The Vault of Horror Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Five dudes get stuck in a basement and try to one-up each other with increasingly ridiculous nightmares until they realize they’re actually in hell’s waiting room, which is basically a fancy office party.

🍿 The Vault of Horror: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mysterious Elevator

Five men independently enter an elevator in a London office building. Unexpectedly, the elevator descends to a sub-basement, opening into a lavishly furnished room. Strangers to each other, they find drinks and settle in, discussing their recurring nightmares while awaiting rescue.

Midnight Mess

Harold seeks out his estranged sister, Donna, to claim an inheritance. He murders her, only to discover the town is populated by vampires, including his sister who returns to exact her revenge. He ends up as the main course, hung upside down and drained of his blood.

The Neat Job

Arthur, obsessed with neatness, drives his wife Eleanor to the brink with his constant criticism. She snaps and kills him, meticulously dismembering his body and storing the parts in labeled jars, showcasing her newfound appreciation for order.

This Trick’ll Kill You

Magicians Sebastian and Inez travel to India, where they become obsessed with a rope trick. They murder the young woman performing it to steal the secret. However, the rope has a dark magic of its own, killing Inez and then Sebastian in a gruesome fashion.

Bargain in Death

Maitland and Alex plot an insurance scam where Maitland fakes his death by being buried alive. Alex intends to betray Maitland and keep all the money. Complications ensue when medical students exhume Maitland’s body. Ultimately, both Maitland and Alex meet their demise.

Drawn and Quartered

Moore, an artist cheated by art dealers, gains voodoo powers to exact revenge through his paintings. He paints portraits of his tormentors, inflicting corresponding injuries and deaths. However, a self-portrait leads to his own demise when it’s damaged by falling turpentine, resulting in a fatal accident.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harold Rogers (Daniel Massey): A ruthless man who murders his sister for inheritance, only to become prey in a vampire restaurant.
• Arthur Critchit (Terry-Thomas): An obsessively neat man whose fastidiousness drives his wife to extreme measures.
• Sebastian (Curd Jürgens): An arrogant magician who resorts to murder to steal a magic trick, facing supernatural consequences.
• Maitland (Michael Craig): An unsuccessful writer who devises an insurance scam involving his own fake death, leading to betrayal and a gruesome end.
• Moore (Tom Baker): A cheated artist who gains voodoo powers to exact revenge on those who wronged him, with devastating results.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Waiter: “Good evening. The table d’hôte is rather nice, sir. Juice, soup, roast, sweet, coffee.” – The waiter presents the evening’s special to Rogers, foreshadowing the unusual menu to come.
• Arthur Critchit: “Everything in its place and a place for everything. That Eleanor, is the value of neatness!” – Critchit lectures his wife Eleanor on the importance of tidiness in his workshop.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 The Vault of Horror Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘The Vault of Horror’ isn’t the scariest movie ever, but it’s a total blast from the past! I loved the campy feel and the over-the-top acting. The ‘Neat Job’ story had me cracking up – who knew being tidy could lead to such madness? And Tom Baker as a vengeful artist? Genius! I especially liked the practical effects; they’re so much more fun than CGI. It reminded me of watching horror flicks on late-night TV when I was a kid. A must-watch for any classic horror fan!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic horror anthologies”
  • “Viewers interested in British horror films from the 1970s”
  • “Those who enjoy campy and darkly humorous horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore (mild)”
  • “Mature Themes”

Professional Reviews

• Sight & Sound: “While the stories vary in quality, director Roy Ward Baker maintains a brisk pace, and the film’s reliance on practical effects and classic horror tropes offers a refreshing contrast to modern, CGI-heavy horror films. The anthology format keeps things moving, never allowing any single segment to overstay its welcome.
• The Guardian: “A fun, if uneven, portmanteau horror flick with a distinct British flavor. The ‘Neat Job’ segment is a standout, showcasing Terry-Thomas’ comedic talents amidst gruesome circumstances. Though the scares might be tame by today’s standards, the film exudes a charming, old-school horror vibe.
• Empire: “It’s hard to disagree that this one feels very dated, both in terms of special effects and horror sensibility. Though there is a certain charm to the cheesiness on display, it’s not that scary. Fans of British horror from the 70s may find it endearing, but others are likely to find it lacking in genuine scares.

Audience Reactions

The movie’s campy humor and over-the-top acting makes it a fun, nostalgic watch.: Viewers generally agree that the film is a product of its time, offering a mix of dark humor and gruesome scenarios that appeal to fans of classic horror.

The ‘Neat Job’ segment, starring Terry-Thomas, is often cited as a standout due to its comedic and darkly ironic twist.: The film’s ability to blend horror with humor is a key factor in its enduring appeal.

Overall Consensus: A classic anthology with British charm, blending dark humor with gruesome tales, making it a nostalgic, entertaining watch for fans of classic horror.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Despite the film’s title, none of the stories showcased appeared in the EC comic “The Vault of Horror.””
• “The story “The Neat Job” originally appeared in “Shock SuspenStories,” and each other story originally appeared in “Tales from the Crypt.””
• “The film was known in some quarters as “Tales From The Crypt, Part II.””

🖥️ How to Watch The Vault of Horror?

As a classic film, ‘The Vault of Horror’ can be found through various avenues. Check streaming platforms like Shudder, AMC+, and Tubi for availability. It is often available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Vault of Horror, you might like these similar films:

• Tales from the Crypt (1972): Directly precedes ‘The Vault of Horror’ in Amicus Productions’ horror anthology series, sharing a similar format and source material from EC Comics.
• Asylum (1972): Another Amicus anthology film from the same era, directed by Roy Ward Baker. Also featuring multiple horror stories with a framing narrative.
• Creepshow (1982): Modern horror anthology inspired by EC Comics, featuring multiple stories with dark humor and gruesome elements.
• Dead of Night (1945): Classic British horror anthology film featuring a group of guests sharing supernatural stories, influencing the structure of later films like ‘The Vault of Horror’.

🛒 The Vault of Horror Related Products

• Tales From The Crypt: The Complete Series: Relive the original horror anthology that inspired ‘The Vault of Horror’ and countless others, the legendary ‘Tales From The Crypt’. Watch all the gruesome tales. Experience the iconic Crypt Keeper in all his darkly comic glory.
• Amicus Horror Collection (Blu-Ray): A curated collection of Amicus Productions’ finest horror anthologies, including remastered editions with exclusive bonus features, offering the highest quality viewing experience for fans.
• EC Comics Horror Classics: Vault of Horror Graphic Novel: Experience the original Vault of Horror comic book stories. See stories that inspired the film adaptation. Collect these graphic novels to enjoy horror comics, in their original and gruesome glory.
• Voodoo Doll Kit: Get creative with your very own voodoo doll. Use it for crafts, decoration or fun roleplay. Recreate the magic of the movie with this doll.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Vault of Horror features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Douglas Gamley
• “The Neat Job Theme” – performed by Douglas Gamley
• “Voodoo Revenge” – performed by Douglas Gamley

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 UNDERRATED 70s Horror Movies That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Hey, if you enjoyed ‘Vault of Horror’, you HAVE to check out this video! It lists 10 other seriously underrated horror flicks from the 70s, and honestly, some of these sound even creepier. I’m adding a few to my watchlist!

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