User reviews

The early 70's were golden years for the British horror industry… Hammer produced their last goodies, while there was another company who specialized in making the so-called `horror-omnibuses'… During a reign of approximately 10 years, Amicus brought forward anthologies going from nearly brilliant (The House that Dripped Blood) to very bad (The Monster Club). Tales From the Crypt surely belongs to their greatest achievements as well and it guarantees an hour and a half of delightful horror entertainment. Five stories are presented to us, and at least four of them have an above average quality level. (Sir) Ralph Richardson appears as the host. Disguised as the Cryptkeeper, he shows the unfortunate dead of 5 people who descended into his vault…

The film is based on a fifties comic book success formula, which also resulted in a popular spin-off series in the early nineties. The protagonists are always doomed and these tales show their regress into death… Each of the stories has its own, unique setting and atmosphere and, together, they cover pretty much all the favorite horror topics. Yet, 5 stories is a little exaggerated and therefore aren't fully elaborated…

Especially the first story suffers from its own shortness…It involves a bitchy woman (a stunningly beautiful Joan Collins) who kills her husband, but finds herself trapped in her house while an escaped lunatic lurks through the windows. This first story is pretty bloody and tense, and I wish it had been a little longer (if it were only to look at Collins some more…). The second story by far is the worst of them all and I feel they should have left this one out. The storyline has nothing new to offer and the acting is uninspired. Tale number three stars horror-legend Peter Cushing and he's the good guy for a change! Cushing is a lonely man who offers presents to the neighborhood children and throws parties for them…I guess this wasn't an issue in the seventies yet! Or was it? Cushing character is hated by his next-door neighbor, but eventually avenges himself. The fourth story is my personal favorite since it really breathes an almost unbearable morbidity…it's a variant on the famous monkey-claw myth, which provides the owner with 3 wishes. This chapter is really chilling and the scenery is great! It also has the best make-up effects and adorable twisted humor! The final story is very ingenious and chilling as well and it entirely takes places in an institute for the blind. The new manager introduces a whole lot of economy measures, while he's living a life of luxury. At one point, the inhabitants won't take it anymore and they show him what being blind feels like

A vintage horror film financed by Amicus from producers Max Rosemberg and Milton Subotsky with a Great British Cast and formed by several episodes full of creepy events , chills, thrills , gore and guts. It stars with five strangers visiting eerie and old catacumbas .Later on , they find themselves at a grotto with the sinister Crypt Keeper , Ralph Richardson , the mysterious host tells them how each of the strangers will die . As they receive fantastic visions about their future . And now ...who is next....

It deals with 5 segments titled: All through the house, Reflection of death , Poetic Justice , Wish you were here, and Blind alleys , all of them are filled with mystery , suspense , terror , grisly killings , twisted events and horrible happenings . The British star-studded results to be pretty good with a plethora of notorious actors as Joan Collins , Richard Greene who a bit later on he passed away at the age of seventh four ,Ian Henry , the great Peter Cushing as a widower who often used an ouija to talk with his deceased wife , Roy Dotrice , Nigel Patrick , Patrick Magee and Ralph Richardson as the creepy Crypt Keeper who shot this major role in a day . Most stories previously appeared in American comic books as Tales of Crypt from EC comics as well as in The haunt of fear. Colorful , adequate cinematograhy by Norman Warwick , shot at Shepperton studios . It was compellingly accompanied by a thrilling and suspenseful musical score.

The motion picture was well and professionally directed by Freddie Francis . He was an expert cameraman who photographed prestigious films such as The straight story , Cape fear , Glory , Dune, The elephant man , Night must fall , The innocents, Room at the top and Hell in Korea . He also directed some movies , many of them terror films such as Dark tower , Doctor and the devils , The ghoul , Legend of werewolf , The creeping flesh , Trog , Torture garden , The skull , House of horrors , The evil of Frankenstein , Nighmare , Paranoiac , The brain and directed Tales of the Crypt TV series , episode 2 season 7 , titled Last respects. Rating : Above average . The motion picture will appeal to terror movies fans .

