From Dan Curtis (creator of television vampire soap opera Dark Shadows) and based on three tales from author Richard Matheson, Trilogy Of Terror stars Karen Black, who stars in the three horror tales within.

First up is, "Julie", which stars Black as a frumpy and meek college teacher who becomes the unwitting target of one of her students who is determined to see what she looks like naked and also to blackmail her in order to use her for his own needs. But things don't quite turn out the way he intended as teach has a secret of her own. This is an okay start to things, but like the story that will follow it it's pretty tame and over quick enough for you to not get into it as much as you'd of liked.

"Millicent And Therese" is next and it gives Black the chance to play dual roles as this tells the story of two sisters: Millicent, who is the quiet and spinster-ish one and Therese who is just a bit slutty and wild. The story follow Millicent who is trying to convince people her sister is in fact evil and responsible for their father's death. This leads to one predictable twist and the story really offers nothing new.

The last story, "Amelia" (which was scripted by Matheson from his story "Prey"), is the most remembered one of the trio - and with good reason. Black plays a woman who's bought an African Zuni fetish doll for her boyfriend for his birthday. She brings it home one evening and after arguing with her mother on the phone she accidentally breaks the "necklace of protection" that is around the doll's waist in order to keep it from coming alive. And come alive it does as she finds herself under an unrelentless barrage of attacks from the little doll as she gets trapped in her apartment with the murderous little hunter. By far the best tale here, this one plays out more like a horror story than all the rest with a breakneck pace, some amusing effects (they are admittedly a little bit cheesy), and the effectively creepy guttural growls of the doll.

As a made-for-TV effort, this is completely tame and pretty passable up until the third story, but "Amelia" offers enough entertainment to redeem the slower pacing and predictability of the two tales that came before it, in turn saving Trilogy Of Terror from stumbling into mediocrity.

Followed over twenty years later by a made-for-cable sequel. (Chris Hartley, 9/3/06)

Directed By: Dan Curtis.
Written By: William F. Nolan, Richard Matheson.

Starring: Karen Black, Robert Burton, John Karlin, George Gaynes.

Picture Ratio: Full Frame.

Picture Quality: As a lower-budgeted television movie from the 70's, Dark Sky have done a good job with the transfer here as it's clean with solid clarity. Dark Sky again delivers a quality product.

Extras: There's enough extras here for the numerous fans of the movie.

"Three Colors Black" is a featurette that interviews star Karen Black about her career and shows us she's a bit of an odd one who consistently calls the movie "Trilogy In Terror" and makes a bizarre comment about vaginal entry in regards to the "Amelia" story.

Next up we get an interview with author Richard Matheson entitled "Richard Matheson: Terror Scribe" as well as a listenable commentary track with Black and scriptwriter William F. Nolan.

Visit Dark Sky Films for more info.