Spirits of the Dead

Amazon.com

An irresistible and guilty pleasure, this anthology based on stories by Edgar Allan Poe is a rare opportunity to see three of the biggest names in 1960s European film direction working in the short form. The results are uneven, but so what? They're also plain outrageous. Roger Vadim's Metzengerstein stars real-life siblings Jane and Peter Fonda perversely cast as lovers. When the latter dies, Jane's character turns to a mysterious black stallion for companionship, the suggestion being that the dead man's spirit is within the horse. Both corny and vaguely lurid, this ghost tale is Vadim all the way. Louis Malle's William Wilson is an in-your-face take on Poe's classic doppelgänger fable, starring Alain Delon as a blackguard who gets his comeuppance from a nicer variation of himself. More craftsman-like than cinematically bold, the film displays the kind of crisp wit Malle didn't display often enough. Finally, Federico Fellini's Toby Dammit proves to be the most interesting piece in the trio, featuring Terence Stamp in a terrific performance as an actor at the end of his rope (the equivalent of Mastroianni's burned-out director in Fellini's 8½), who has come to Rome to star as Christ in a New Testament Western. Dense with Fellini's dreamy textures and iconic clutter, Toby Dammit is a fun experience. --Tom Keogh

Description

Three giants of world cinema conspire to bring the dark prose of Edgar Allan Poe to the screen in Spirits of the Dead. Roger Vadim, Luis Malle, and Federico Fellini direct Jane and Peter Fonda, Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, and Terence Stamp in three separate stories of souls tormented by their own phantasmal visions of guilt, lust, and greed. In a stunning new transfer enhanced for 16X9 televisions, Home Vision Entertainment is pleased to present this marvelous volume of the macabre.

Customer Reviews:

See if for Fellini.......2007-01-31

I have to agree with most people who feel the Fellini Toby Dammit sequence is the only reason to watch it. Vadim sets his in a medieval France populated by people dressed in left over costumes from Barbarella, which sounds like more fun than it is, the case with most Vadim films. Malle's section is simply dull, an utterly uninspiring, and rather unpleasant, version of a good horror tale. The Fellini sequence is easily the best, and also a wonderful take on Poe's story. Stamp is great as a dissolute actor on the bottom. The scenes in the airport as he arrives is some of the best stuff Fellini ever shot. These short story, omnibus film compilations were popular in Europe, and all suffered from the same flaw: the quality of the episodes was never consistent. The late attempt to do one here, NY Stories, suffered the same disability: Passable Scorsese, unwatchable Coppola (scripted by Sofia, as a child, and as talentless then as she is now), and a funny Woody Allen, put at the end, because they knew no one would watch the intolerable Coppola sequence otherwise. The Fellini is also at the end of this film, and a smiliar mindset is at work.

Three beautiful and memorable short films make a wonderful anthology.......2006-12-22

"Spirits of the Dead"(1968) presents adaptations of three Edgar Allen Poe stories by three European directors, Roger Vadim's "Metzengerstein" with Jane and Peter Fonda, Louis Malle's "William Wilson" (with Alain Delon and Briget Bardout), and Federico Fellini's "Toby Dammit". The universal opinion is that only Fellini's entry is worth watching and it is indeed, spectacular with Terence Stamp fitting so well in the Fellini's freak show that it is impossible to take your eyes off him. The reason I wanted to see the movie so much was the CD that I bought some time ago - a compilation of some of the most beautiful themes composed by Nino Rota for the films of Federico Fellini. "The Ultimate Best of Federico Fellini & Nino Rota" includes the tunes arranged in the medleys for 16 films directed by Fellini. These are the full orchestrations (as heard in the movies they come from) and just listening to the familiar melodies brings back the memories and the images. There was one track I kept listening to over and over. It was written for the Fellini's episode in the "Tre passi nel delirio" aka "Spirits of the Dead" (1968), "Toby Dammit". The soundtrack for "Toby Dammit" simply stands out among the romantic and poetic gems. It is rich, obsessive and creates uneasy and creepy atmosphere which is quite appropriate for an episode that features a desperate actor (Terence Stamp) in a pact with the devil. Besides the score "Toby Dammit" has plenty of great typically Felliniesque images , an unforgettable ending, and not the least, Terence Stamp who might've played one of his best roles as the famous English actor, drugged and drunk out of his mind who arrived in Rome for the Italian Film Academy Awards ceremony. Toby was also offered the role of Jesus in the Catholic Western but all he remembered that he had been promised a Ferrari for participating in the ceremony and Ferrari he will get...with the ride to hell that looks exactly like Rome at night where every turn takes you to the dead end and the Devil only knows the way out but you will pay him a price...

