Too much of everything

the audience applauded

Such a frustrating disappointment

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

I don't get why this is so highly rated. I thought the stories were bland and had nothing really to recommend them. I guess the comics they are based on are classics or something. But I don't see why anyone would bother to make them into film. The stories aren't very interesting, the images are neither beautiful nor grotesque, and it just isn't very entertaining to watch.

This is an Amicus anthology, one which has basically the same formula and feel as DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS and THE VAULT OF HORROR, in that it deals with a group of people who are told stories of their death. The first story, the tale of the Santa murderer, is strictly average, but remains interesting in that it is unique and an early example of the typical slasher film which was churned out over and over again in the 1980s. Nowadays, the sight of seeing Collins, a respected actress who is more famous for DYNASTY than her early horrors, is definitely a nostalgic one. The second segment is a clever take on a typical ghost story but rarely rises above mediocrity.The third story is the best of the whole lot and possibly the best story in any Amicus anthology. Cushing won an award for his role as the old man who becomes a zombie. There is fine acting on display here especially from Cushing, and the theme is excellent. It's a classic tale of revenge and people getting what they deserve and could be used as the best example to illustrate this genre as a whole. It comes directly from the EC comics from the '50s and is similar to the stories used in CREEPSHOW. Along with all this, Cushing has some simple yet great zombie makeup (gauze was put over his eyes, enabling him to see) which utilises those famous cheekbones, and the shot of him climbing from his grave is a classic shuddery moment.There are some clever twists in the fourth story, making it very macabre and it provokes genuine chills as well as laughs. It also has the same crawling hand in it which we have seen in two previous British films, including AND NOW THE SCREAMIN STARTS. Richard Greene stars, and he's put on a lot of weight since his ROBIN HOOD days. The bit in the coffin at the end is truly grotesque. The fifth story has a superb performance from Patrick Magee, and a horrible scene involving razor blades! It's a lot like a nightmare and also represents the genre at its best. Richardson says a brilliant final line to the camera "Who's next... could it be you?" and then the music, the Toccata in D Minor, comes up, ending an above-average selection of stories which are well worth seeing. TALES FROM THE CRYPT is just about the best of the best in terms of anthology films and is the cream of British talent in the early 1970s. Definitely one for the collection.

As I stated in a previous review I did of "Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight" I have been a fan of TFTC since I was a little kid. While this is markedly different from the Tales that most people know, its still great fun. Five individuals are lured away from a tour group and greeted by the cryptkeeper (NOT the one most of us love and are familiar with) and not allowed to leave as five different tales about their deaths are woven. As is with most anthology movies, the stories that are told can be hit or miss. My personal favorites are the first one (Which, coincidentally, is the same story they used as the first episode in the first season of HBO's Tales From The Crypt) where a deranged Santa stalks a murderous housewife,the third one, in which a sad, lonely but kindly old man is wronged greatly, commits suicide, and then seeks revenge from beyond the grave,and the fourth, which is a variation of the old "Monkey's Paw" story. The other two stories, the second and fifth, are just OK. The second story could have been better, if it were longer, but its the shortest one in this collection. All in all, this is a neat old horror flick, and if you're a fan of all things Tales From The Crypt, you should enjoy it.

