Cubussoli Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

rodrig58 The Horror genre is the one I like the least. Main reason, the movies are stupid, untrue, ridiculous, based on unfounded mischievous scripts. But I saw the name of Jack Palance in the cast, another actor I admire and love. Plus, the name of Robert Bloch, who wrote also "Psycho". And when I was little, I've seen, many times, so much I liked it, another movie made by Freddie Francis, "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors," with the same Peter Cushing in the cast. Well, this "Torture Garden" is not bad either. Also made up of several episodes as "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors". Burgess Meredith, who introduces us to stories, makes a very good part. The last episode, the one with Cushing and Palance, is the best.

Foreverisacastironmess When this was playing at the cinemas, they'd give you seed packets that you might one day start your own little Torture Garden - fun? The Shears, look deeply into the shears, deep deep deep... Oh god that was so lame, could they have come up with a less bland instrument than that? Why not throw in an egg-beater of contrition while we're at it! Okay, I thought Burgess Meredith as the customary macabre host was alright, but I definitely didn't find him nearly as impressive as Ralph Richardson or Peter Cushing. He was a bit too hammy and theatrical for me, and when it's his turn to speak to the audience at the end I thought it was done the wrong way and came off as laughable more than owt else. Something that I've noticed before in other Amicus anthologies is that you can tell when they put a lot more effort into a specific story or stories that they need to be extra atmospheric or a good closer for the movie, and although in this instance none of the stories are awful to me, some are less elaborate and it stands out. That said, I really like this movie because I like the classic grim twist in the tale style, and this is one of the big three by Amicus that I can comfortably stand to watch on repeated viewings! Something that I think brings down the quality of this a bit is the weak wraparound story, which feels very cobbled together at points. And for another thing, there's no real twist ending, the only thing that comes close is the mystery of whether or not Doc Diablo was telling the people possible futures to help them, or if was just a twisted game and they can never really do anything to change their fates... Anyway I thought it was a good start to the tales, the actor's performance made a bit of a silly situation more plausible, as a man who after cruelly allowing his elderly uncle to die, wanders into the dank(Evil Dead!) cellar in search of his inheritance and unleashes the awesomely-named Balthazar, a demon cat who'll give him gold in exchange for people's heads! It was so laughable whenever they'd show the cute little kitty's face up close and it's supposed to be all evil and whatnot, but it was just a cat! If Colin had just gotten hold of some catnip or a laser-light there wouldn't have been any problem! Taste the wrath of Balthazar filthy drunken hobo!!! It was shot really well, there's some eerie scenes in the cellar and the house, which I swear is the same one that was later used in The House that Dripped Blood. Verging on the ridiculous, but I liked it. ::: I also enjoy the outlandish second story, it's a bit long-winded and dull, but I find the mystery compelling and when the payoff finally comes, it's effectively sinister. "No cause for alarm" my foot! I liked the spare makeup effect used when the girl scratches the man's face and you see the metal beneath the skin. The tale really could have used a scene with a complete robot man on the rampage, but it works. And yeah, so there's a little sci-fi in there but so what, horror and sci-fi have long gone great together. The punchline at the end is really well done, I like the way it all ties up. It's kind of a creepy line, even if the way the bubbly girl delivers it is the epitome of camp! There's really not much to talk about, it's just a solid enough yarn about a status-seeking wannabe starlet who gets in way over her head, and although she does indeed get the fame and admiration she desperately craves, it comes at a helluva price. Kinda weak, but good. ::: I've read quite a bit of guff, but I love the elegant yet gently sinister tone of the third story, and I love the classy black and white style of the location. The actor who played the musician was a really handsome guy, I thought he was the spitting image of the actor Kevin Vanhentenryck from the 1982 classic Basket Case. I loved the painting of his character's eternally watchful and presumably by the looks of it, evil mother. Her patricial facade looked so coldly fierce, like a wicked tigress, ready to leap out of the painting and devour the interloping little tramp any minute! I really can't say I felt sorry for what happens to the Barbara Ewing character at all, she was a selfish gold-digger who didn't even care if she ended up ruining his artistic gifts! And I have to admit that even if you're a big fan of the story the spectacle of a piano shuffling across the floor to bump the girl out the window is ridiculously silly! The notion of a haunted piano is strange and romantic, but it was probably something best left on paper than on the screen. It sure would have been a great darkly poetic touch if the frozen image of mother dear had been smiling at the end. I suppose it is an odd story, but I have no problems with it. Just one question though: How much does a, Stein-Weigh?(!) ::: And of the superb final story is the most visually stirring and Gothic, as well as the one that I reckon captures the imagination the most. I love how it touches upon the rich lore of old stories and of being a collector of rarities. Jack Palance sold his squirmy edgy character brilliantly, and I thought he actually outshined Peter Cushing. A truly great terror tale is like fine wine, it only gets better with age... Wish I could say the same for this movie which is not perfect, but I'd still recommend, thank you!