Based on the old (and rather controversial) E.C. Comics of the mid-20th century, this horror anthology is an above average entry in an intriguing (and all but dead) genre. Here there is a tour group seen roaming through some ancient catacombs with five attendees obstinately staying behind, despite numerous warnings to stick close together. They find themselves severed from the group and wind up in a tomb-like room with creepy Richardson in a monk's robe doling out orders and insights. The quintet is made to sit while each one gets a glimpse into his or her recent life. Thus the five brief stories are presented in order, each one with a morbid, ironic or gory twist to it. Collins (looking svelte and attractive) is in the first one. She splits her husband's head open as he's benignly reading the newspaper while cheery Christmas music plays on the soundtrack. (Hilariously, she kicks him down the steps while "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" drones on.) Before she can properly dispose of his body, an escaped mental patient in a Santa suit starts terrorizing her! Then Hendry is shown leaving his wife and children for a younger woman. A fateful experience on the freeway changes his life forever. Next up, snooty Phillips is being driven up the wall by his neighbor - kindly, but eccentric, old man Cushing. Phillips continuously thwarts Cushing until he gives up...but does he? A fourth tale features Greene (as a greedy gunrunner) who is forced to part with his possessions, but his wife spies an inscription on an old statuette and discovers that she can use it to ask for three wishes. This doesn't work out quite as optimistically as she had hoped. Finally, Patrick is a militant, heartless administrator of a home for the blind. He pushes the male inhabitants there to their limit and winds up paying dearly for his sins. Though no story gets enough time spent on it to really flesh it out to it's greatest potential, most of them are really intriguing and usually very well acted. The spareness of the locations and effects help set a rather desolate and chilly mood. The finest acting is probably provided by Cushing in a very atypical role. The most memorable vignette is the last one which features an unforgettable comeuppance. Fans of British horror (and especially of anthologies) will rank this pretty highly, but it's interesting enough to lure other viewers as well.

Horror anthologies are invariably a mixed bag and Tales from the Crypt is no different in that respect. Five horror stories of fluctuating quality, it is however one of the best of the bunch and arguably the best from the house of Amicus.

The wrap around has five people taking a tour of spooky catacombs who get lured into a hidden crypt where a cowl wearing man reveals to them exactly why they are there.

Stories 3 & 5 are the better efforts here, boosted considerably by top grade lead character performances from Peter Cushing and Patrick Magee, but as always with anthology movies, there's something for everyone. So roll the dice horror fans and take a chance, this is great fun, a real popcorn and wine night in by the fire. 7/10

Tales From the Crypt is a movie, that is different than most horror movies. It starts out with people wandering through a tomb on a tour, they stray away and end up locked in a crypt with a strange man in it. He tells them stories about what happened or what is about to happen to them.

The movie itself is stylishly made, and somewhat suspenseful. The acting in it is above par, and although the film itself never goes to being a triumph, it does stay entertaining till the end, to a shocking final twist. But I must say even though the film is PG, it's like JAWS, it has quite a bit of violence and blood in it, and parents should be warned that if this was released now it would be PG-13.

So if you're a fan of thrillers that are intelligent, scary, and stylish, Tales From the Crypt is one for you. And if you're one that just wants to waste a couple of hours, this is a fun movie, that you won't regret seeing.

"Tales From the Crypt" (1972) is one of seven horror anthology pictures released by Hammer rival Amicus over an eight-year period. "Tales" had been preceded by "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors," "Torture Garden," "The House That Dripped Blood" and "Asylum," and would soon be followed by "Vault of Horror" and "From Beyond the Grave." The five stories dished out in the "Tales" omnibus have as their linchpin Sir Ralph Richardson as the urbane Crypt Keeper (a far cry from the cackling HBO demon so many folks might be expecting), who looks into the minds of a group of lost tourists and sees their gruesome stories: In "And All Through the House," a particularly gorgeous Joan Collins plays cat & mouse with an escaped psycho Santa. "Reflection of Death" shows us what happens to philandering husband Ian Hendry after he and his mistress are involved in a nasty car wreck. Horror icon Peter Cushing, in "Poetic Justice," plays a kindly old man victimized by his neighbors, but who manages to deliver one horrible Valentine's Day surprise. In "Wish You Were Here," a variation of the old "Monkey's Paw" tale, a widow learns that it really is imperative to be careful for what you wish. And in "Blind Alleys," Patrick Magee and the other sightless residents of an old-man's home take a particularly grisly vengeance on their new martinet superintendent, played by Nigel Patrick. All five of these tales feature some startling and horrific bit of business; indeed, the film is memorably shocking in parts, and I was amazed at how much of the picture I recalled, after not having seen it for over 35 years. The impressive cast of British actors seems to be enjoying itself immensely, and that spirit of fun is certainly communicated to the viewer. Indeed, while watching "Tales" for the first time in all those years, I found myself happily grinning from ear to ear. From the opening strains of horror-film standard Bach's "Toccata & Fugue in D Minor" to its creepy final query from the Crypt Keeper himself, the film is nothing deep, nothing demanding, nothing innovative; just good fun. And oh...look out for that fire poker!

