The style of "Spirits of the Dead" was not very unusual for the 1960s in Europe. Several other films consisted of top directors doing short films as part of an anthology movie, such as "Boccaccio 70". In the case of "Spirits of the Dead", the films are all adaptations of Edgar Allen Poe stories--and in some cases they stray quite a bit from the original source material.

"Metzengerstein" is directed by Roger Vadim and is a film about a sadistic sybaritic noblewoman (Jane Fonda--Vadim's wife at the time). She regularly indulges in all sorts of sexual excesses with her friends, torments her vassals for kicks and is a thoroughly despicable wretch. One day, she sees a distant cousin whose family and hers are rivals. She becomes obsessed by the man (which is interesting, as it's played by Jane's real life brother, Peter) and eventually she does something very evil and spiteful because he will not come to her twisted parties. What's next? See for yourself.

I must warn you that this first film is very dull, slow-paced and is pretty silly and forgettable. The worst part about it for me was seeing Jane's silly costumes. While the film appears set in about the year 1500, her costumes appear to be straight from the Vadim space epic, "Barbarella" and this is utterly ridiculous. And, I noticed that most reviewers disliked this short. As for me, I didn't see a whole lot to like about it other than a rare chance to see the two Fondas working together.

"William Wilson" is directed by Louis Malle, stars Alain Delon. The film begins with Wilson running into a confessional and loudly demanding that the priest listen to him--even though he acknowledges he is not a Catholic. He admits to a murder and then begins a long story of why he did this dastardly act. During this story, Wilson admits to being a complete sadist and is a man who has no remorse or feeling about others. He is a predatory creature--and why he goes to confess is just something you'll need to see for yourself. What's next? See for yourself.

In addition to Delon, this film stars Brigitte Bardot sporting a black wig. She is, as usual, gorgeous. However, you should be forewarned about this film. It is pretty sadistic and nasty in places--and is definitely for adults only. The story is mildly interesting (like a "Twilight Zone" episode) and worth seeing...just don't watch it with your mom or Pastor Jenkins.

"Toby Dammit" is by Federico Fellini. This segment is a treat for die-hard Fellini fans, as it has so much that they will probably love. Much of the film seems like it was inspired by "8 1/2" as well as "La Dulce Vita" as it consists of a very much adored celebrity having sycophants falling at his feet as well as a long procession of weird looking extras. It is 100% style...and not a lot of substance. Terrance Stamp plays this celebrity and he plays it as if he's a boorish jerk strung out on heroin--which you assume the character is. I have noticed that critically speaking, it's the most loved of the three films, though I thought the plot itself was very, very weak. It's more like watching a freak show (again, not unusual for many Fellini films) but without a lot of payoff in the end.

My overall verdict is that despite the ultra-famous directors, the film lacks substance and, believe it or not, the very cheap Poe films directed by Roger Corman are significantly better. The bottom line is that Malle and Fellini have done so much better work than this and it's a film only for completists who want to see everything they've made. A big disappointment for me.

Many of the reviewers were on the same page. I have to fall in line, I'm afraid. The first of the trio, "Mazzengerstein", was just plain dull. You have the beautiful young Jane Fonda becoming an heiress from hell. She runs the show at all times because of her financial power. Don't cross her. However, could they have chosen someone else but brother Peter as the ultimate love interest? Fortunately, I didn't notice him in the credits. Beyond that, the story was slow moving and downright dull. "William Wilson" is a great example for English teachers of the "Doppelganger" story. In this one the young Wilson does terrible things, primarily to women. He is a psychotic. Getting quite Freudian, we see where his corporeal superego moves in to stop him. Unfortunately, in at least one case, the damage has been done. The story works better than the first, but it is hackneyed. In the third, Terrence Stamp, "Far from the Madding Crowd," is an alcoholic actor who comes to Italy to make a weird western. He is accosted by the paparazzi and driven to distraction. Of course, he is drunk the whole time. But in typical Fellini fashion, he is met by a herd of surrealist images. He has been promised a Ferrari and when he gets his hands on it, he goes crazy. We can see this coming, but no one can create a nightmare world like the wonderful Fellini. All in all, I had never heard of this film and hung in there until the highly superior last offering.

In all honesty, Federico Fellini, whose directing and style I greatly admire, was one of two main attractions to Histoires Extraordinaries in the first place. The other was Edgar Allan Poe. And his segment is the best of the three for me. True, it is more Fellini than Poe with the protagonist like watching 8 1/2 or La Dolce Vita and the dream sequences and the quality of the art direction like 8 1/2 and Juliet of the Spirits, but I love that he adapted a story and put his own style into it. As ever it is beautifully filmed, with a nice score, is superbly directed by Fellini with his sense of nostalgia and themes interesting and boasts a mesmerising performance from Terrence Stamp. Louis Malle's segment is perhaps the most true to Poe's writing. It is straightforward storytelling but chillingly effective at it. It is handsomely filmed also, and Alain Delon as well as good-looking is very convincing. Sadly, the segment directed by Roger Vadim is a mess. It is nice to look at and Jane Fonda is always watchable, but the pace is dull, the direction is all over the place, the story never knows whether it wants to be a drama or a Gothic tale and Peter Fonda is simply wasted. Overall though it is a good and interesting film. And who can go wrong with the great Vincent Price narrating? I cannot see where you can personally. 8/10 Bethany Cox