Scott LeBrun "Torture Garden" is, overall, a fun if unexceptional horror anthology from Amicus, a company that specialized in that sort of thing for a number of years. With a screenplay written by Robert Bloch of "Psycho" fame, and efficient direction by Freddie Francis, it's unfortunately a little uneven. It's divided into four segments, and segments two and three aren't quite as punchy, and more amusing than anything; segment one, which is rather leisurely paced, would have been better off as the third in the movie.The ever wonderful Burgess Meredith is a sort of host for the proceedings, playing a sideshow personality named Dr. Diabolo, who takes various customers into his "torture garden" and places them in front of an exhibit that can foretell their futures, and see the darkness buried within each of them."Enoch" stars Michael Bryant as Colin, a man in need of money who thinks he'll get it from his dying uncle (Maurice Denham). After accidentally causing the old man's death, he discovers what kinds of secrets his uncle had been keeping, and they revolve around a spooky "cat" that will develop a powerful hold on him. This is interesting and atmospheric stuff, with a great denouement and enjoyable shock moments.In "Terror Over Hollywood", cunning and ambitious young actress Carla (Beverly Adams) manages to make the acquaintance of some power players in the business, including veteran star & producer Bruce Benton (Robert Hutton). She soon finds out that there's a reason why Benton and company are able to maintain a facade of youth. This leads to a real hoot of a revelation, which gives this episode its element of "horror"."Mr. Steinway" is definitely something different: the only story this viewer has seen that can claim to be a love triangle between a journalist, Dorothy (Barbara Ewing), a star pianist, Leo (John Standing), and Leo's piano. Yup, a musical instrument. This is rather cheesy stuff, and entertaining, but hardly scary.Peter Cushing and Jack Palance star in "The Man Who Collected Poe", about two men obsessed with the legendary author. Ronald Wyatt (Palance) is determined to find out everything that he can about just what kinds of things Lancelot Canning (Cushing) is hoarding. As it turns out, Lancelot truly has the treasure to beat them all. At least we can say that this movie ends with the best story of the bunch.Taken as a whole, the movie is enjoyable for horror fans, although it is somewhat plodding and has its ups and downs. The top notch cast makes it a worthy viewing; John Phillips, Michael Ripper, Bernard Kay, David Bauer, Niall MacGinnis, Hedger Wallace, Clytie Jessop, and Timothy Bateson also appear. It's also noteworthy for having American stars (Palance and Meredith) be top billed. It's not the best of the Amicus anthologies, but it's not bad at all either.Seven out of 10.

ShadeGrenade 'Torture Garden' ( 1967 ) doesn't feature a garden, much less any torture. It was the second horror anthology produced by Amicus following 'Dr.Terrors House Of Horrors' ( 1964 ), inspired by the Ealing classic 'Dead Of Night' ( 1945 ). Whereas the former movie was scripted by co-producer Milton Subotsky, 'Garden' was based on stories by Robert Bloch, author of 'Psycho'. A group of assorted people visit a macabre fairground attraction - 'Torture Garden' - where they meet 'Dr.Diabolo' ( Burgess Meredith ), an odd little man who promises to reveal their futures to each of them in turn. All they have to do is stand before a waxwork of Atropos - The Goddess Of Destiny ( Clytie Jessop ) - and all will be revealed.Colin Williams ( the excellent Michael Bryant ) murders his rich uncle Roger ( Maurice Denham ) and is then plagued by a strange cat called Balthazar which keeps ordering him to kill.Sexy aspiring starlet Carla Hayes ( Beverly Adams ) uncovers the existence of a secret Hollywood elite - movie stars who have preserved their good looks by being turned into robots by Dr.Heim ( Bernard Kay ). Rather than kill her to keep her quiet, Heim gives her the same treatment.Dorothy Endicott ( Barbara Ewing ) becomes secretary to a world-famous pianist ( John Standing ), only to fall in love with him, incurring the wrath of his deceased mother who has been reincarnated - if you can believe this - as a piano.Ronald Wyatt ( Jack Palance ) is an avid book collector, in particular the works of Edgar Allan Poe. He visits fellow collector - Launcelot Canning ( Peter Cushing ) at his Maryland home, and finds a veritable shrine to the late author ( I bet Canning has copies of the Roger Corman/Vincent Price A.I.P. movies stashed away somewhere ). Finding unpublished works on modern paper, Wyatt demands to know where they came from. The answer is startling. Canning has managed to resurrect Poe from the dead...Once the stories are over, there is a final twist concerning the true identity of Dr.Diabolo.This is not a bad collection, at times it resembles the Hammer television series 'Journey To The Unknown'. As is usually the case in movies such as this, the stories themselves are a mixed bag - the first and last ones are the best, while the third is absolute rubbish ( if you can restrain yourself from laughing as Barbara Ewing is murdered by a piano, you're made of stronger stuff than I am ). Story number two is 'Twilight Zone' style science fiction, and sticks out like a sore thumb. The last one is my favourite, with Palance hamming it up as a man obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe. You can feel his envy as Canning shows him round his private collection. Cushing is, as ever, excellent. And good old Penguin himself ( Burgess Meredith ) is always watchable.'Atropos' appears in all four stories - keep an eye out for her.Bloch wrote two more movies in similar vein for Amicus - 'The House That Dripped Blood' ( 1970 ) and 'Asylum' ( 1971 ).