Amicus Studios, best known for their anthology films nailed it with this effort from 1972. With five solid stories to chill your bones, this anthology is one of my favorite films, bar none. The film is packed with a solid cast that includes; Peter Cushing, Joan Collins, Ian Hednry and Richard Greene, just to name a few. My personal faves from this anthology would be; All Through the House, Poetic Justice and Wish You Were Here, but all five stories are really well done. The Peter Cushing story is particularly touching, Cushing does a wonderful job of playing a sad man, mourning the death of his wife, in his story, which very much paralleled Cushing's own life, as he was still in mourning over the recent loss of his own wife. If you're a fan of the macabre, then you owe it to yourself to seek this 1972 film out, it is quite tame by today's standards as far as blood and gore go, but the chill factor is definitely there.

Tales from the crypt is what every Horror movie should be like. All the stories had great plots, not to mention endings, and it had probably just the right amount of violence/gore to make it an official Horror movie. This is one of the best Horror movies of all time, I guarantee it.

Five strangers lose their way while on a tour of a catacomb and find themselves in the company of a strange crypt keeper (Sir Ralph Richardson) who predicts each person's future… or so they think.

The five stories are as follows: And All Through The House: Joan Collins plays murderous wife Joanne Clayton, who bashes her husband's head in with a fire poker on Christmas Eve, but gets her just desserts when an escaped homicidal maniac dressed as Santa pays her home a visit. Easily my favourite of the five (and not just because Joan is smokin' hot in this!), the first story offers genuine atmosphere and scares with a really neat twist (admittedly, Joanne misses a trick by not calling the cops and blaming her husband's death on the lunatic in the Santa suit, but she's acting under a lot of pressure). My only real complaint is this one is over all too soon.

Reflection of Death: Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry) leaves his wife and family to start a new life with his sexy young mistress Susan Blake (Carry On babe). While asleep in the passenger seat, he wakes from a terrible nightmare shortly before the car careers off the road, in what proves to be a dream-within-a-dream style story. A decent central performance by Hendry and a cool POV sequence makes this one fun despite the well-worn circular nature of its narrative (which dates way back to 1945 when it was used in the classic anthology Dead of Night).

Poetic Justice: I first saw tale three as a child, when I sneakily caught part of the film on TV; it gave me nightmares! Peter Cushing plays kindly old man Arthur Grimsdyke who is hounded so badly by his neighbour that he commits suicide (the final straw being a pile of hate-mail delivered on Valentine's Day). One year later, Arthur crawls from his grave to exact revenge. The memorable mouldy reanimated corpse and a classic EC-style payoff makes this one a winner.

Wish You Were Here: Enid (Barbara Murray), the wife of bankrupt businessman Ralph Jason (Richard Greene), realises that her Chinese jade statue has the power to grant 3 wishes, but finds that being precise with her words is of the utmost importance. OK, so this is basically a derivative of the classic 'Monkey's Paw' tale, but the ways in which the final wish backfires is so wonderfully twisted that one can't help but have fun with it (I particularly enjoyed the shot of glistening intestines and severed hand—pretty gory stuff for an Amicus film).

Blind Alleys: Unfortunately, the last story is also the weakest… Major William Rogers (Nigel Patrick), callous superintendent at a home for the blind who probably wishes he had been a bit kinder when he is forced to take a walk down a narrow corridor lined with razor blades where an even nastier surprise awaits him at the end. This one takes way too long to get going and, just as it looks as though one's patience will be rewarded, it robs the viewer of Roger's grisly demise, making it a bit of disappointment.

Fortunately, with four of its five tales of the macabre being above average (or better), this 1972 Amicus production—based on publisher William Gaines' infamous horror comics of the '50s—should prove to be a ghoulish treat for fans of the anthology format.

Tales from the Crypt (1972)

There are 5 stories in this movie,

This movie start with 5 people who go on a Tour in catacombs Separated from the main group and get stuck in a room with Crypt Keeper . who tells them stories from their lives.

