Tales from the Crypt Movie

Tales from the Crypt
Rating:
Run Time: 92 min
MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1972
Directors: Freddie Francis
Genre/Type: Horror
Thriller
Producers: Max Rosenberg
Milton Subotsky
Plot Synopsis by Clarke Fountain
The phenomenon of Tales from the Crypt seems to have no endings, only changes. This successful pun-filled style of presenting ironic horror tales had its beginnings in William Gaine's E.C. comic series. At one time, outlandish E.C. Comics were at the heart of a national furor over the "evils" of comic books, which were thought to lead to moral degeneracy. The big comic-book publishers were frightened into freezing E.C. out of their distribution network, which killed the business. This British movie was based on the Tales from the Crypt series, which spawned several subsequent movies (and many imitators), at least one television series, and a whole new wave of comic books. Released in 1972, this movie has five episodes based on Gaines' stories, each introduced by Sir Ralph Richardson as the eerily cheery Crypt Keeper. His comedic approach to the role was misunderstood at the time, as reviewers expected a more solemn approach to horror. In "All Through the House," Santa Claus is someone to avoid. In "Reflection of Death" it takes some people a while to realize the truth about themselves. In "Poetic Justice" death cannot prevent one man's revenge. The episode "Blind Alley" demonstrates a new use for razor blades. "Wish You Were Here" cautions against taking native artifacts lightly (among other things). Among the stars featured are Peter Cushing, Joan Collins and Patrick Magee.

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A Mad Doctor enlists the help of two security guards in a morgue in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the human soul. full summary | add synopsis
Tales from the Crypt you have some very big shoes (and coffins) to fill! What I did with #1 is the same thing I do with any new comic book I’m checking out on the stands — the quick flip-through test. Something has to really jump out at me ...
Yeah, when I was three-four my dad and I would watch that together at night. I don't like anything about it because I still remember a few of the storylines and they haunted me a lot when I was little. Bad parenting on my dad's part there. ...
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Cast

Actors Character Born
Manning Wilson Vicar [Poetic Justice]
Hedger Wallace Detective [Wish You Were Here]
George Herbert Old Blind Man [Blind Alleys]
Oliver Macgreevy Maniac
Patrick Magee George Carter Mar 31, 1922 in Arnagh, Northern Ireland
Roy Dotrice Charles Gregory May 26, 1923 in Guernsey, Channel Islands, England
David Markham Father Apr 3, 1913 in Wick, Worcestershire, England, UK
Hugo de Vernier [Blind Alleys]
Carl Bernard [Blind Alleys]
Joan Collins Joanne Clayton May 23, 1933 in London, England, UK
Chloe Franks Daughter
Peter Cushing Grimsdyke May 26, 1913 in Kenley, Surrey, England
Ian Hendry Carl Maitland Jan 13, 1931 in Ipswich, England
Robert Hutton Neighbour Jun 11, 1920 in Kingston, NY
Ralph Richardson Crypt Keeper Dec 19, 1902 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Robin Phillips James Elliott Feb 28, 1942 in Haslemere, Surrey, England
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Back to the topReview

Review by Craig Butler
Tales from the Crypt is certainly not a great horror film, but it has a certain magnetism about it that is hard to resist and which accounts for its enduring popularity. There's something about Crypt that makes even jaded viewers feel like they're kids sitting in their rooms late at night with the lights out, telling eerie tales with the aid of a flashlight. As with any anthology film, certain sections are stronger than others. With Crypt, the weaker stories are the 2nd and 4th, "Reflection of Death" and "Wish You Were Here." "Reflection" has little about it that is original, and though it's short, it still goes on a bit too long. "Wish" is a better piece, but it's failing is that it is essentially a rip-off of the better-known "The Monkey's Paw." Of the stronger pieces, "Poetic Justice" is the best, thanks in large part to a first rate and quite moving performance by Peter Cushing, as well as wonderfully smarmy support from Robin Phillips. Although the ending is over-the-top in a rather wonderful way, this piece has a melancholy lyricism to it that is quite special for the genre. "All Through the House" benefits from Joan Collins' bravura performance, as well as the admittedly sick allure of a homicidal Santa. "Blind Alley" goes on too long, but its memorable climax makes it well worth the wait, and it does feature some delicious overacting from Patrick Magee and Nigel Patrick. The wraparound sequences are enlivened by Ralph Richardson's tongue-in-cheek approach to the Crypt Keeper.
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