The 31 Films for Halloween 2011 continues with number 22. Leave it to a British film company, Amicus Productions, to make an anthology film that honors the horror comics of EC, predating Creepshow by ten years. Featuring five classic stories from the infamous comic book series, this film also has a cast of Britain's finest actors and actresses. This installment, we look at director Freddie Francis' comic adaptation: Tales from the Crypt.
- Title: Tales from the Crypt
- Director: Freddie Francis
The wraparound story for the film is a group of tourists are separated from their party in the dark, dank catacombs of a cemetery. They enter a room to find the Cryptkeeper (Sir Ralph Richardson). The five people have no choice but the be captive to the intentions of the mysterious stranger. One by one, they are shown their horrible crimes and the consequences of their actions.
The stories themselves are quite entertaining for both fans of the comics and those who first became aware of the comics through the HBO TV series. While this film may not be as gory as the TV series , or even some of the comics, they still have that biting wit that was hallmark of the series. The stories here include a woman who must hide her husband's body while she is stalked by a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus, a merciless major who inherits a home for the blind, and a twist on the story of “The Monkey's Paw.”
The Review
Director Francis and writer Milton Subotsky give these stories a charm and each one is their own theme. No two stories share the same element. Each story has a pace that doesn't falter and works well with the wraparound. If there was one complaint, the last story, “Blind Alleys,” seems to run on a bit longer than the others. However, all the stories end with a payoff that will satisfy viewers.
You are hard-pressed to find a better collection of British actors, save for the Harry Potter films. Joan Collins, Patrick Magee, Ian Hendry, Robin Phillips, and Richard Greene bring the stories to life and are in on the dark humor. The best performance, by far, is that of Peter Cushing as Arthur Grimsdyke. He brings an innocence and such likeability. If given the chance, he could have been a great dramatic talent in addition to a force in horror and sci-fi films.
Conclusion
Seeing Amicus do Tales from the Crypt is like listening to The Beatles cover Chuck Berry. Both respect the material and appreciate the spirit is encased in the works. Great atmosphere, a stellar cast, and tongue-in-cheek humor make this film a great addition to Halloween viewing.
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