Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)

Directors:

Ernest R. Dickerson
Gilbert Adler

Writers (WGA):

Ethan Reiff (written by) &
Cyrus Voris (written by) ...

Release Date:

13 January 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Ready for your deadtime story ?

Plot:

A man on the run is hunted by a demon known as the Collector.

Plot Keywords:

Blood Of Christ | Demon | Blood | Exploding Head | Hand Grenade

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Kassir	...	Crypt Keeper (voice)
Billy Zane	...	The Collector
William Sadler	...	Brayker
Jada Pinkett Smith	...	Jeryline (as Jada Pinkett)
Brenda Bakke	...	Cordelia
CCH Pounder	...	Irene
Dick Miller	...	Uncle Willy
Thomas Haden Church	...	Roach
John Schuck	...	Sheriff Tupper
Gary Farmer	...	Deputy Bob Martel
Charles Fleischer	...	Wally Enfield
Tim De Zarn	...	Homer (as Tim deZarn)
Sherrie Rose	...	Wanda
Ryan O'Donohue	...	Danny (as Ryan Sean O'Donohue)
Tony Salome	...	Sirach

Also Known As:

Demon Keeper
Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-18 | Germany:18 | Spain:13 | UK:18 | USA:R | Malaysia:(Banned) | Canada:18A

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

One of the protagonists, Wally Enfield, is a recently fired postal worker. The remaining protagonists find a large collection of guns in his home, realizing that Enfield intended to attack the post office. This is likely a reference to several real-life spree killings perpetrated by maniac postal workers.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the group is huddled at the top of the stairs, Braker asks Deputy Bob how he is doing on ammo. The Deputy checks his revolver and says "Not so good...4 shots left." Later, when the Collector gets past the bloodshield, and the Demons are convening on the group, Deputy Bob yells at Braker and the others to get into the attic while he covers the rear. While the others are climbing into the attic, Deputy Bob fires off six rounds at the demons, instead of four.

Quotes:

Uncle Willie: Jeryline you wouldn't hurt your old uncle will now would you baby.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in My Name Is Bruce (2007)

Soundtrack:

HEY MAN NICE SHOT

Surprisingly good camp kitsch!

I can't claim to have seen much of the TV show 'Tales from the Crypt', but I saw Bordello of Blood on TV a few years back and found it to be an enjoyably silly piece of camp. I was expecting similar from this film, and that's pretty much what I got - although Demon Knight is clearly better than Bordello of Blood. The film never takes itself too seriously, and that ensures that it is put across to the audience in the right way. Plots similar to the one featured in this film have been the basis for serious horror films in the past, but the fact that this film has a bit of fun with it is definitely in it's favour. The mythology behind the plot is actually quite good, and follows the idea of a 'collector' who is on the trail of a key bearer. The key he seeks contains the blood of Christ, and there are seven scattered across the globe. This is the last one, and if the collector gets his hands on it could spell the end of the world...the final battle is about to take place, only it happens to be in a motel with a motley crew of different characters.

One of the most surprising things about this film is the cast list! The film features performances from two stars who have received praise recently; Jada Pinkett Smith and Thomas Haiden Church. CCH Pounder, who starred in the critically-acclaimed Baghdad Cafe, appears also, while Dick Miller ensures that there's an ounce of cult status among the cast. The lead roles are taken by William Sadler and Billy Zane. Sadler is good enough, but it's Zane who really makes this film what it is. He gets to enjoy himself entertaining the audience as the lead villain, and ensures that every scene he's in is a lot of fun. For an inexpensive film, the effects are also rather good. They do look cheap, but the demons look more realistic than most computer generated effects. The way that the film pans out reminded me a lot of the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino flick, From Dusk Till Dawn in that we've got 'the good guys' trapped with some monsters, and we watch as they get picked off one by one. Overall, this isn't a great film; but its lots of fun, and anyone that enjoys silly horror comedies will be right at home with it.