Vault of Horror!! (Vault Of Horror (DVD))

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	Vault Of Horror (DVD)
Date:	10/10/08 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great classic hammy acting and groovy 70's outfits

Disadvantages: none whatsoever - a good time was had by all

Vault of Horror is a compendium of horror stories about five men who get into a lift together. On their way to the ground floor they find themselves trapped in the basement, and tell each other about their dreams.

The first sees Daniel Massey visit a strange town looking for his lost sister. The town is deserted, and as Massey finds out - for good reason! This clever episode sets the tone for the rest of the film, cleverly mixing humour and horror neatly together.

It's well done, not too long - and the payoff is hilarious!

The second introduces Terry Thomas, as a very 'particular' older gent, who, stuck in his ways marries his new girlfriend. It's an absolutely hilarious cautionary tale for obsessive compulsives everywhere, as Thomas' new wife finds the strain of married life a little too much!
Terry Thomas was such a wasted character actor when the 60's turned into the 70's. Here he shows his masterful delivery of comic timing in an hilarious skit in his ultra 70's house. Excellent!

The third is a little more unsettling. Curt Jurgens (yes, him from The Spy Who Loved Me) plays a magician, on holiday in India with his wife. One day they stumble upon a girl who does a mean 'Indian Rope Trick'. Jurgens decides that he must have the rope trick for his act and attempts to get it - bad mistake!

Verging on outright racism, this entry is a little darker than the others. Its well directed, with Indian locales (so obviously Twickenham Studios) are particularly effective.

The next goes even darker. A man ( played by Michael Craig) defrauds his insurance company by injecting himself and appearing to die, even going to length of being buried alive (as you do). His partner in crime should then dig him up a day later, that is until two medical students eye up his body to use for research. Understandably and inevitably

Tom Baker's tale is certainly the best. Baker plays and artist living on the Island of Haiti. He finds out that three art dealers have been selling his painting for a packet, while he gets none of the return. He visits the local voodoo man and asks for a curse to be put on the three men. It turns out if he paints a picture of the men, he can hurt them by attacking the paintings, unfortunately Baker has already started a self portrait!
Saving the best for last, Baker's manic performance is fantastic and one wonders why he wasn't used more in 70's films.

It hasn't dated well and it's sooo GROOVY man! But Vault of Horror succeeds in not taking itself too seriously at all. It isn't horrific or moody, like a Hammer film, but cleverly looks at life at a strange and twisted angle.

The stories are well told and directed. The acting is above average, with Terry Thomas and Tom Baker who steal the show. It's a great film that I caught on late night TV, but the DVD is available if you know where to look. Highly recommended.

Summary: A fantastic compendium of horror stories, all well made and directed.