This is the best "Tales from the Crypt" episode in my opinion, this really shows the dark twisted humor that started it all & expertly directed by Walter Hill (The Warriors,Trespass) & a breakthrough lead role by the underrated William Sadler who really shines here as the sadistic executioner for the prison system. Now Bill Sadler, what a fantastic actor with an incredible screen presence & a great country voice & is usually looked at as a B-movie actor or a know-the-face actor but to me he's so much more as I've been a Sadler fan since the early 90's when i discovered his great screen presence as the villain of Die Hard 2, which i think is easily the best film of that franchise & Sadler is a big part of why!!! Also as a Cool villain in Hard to kill,
I also saw him in this Tales from the Crypt episode here & the Walter Hill directed urban thriller Trespass & of course as the now legendary "Death" in the fun Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey & the excellent Cult Classic Tales from the Crypt movie: Demon Knight (my favourite film & role of Sadler's) & of course I've seen Sadler pop up in all sorts over the years from a bit-part car salesman role in the James Belushi Cop-Comedy K-9 to his excellent intense performances in the epic & Classic drama's The Shawshank Redemption & The Green Mile but it's those earlier roles i first mentioned that have had an impact on my movie loving mind. Sadler is a big part of my movie world & he's a childhood hero of mine & still remains one of my all time favourite actors.
This Crypt episode is shot beautifully, especially the night time scenes with all the lights of the busy streets & Neon signs & the music is fun & Sadler's character is hilarious as he narrates the episode like an old Detective from a Noir movie, it's all perfectly shot & stands as my personal favourite episode of the excellent Tales from the Crypt series.
Bill Sadler is a legend of Cinema, be that "big" Cinema or B-movie Cult Cinema, anything where Sadler turns in a performance is worth checking out on my opinion
