The mysterious Dr. Schreck (superbly played with quiet menace by the magnificent Peter Cushing) relates five tales of terror to a quintet of men on board a train.
First and just okay yarn, "Werewolf" -- A man resurrects a werewolf. Decent build-up with a fair pay-off. Second and most silly anecdote, "Creeping Vine" -- A house gets infected by a killer sentient vine. The inane premise makes this one impossible to take seriously. Third and oh-so-groovy vignette, "Voodoo" - Jazz musician Biff Bailey (a solid performance by Roy Castle) falls prey to a lethal voodoo curse after he steals a sacred song. Cool premise and swinging music make this baby a total gas. Fourth and most entertaining segment, "Disembodied Hand" -- Pompous snob art critic Franklyn Marsh (Christopher Lee in sterling supercilious form) finds himself being terrorized by the severed hand of painter Eric Landor (the always excellent Michael Gough) after he drives Landor to commit suicide. The relentless attacks by the disembodied hand are a hoot and Lee excels in his sublimely obnoxious portrayal of a hateful arrogant jerk. Last and very well done story, "Vampire" -- Newly married physician Bob Carroll (a very young and engaging Donald Sutherland) discovers that his bride Nicole (the fetching and enchanting Jennifer Jayne) is harboring a dark secret. Dandy eerie mood and a total corker of a surprise bummer ending.
Director Freddie Francis maintains a steady pace throughout and adroitly crafts a tense spooky atmosphere in the wraparound segment. Milton Subotsky's crafty script delivers a few neat grim twists. Alan Hume's crisp widescreen cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. The shivery score by Elisabeth Lutyens hits the spine-tingling spot. An immensely enjoyable omnibus outing.
First and just okay yarn, "Werewolf" -- A man resurrects a werewolf. Decent build-up with a fair pay-off. Second and most silly anecdote, "Creeping Vine" -- A house gets infected by a killer sentient vine. The inane premise makes this one impossible to take seriously. Third and oh-so-groovy vignette, "Voodoo" - Jazz musician Biff Bailey (a solid performance by Roy Castle) falls prey to a lethal voodoo curse after he steals a sacred song. Cool premise and swinging music make this baby a total gas. Fourth and most entertaining segment, "Disembodied Hand" -- Pompous snob art critic Franklyn Marsh (Christopher Lee in sterling supercilious form) finds himself being terrorized by the severed hand of painter Eric Landor (the always excellent Michael Gough) after he drives Landor to commit suicide. The relentless attacks by the disembodied hand are a hoot and Lee excels in his sublimely obnoxious portrayal of a hateful arrogant jerk. Last and very well done story, "Vampire" -- Newly married physician Bob Carroll (a very young and engaging Donald Sutherland) discovers that his bride Nicole (the fetching and enchanting Jennifer Jayne) is harboring a dark secret. Dandy eerie mood and a total corker of a surprise bummer ending.
Director Freddie Francis maintains a steady pace throughout and adroitly crafts a tense spooky atmosphere in the wraparound segment. Milton Subotsky's crafty script delivers a few neat grim twists. Alan Hume's crisp widescreen cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. The shivery score by Elisabeth Lutyens hits the spine-tingling spot. An immensely enjoyable omnibus outing.