Black Sabbath - Will's Review

I love anthology movies - there's something about the short-form horror story that never really sucks (even if it isn't great), I guess they're just too short to get dull; couple that with the fact that you get 3 to 5 in a movie, and the chances they'll be something you'll enjoy are pretty high. I was glad, then, when I realised that this weeks movie consisted of three short stories.

Sadly though, they can be a pain to review. Due to the shortness of the tails, and the fact that twists are common, it's difficult to say anything much about them without giving spoilers, but I'll give it a go...

After a brief intro from Boris Karloff (as himself) we go into the first story, "The Telephone"; the story of a woman coming home from work and being tormented by phone calls from a man she helped send to jail. There are a couple of bits that stretch credibility, but it's still a great slice of 'Tales of the Unexpected' style noir. (Apparently in the US edit, this story has been changed via dubbing and insert shots to contain a supernatural element; stick to the European edit if possible). 

The next tale is the longest by far, and my least favorite. "The Wurderlac" tells of a man (Karloff) who returns from a quest to slay a vampire-like creature, himself infected. A Wurderlac is almost exactly the same as a vampire, with the difference that they feed pro early from those they loved most in life. It's a great-looking hammer-esq piece, but it drags a little in the middle. That said, it's far from a bad segment, and it looks fantastic. 

Finally 'The Drip of Water' is a Poe style story, about a nurse who steels a ring from a dead parent, and is then either driven mad with guilt, or else haunted by the spirit of the ring's rightful owner. The ambiguity makes for a great thinking-point, and the corpse/ghost of the old woman is genuinely creepy and alarming. 

All three segments are worth your time, and they're presented in the best possible order (a good one to draw you in, and the best last). I have no qualms whatsoever about recommending this one!