Which is the only reason I give this turkey one star.First saw this when it came out, just as Doris Day and Rock Hudson were giving way to Peckinpah, so it seemed like a breath of fresh air and Fonda did carry the first story, which seemed hackneyed even in 1969.The only interesting part of the second story was, well, for an adolescent male, the naked girl tied up on the dissection table. Very racy for the time. Bardot (same episode, different scene) looked awful in a black fright-wig. Would have liked to have seen her stripped and some implied sex, as in the scene with the girl. Otherwise, the plot was just boring, Delon just irritating and Bardot doing a mannish parody of Feminism. As for Fellini, Fellini's Fellini and you should never expect anything else than irrational imagery from him. Except that, like Vadim and Malle, he suffers from the same boring self-absorbance and insufferable self-indulgence that characterized much of that time's European Cine.But, in 1969, it did really impress me. Now-a-days, it makes me thank God for Hawkes and Wayne and the Hustons and the thousands of other Americans who knew how to make real movies. To be blunt, with a few genre exceptions (Ronin), many European film makers seem primarily interested in doing the same thing I was doing while watching the girl on the table.Writing this review now because just saw it again on TCM and was mightily disappointed, except for the girl on the table.

interesting. for cast, directors, passing of time. for Poe or for remembers from old age. but not more.because this puzzle is dusty, strange and out of charm. Roger Vadim gives a mannerist version of Elisabeth Bathory and form of love with artificial notes - option for Peter Fonda is not inspired idea -, Louis Malle creates an interesting universe , tired after short time, with a blank cold statue as axis, with few cruel ingredients and meeting between Bardot and Delon as heart. Fellini, well, Fellini is Fellini and it is important. because his style, atmosphere of his universe, a Terence Stamp like mask of Mastroiani are just virtues in this case. it is enough ? maybe not. the final impression is about a puzzle of dried flowers.

Three Poe stories; three directors; three failures.Simply put, this movie is not entertaining. Using Poe's name, and labeling the stories as interpretations by famous directors does not cover the poor performance and overall boring conclusion.The viewer, very possibly a fan of Poe, keeps hoping for something to develop, but it never does. Jane Fonda never removes her clothes. Peter Fonda is a again outperformed by a bird. The beautiful scenery and castles are fantastic. Hells bells ring loud and clear. But the movie never turns into an entertaining event.The Night Gallery TV series had many good stories and many duds. The adaptations of Poe stories in the film Spirits of the Dead would never have been used in the most desperate space-filler needs of television.There are several good film adaptations of Poe stories, but Spirits of the Dead is not worth watching.

Those 5 out of 10 stars go only to the Fellini piece which is the last of the three.The first tale directed by Vadim starring both Jane & Peter Fonda is the cheapest looking of the three. Maybe Fellini actually made his part first and used up most of the budget for this flick. Who knows! Anyway, this first part is really only worthwhile to see Ms. Fonda looking gorgeous at the height of her beauty. Other than that, it's a total snoozer. Literally will put you to sleep. Not much dialoug even, just lots of scenes with Jane riding around on a horse.The second part directed by Louis Malle starring Alain Delon is more straight forward in narrative but tells a boring story. Bridget Bardot is totally wasted in her part of the movie as a gorgeous heavily eye-lined courtesan playing a game of cards with the star. Mr. Delon is a boring as hell actor and Mr. Malle's boring direction only makes matters worse.Finally when you think this movie couldn't get any worse, you're right and in comes Mr. Fellini with his third of the movie. Immediately your taken by surprise at the production values and are amazed at how expensive the movie looks and you realize HERE is the grade A production you've been waiting for! Now to be honest, the story really didn't grab me and frankly, Mr. Fellini is not one for subtlety when he's trying to make a point, but he is a master at creating fun visuals to simply look at and enjoy. And the best performance in the movie goes to the great Terrance Stamp who doesn't fail to impress us here. I think if you just showed this last third of the movie at a college it would get a great response.If you never catch this flick, don't worry about it. But if you're one of those die hard movie fans who like to be able to cross unseen movies off their list, well then, give it a go I guess.