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Movie spotlight

The Tell-Tale Heart

1986
Movie
0
English

Joe Marzano adapted Edgar Allan Poe's famed short story more than once. After The Tell-Tale Heart (1958), he returned to the pages of Poe 28 years later for this remake: As in Poe's original 1843 story, a murderer (Marzano) buries a body beneath the floor of his room and thinks the heartbeats of his victim can be heard while the police are investigating. After he confesses, the sound is revealed to be the ticking of the victim's watch. In 1989, Marzano shot new scenes to increase the running time of this 1986 interpretation.

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Robert WeinbachGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A man's obsession with an old man's "vulture eye" drives him to commit murder. He meticulously plans and executes the crime, dismembering the body and hiding it beneath the floorboards. However, his guilt manifests as the incessant sound of the victim's beating heart, driving him to confess to the authorities.

Critical Reception

This adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale received a mixed reception, with critics often noting its low-budget production values but commending its attempt to capture the psychological horror of the source material. Audience reactions varied, with some appreciating its faithful adherence to the story and others finding it less impactful than other adaptations.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film effectively conveys the narrator's descent into madness.

  • Low production values sometimes detract from the intended suspense.

  • A commendable effort to adapt Poe's dense psychological narrative.

Google audience: Audience reviews for this adaptation are scarce, with general sentiment leaning towards it being a lesser-known version of the classic story. Some viewers appreciate its commitment to the original text, while others find it lacks the polish of more high-profile adaptations.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for featuring Sammy Terry, a local television horror host from the Indianapolis area, in a prominent role.

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