31 Days of Halloween: Vault of Chilling Tales

Tales from the Crypt (1972)
******* (7 out of 10 stars)
Starring: Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Roy Dotrice, Richard Greene, Ian Hendry, and Patrick Magee.

The film opens with an ominous manor, standing alone with a heavy, menacing air against a lush countryside. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor plays with a sinister grin over this deceptively calm scene. As the music fades, a seemingly random group of visitors embarks on a secretive tour of the manor’s gothic splendor, leading them into the shadowy catacombs below. Flickering torches guide them to a concealed vault where the true horror unfolds. This chilling introduction ranks among my favorite horror openings, brilliantly setting the stage for an anthology of terror.

Buckle up for a twisted journey through tales of moral indifference and inevitable supernatural justice. Prepare to be surprised at every turn. A cast of morally complex characters is brought to life by some of the era’s finest talents, from Peter Cushing to Joan Collins. These stories unfold with stark honesty, neither confusing nor misleading the viewer.

While the atmosphere is thick and compelling, the cinematography occasionally stumbles. Some horror films cultivate atmosphere as a character in itself, and though this film crafts an unsettling dread in its opening and interludes, consistency wavers in individual segments. The lighting varies—sometimes it expertly employs shadows, while other times it lacks artistic finesse.

The movie’s premise cleverly frames these grim tales, though it occasionally deviates from its narrative structure, causing a jarring experience before returning to its formula. The understated special effects rely heavily on storytelling, presenting a challenge for modern audiences accustomed to swift action and plot progression typical of contemporary films.

Despite some predictability, this is a hallmark of such films, allowing them to efficiently convey their stories in a compact format. These faithful adaptations of EC Comics’ Tales from the Crypt embrace their comic book origins with wicked charm. For those with a taste for nostalgia, a glass of red wine pairs perfectly with this elegant thriller.