Review of From Beyond the Grave (1974) by T C — 27 Nov 2009

From the past comes this true gem packed with four solid old-school horror tales, which have the likable yet creepy character of the great Peter Cushing and his little "shop of horrors" as their binding element.

The movie was released in 1973, based on some of Chetwynd-Hayes stories, and captures the luring macabre feeling of the seventies' horror. Of all the four segments - The Gate Crasher, An Act of Kindness, The Elemental and The Door -, the first two are probably the ones with an inner sense of realism truly capable of crawling under your skin.

If you're into that sort of inner sense of realism, obviously.

Angela Pleasence's character in An Act of Kindness is easily the eeriest one in all the short tales. Daughter of Donald Pleasence (in this segment as in real life), her presence is awkwardly uncomfortable from start to finish, and you always feel that there is something frightening and hypnotizing about the character. The end of this segment is a very interesting one to watch.

This is not to say the other stories pale in comparison to this one. On the contrary. By revolving such different stories around the shopkeeper's character, Kevin Connor (I'm completely unfamiliar with the rest of his work, most of it series and TV films, but I must say, based on my quick and ridiculously random research, it doesn't look too impressive) manages to create a coherent downward spiral of madness and supernatural horror, in which the stories fit and, what is more, complement themselves in a subtle sort of way.

Probably the only bone I have to pick relates to Margaret Leighton's character in The Elemental, a medium who should've chosen a career in drama (or comedy) instead. Too much.

Yes, I understand the intent.

But it is still too much.

Nevertheless, this is a very little thing when you weigh the overall package you get.

If you enjoy short, good old horror stories, of the likes of Hammer House of Horror series, some of the Tales From the Crypt episodes, or even the macabre side of The Twilight Zone series, then From Beyond the Grave is definitely for you.

Leave your apparent sanity at the door, please.