Spirits of the Dead (1968)

"Spirits of the Dead" is a haunting cinematic tapestry that interweaves three of Edgar Allan Poe's chilling short stories, each brought to life by a different visionary director. The film plunges viewers into a world where the lines between reality and nightmare are irrevocably blurred. The first tale, "Toby Dammit," immerses us in the unraveling psyche of an English movie star. His existence, mired in a relentless cycle of substance abuse and adulation by the Italian press and his producers, becomes increasingly distorted. The specter of a pale little girl haunts his every step, adding a sinister edge to his downward spiral. In the second narrative, "Metzengerstein," we're transported back to medieval times where we meet a countess locked in a love-hate relationship with a fearsome black stallion. The beast, it transpires, is the eerie reincarnation of her deceased lover. This tale of obsession and guilt is imbued with a spectral quality that sends shivers down the spine. The final story, "William Wilson," unveils the dark journey of a sadistic Austrian student. His life takes a terrifying turn as he's pursued by his exact double, a relentless phantom that mirrors his every sin. This haunting tale culminates in a shocking act of violence that seals his fate. "Spirits of the Dead" is a chilling exploration of humanity's darkest corners, where tormented souls are haunted by their past and the specters they can't escape. This eerie trilogy, adapted from the works of a literary master, will leave viewers both captivated and unsettled.

Spirits of the Dead is a drama movie featuring Brigitte Bardot and directed by Roger Vadim.

Spirits of the Dead is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.