought these anthologies need at least one or two good monster/creature tales.
Interesting to watch but not a thrilling set, its also a bit dated now naturally, but fun to watch all the over acting and reactions.
July 27, 2012
Would of been scared out of my mind if I went to this in the theatres in the 70's. One of the best from the classic horror, definitely a must see if you are a fan of the genre.
July 15, 2012
really bloody enjoyed watching this on friday night. Not usually a fan of anthologies but a couple of these stories are up there with the best...and it's British!
Whitsbrain
July 8, 2012
I think "...And All Through the House" which is the first story, is probably the weakest. It stars a sexy Joan Collins as a murderous housewife who gets a surprise from a maniac stalking her neighborhood on Christmas night. Collins gives a whirlwind performance, she goes from evil killer to vulnerable damsel in distress at a moment's notice. It was tough to get past the totally fake looking '70s blood effect, though.
The second story "Reflection of Death" drags a bit but, MAN!, did it catch me by surprise with it's reveal. I'll admit it. I jumped.
"Poetic Justice" was next up and the story featured a heart-warming performance by the awesome Peter Cushing. This one felt so much like a precursor to the "Creepshow" anthologies that followed later. The ending is pretty horrific but cool.
"Wish You Were Here" is my favorite of the bunch. I don't want to spoil any of this one but I will say that main character Ralph Jason suffers a terrible fate. And when I say suffers, I mean SUFFERS! Watch for some very shocking gore in this. Intestines, anyone?
"Blind Alleys" is demented and warped. Major Rogers, the director of a home for the blind, is over-the-top cruel to its inhabitants. The way that the blind men get their revenge on Rogers is methodically crazed.
The wraparound story has the main characters in each of the shorts visiting old catacombs. They become lost and meet the Crypt Keeper, who relays to them their death stories. It's a passable wraparound but nothing special.
If you like horror you need to see this. It's a classic.
My journey through movie anthologies has now led me to Amicus Productions' "Tales From the Crypt" and this one is probably my favorite (so far). Every single story here is a kick.
I think "...And All Through the House" which is the first story, is probably the weakest. It stars a sexy Joan Collins as a murderous housewife who gets a surprise from a maniac stalking her neighborhood on Christmas night. Collins gives a whirlwind performance, she goes from evil killer to vulnerable damsel in distress at a moment's notice. It was tough to get past the totally fake looking '70s blood effect, though.
The second story "Reflection of Death" drags a bit but, MAN!, did it catch me by surprise with it's reveal. I'll admit it. I jumped.
"Poetic Justice" was next up and the story featured a heart-warming performance by the awesome Peter Cushing. This one felt so much like a precursor to the "Creepshow" anthologies that followed later. The ending is pretty horrific but cool.
"Wish You Were Here" is my favorite of the bunch. I don't want to spoil any of this one but I will say that main character Ralph Jason suffers a terrible fate. And when I say suffers, I mean SUFFERS! Watch for some very shocking gore in this. Intestines, anyone?
"Blind Alleys" is demented and warped. Major Rogers, the director of a home for the blind, is over-the-top cruel to its inhabitants. The way that the blind men get their revenge on Rogers is methodically crazed.
The wraparound story has the main characters in each of the shorts visiting old catacombs. They become lost and meet the Crypt Keeper, who relays to them their death stories. It's a passable wraparound but nothing special.
If you like horror you need to see this. It's a classic.
Jason C
Super Reviewer
March 17, 2011
I love the demented storytelling of Tales from the Crypt. I think it's great how they normally end with a character suffering for eternity as a result of their soulless behavior. This film includes 5 solid tales from the comics. Be warned, this movie is nearly 40 years old. Some of the scenes, especially the gore and makeup, suffer greatly due to age. If you can't suspend disbelief, you might be disappointed with this, but the storytelling is absolutely top notch.
May 23, 2012
Old movie, but I really enjoyed it. It let you use your own imagination, with the different stories.
May 18, 2012
This film admits to itself that acting out TFTC could only be done in the format of a TV series. That said, it's a fun time watching through each episode within this film.
