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.
