Tales That Witness Madness Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A psychiatrist tries to convince his colleague that his patients’ bizarre stories are totally normal, including a guy who dates a tree and a luau that serves, uh, a *very* fresh entree.

🍿 Tales That Witness Madness: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Framing the Madness: The Asylum’s Strange Cases

Dr. Tremayne (Donald Pleasence), a psychiatrist at a modern asylum, welcomes his visiting colleague Dr. Nicholas (Jack Hawkins) for a late-night discussion. Tremayne asserts that he has made a groundbreaking discovery, unraveling the true causes behind the madness of four unusual patients. He proceeds to recount their individual case histories, each one more bizarre than the last, as proof of his controversial theories. These tales form the core of the film, providing a window into the psychiatrist’s unique perspective on mental aberration.

Mr. Tiger: An Imaginary Friend’s Dark Nature

The first patient introduced is Paul (Russell Lewis), a sensitive young boy trapped in a home with constantly bickering parents. To cope with their incessant arguments and neglect, Paul befriends an imaginary tiger, which he refers to simply as ‘Mr. Tiger.’ Despite everyone else believing the tiger to be a figment of his imagination, Paul insists on its reality, even seemingly feeding it. The segment establishes the growing tension between Paul’s inner world and his parents’ dismissive skepticism.

Penny Farthing: A Journey Through Time

Dr. Tremayne then recounts the story of Timothy (Peter McEnery), an antiques dealer who inherits a unique collection of items, including an old penny-farthing bicycle and a peculiar portrait of his deceased Uncle Albert (Frank Forsyth). Timothy soon discovers that riding the antiquated bicycle, particularly under the gaze of Uncle Albert’s seemingly haunted portrait, has the extraordinary ability to transport him back in time. These unexpected journeys begin to blur the lines between past and present for Timothy.

Mel: The Obsession with a Tree

The third case involves Brian (Michael Jayston), a man who finds a strangely human-shaped dead tree trunk while out running. Captivated by its unique form, he brings it home, naming it ‘Mel,’ and displays it prominently in his living room as a piece of ‘found art.’ This peculiar obsession greatly angers and bewilders his jealous wife, Bella (Joan Collins), who views the tree as an unwelcome intruder and a rival for her husband’s affections. Their domestic tension escalates as Brian’s fascination with Mel grows.

Luau: The Exotic Feast

Finally, the tale of Auriol (Kim Novak), a flamboyant literary agent, unfolds. She is hosting a new client, Kimo (Michael Petrovitch), a mysterious Hawaiian writer, hoping to impress him and secure his business. Despite Auriol’s overtures, Kimo seems notably more interested in her beautiful young daughter, Ginny (Mary Tamm). Auriol, unaware of Kimo’s true intentions, proceeds with planning an elaborate Hawaiian luau as a surprise for him, with Ginny soon departing for a mysterious holiday.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tremayne (Donald Pleasence): A psychiatrist in a modern asylum who recounts the bizarre case histories of four patients to a visiting colleague.
• Nicholas (Jack Hawkins): A visiting colleague who listens to Dr. Tremayne’s theories and case studies of his most unusual patients.
• Paul (Russell Lewis): A sensitive young boy who copes with his bickering parents by befriending an imaginary tiger that turns out to be real.
• Timothy (Peter McEnery): An antiques dealer who inherits a penny-farthing bicycle that transports him back in time, seemingly controlled by a haunted portrait of his uncle.
• Bella (Joan Collins): A jealous wife who struggles to accept her husband’s infatuation with a strange, human-shaped dead tree he brings into their home.
• Auriol (Kim Novak): A flamboyant literary agent who unwittingly hosts a client with sinister intentions involving her daughter and a traditional luau.
• Kimo (Michael Petrovitch): A mysterious new client who harbors dark intentions, showing an unhealthy interest in Auriol’s daughter for a planned ritual.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tremayne: “Brian’s case was the first one that gave me an inkling into what might be achieved.” – Dr. Tremayne introduces one of his patients, hinting at his revolutionary (and unsettling) approach to psychiatric treatment.
• Paul: “Mr. Tiger isn’t imaginary, Mummy. He’s very real.” – Young Paul tries to convince his bickering parents about the existence and hunger of his ‘imaginary’ friend.
• Bella: “It’s either me or that… that piece of wood!” – Bella, frustrated and jealous, confronts her husband Brian about his obsessive and unusual affection for a dead tree stump.
• Timothy: “The penny-farthing… it takes me back. Uncle Albert is watching.” – Timothy, disturbed by his strange inheritance, realizes the antique bicycle and his uncle’s portrait possess unsettling time-traveling powers.
• Kimo: “The earth pig is ready. The feast is prepared.” – Kimo ominously declares the completion of a ritualistic preparation for the luau, hinting at the gruesome main course.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Tales That Witness Madness Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Tales That Witness Madness,’ and honestly, it’s a total trip! It’s one of those classic British horror anthologies that just screams 70s, from the slightly psychedelic vibe to the wild stories. I wasn’t expecting it to be super scary, but it totally hooked me with its sheer weirdness. My favorite segment was definitely the one with Joan Collins and the tree – ‘Mel.’ I mean, a woman getting jealous of her husband’s obsession with a tree stump? It’s hilariously absurd, but also surprisingly creepy. Joan Collins totally commits to the madness, making it the standout for me. And the ‘Luau’ segment with Kim Novak was unsettling too, the ending caught me off guard. It’s not perfect; some segments drag a bit, and the ‘Penny Farthing’ one felt a little underdeveloped. But even the weaker parts have a certain charm. It’s like a spooky, slightly unhinged bedtime story collection. If you love classic horror anthologies that aren’t afraid to get weird, you’ve got to check this out. It left me thinking about that tree for days!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic British horror films (e.g., Hammer, Amicus)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy horror anthologies or portmanteau films”
  • “Those interested in psychological horror with surreal elements”
  • “Fans of actors like Donald Pleasence, Joan Collins, and Kim Novak”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts looking for quirky, unique horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Psychological themes of madness and delusion”
  • “Suggestive violence and implied gore (especially in ‘Luau’ segment)”
  • “Brief partial nudity”
  • “Disquieting or unsettling scenarios”

