Tales From the Crypt 1972

Tales from the Crypt

Critics Consensus

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90%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 20

69%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,209
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Tales from the Crypt Photos

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Movie Info

When people in a tourist group get lost within ancient catacombs, they meet the sinister Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson), who tells them each their fate. The creepy figure's macabre stories involve Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins), a wife dabbling in murder, and Grymsdyke (Peter Cushing), a retired sanitation worker targeted by his suspicious neighbors. Among the other characters is adulterer Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry), who may face a fitting demise if the Crypt Keeper's yarns come true.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    horror
  • Original Language:
    English (United Kingdom)
  • Director:
    Fred Francis
  • Producer:
    Milton Subotsky, Max Rosenberg
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Metromedia Producers Corporation (MPC), Amicus Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Ralph Richardson
The Crypt Keeper
Joan Collins
Joanne Clayton
Peter Cushing
Arthur Edward Grimsdyke
Geoffrey Bayldon
Guide
Nigel Patrick
Maj. William Rogers
Patrick Magee
George Carter
Robin Phillips
James Elliot
Oliver MacGreevy
Maniac in Santa Suit
Chloe Franks
Carol Clayton
Ian Hendry
Carl Maitland
Fred Francis
Director
Milton Subotsky
Producer
Max Rosenberg
Producer
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News & Interviews for Tales From the Crypt

Further Reading: Seasonal Slaying – The 12 Horrors of Christmas
Kim Newman on… The Terrornauts
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Critic Reviews for Tales From the Crypt

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (2)

  • This British production looks handsome enough under Freddie Francis's direction, and for those who say they'd watch Ralph Richardson in anything, well, here's your chance.

    July 10, 2012 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Unfortunately, the only style exhibited by Freddie Francis, who directed the film, and Milton Subotsky, who wrote it, is in their dumb appreciation for ancient plot devices, and especially in their high-handedness with other people's stories.

    May 9, 2005 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • It's put together something like the comic books, with the old Crypt Keeper acting as host and narrator. In the movie version, he is played with suitable ham by Ralph Richardson.

    October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • The lows are still pretty good, and the highs are off the charts.

    October 23, 2020 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Tim Brayton

    Alternate Ending

  • This excellent anthology of horror tales drawn from EC comics features Ralph Richardson as the crypt keeper who reveals a quintet of fearsome futures to a veteran British cast of terror troupers.

    September 28, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Alan Jones

    Radio Times

  • Tales from the Crypt is a wholly successful portmanteau horror film that delights in changing things up with each story.

    September 28, 2018 | Full Review…

    Kyle Anderson

    Nerdist
View All Critic Reviews (20)

Audience Reviews for Tales From the Crypt

  • Aug 21, 2015
    A British adaptation of the classic EC comics. The film was splendid in making the horror elements from the stories alive with excellent acting and story telling. Way better than the TV series in my opinion but at times cringe worthy due to its age.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2014
    two recognisable names in joan Collins + peter cushing, one cheesy crypt keeper, five stories & only one of which "wish you were here" packs a true dose of fear. whiles away some time!
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Aug 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!
    David S Super Reviewer
  • Nov 10, 2011
    What I want to mention the most is the story of Grimsdyke in this collection of scary stories, it is awful how this landowner treats this genuinely awesome old man yet there is such a good payoff all in all. I want to watch this movie again, the tales are timeless even if they have a heavy 70's style to them (damn those leopard print carpets).
    Greg A Super Reviewer
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