The Tell-Tale Heart main backdrop
The Tell-Tale Heart main poster

The Tell-Tale Heart

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7.2/10 • 84

1953-12-170h 8m

AnimationHorrorCrime

One of the most discussed and imaginative cartoons of any era. It tells the famous Edgar Allan Poe story of the deranged boarder who had to kill his landlord, not for greed, but because he possessed an "evil eye." The killer is never seen but his presence is felt by the use light-and-shadow to give the impression of impending disaster.

Directors
Ted Parmelee
Writters
Bill Scott, Fred Grable

Top Billed Cast

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  1. James Mason

    James Mason

    Narrator

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jul 10, 2025

7/10

I loved this. It’s a dark and eerily menacing story of a man, an eye, a murder and some great vocal characterisation from James Mason. Like many mad men, this one believed himself perfectly sane as he began to have issues with one is his elderly neighbours. This old fellow never troubled him, nor was probably even aware of his existence but gradually this obsession assumed dominating proportions. As this anxiety accumulated, his mind turned to more drastic action - but is there any way at all he can remove this psychological stain from his mind? It’s the kind of detailed and threatening animation that might have inspired a Roger Corman or Tim Burton film, and with the Kremenliev score adding loads to the increasingly frenzied atmosphere here it’s very far removed from any mainstream cartoon you’re ever likely to have seen before. Poe knew how to set a scene allowing our own imagination to take charge, and with the effective use of colour - especially the harlequin shaping towards the end, has created something that must have been quite shocking in 1953.

Media

  • The Tell-Tale Heart poster
  • The Tell-Tale Heart poster
  • The Tell-Tale Heart poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
talemurdermadmanshort film