jhanks-45230 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.

Leofwine_draca This is an Amicus anthology, one which has basically the same formula and feel as DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS and THE VAULT OF HORROR, in that it deals with a group of people who are told stories of their death. The first story, the tale of the Santa murderer, is strictly average, but remains interesting in that it is unique and an early example of the typical slasher film which was churned out over and over again in the 1980s. Nowadays, the sight of seeing Collins, a respected actress who is more famous for DYNASTY than her early horrors, is definitely a nostalgic one. The second segment is a clever take on a typical ghost story but rarely rises above mediocrity.The third story is the best of the whole lot and possibly the best story in any Amicus anthology. Cushing won an award for his role as the old man who becomes a zombie. There is fine acting on display here especially from Cushing, and the theme is excellent. It's a classic tale of revenge and people getting what they deserve and could be used as the best example to illustrate this genre as a whole. It comes directly from the EC comics from the '50s and is similar to the stories used in CREEPSHOW. Along with all this, Cushing has some simple yet great zombie makeup (gauze was put over his eyes, enabling him to see) which utilises those famous cheekbones, and the shot of him climbing from his grave is a classic shuddery moment.There are some clever twists in the fourth story, making it very macabre and it provokes genuine chills as well as laughs. It also has the same crawling hand in it which we have seen in two previous British films, including AND NOW THE SCREAMIN STARTS. Richard Greene stars, and he's put on a lot of weight since his ROBIN HOOD days. The bit in the coffin at the end is truly grotesque. The fifth story has a superb performance from Patrick Magee, and a horrible scene involving razor blades! It's a lot like a nightmare and also represents the genre at its best. Richardson says a brilliant final line to the camera "Who's next... could it be you?" and then the music, the Toccata in D Minor, comes up, ending an above-average selection of stories which are well worth seeing. TALES FROM THE CRYPT is just about the best of the best in terms of anthology films and is the cream of British talent in the early 1970s. Definitely one for the collection.

TheRedDeath30 This was the first, and in my opinion, the best of several horror anthologies that Amicus Productions created in the 70s based off the stories from EC Comics. For those not familiar with some of those name a little history. Amicus Productions was a Brit film studio that was the closest competitor to the legendary Hammer Studios, so the movies always felt a great deal similar to the work from Hammer that more people are familiar with in horror. EC Comics really kept horror alive during the 40s and 50s when the studios weren't producing as many horror films by bringing monsters and mutilations to the kids in comic book form. Many of these stories were originals and some were re-workings of popular stories from pulp mags like WEIRD TALES. These stories were so influential that most horror directors for decades to come would point to them as early inspirations. As a result, horror fans often see these same stories reworked in many TV shows and films so much that they feel familiar, but most originated in these comics. Most often these stories involved some reprehensible person who got his "comeuppance" in the end through some ironic twist death. Sorry for the history lecture. I get a bit geeky about this stuff. On to the movie....As with any anthology, there are uneven ups and downs as not every segment is of the same quality. Overall, though, this is an excellent movie that is a lot of fun both for fans of modern horror as well as the old school monster fans.The wraparound story involves the Crypt Keeper introducing these stories to each of 5 people, with a conclusion that gives us one last little twist. There isn't much meat to the wraparound, but it does a fine job of tying things together and bringing some atmosphere and tone.AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE is probably my favorite segment. It's got everything you can want; multiple murders, an evil Santa, a sexy as hell Joan Collins and excellent directing. Francis really keeps the dialog to a minimum here and let's the creepy story do the work. I could watch over and over.REFLECTION OF DEATH may be the weakest, but is also the shortest. A character is essentially reliving the same nightmare over and over. There is a typical twist, but only the dullest viewer won't see it coming.POETIC JUSTICE features one of the best roles I've seen Peter Cushing play as it's so different from his usual. It's a heartbreaking story in a lot of ways as he see some neighbors ruin the life of a kind old man. Naturally, he gets his vengeance in the end with some fairly good zombie makeup to boot.WISH YOU WERE HERE is a take on the old story "The Monkey's Paw" which is your basic "you get 3 wishes, use them wisely" tale. There is some flawed logic in the story, which I usually don't let detract too much in a fun horror tale, but mostly it's just dull for not using the premise nearly as fulfilling as it could have been done.Finally, BLIND ALLEYS is the longest segment and a good one. An army officer takes command of a home for the blind and treats his residents all too poorly. As with all EC tales, he is going to pay for his sins, but it's the retribution forced on him by the blind denizens of the home that is worth the wait, though one can't help but have wanted a little more grue.If you've seen the HBO show, you're probably familiar with a few of these stories. Anyone who loves those old horror comics or stuff like CREEPSHOW and TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE will surely enjoy this memorable movie.

Prichards12345 Tales From The Crypt features a good cast, 5 quirky stories, only 3 of which work well but are briskly told, and excellent (as usual) direction from Freddie Francis. Producer Milton Subotsky gained the rights to produce an adaption of the E.C. comic from WIlliam B Gaines' stable. And they would follow this a year later with Vault Of Horror, which is also an enjoyable if far from perfect portmanteau movie.Best of this bunch for me are the stories featuring Joan Collins, Peter Cushing and Patrick Magee. Cushing in particular is movingly effective as Arthur Grimsdyke - it must be the only time in his career he played a dustman! The wonderfully sepulchral Magee lends his considerable acting chops to the final tale of the residents of a home for the blind turning on its parsimonious superintendent. Both these stories are agreeably nasty, and the theme is bad people getting their comeuppance in various equally nasty ways.Richard Greene's story is an acknowledged re-tread of The Monkey's Paw, but is too brief to be effective. And Ian Hendry's turn as a husband leaving his wife and kids for his mistress is rather poor, but doesn't really detract from the movie in general.Perhaps not quite as good as The House That Dripped Blood or From Beyond The Grave this is still a watchable and occasionally (suprising, considering Amicus usually shied away from such things) gruesome film, Well worth a blue-ray issuance!