Tales From The Crypt

Fun Facts

Also Known As

Argentina - Relatos de la cripta
Brazil - Contos do Além
Spain - Condenados de ultratumba
Finland (Swedish title) - Från andra sidan graven
Finland - Haudan tuolta puolen
France (dubbed version) - Contes d'outre-tombe
France - Histoires d'outre-tombe
Greece - Treis stagones aima se palia dantela
Hungary - Mesék a kriptából
Italy - Racconti dalla tomba
Mexico - Cuentos de ultratumba
Poland - Opowiesc z krypty
Sweden - Från andra sidan graven
Germany - Geschichten aus der Gruft
Germany - Im Horrorkabinett

Tagline

DEATH LIVES in the Vault of Horror!

Main Details

Released in 1972
Color
Running Time: 92 Min
Production Co: Amicus Productions (as An Amicus Production) | Metromedia Producers Corporation (MPC) (presents)
Distribution Co: 20th Century Fox (1972) (UK) (theatrical) | Ambassador Film Distributors (1972) (Canada) (theatrical) | Ambassador Film Distributors (1979) (Canada) (theatrical) (re-release) | American International Pictures (AIP) (1978) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release) | Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Finland) (theatrical) | Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1972) (Italy) (theatrical) | Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1972) (USA) (theatrical) | Cinerama Releasing UK (1972) (UK) (theatrical)

Cast and Crew

Directed by Freddie Francis
Written by Johnny Craig, Al Feldstein, William M. Gaines, Milton Subotsky
Starring Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Roy Dotrice, Richard Greene, Ian Hendry, Patrick Magee, Barbara Murray, Nigel Patrick, Ralph Richardson
Produced by Charles W. Fries, Max Rosenberg, Milton Subotsky
Music by Douglas Gamley
Cinematography by Norman Warwick
Film Editing by Teddy Darvas

Film Review

Template:Peter Cushing

What could be better than a colorful, fun, and creepy 1972 horror film? Answer: Five colorful, fun, creepy 1970s horror films—in one film! That’s Tales From the Crypt’s calling card. It’s an anthology: a collection of stories culled from the popular horror/comic magazine of the same name.

The first tale is a distraction-packed showcase for Joan Collins. Years before her bitchy reign on TV’s Dynasty, the actress is in top form as a greedy, murdering housewife who, herself, may be murdered by, of all people, a “homicidal maniac” Santa Clause! Can she hide the evidence that she’s murdered her husband, keep her Christmas-happy little girl from discovering the body, and prevent deadly Santa from getting her: simultaneously?!

The second tale involves a married man (Ian Hendry) who leaves his family for a younger woman and survives a car accident—only to discover that, contrary to what he believes, he has gone through a dramatic transformation. It’s a swirling piece filled with hope, resignation and prophecy. Is the car accident evil retribution for abandoning his wife and children?

In the third tale a wealthy father (David Markham) and son (Robert Phillips), both of whom are unhappy with their elderly neighbor’s unkempt “hovel” across the street, scheme to drive the old man (Peter Cushing) out by taking away his life pleasures—his role as kooky entertainer to the neighborhood children, his beloved dogs, and his ability to collect his pension. Eventually the old man hangs himself, but he has a post-death surprise for both his tormenters.

The fourth tale is among the series’ best: what would you wish for if you could? A wealthy couple (Richard Greene and Barbara Murray) lose all their money but notice that an ancient artifact they’ve collected allows them three wishes. Each of the couple’s wishes are granted, but with unforeseen and tragic consequences. Be careful what you wish for—you just might get it!

The fifth and final tale involves the injustices suffered by inhabitants of a home for the blind. Deemed inconsequential by an uncaring headmaster (Nigel Patrick), the cleverest of the sightless men (Patrick Magee) concocts an elaborate plan to painfully exact revenge. An eye for an eye—indeed!

Tales From the Crypt is a satisfying excursion into the world of mystery, fantasy and horror. Director Freddie Francis (Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors [1965], Torture Garden [1968]) compliments the Edward Allan Poe-like mise-en-scene with craftily positioned camera angles, scenes drenched in lurid, purposely-cartoonish color (that blood!) and dialogue that sounds like it belongs in a bubble above character’s heads. A fully-realized and effectively unsettling omnibus—featuring Master of Ceremonies/eerie clairvoyant Sir Ralph Richardson. Followed by Vault of Horror (1973).

Reviewed by Josiah Howard - 10/4/13