10 Best Tales From The Crypt Episodes
1. The Man Who Was Death [Season 1, Episode 1]
This very first episode from Walter Hill set the standard for what was to follow. William Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption) plays Niles Talbot, an executioner so passionate about his job he continues to do it even after the death penalty has been abolished.
Talbot's southern drawl narrates Hill's gritty visuals in this 4th wall breaking instalment. It's a trope with strong ties to the original comic format and one which makes the viewer a co-conspirator in Talbot's crimes. So when this one inevitably pulls the rug out from under its central character many viewers feel it too.
The bluesy rock soundtrack from regular Hill collaborator, Ry Cooder is great and the whole thing feels like a movie, which was very rare in TV at the time and predates shows like The Sopranos by a full decade. Sadler later appeared in the Season six episode The Assassin, where he reprised his role of the Grim Reaper from Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey. He also starred in the Tales From The crypt movie - Demon Knight, and made a cameo in its follow up - Bordello Of Blood.