I found all three films interesting and involving on their own terms. I don't agree with the comments that call Vadim's adaptation a failure - it is certainly not. If anything, it is beautiful to look at and listen to and any film featuring Madam Roger Vadim (Jane Fonda was married to the director at the time) wearing the costumes that were certainly inspired by or even reused from "Barbarella" that was released in the same year, 1968 is worth watching. Vadim changed the short story by transforming a protagonist, 18 years old Baron Frederic Metzengerstein into 22 years old Contessa Frederica but he did not change her character. She is rich, bored, corrupted, and ruthless, a "petty Caligula", until she meets her cousin Wilhelm (played by Jane's brother, Peter Fonda). Making siblings playing cousins in love tells us something (or maybe a lot) about Vadim and his mysterious Slavic soul and reminds about Poe's own dramatic love for his first cousin, Virginia Eliza Clemm, whom he married when she was only 13 and whose death at the age of 25 from tuberculosis could have let to decline of his own mental state and his untimely death less than three years after her.

Poe explores in "William Wilson" very popular in the Art and literature subject of a man and his double that represents his conscience, his dark and hidden side. The short story brings to mind such famous works of literature as Hans Christian Andersen's "The Shadow", Adelbert Von Chamisso's "Peter Schlemiel: The Man Who Sold His Shadow", Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray".

In Louis Malle's short film, Wilson (Alain Delon) confesses his sinful and dreadful life to the priest recalling the outrageous and vicious deeds that have been prevented or disclosed by his exact double whose name is also William Wilson. Two scenes of the short film stand out. The first is a simply chilling Wilson's attempt to perform an autopsy on a living woman and the second - Wilson plays cards, cheating shamelessly, with rich and arrogant Giuseppina (Brigitte Bardot almost unrecognizable in a black wig that does almost impossible - makes her look ugly). While it may be not the best Poe's adaptation and perhaps the weakest of three films in the anthology, two Delons for the price of one is reason enough to see it. I am glad that I finally saw the film that has achieved a cult status with years but is not easily available (I had to wait for several weeks for it from Netflix even after I had bumped it to the top). What started with my interest in the musical score by Rota, ended as a memorable watching experience.

Vadim Revisited.......2006-07-16

There seems to be a consensus among critics, even amateur critics, regarding the horror trilogy "Spirits of the Dead." The prevailing view elevates Fellini's segment of the film (and sometimes Malle's) while denigrating Vadim's "Metzengerstein" as some relatively trivial hackwork. That mindset, widely disseminated, amounts to a conspiracy of bad taste. In fact, Vadim's little film is a masterpiece, easily the finest part of "Spirits of the Dead." On the simplest level, the trilogy was intended as a homage to the genius of Edgar Allan Poe; and certainly Vadim's "Metzengerstein" --a beautiful evocation of medieval fairy tale blended with DeSadean eroticism--comes closest to fulfilling that ideal. In contrast, Malle's "William Wilson" and Fellini's "Toby Dammit" are worlds away from Poe. Indeed, Malle's version of Poe is terribly marred by an emphatic artiness that could only be appreciated by film school undergraduates. For example, there's the suicidal plunge of Malle's anti-hero (Alain Delon) from a bell tower; presented over and over again from a multitude of angles, no celluloid descent into hell has ever been more ponderous. And Fellini's "Toby Dammit" undercuts horror by a heavy-handed satire of the Italian Academy Awards, which seems to belong in the pages of "Figaro." Vadim, however, has created something as irresistible as a dream: a rainswept castle in Brittany where a fantastically beautiful but cruel princess (Jane Fonda) struggles in vain against boredom, fate, and her murdered love's reincarnation; that reincarnation being nothing less than a huge, intractable stallion, such as medieval warriors would ride!
In every scene, Vadim's imagination is as powerful but unobtrusive as the autumn sea-air that seems to pervade "Metzengerstein." Furthermore, in the title role, young Jane Fonda is superb--a dazzling Pre-Raphaelite vision in her wild, gossamer gowns! Even if Vadim were not as brilliant as he actually was, the sight of Mistress Fonda alone would make this little film a joy to behold. (By contrast, the overblown charms of the weary, iconic Brigitte Bardot in Malle's "William Wilson" don't really merit comparison!) In brief, Vadim's "Metzengerstein" more than compensates for the deficiencies of Fellini's and Malle's work--making "Spirits of the Dead" well worth viewing, reviewing.

