Tales from the Crypt – 1972 | 92mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Chilling anthology based on the classic EC horror comic stories by William Gaines and AI Feldstein. Freddie Francis directed this classic portmanteau chiller for Amicus studios.

Five tales of terror unfold when five tourists (Joan Collins, Ian Hendry, Robin Phillips, Richard Greene and Nigel Patrick) become lost while exploring the catacombs of an eerie underground cemetery. A mysterious monk (Ralph Richardson) appears and foretells how each of their lives will proceed.

Firstly, the monk asks Joanne (Collins) what her plans are for the future, the film then cuts away to a future Christmas Eve at her home and tells the story All Through the House. Joanne murders her husband for financial gain. Whilst she hides his body, a newsflash comes on the radio that a lunatic wearing a Santa Claus outfit has escaped from a local mental institution that very evening, this determines that Joanne’s scheme to collect her husband’s insurance money doesn’t go according to plan.

Next Carl Maitland (Hendry) proclaims that he will be returning home to see his loving wife and children, and so the film proceeds to Maitland’s domestic surroundings and the story Reflection of Death. Errant husband Carl, leaves his wife and family to surreptitiously meet with Susan (Angie Grant), his mistress. Whilst Carl and Susie are driving along the motorway at night, he falls asleep and slips into a dream showing a deadly car crash involving the two lovers – but was it a premonition?

James Elliott (Phillips) approaches the monk and tells him he has no desire to hear of his future, but the monk disagrees and begins foretelling Poetic Justice. Charles lives opposite ageing eccentric Mr Grimsdyke (Peter Cushing), who James would like rid of due to his behaviour depreciating the house prices in the area. James begins scheming to force Grimsdyke to leave his home by spitefully ruining his reputation amongst the neighbours. Grimsdyke eventually succumbs to James’ cruelty and commits suicide by hanging himself, but one year on from his death, rises from the grave to exact retribution for James’ heartless actions.

Ralph Jason (Greene) steps forward and demands to know why he is facing the monk. Wish You Were Here describes why the recently bankrupt Ralph is shown looking at a small statuette with his wife Enid (Barbara Murray). His wife observes some writing on the statuette that states it will deliver three wishes – in jest his wife wishes for lots of money to alleviate their situation. Ralph takes his car and returns to work in response to a phone call, and finds himself followed by the shadowy motorcycle rider of death who takes Ralph’s life – allowing his wife to become rich from the insurance money. Enid, realising her actions have cost her husband his life, uses up the final two wishes in an impulsive attempt to revive him.

Finally Major Rogers (Patrick) has his future revealed in Blind Alleys. Rogers takes up a new job as Superintendent of a home for the elderly blind, and cruelly runs it without little thought for the resident’s welfare. Carter (Patrick Magee) approaches the Major pleading for better conditions for the inhabitants – but is rebuffed by Rogers response that in "The Kingdom of the Blind: The One Eyed Man Is King". After securing Major Rogers’ guard dog Shane, Carter leads a revolt against their harsh administrator and his staff. There follows the films most gruesome, and cutting, scene.

The story closes with the monk elaborating on why they have been brought before him, and how their lives may not follow the path he had earlier predicted. The film moves quickly, and despite its success for Amicus, the anthologies lack real depth and are seemingly to short to do real justice to the stories and the films overall cohesion.