Like it's predecessor Tales From the Crypt (1972), Vault of Horror (1973) is an anthology comprised of stories adapted from the legendary EC Comics horror anthologies, Tales From the Crypt and Vault of Horror. Unlike its predecessor, Vault of Horror has none of fun, humor, or demented glee in the excessive and cruel stories that both Tales From the Crypt, and the original comic book stories had.
Featuring a rather obvious wrap around story wherein the main character of each story tells his tale, this anthology features a rather weak story involving vampires, a neat freak, an Indian rope trick, a man buried alive, and an artist who can use the powers of voodoo to kill with his paintings. The one involving the artist is easily the best of the lot. The story involving the neat freak in its original comic book incarnation is classic EC horror featuring a truly despicable character and his just desserts, which if handled in the same manner as the adaptations in Tales from the Crypt, could have been a classic. Instead, like the other segments, its rather flat and its main character seems more whiny than domineering. The story involving the man buried alive is meant to be humorous and is anything but. If you're looking for a good anthology movie, stick with Tales From the Crypt.
2 comments:
I enjoyed this one, though I totally agree that TFTC is the better film. I have a weird affinity for these Amicus and other studio's anthology flicks. I even love the Monster Club even though the wrap around story is goofy and there are so many musical interludes. Out of curiosity, was the vampire segment in the version you watch still edited in the last scene?
Yes.
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