Some people just don't get It...............................2006-03-19

I disagree with all these reviews about spirits of the dead dvd. Every single story on here are all pieces of art.............I disagree that toby dammit is fellin's great piece of work..Give Me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!People just don't have any taste. Alain Deloin,Jane Fonda, Bridgett Bardott all contribute to this great piece of Art................Don't listen to the rest of the stupid reviews on the fellin's one being the only good story. If you Enjoy Vintage and Aprreciate Edgar Allan Poe This is for you overall that is One of the main reasons to buy this Movie........Bon Voyage...........

Butchered Masterwork.......2005-02-06

As originally conceived by Fellini, the Toby Dammitt segment was, imho, the greatest work he ever committed to film. Taut, lean, stylish and very effective. I saw the film when it was first released and am fortunate enough to have this segment on an old beta tape.

Beyond Terrence Stamp's wonderful delivery, is the crucial element of the english actor being alone and isolated in Italy by his language, slowly pushing him deeper into surrender and madness. All of this is lost in the current French dubbed edition.

(On the other hand, it must be a plus to have the first two segments, overdubbed into English for US release, back to their original French. However, these segments are competent, or somewhat interesting at best, compared to fantastic finale.)

Please let Janus know that they have broken trust by butchering a great artist's masterwork.

Spirits Of The Dead (Histoires extraordinaires) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

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Spirits Of The Dead (Histoires extraordinaires) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]
Director: Federico Fellini (segment "Toby Dammit") , and Louis Malle (segment "William Wilson")
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: French (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: Edgar Allen Poe's ultimate orgy:
SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Scene Access, Interactive Menu,

Spirits Of The Dead / Histoires Extraordinaires - (Russian Import - Film Prestige Collection) PAL DVD

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Spirits Of The Dead / Histoires Extraordinaires - (Russian Import - Film Prestige Collection) PAL DVD
Starring: Brigitte Bardot , Alain Delon , Jane Fonda , Terence Stamp , and James Robertson Justice
Director: Federico Fellini , Louis Malle , and Roger Vadim
Manufacturer: Film Prestige
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

- English subtitles
- Deluxe Digipak
- Film Prestige Collection

ASIN: B000MC73R4

Product Description

ENGLISH SUBTITLES!!! NTSC (USA & Canada), widescreen, collectors Russian DVD release. Available audio tracks: original DD 2.0 FRENCH and DD 2.0 RUSSIAN (voice-over). Available subtitles: ENGLISH. ATTENTION: NTSC is North American video standard, please, get familiar with all details about DVD video standards to avoid any misunderstandings............................................................. SYNOPSIS: Released in Europe as Histoires Extraordinaires and Tre Passi Nel Delirio, this is a portmanteau picture, comprised of three supernatural playlets based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. "Metzengerstein," directed by Roger Vadim, stars the director's then-wife Jane Fonda as a medieval woman prone to acts of vengeance. Her brother Peter Fonda is somewhat perversely cast as her cousin, for whom she holds incestuous yearnings. When he gives her the cold shoulder, she spitefully sets fire to his stable of horses. He is himself killed in the blaze, but it seems that he has been reincarnated as a horse. In "William Wilson," directed by Louis Malle, a sadistic Austrian officer (Alain Delon) commits various S&M misdeeds upon a variety of victims, including a woman (Brigitte Bardot) with whom he plays cards. The officer himself comes to grief when he finds that the Church will not allow him to say an act of contrition. And "Never Bet Your Head," directed by Federico Fellini, updates the Poe original by casting Terence Stamp as a self-indulgent movie star. Driving drunk one evening, the actor literally bets his head that he can escape a potentially fatal accident.

