After finally watching both of the Tales from the Crypt Films, I realized that I never properly reviewed the original Film.
This is 1972's Tales from the Crypt, the Film based on the Comics of the same name. No wisecracking Cryptkeeper here!
Back in 2010, I watched the Film...and only reviewed the first Segment. It was a Christmas segment.
Logically, I should have either reviewed the rest too OR done that in January.
Instead, we're here today to make up for it.
The Plot involves a group of people meeting a strange man in a Crypt and seeing their fates.
To see the Stars and Character Actors align, read on...
They meet a Druid there- played by Sir Ralph Richardson- and he compels them to stay.
He first tells Joan Collins how she died on Christmas. *See the Review from 2010 for that*
The next tale is about Carl Maitland, who leaves late night for a 'work trip.'
He's actually leaving with his Secretary.
He wakes up from a nap in the back of the car with a scream, while the lady drives.
They get in a fiery crash and he wanders around, scaring everyone he meets.
He finally gets to his lady and she tells him that he died in the crash...2 years ago!
In a final turn, we learn that THIS was the dream he woke up from...and it happens again.
******
The next story involves James Elliot, who is a snob that hates the man across the Street. He's an elderly Garbage Collector who owns his House.
As such, he systematically destroys his life by costing him his job, his pets...
...and the ability to be friendly to the neighborhood kids.
As a final stroke, he writes him a series of cruel Valentine's Day Cards, leading the man to suicide.
One year later, he rises from you grave and kills Elliot, giving him an ironic valentine.
In the next tale, Ralph Jason is a cruel businessman who has just lost it all.
His wife discovers a wish-granting vase (as you do) and wishes for money.
This leads to him being killed in a car crash and her getting the life insurance.
Saddened, she wishes for him back like he was before the crash...only to learn that he died right before it of a heart attack.
She regretfully makes a third wish to bring him to life...forgetting that he was embalmed. Now he can't die!
In the final tale, we see the penny-pinching Major William Rogers, who takes over as the Superintendent for a Blind Person Halfway House.
He quickly cuts the Budget for food and heating...but only for them.
His cruelty leads to the Residents turning on him, locking him and his dog away.
Days later, he's let out through a makeshift maze, only to be attacked by his dog- driven mad from starvation and separation- and dies!
In the aftermath, they all learn that Hell is their final fate!
The End.
******
A good to great collection of Tales, each with a super subtle set of morals.
Fun Fact- most of these Tales are not *actually* from the 'Tales from the Crypt' Comic. The Producer received a trade of Tales by EC Comics and used that here.
Most of those were from 'Vault of Horror' (not the Film)
The tales are fairly low-key, which is what you're going to get from stuff from this Era. Plus, Amicus could be pretty cheap sometimes.
Acting wise, it is quite strong. You get some great names like Cushing, Collins, David Markham and Robin Elliot.
Each Tale works pretty well on their own and in the Anthology format. They are all from one, so...yeah, that tracks.
I'll leave you with this shot of Oscar and Tony-nominated Actor Sir Ralph Richardson posing for a Metal Album Cover...
Next up, I finally cover a '90s Cult Classic from an Oscar-winning Director. Time to finally unwrap that DVD! Stay tuned...
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