Tales of Terror Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "Tales of Terror" is a visual treat for horror enthusiasts. Boasting a 1080p HD transfer, the clarity and sharpness of the picture are commendable, especially considering the film's 53-year age. The detail is particularly striking in close-ups, where facial textures, wrinkles, and makeup blemishes on Vincent Price and Peter Lorre are neatly delineated. The print displays vibrant colors with especially deep reds that enhance the horror elements. Skintones are accurate and well-rendered, and the period costuming preserves the lively primaries, contributing to a vivid viewing experience.

The filmic quality of this presentation is evident, with minimal grain management contributing to a natural and comfortable grain structure. This adds depth to the scenes, ensuring that nothing looks overly digital or processed. The black levels are deep and consistent, promoting strong delineation that highlights frame information effectively. Additionally, the overall presentation avoids significant issues with dirt, debris, or compression artifacts, indicating that Kino Lorber has done an admirable job in this transfer. The image's few elements of damage and speckling are minor and do not detract from the viewing experience. Overall, this transfer is practically perfect for its age, offering an impressive upgrade from previous releases.

The Audio presentation of the "Tales of Terror" Blu Ray delivers a commendable 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix that aligns well with the film's intended spooky ambiance. Although some may miss the fuller immersion of a 5.1 option, the provided lossless DTS-HD Mono mix is meticulously balanced across one channel. This ensures that sound effects, ambient noises, dialogue, and Les Baxter's hauntingly playful score are well-integrated and distinct. The mix achieves a seamless blend, where no single audio aspect overpowers another, preserving both the suspense and comedy elements across scenes effectively.

Despite the aged dialogue presenting slightly crispy highs and muddy lows, the clarity remains sufficient for all emotional nuances to register as intended. The sound effects and ambient noises create a pronounced genre punch without ever becoming too overbearing. Notably, there are no disruptive shrieking highs, pops, cracks, or hiss—enhancing the listening experience. While this Mono track might not rattle walls with its scares, it does an admirable job in maintaining a consistent and undisturbed audio flow that supports the film's atmospheric goals.

The Blu-ray extras for "Tales of Terror" are an enriching exploration into the film’s production and historical context. Viewers are treated to two engaging audio commentaries, one by film historian Tim Lucas, offering deep dives into behind-the-scenes facts, character analyses, and Poe’s original stories. The second commentary features Vincent Price historian David Del Valle and actor David Frankham, providing insights into Price's role, the horror genre, and on-set experiences. Roger Corman's contributions are notable, featuring an 11-minute interview where he shares anecdotes and production challenges, and a segment from "Trailers from Hell" reiterating some points from his interview while discussing the film's origins.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Tim Lucas discusses behind-the-scenes facts and critical studies.
• Commentary #2: David Del Valle and David Frankham share insights on Vincent Price and the filming experience.
• Interview With Roger Corman: Corman discusses the film’s production.
• Trailers From Hell: Corman talks about the movie’s origins.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

"Tales of Terror," directed by Roger Corman and based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, features three short films that blend horror, suspense, and even a touch of comedy. The anthology includes talented contributions from Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone, delivering a unique yet slightly inconsistent homage to Poe's dark literature.

The first segment, "Morella," encapsulates the gothic atmosphere Poe is renowned for. Vincent Price plays Locke, an embittered man estranged from his daughter, Lenora, portrayed by Maggie Pierce. The story centers on their strained reunion and the creeping presence of Locke's deceased wife, Morella. The segment thrives on eerie elements like cobweb-filled settings and ghostly reanimation, giving it a surprisingly effective sense of dread despite its simple narrative and low-budget effects.

The second installment, "The Black Cat," merges Poe's "The Black Cat" with "The Cask of Amontillado," adding a substantial dose of humor. Peter Lorre's Montresor Herringbone finds himself in a wine-tasting duel against Vincent Price’s Fortunato, leading to a hilarious contrast between Lorre's bumbling demeanor and Price's refined sophistication. Despite its comedic value, this shift disrupts the anthology’s overall macabre tone. The light-hearted antics detract from the ensuing grim tale of buried-alive vengeance.

The final segment, "The Facts of the Case of M. Valdemar," returns to a sinister atmosphere. Vincent Price’s character enlists the help of Dr. Carmichael (Basil Rathbone) to ease his deathbed suffering through hypnosis. Rathbone excels as the manipulative doctor with ulterior motives, while Price's performance keeps the tension high. The narrative steadily builds in creepiness, culminating in a chilling finale that redeems some of the preceding unevenness. Les Baxter's atmospheric score enhances each segment, further elevating this eclectic yet entertaining horror anthology.

The Blu Ray release of "Tales of Terror," directed by Roger Corman, presents a meticulously restored version of the 1962 horror anthology that remains engaging and enjoyable. The trio of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations deftly mixes both horror and humor, showcasing the brilliant collaboration between Corman and writer Richard Matheson. Floyd Crosby's cinematography stands out with unexpectedly lush and vibrant imagery that elevates the ghoulish atmosphere beyond the constraints of its modest budget. Les Baxter’s evocative score complements the unsettling narratives, ensuring the film doesn't feel as budget-minded as some of Corman's other works. The film’s structure, punctuated by Vincent Price's theatrical narration and eerie interstitials featuring vivid imagery of beating hearts and dripping blood, effectively sets the sinister tone.

The Blu Ray’s video and audio presentations enhance this vintage gem, offering an excellent viewing experience that highlights the film's production achievements. The picture quality reveals the intricate lighting and striking color work, adding depth to the already vivid storytelling. Audio-wise, the clarity ensures that every unsettling note of Baxter’s score and every nuance of Price's performance are captured. This edition also boasts a suite of insightful extras that delve into the making of the film, providing a richer context for both newcomers and longtime fans. These bonus materials further cement "Tales of Terror" as a must-have for enthusiasts of classic horror cinema and Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.

Without a truly nightmarish atmosphere, "Tales of Terror" is appreciable in other ways, finding Floyd Crosby's cinematography unexpectedly lush for this type of quickie entertainment, bringing out ghoulish qualities with exciting blasts of color. Scoring by Les Baxter is alert and inviting, backing Corman's creep, which doesn't come off nearly as budget-minded as his other efforts. And the film's introduction and interstitials are appropriately evil, highlighting beating hearts and dripping blood, guided by Price's theatrical narration. Sadly, "Tales of Terror" doesn't sustain interest in creeping out the viewer. Chills aren't a priority, but thankfully there are plenty of production achievements and appealing performances to savor along the way.