Review: Scary Tales

Blu-ray: Scary Tales (1993)

A shot-on-video horror anthology that reminded me of the zero budget movies I was involved with back in the early 90’s, Scary Tales shows what can be achieved with a few mates, the odd basement to film in, a lot of enthusiasm, and of course lashings of fake blood.

Homemade horror doesn’t get much more homemade than this, which may not be to everyone’s cinematic taste, but if you have an affinity for zero budget filmmaking and ridiculous antics onscreen, then Scary Tales could be just what you’re looking for.

Spanning 3 tales (“Satan’s Necklace”, “Sliced in Cold Blood” and “Level 21”) with a wraparound by the Grim Reaper himself, Scary Tales epitomises what young horror obsessed filmmakers were doing during the 80’s and into the 90’s when VHS camera’s became affordable and you managed to grab hold of a few likeminded friends.

Shot and edited on VHS the picture quality reflects the time that it was made, but this just enhances the authentic feeling of when it was made and helps to put you back to 30 years ago.

Another AGFA release from 101 Films that won’t be to everyone’s taste, but a definite treat for those of us that lap up these otherwise undiscovered zero budget gems.

The 55 second NSFW trailer below should immediately let you know if this is your type of movie or not.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• New transfer from the original S-VHS master tapes
• Commentary track with director Doug Ulrich
• 1987 demo version of SCARY TALES
• Outtakes and vintage TV promo appearance
• Bonus movie: DARKEST SOUL (1994)
• Early horror shorts by director Doug Ulrich
• Reversible cover
• English subtitles

Released 12th September and available to pre-order.

Review by Dave from discs kindly supplied by 101 Films.