First And All Through the House

I didn't really like this story, it was okay story, I didn't find it that scary or creepy at all, it felt a little bland.

A Wife dose something really bad but Soon regrets it and as she become in danger and he can't even call for help. I think I said to much already. 4 out of 10

Reflection of Death This was even short then first But I did find this one much better, I really enjoyed how the used POV movement and as it's very short story, which I did find a little creepy at time.

8/10

Poetic Justice

This was very nasty story, I did not really like this story, very nasty and Cruel, that nasty evil guy. got everything that came to him.

I liked the ending of the story of nice and effect was not to bad. 6/10

Wish You Were Here

I not sure what to make of this one at all, It just really strange in odd way, I didn't think all that scary or creepy at all, it was really odd. Not sure what to rate it. I going to 5/10

Blind Alleys

I Hated this story, I did not like at all, I don't like seeing poor dogs locked up like that, I don't think would even do that to there owners even after they got locked .

This story didn't really make much at no dogs who turn on them on them that quick

The ending of the movie, I saw it coming, I as seen it done before another movie, I now just notice the movie came out year later after this movie, so this must be where they got ending from.

Ovrall I am going to give this 5 out of 10 Very Mix bag

Is Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) any good?

Five people wander off on a tour and come upon the crypt-keeper. Each tells his or her last memory. Each one confesses to doing something wrong. The crypt-keeper listens to each before telling the five what has happened to them and where they are. Easily this is one of the best Amicus horror anthologies. It is well-crafted, well-acted, and suitably directed by genre stalwart Freddie Francis. All of the stories are pretty good, with three standing out. The first story about Christmas and a loose killer is well-done and shocking for its day. The best story stars Peter Cushing as a genial old man suffering desolation and humiliation from a heart-less(no pun intended) neighbor. Cushing does a wonderful job here, and in a way it is a sad performance as it was made shortly after the death of his long-time wife Helen. The last story is almost as good about a group of blind residents who stop taking being treated poorly and give out punishment to a military man with razor-sharp justice. Patrick Magee and Nigel Patrick both excel in this little vignette. The frame story is also well-executed and Sir Ralph Richardson hams it up amicably as the keeper of the crypt. A great group of frightening stories...each with a moral of sorts.

Every Amicus horror anthology fan must have their own favorite segment from all of the movies in the series. Well my favorite segment of them all comes in the very middle of this film of five horror stories. 'Poetic Justice' tells of an elderly man called Grimsdyke who is a widower who is still heavily devoted to his late wife. He is a rubbish collector who salvages old dolls and toys so that he can repair and recycle them as gifts to the local children. He becomes the victim of a smear campaign from a rich neighbor's son who lives in a big house on the posh side of the road opposite. Grimsdyke dresses in old shabby clothes and keeps several dogs to stave off the loneliness of his widowerhood. When Grimsdyke is alone in the house he talks to a photo of his late wife and surrounds himself with fortune-telling and spirit communication apparatus. Grimsdyke is played to perfection by Peter Cushing who wanted to play this character so much he had it revamped to suit him as well as taking a cut in pay to do this film. Cushing himself had become a widower the year before and missed his wife Helen so much that he naturally became Grimsdyke. I reckon his quietly-spoken portrayal in this is the very best of his career from what I've seen. I feel that so much more detail and incident could have been added to the 'Poetic Justice' story that I wish someone had expanded it into a standalone full feature.

I didn't find this quite as good as Asylum but then this never had the Robert Boch writing. The opening credits with the Highgate cemetery is a great beginning and Ralph Richardson is fine with the bookends if not quite as fiery as we make have hoped. The individual episodes are all modern day scenarios as usual and some are better than others. Poor Joan Collins has a difficult job just of her own, but makes as good a job of it is she can, and the stark room and Christmas tree is excellent, as is the wonderful Father Christmas. Peter Cushing is wonderful as ever but the story is woeful. The final piece starring Patrick Magee goes on a bit but he is as great as ever and makes it probably the most succesful scene.

Five strangers go with a tourist group to view old catacombs. Separated from the main group, the strangers find themselves in a room with the mysterious Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson), who details how each of them may die.

