Tales of the Unexpected 

Dramatizations of many Roald Dahl short stories.

Stars:

Roald Dahl, Andrew Ray, Forbes Collins

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Roald Dahl	...	Himself - Introduced by 32 episodes, 1979-1985

Storyline

A British anthology series featuring tales of horror, mystery and suspense. Most episodes featured a twist ending, and many of them were based on short stories by well-known writer Roald Dahl, who also served as the show's host during its first two seasons.

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Plot Keywords:

horror host | male horror host | uk horror host | uk male horror host | anthology | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 1979 (UK)

Also Known As:

Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected

Filming Locations:

Holt, Norfolk, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglia Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original BBC 2 version of "I Love 1980" (part of their nostalgic documentary anthology series trilogy "I Love the 1970s", "I Love the 1980s", "I Love the 1990s") featured a feature on memories of the series, featuring discussion of the opening titles, the Royal Jelly episode, and the boy who talked to animals and the turtle episode.

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest Scary Moments (2003)

User Reviews

A series which evokes so many different thoughts and emotions.

One of those Series that is very difficult to review as a whole, largely due to the vast degree in quality between the episodes, on the whole though I'd say I love Tales of the Unexpected, it's a unique series, one millions remember very fondly, for good reason.

I always preferred the introductions when Roald Dahl was sat in his chair, he added to the sense of Theatre in his own inimitable style.

Fair to say the earlier Series were a better standard then the later ones, at the end they became a little sad and repetitive. The 'twist' was always the best bit, and in the first few series, the twists were big.

Highlights include Lamb to the Slaughter, Fat Chance, The way up to Heaven and Royal Jelly, but it's fair to say that the out and out best episode of the entire Series, is the opener to the third run, The Flypaper, truly one of the nastiest, most horrifying pieces of television ever made, even to this day it's intensely disturbing.

Is that possibly the most iconic set of opening credits and music ever put together, instantly recognisable, impossible to forget, I wonder the mix of emotions that tune creates for people.

No wonder Tales ran for nine years, a great series. 8/10