Great film this, loved it the first time I ever saw it. There's something very special and rare in the macabre yet fun spirit of it that without sounding too weird I hope, makes me feel kind of peaceful. 'At home!' It was so cool to learn that without this, my favourite anthology ever Creepshow, would've never happened, nor a certain excellent HBO television series, so horror fans the world over have more to thank this picture for than they know! The opening sequence so perfectly sets the tone with the ancient graveyard with the overgrowth and the well-trod dirt path winding through the tombs. It's enchantingly Gothic and just beautiful to me, so grand and foreboding... Okay, so the first story's really good, I love the contrast between a ruthless murderess and the classic peace and tranquility of a Christmas atmosphere which soon becomes malevolent. But I personally find it one of the weaker stories as it's over in a flash, with just not enough to it for me to really get into it. It's beautifully shot for being on practically a single set the whole time. The bold and shocking 70's decor is monstrous! And my, were they ever hopeless at blood back then. It's too bright! And I don't know what she was so worried about, Santa only wanted to get in so he could give her a nice back rub! I infinitely prefer the TV episode, I find it superior in every way. I find the second story the scariest because the whole idea of repeating eternity is a damn nightmarish and chilling concept to me. It's so eerie and surreal the way it's already happening before it's even happening - like a bizarre horrific paradox, it begins where it ends and ends where it begins! I love the strange tension and mystery of why everyone he meets recoils in horror. It doesn't hurt the overall effect, but I find it a bit of a letdown when the "Reflection" is finally revealed as the makeup looks pretty rubbish, and for me the bland bloke's scream makes for a laugh. It's still a scary enough climax though, he's dead and doomed forever to the hellish torment of an endless nightmare, all because he so selfishly chose to betray and abandon his family. Hell is repetition... The excellent "Poetic Justice" is probably my favourite story, as I find it the most well put together and emotionally involving. Peter Cushing is wonderful, his Arthur Grimsdyke is so kind and vulnerable, and his slow destruction at the hands of the evil-spirited little man next door is simply heartbreaking to watch. Always such damn cruel 'opportunists' in life who are always willing to twist the knife in someone's side a little more in their worst days. He gets his just desserts, but the tale certainly promises nothing of hope in any way. Did you ever dream you'd see a zombie Peter Cushing? I love the fantastic sequence where the Grimsdyke zombie slowly tears itself out of the cold ground and makes its ghastly way into the unsuspecting young man's parlour... Such macabre magic! And what a brilliant touch to stick in there with the zombie hand placing itself on the desk right next to the iron ornamental hand! And the heart was still beating - fantastic! Cushing was a pleasure to watch, and may he rest in peace. The average take on the Monkey's Paw is I reckon the worst one. It doesn't drag or anything, but I find it a mite too campy, and I can't stand the red-headed lady's performance, she was so into it and over-the-top.. She should have wished that she wasn't so bloody stupid.. Like with the big face reveal of Reflection, the face of I think what's supposed to be the grim spectre of death on a motorbike in the rear-view mirror looks like complete s**t, you can easily tell it's just a guy in a mask. He was like the original Ghost Rider! It was a mad sick idea to end it with, but that one left a lot to be desired I thought. I found his poorly-looped screaming hilariously corny! Perhaps a wood chipper might've done the trick? And finally Blind Alleys was another excellent and well-acted tale, the performances of Magee and Patrick help make the story as effective as it is, and an otherwise crazy setup believable. As the longest story it's definitely a slow-burner, but I find it gripping and atmospheric as the tension builds as the man who behaves as if he's the warden of a prison is practically letting the 'helpless' inmates wither and die. Some of the visuals are superbly inventive, such as the razor-blade walls, which were a stroke of dark genius. That part always has me grimacing and on edge. The 'Major' was a nasty, bull-headed, unreasonable jerk, he had it coming! It's quite the awesome revelation at the end when the hour of their judgement has come... I think it's open to interpretation whether or not they were dead all along. Ralph Richardson was amazing as the spooky old monk who's basically there to read them their last rites. He may be called "Crypt Keeper", but he's actually more similar to the character of the Vault Keeper from the original comics than anything else. I enjoyed his more reserved approach, I think it created a nice aura of ominous mystery. And the way he delivers the final lines right at the audience is perfect and makes the ending one to remember. He breaks the fourth wall, and he does it with such pathos and passion! There's no real violence and gore in the film but who needs it? Far more meaningful and effective to use one's own mind to fill in the blanks of what's not seen! A great classic and among the very best of its gruesome ilk. Pleasant screams!!!