Spirits of the Dead (Histoires Extraordinaires)

REVIEW
An anthology film nominally based on three short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, this mélange of '60s-style, Felliniesque grotesquerie and soft-core eroticism only lives up to its title in its final segment. Fonda is the object of Vadim obsession in the first story, "Metzengerstein," about a young countess who believes that her dead cousin has been reincarnated as a magnificent black horse. Brother Peter plays Jane's love. The second story, "William Wilson," by Malle, is much more interesting. It stars Delon as a young libertine whose debaucheries are continually foiled by a mysterious doppelganger. The third story is the best. "Toby Dammit," directed by Fellini. Stamp is an alcoholic and egocentric English actor haunted by the vision of an eerily beautiful young blonde girl playing with a bouncing ball. Only Fellini's segment captures the true spirit of Poe. (French with English subtitles)