Average customer rating:

See if for Fellini
Three beautiful and memorable short films make a wonderful anthology
Vadim Revisited
Some people just don't get It........................
Butchered Masterwork

Spirits of the Dead
Starring: Brigitte Bardot , Alain Delon , Jane Fonda , Terence Stamp , and James Robertson Justice
Director: Louis Malle , Roger Vadim , and Federico Fellini
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305079250
Release Date: 1998-05-20

Amazon.com

Description

Spirits of the Dead (a.k.a. "Histoires Extraordinaires") is an eerie film based on the grotesque and macabre stories of 19th century author Edgar Allan Poe. Three separate tales, each created with style and flair by three top directors--Federico Fellini, Louis Malle and Roger Vadim.

Customer Reviews:

See if for Fellini.......2007-01-31

Three beautiful and memorable short films make a wonderful anthology.......2006-12-22

Vadim Revisited.......2006-07-16

Some people just don't get It...............................2006-03-19

Butchered Masterwork.......2005-02-06

Dead Tenants: Episode 101: The Spirit in the Basement

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Dead Tenants: Episode 101: The Spirit in the Basement

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNF0
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Average customer rating:

Dead Tenants: Episode 106: The Shelter

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNGE
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Dead Tenants: Episode 103: The Unknown Soldier

Average customer rating:

Great For Ghost Hunting Buffs!
So many ghosts and not enough time.
Unknown Soldier Dead Tenants 3rd episode

Dead Tenants: Episode 103: The Unknown Soldier

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNFK
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Customer Reviews:

Great For Ghost Hunting Buffs!.......2007-07-08

I just saw my first episode of Dead Tenants and was impressed with the quality of the show. The crew are an interesting and well-matched team and the investigation holds your interest from beginning to end. I'm a fan of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Detectives, etc. and think this one tops the list. I would like to see all these episodes compiled into a series so that it would be more affordable. If you like paranormal research, this will definitely peak your interest.

So many ghosts and not enough time........2006-12-16

The Dead Tenants crew had their hands full with this house. Emotions run high and the unkown soldier(s) take center stage in a home that claims siteings of at least 4 different spirits. There were enough dead tenants for 3 episodes at the McDonough's. Noele exclaims "it feels like a party (of spirits) is going on in here". I had only one real criticism of the episode and that was the soldiers were probably Confederate escapees from a prison in Albany.

Unknown Soldier Dead Tenants 3rd episode.......2006-12-15

I was afraid of what would happen next in the show very real and scarey

Average customer rating:

Good episode

Dead Tenants: Episode 102: Lost Souls

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNFA
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Customer Reviews:

Good episode.......2007-03-25

I had not ever seen this show on television- so I wanted to try it out on DVD. This episode of Dead Tenants involves an investigation at a home where a family is plagued by what seems to be a lot of activity. The home is on a hill near some sort of waterway and a set of railroad tracks. Without spoiling the outcome of the investigation- I can say that the investigators are able to come up with a reasonable explanation for why the activity could be occurring in this home. It's about an hour long- and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I would really have liked to see more than just the one episode on the dvd for that price. Otherwise- definitely good.

Dead Tenants: Episode 109: The Horse Farm

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Dead Tenants: Episode 109: The Horse Farm

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNH8
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Dead Tenants: Episode 104: The Last Resort

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Dead Tenants: Episode 104: The Last Resort

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KGGNFU
Release Date: 2006-12-01

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