Tales from the Crypt

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Tales from the Crypt

PG

Released Mar 8, 1972

1h 32m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When people in a tourist group get lost within ancient catacombs, they meet the sinister Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson), who tells them each their fate. The creepy figure's macabre stories involve Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins), a wife dabbling in murder, and Grymsdyke (Peter Cushing), a retired sanitation worker targeted by his suspicious neighbors. Among the other characters is adulterer Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry), who may face a fitting demise if the Crypt Keeper's yarns come true.

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

The misanthropy of the Tales From The Crypt and Vault Of Horror movies is strangely enjoyable, because it comes packaged within some gleefully perverse ideas.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 24, 2014

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This British production looks handsome enough under Freddie Francis's direction, and for those who say they'd watch Ralph Richardson in anything, well, here's your chance.

Jul 10, 2012

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Imaginative and solidly performed ensemble horror.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 10, 2012

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The best vignette finds Peter Cushing delivering one of the finest performances of his long career.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 7, 2021

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Craig Schroeder

Battleship Pretension

It's easily forgotten, but just as easily recalled for being a lot of fun. Which seems to fall perfectly in line with Tales From the Crypt's pop-culture legacy.

Jan 7, 2021

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Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

The lows are still pretty good, and the highs are off the charts.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 23, 2020

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nick s

Mediocre anthology of tales. The stories were passable but not memorable. The special effects may have looked okay on old CRT tellies, but on today's screens they look comical.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de terror são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

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Mark J

Enjoyable distraction film. The majority of the stories were good, a couple to slow or not really enough story. Peter Cushing as amazing as ever.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

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Donald J

The music at the beginning sets the tone. Tocata and Fugue in D minor!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Yokai L

Way better than the shabby TV series that shares its name.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Green C

Classic. Ralph Richardson, Peter Cushing, Joan Collins, and many more stellar British actors of yore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

Full Review

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Fred Francis

Director

Ralph Richardson

The Crypt Keeper

Joan Collins

Joanne Clayton

Peter Cushing

Arthur Edward Grimsdyke

Geoffrey Bayldon

Guide

Nigel Patrick

Maj. William Rogers

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80%

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Synopsis

When people in a tourist group get lost within ancient catacombs, they meet the sinister Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson), who tells them each their fate. The creepy figure's macabre stories involve Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins), a wife dabbling in murder, and Grymsdyke (Peter Cushing), a retired sanitation worker targeted by his suspicious neighbors. Among the other characters is adulterer Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry), who may face a fitting demise if the Crypt Keeper's yarns come true.

Director: Fred Francis
Producer: Milton Subotsky, Max Rosenberg
Screenwriter: Milton Subotsky
Production Co: Amicus Productions, Metromedia Producers Corporation (MPC)
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 8, 1972, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 26, 2020
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround