Histoires extraordinaires

Histoires extraordinaires is an anthology film directed by three highly esteemed directors: Roger Vadim, Louis Malle, and Federico Fellini. The translation of the film's French title meaning "Extraordinary Stories" accurately establishes its rich anthology nature; the film presents itself as a compilation of three distinct but thematically united stories inspired by the mysterious and cataclysmic tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

The movie released in 1968, is a display of an international medley of major 60s stars, with the iconic Jane Fonda, Brigitte Bardot, and Alain Delon headlining. Not only does the movie provide a fine acting showcase by these enigmatic stars, but it also offers an austere blend of gothic horror, psychological thriller, and an undercurrent of subtle humor that bedazzles the audience.

The film opens with "Metzengerstein," directed by Roger Vadim and featuring Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda. Shot with a pronounced sense of color, this tale revolves around an immoral and whimsical French Countess entangled in a bind of love and enmity with her humble cousin, Baron Wilhelm. A touch of supernatural elements imbues the plot with a haunting essence, skillfully setting the tone for the rest of the movie.

The second segment, "William Wilson," directed by Louis Malle focuses on a man named William Wilson, played by Alain Delon, who encounters instances of sinister mimicry by his double. The audience traces his encounters with his doppelganger from his boyhood to his adult life as a tyrannical and dishonorable soldier, revealing the darker aspects of human nature. Brigitte Bardot stars as Giuseppina, a character William encounters in his adulthood, attempting to bring some semblance of compassion into his disturbed existence.

The final offering is the surreal "Toby Dammit," helmed by the inventive auteur Federico Fellini and starring Terence Stamp. Based loosely on Poe's "Never Bet the Devil Your Head," this story takes us on a disoriented and intoxicating head trip with an English actor overcome by mental disarray and alcoholism. The perception-distorting use of lighting and colors captures Toby's eroding mental state, making the audience question what's reality and what's illusion.

These three distinct stories, connected by the theme of the macabre, reflect each director's unique take on Poe's dark and emblematic tales, creating an idiosyncratic blend of suspense, dread, and exhilaration. The stories are defined by their captivating atmospheres- from the lavish, haunting castle of Metzengerstein, the grim, oppressive settings of William Wilson, to the kaleidoscopic whirl of Toby Dammit's bleak Hollywood reality.

The performances by the lead actors deserve commendation. Fonda's dualistic portrayal of a powerful countess with a sadistic streak is both seductive and eerie. Alain Delon's interpretation of a man trapped in a nightmarish loop is unnerving, while Bardot delivers a spirited performance in her limited screen time. Teresa Stamp's unhinged portrayal of a benumbed actor stunt casting for a new film role excels in its raw depiction of degradation and inebriation.

Despite the balance of horror and humor, poetic justice is a common theme in all three stories. Each ends with the moral redemption of the central characters, symbolizing the eternal battle between good and evil, the prevailing virtues of honesty and righteousness, and the punishment of the wicked, even if they should reign noble or famous.

The music by Nino Rota serves as one of the film's highlights, adding chilling notes of tension and contributing to the film's uncanny atmosphere. The cinematography delegates itself to the narratives, shifting visually to tailor each director's storytelling style.

Histoires extraordinaires, despite different directors and varying degrees of originality in the adaptability of the Poe’s work, achieves a uniformity in presenting an unnerving exploratory delve into the domains of supernatural and human decadence, set against the rich, gothic backdrop of the Edgar Allan Poe universe. It remains a spectacular precedent for an artful combination of the unique directorial talents, each contributing to the creation of an anthological masterpiece, paired with powerful performances. A true tribute to Poe, the film displays the timeless relevance of his stories in dealing with themes of obsession, guilt, and the human condition, packaged in a cinematic marvel designed to haunt and entertain.