Twice-Told Tales Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Twice-Told Tales" on Blu-ray showcases an impressive AVC encoded image with a 1.67:1 aspect ratio. The transfer reveals intricate details, from the textured costuming to the facial close-ups, which highlight the film's production achievements. The vivid primaries enhance the HD experience with bold hues in the set decoration and fabrics, while maintaining the intended blood horror visuals. Despite occasional softness, overall sharpness prevails, clearly presenting the macabre elements of the film. The source material introduces mild speckling and a few scratches, yet no significant damage affects the viewing experience.

Offering a strong 1.66:1 1080p transfer, "Twice-Told Tales" shines in its Blu-ray debut. The retention of fine film grain emphasizes excellent detail levels, rendering set designs, scenery, and makeup effects impressively. Colors are vibrant and robust, with greens and reds exhibiting significant pop and presence. However, in some shots, reds may push too far, leading to bright pink flesh tones due to the colorful set lighting. Black levels are deep and inky, presenting ample shadow separation that adds to the image's depth. The print used is immaculate, showing minimal wear beyond slight speckling. Overall, this transfer provides a superior viewing experience for fans of this classic film.

The audio presentation of "Twice-Told Tales" on Blu-ray is delivered through a DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound mix, which unfortunately does not reach the same high standards set by the visual presentation. The overall audio experience tends to be muddled, with frequent hiss and inconsistencies that detract from the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are often clouded and lack the clean potency needed to bring out the emotional weight of heated encounters. The score feels thick and underdeveloped, lacking the rich instrumentation that could enhance the atmosphere.

While the track handles quieter, conversational moments with acceptable clarity across higher and lower registers, problems arise during climactic scenes. In these intense segments, the score can swell to overwhelming levels, causing distortion that drowns out dialogue and heightens the underlying hiss. Despite these issues, the audio mix still provides a reliable, if somewhat flawed, companionship to the visual splendor of the film. Nonetheless, there is room for improvement, particularly in cleaning up the dialogue and refining the orchestral elements to create a more balanced and immersive audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Twice-Told Tales" present a robust and engaging array of content, though the overall brevity may leave some wanting more depth. The audio commentary by film historians Richard Harland Smith and Perry Martin is particularly notable for its insightful and enthusiastic analysis, enhancing the viewing experience with rich context and appreciation for the film's nuances. The "Trailers From Hell" segment features horror director Mick Garris offering a passionate, albeit brief, reflection on the film and Vincent Price's enduring legacy. Additionally, the original theatrical trailer provides a nostalgic glimpse into the film's promotion. Each feature brings unique value, though some viewers may find the shorter segments less impactful.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful commentary by film historians Richard Harland Smith and Perry Martin.
• Trailers From Hell: Brief interview with director Mick Garris discussing the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.

"Twice-Told Tales," an adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s works, ventures into gothic horror with mixed success. Embracing the anthology format, the 1963 film, directed by Sidney Salkow, presents three segments: "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "Rappaccini's Daughter," and "The House of the Seven Gables." The presence of Vincent Price, who stars in all segments, adds a level of gravitas and charm necessary for this type of period horror. However, Salkow's pacing occasionally drags, diluting some of the tension inherently present in Hawthorne's macabre tales.

Of the three, "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" stands out, partly due to the compelling interaction between Price and co-star Sebastian Cabot. The narrative unfolds around two friends discovering a fountain of youth, leading to disastrous outcomes fueled by jealousy and betrayal. "Rappaccini's Daughter" leans almost into science-fiction territory with its tale of a young woman poisoned by her father, rendering her touch deadly. Although intriguing, it lacks the same dramatic impact as "Experiment." Lastly, "The House of the Seven Gables" trails a Pyncheon family curse with threads of traditional ghost story elements, though arguably it revisits familiar tropes from Price's earlier films.

While not conventional horror by modern standards, these stories serve as allegories highlighting moral decay and human frailty. Price’s portrayals provide a sinister yet sophisticated thread between each chapter, embodying the darker facets of human nature. Though lacking in outright scares, "Twice-Told Tales" remains an engaging examination of gothic morality plays. For Vincent Price aficionados, his performance alone makes this film a worth watching experience.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Twice-Told Tales," featuring the venerable Vincent Price, offers a noteworthy foray into classic horror cinema. The film consists of a trio of stories, each aesthetically immersive yet uneven in execution. The segments often meander, presenting a mixed bag of performances that could benefit from tighter editing. However, this anthology still contains moments of intrigue and beautifully mounted scenes that may justify the viewing experience for discerning horror enthusiasts.

The video transfer on this Blu-ray edition is commendable, reflecting Kino Lorber's ongoing commitment to high-quality restoration of classic films. Despite the film’s age, the picture quality is crystal clear, offering rich textures and vibrant contrasts that enhance the macabre atmosphere. The audio, while serviceable, complements the visuals adequately without providing anything particularly groundbreaking. A selection of extras accompanies the main feature, furnishing additional context and insights, thus enriching the overall offering.

In conclusion, "Twice-Told Tales" demands some patience due to its leisurely pacing and occasional lapses in dramatic tension. Yet, for fans of classic horror and Vincent Price's extensive oeuvre, this is a title worth keeping in your collection. The film’s engaging moments combined with Kino Lorber's quality presentation make it a recommended addition to any horror aficionado's Blu-ray library.