Yuki The series itself was okay, although I suspect it was more famous for its title sequence than its actual content. Basically, Tales of the Unexpected was Roald Dahl's attempt at the Twilight Zone/Outer Limits - a screen adaptation of the eponymous short story collection. Having not read this book, I couldn't tell you how well the stories were adapted, although like the aforementioned TV shows, they sometimes involved an element of the supernatural and one of the characters usually getting their just deserts by the end. I've seen them described as campy, although I think mediocre would have been a better word to use. Most episodes are watchable and are of acceptable entertainment value, although some having pacing issues and the production quality certainly isn't up to today's standards.If you're a fan of the Twilight Zone, this might be worth a look.

screenman Remembered by my then youthful generation more for its beginning as a cause of erections whilst the naked, nubile dancer cavorted provocatively amongst leaping flames to a music-box anthem. The erotic nature of such imagery belayed the series content, as it cut to curmudgeonly Roald Dahl, outlining what was to follow in the way that Hitchcock had about a decade before.Production values, as usual, inclined towards the cheap end, but Dahl's inventiveness still usually worked its spell. Worth watching again today, as much for their amazing casts. How the makers managed to tempt so many big names into such a small production, which wasn't exactly given a primetime viewing slot on account of the often alarming ideas, is quite baffling. Fun though.

Doomlad Having only discovered this series exists after finding the first two seasons on DVD at a local used bookstore, I took a chance and bought the first disc. The next day I returned to buy the rest, congratulating myself on stumbling across such a trove.Like the short stories upon which they are based, the 'Tales of the Unexpected' focus on the consequences of duplicity, greed and other less-favourable traits so common throughout human kind. Little, if any, of the appeal is lost in translating these twisting tales from page to screen. The quality of the original material can be thanked for this but the talents of its legendary cast (Jose Ferrare, Joan Collins, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, Cyril Cusack, etc, etc, etc) must also be acknowledged. The creative cinematography, evocative settings and careful casting also contributes to the series' eerie, expectant feel. The result of all this is a must-see for aficionados of speculative fiction as well as devotees of the author, who won't have to worry about his work being desecrated. He introduces each story himself, offering an evocative glimpse of the mind that Dahl knew that for a short story to be effective, the reader must be made emotionally dependant on its outcome within the brief space allotted. Subsequently, his characters force a reaction from the reader; whether sympathy, affinity or disgust. Similarly, his plots generate a sense of unease in that you can sometimes guess a few different ways they might end but you're never sure until its done. Even then things often turn out to be worse than imagined. The episodes in 'Tales...' follow this rule religiously; superfluous dialogue is non-existent; a twitch of an eye carries the gravity of a soliloquy. The end result is that viewers find themselves inexorably drawn into the action and, at its conclusion, wonder how a half-an hour long program can resonate in the mind for long afterwards.Some suggest that 'Tales...' is campy. I can't agree and am perplexed at the opinion. Camp to me triggers thoughts of 'The Benny Hill Show,' the Adam West-era 'Batman' or any other program that takes itself less than seriously. This series couldn't be farther from that genre. Admittedly, the opening credits are dated and were probably unimpressive even at the time, but the show itself is executed in the time-tested traditions that give British drama its fine reputation; its use of humour is sparing, satirical, focused and ghoulishly black. The tone, whether deadly serious or incongruously whimsical all serve to throw the ultimate conclusion into skin-raising contrast.I think the 'Tales...' are consistently excellent but if I had to name my favourites... The Man From the South - ironically, Rod Serling's 'Twilight Zone'adapted this tale for TV long before the author himself, Royal Jelly - a beekeeper's obsession becomes his legacy, Skin - the tattoo on his back offers a down & out man the chance of a new life Galloping Foxley - drawn from Dahl's own school days, this story showcases a different type of terror(s) The Hitchhiker - Cyril Cusack. Say no more.

nick_oke Along with 'Hammer House of Horror', this was another series which will live long in the memory of thirtysomethings like myself. The title sequence with super-imposed flames licking round a dodgy bird gyrating in silhouette are true seventies kitsch. Then, in his leather-bound easy chair, with his leather-bound journal in his lap, we are introduced to the author himself - Roald Dahl with his leather-bound face. He introduces us to the protagonists with his low measured tones, lending a strange eerieness to the proceedings.In amongst the cheesiness there were actually some gems. My own personal favourite has Susan George clubbing her adulterous policeman husband to death with a frozen leg of lamb. His colleagues arrive to investigate and end up eating the evidence!Many of these tales have passed into folklore. Next time you visit one of those 'urban legends' websites, bear in mind that some of the original ideas were from Mr Dahl - remember the guy who gambles with his fingers?By the time the original Roald Dahl short stories had all been filmed, followed by a selection of half decent shorts by other writers of the genre, the franchise became very tired. The later series should probably have been titled 'Tales of the Boringly Expected'.