Professional Reviews

• Horror Anthology Monthly: “Freddie Francis’s anthology delivers a deliciously droll and macabre romp. While some tales are more outlandish than others, the film’s quirky black humor and polished style, aided by a stellar cast like Donald Pleasence and Joan Collins, make for a highly entertaining watch. It embraces its bizarre premises with a knowing wink, offering a unique flavor of 70s British horror that’s both unsettling and fun.
• Midnight Movie Cult: “This anthology showcases Freddie Francis’s visual flair but struggles with an inconsistent script. While the framing device and some segments fall flat, the bizarre ‘Mel’ featuring Joan Collins’s hilarious battle against a sentient tree provides a much-needed jolt of campy fun. It’s a mixed bag, lacking the consistent punch of its Amicus peers, but still offers moments of unsettling charm for the patient horror fan.
• The Cinephile Chronicle: “Despite a promising cast, ‘Tales That Witness Madness’ often feels more like a silly, predictable ‘Twilight Zone’ knock-off than genuine horror. Most stories telegraph their twists from the outset, leaving little room for suspense. While some might find amusement in its sheer absurdity, particularly the infamous ‘tree’ segment, it largely fails to deliver the chills or narrative depth expected from a 70s horror anthology. A missed opportunity.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the campy, bizarre charm, especially Joan Collins battling a sentient tree.: Many found it a nostalgic dive into 70s British horror, appreciating its unique, unsettling atmosphere and memorable, if sometimes silly, individual tales.

Overall Consensus: A cult favorite among 70s horror fans, appreciated for its campy charm, memorable performances, and eccentric stories, despite some uneven pacing and predictable twists.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the final theatrical film for legendary British actor Jack Hawkins (Dr. Nicholas), who had lost his voice due to throat cancer and had his dialogue dubbed by Charles Gray.”
• “Kim Novak, famous for ‘Vertigo,’ came out of semi-retirement to replace Rita Hayworth in the ‘Luau’ segment, who dropped out shortly after filming began.”
• “Despite being directed by Freddie Francis and featuring many actors common to their films, ‘Tales That Witness Madness’ was a World Film Services production, not an Amicus Productions film, though it is often mistaken for one.”
• “The film was originally conceived as a more straightforward drama titled ‘Witness Madness’ but was re-edited and re-titled by the studio, adding ‘Tales’ to cash in on the success of Freddie Francis’ previous horror anthology, ‘Tales from the Crypt’.”
• “The sequence in the ‘Mel’ segment where Joan Collins’ character is attacked by sentient tree branches is often cited by fans as a possible visual precursor or influence on the ‘tree rape’ scene in Sam Raimi’s ‘The Evil Dead’ (1981).”

🖥️ How to Watch Tales That Witness Madness?

Discover ‘Tales That Witness Madness’ available for digital rental or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. For horror enthusiasts in the UK & Ireland, keep an eye on streaming services like Shudder, as it has featured in their August lineups. Physical media releases, such as DVD and Blu-ray, are also an option for collectors looking to add this classic British anthology to their collection.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tales That Witness Madness, you might like these similar films:

• Asylum (1972): Directed by Freddie Francis, this Amicus anthology shares a similar mental institution wraparound story and thematic focus on madness.
• Tales from the Crypt (1972): Another classic horror anthology from the same era, also directed by Freddie Francis, known for its dark humor and twisted morality tales.
• Creepshow (1982): A quintessential horror anthology film that captures the spirit of EC Comics with its dark humor and outlandish, interconnected scary stories.
• The Wicker Man (1973): A seminal British folk horror film released in the same year, exploring themes of paganism and ritual sacrifice, mirroring the darker aspects of the ‘Luau’ segment.
• Trick ‘r Treat (2007): A highly-regarded modern horror anthology known for its interconnected stories, dark humor, and memorable creature design, offering a contemporary take on the genre.

🛒 Tales That Witness Madness Related Products

• Tales That Witness Madness (Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD): Relive the classic 1973 British horror anthology with this beautifully restored special edition. Features include new interviews with cast/crew, behind-the-scenes footage, and a comprehensive documentary on 70s British horror.
• Tales From the Crypt: The Complete Comic Book Collection (Volume 1): Dive into the original EC Comics series that inspired many horror anthologies like ‘Tales That Witness Madness.’ This collection features classic tales of terror, suspense, and dark humor from legendary artists and writers.
• Tales That Witness Madness Vintage Poster T-Shirt: Show your appreciation for this unique 70s horror gem with a premium cotton t-shirt featuring the original iconic movie poster art. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Horrified: American Monsters Board Game: A cooperative board game where players must work together to defeat classic American monsters. While not directly tied to the movie, its anthology-style monster encounters and suspenseful gameplay echo the film’s episodic horror.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tales That Witness Madness features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Motion Picture Score” – performed by Bernard Ebbinghouse

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tales That Witness Madness (1973) Story Explained + Facts | Hindi | Horror With Morals !!

Ever wondered about the deeper meanings or unique facts behind ‘Tales That Witness Madness’? This video is a fantastic breakdown of each story and uncovers some cool trivia, giving you a fresh perspective on this classic horror anthology!

✨ Rate