Based on the EC comics, this Amicus production is quite a stylish, intelligent offering, however some of the tales vary in quality ( I. E. Blind Alley I didn't like too much, though it's quite a relevant with councils cost cutting in institutions and trying to save money). Highlights are: "All though the house", "Reflection of Death" and "Wish you were here' "Poetic Justice" is good, however it is quite sad ( Cushing's grief was real as his wife has passed away before the filming), though the heartless villain get its just desserts.

An enjoyable horror anthology that has some genuine scares and a strong moral flavour. You could do worse than check this out.

Tales From the Crypt (1972) was the first (and best) adaptation of E.C.'s most popular and beloved comic book. These tales were taken straight out of the original panels. Unlike the overrated and lame cable t.v. version that made a mockery out of the original source, this film from Amicus paid tribute to TALES FROM THE CRYPT in such a way that put's the H.B.O. version to shame.

These tales were baffling, scare and mystify the viewers. They work well in the omnibus format instead of stretching them to fill a half hour worth of screen time. I also liked the original crypt keeper, he was more like the comic book character as well. I wish that they release this underrated movie out on D.V.D. It could find a whole new generation of fans. Stars Peter Cushing, Joan Collins, Patrick Magee and Sir Ralph Richardson as the crypt keeper.

Highly recommended.

Five persons are visiting a catacomb following a guide and get lost. They find that they are trapped in a crypt and, out of the blue, they see The Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson) that tells five stories: (1) And All through the House: On the Christmas Eve, Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins) kills her husband expecting to receive his insurance. She hears on the news that the police are seeking-out a serial-killer posing of Santa Claus. When the man knocks on her door, she cannot call the police since the body of her husband lays on the living room, and Joanne locks windows and doors. When she looks for her daughter, she has a lethal surprise. (2) Reflection of Death: Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry) leaves his wife and children and leaves town with his mistress. However something happens during their journey (3) Poetic Justice: The widower janitor Arthur Edward Grimsdyke (Peter Cushing) is a good man that spends his leisure time with the children from the neighborhood. His heartless neighbor James Elliot (Robin Phillips) does not like him and destroys his life leading Grimsdyke to the suicide on the Valentine Day. One year later, Grimsdyke rises from his tomb seeking revenge against James. (4) Wish you Were Here: The dirty businessman Ralph Jason (Richard Greene) is bankrupted and his lawyer and friend Charles Gregory (Roy Dotrice) tells him that he must sell his real estate. When he tells to his wife Enid (Barbara Murray), she recalls that they have a statue with the legend that it could grant three wishes to the owner. She makes the wishes with tragic consequences to Ralph. (5) Blind Alleys: The cruel Major William Rogers (Nigel Patrick) comes to the Elmridge Home for the Blind with his dog Shane to be the new director. He is very cruel with the interns until the day that they revenge the bad treatment. Soon the five persons discover that they are at the gate of hell.

In 1972, I was a teenager and I saw this "Tales from the Crypt" in the movie theater. I was very impressed with the tale "Wish you Were Here" but I did not know the name of the movie. A couple of days ago, two friends of mine gave me the chance to see this movie again and I would like to thank them.

"Tales from the Crypt" is divided in five segments: (1) "And All through the House" is very creepy and has an ironic conclusion. (8/10) (2) "Reflection of Death" is the weakest segment with a deceptive story. (4/10) (3) "Poetic Justice" is a grim and heartbreaking segment. (9/10) (4) "Wish You Were Here" is an impressive segment. Ralph embalmed and burning for the eternity is unforgettable. (10/10) (5) "Blind Alleys" is another sinister episode and the revenge of the blind interns is scary. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Contos do Além" ("Tales from Beyond")

Note: On 14 November 2013, I saw this movie again.

Note: On 16 July 2019, I saw this film again.

The movie tells 5 different creepy stories. It's the same concept used later in "Twilight Zone: The Movie".

Of course some of the stories are good and some of the them are bad. Once you start thinking about it, all of the stories are actually kind of ridiculous in a way but that doesn't mean it is not entertaining to watch, especially not for those that are fan of the genre.

Unlike so many other old horror movies, this movie actually gets creepy and scary at times.

Peter Cushing plays a role in which I have never seen him before. Mostly he always plays the same character, the bad guy, or when Christopher Lee is also in the movie he plays the good guy, it's as simple as that. However not in this movie, he really plays an heartwarming and charming character which was a real surprise to me. Can I say that this is one of Cushing's best roles ever?

An enjoyable horror flick that is prefect to kill some time with.

7/10

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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.