Spirits of the Dead [VHS]

Spirits of the Dead [VHS]
by Louis Malle, Roger Vadim, Federico Fellini

Spirits of the Dead [VHS]
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VHS Tape Cover Information

Actor: Alain Delon, Brigitte Bardot, James Robertson Justice, Jane Fonda, Terence Stamp
Director: Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, Roger Vadim
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language), Analog; Italian (Original Language)
Format: Color, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 117 minutes
Release Date: 2001-09-19
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: Homevision
Studio: Homevision

VHS Movie Reviews of Spirits of the Dead [VHS]

Movie Review: Poe (for all his European-ness) is still very American
Summary: 4 Stars

Edgar Allan Poe may have been the most European of our 19th century writers and so, you would think, that three masters of European cinema would give him the understanding and visuals he deserves. Actually, not so. When filtered through the lenses of Roger Vadim, Louis Malle and Fellini, Poe comes out looking more American than ever (which is probably why no one has ever topped Roger Corman in bringing Poe to the screen). "Spirits of the Dead" isn't bad. In fact, it's really very good. But Poe would probably be a little embarrassed by the end result of this movie. Sure, Poe was symbolic ... but he wasn't THAT symbolic. Not Fellini symbolic. And certainly not as obvious as Vadim and Malle. But ...

Jane Fonda is absolutely beautiful and alluring as a spoiled princess who falls for her cousin (in fact, Peter Fonda plays this part ... now that's ripe with Poe and Freud and even Dr Westheimer) and then burns down his stables when he refuses her. One of the horses comes to haunt her and lots of pretty horse-riding ensues. All nicely photographed, and compelling (my vote for the best piece in the movie).

Alain Delon plays a soldier who is dealing with his double ... a nicer and more justice-driven person than he is. Every time Delon tries to kill, injure or humiliate, this doppelganger comes in and saves the day. Delon engages in a nifty sword fight with the double and then confesses to a priest before the final, kinda silly, climax. Perhaps the most obviously symbol-driven piece in the movie.

Finally, Fellini treats us to something so loosely based on Poe, we just forget that Poe was even a starting point. We watch Terrence Stamp (who, in his youth, may have been as pretty as Jane Fonda) as he drunkenly deals with all the demons fame and fortune has dealt him. He takes out his Ferrari for some therapy and some fast driving and headlessness ensue. This one is certainly the most visually arresting of the three stories and possible the most entertaining. One can go through this segment and find something new each time.

The three masters of European cinema don't quite get Poe right, and that's a puzzler. But they combine to treat us to a very unique take on a dark and symbolic American writer. For real cinematic Poe, go to Corman's "Masque of the Red Death." For an odd treat full of weird beauty and compelling performances, "Spirits of the Dead" is your ticket to ride.
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Summary of Spirits of the Dead [VHS]

Metzengerstein Directing his then wife and brother-in-law, Jane and Peter Fonda, Roger Vadim adapts this Poe story about a medieval woman who takes a liking to her cousin. When he doesn't respond in kind she sets his stable ablaze. Running into t
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 doppelg?nger 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 8?), 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

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