Rating: 
Summary: New Outlook on an Old Movie
Review: I was 12 years old when this "made for television" movie first aired.The only part of the movie I actually had any recollection of was, of course, the little Zuni devil doll running across the floor. That was enough for it to remain in my memory as being a very scary movie. When I saw that it was available on DVD, I bought it, hoping to bring back some old childhood memories. What a difference 27 years make.
As the title implies, the film is composed of three short (unrelated) stories, although only the last one can really lay claim to having any sort of terror in it. Karen Black stars in all three stories, in addition to playing a dual role in the second tale. The first story, "Julie", casts Black as a dowdy, repressed college professor who is being blackmailed by one of her students. In the second story, "Millicent and Terese", Black plays both of the title roles, two sisters at opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Millicent is a prudish spinster who despises her loose and immoral sister Terese. Believing there is no hope for Terese's salvation, Millicent attempts to rescue Terese's current flame from the road to damnation. The third and most famous of the three tales is "Amelia" in which Black plays a woman terrorized by a Zuni devil doll which is brought to life after the chain around it's neck accidentally falls off.
The first story works well enough for what it is. Although not terribly original (but then again, maybe in 1975 it was.) it holds the viewers interest, even if it isn't an "edge of your seat" thriller. The two leads provide some solid acting. Most viewers, however, will most likely figure out the ending long before it plays out.
The second story is the weakest of the three. Its primary purpose seems to be soley to give Black two different roles to play. This one also contains Black's weakest performance(s). With absolutely no subtlety whatsoever, Black plays each character's cliched personality to the hilt, slamming the viewer over the head with the utter piousness of Millicent and the total taudriness of Terese. This story's conclusion is more obvious to the audience than the first one.
It is the last story that makes this DVD worth buying, but for a totally different reason than what I had origionally thought. The 12 year old in me remembers this story as being very scary. Horrifying even. Watching it now, I howl with laughter. This is such a great campy story. Watching that doll running around the apartment, grunting, and chomping on any body part he can get a hold of is a hoot. Black even does the obligatory "trip and fall" (THREE TIMES no less). Watching the little bugger saw his way out of a suitcase is classic. You almost root for the little guy. The story's conclusion is done rather well though, and does still provide a little bit of a chill as well.
The visuals of the DVD are very good as is the sound. There is even a printed interview with Ms. Black (done in "98") about the movie. I suspect this DVD's appeal primarily lies with those of us who remember seeing it when it origionally aired on television, but for those of you who love camp, get the DVD and check out what's behind curtain number three.
Rating: 
Summary: TRILOGY OF TERROR: The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black
Review: This very good three-part 1970s-era TV movie is a veritable cornucopia of talent. Based on stories by well-known genre author Richard Matheson and directed by Dan Curtis of DARK SHADOWS fame, this film boasts Karen Black (EASY RIDER; FIVE EASY PIECES; THE GREAT GATSBY) in four separate roles, with two teleplays scripted by William F. Nolan (co-author of the famous novel LOGAN'S RUN) and one--the best of the lot--scripted by Matheson. Also appearing in supporting roles are well-known actors George Gaynes and Gregory Harrison.Story one, "Julie," is an intentionally ambiguous witchcraft tale in which Black portrays a bookish college professor who isn't quite what she seems. The story contains some very subtle rape and S&M innuendo, and there is a fun little twist to the ending. "Millicent and Therese," the second offering, is the weakest of the lot. Although Black does a fine job in the dual role of bickering "sisters," the audience can see the ending coming from miles away. The final and strongest of the three stories, "Amelia," is based on Matheson's famous short-story "Prey" about a voodoo fetish doll that comes to life and hunts down a woman in her midtown apartment. The ending to this one is very creepy. All in all, TRILOGY OF TERROR is a worthy little horror flick. Though it is a TV movie á la 1975 and therefore suffers from some of the low-budget production qualities common to such, it certainly offers some fun moments of dark humor and a few genuine scares. The print used to make the DVD has some noticeable scratches and spots that could've been cleaned up digitally, but it's still definitely worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: To Zuni Fetish Doll Haters, Wherever You May Be...
Review: I saw this movie (like MANY other reviewers) at an impressionable age (probably around 8 or 9 years old) on TV. Of course, the TV version was tamed down a bit due to nudity in the first story between the high school horny boy, Chad, who finds Karen Black's MUCHO OLDER teacher character sexy in that sort of "motherly/librarian" way. He drugs her, blackmails her with seedy pictures and thus the one sided affair ensues. As if you can really tame down the GREAT and MAGNIFICENT Karen Black. (See her in her Oscar nominated role in "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?) The second installment in the trilogy is about a good sister bad sister relationship. The FINAL story is the one that STILL leaves me with nightmares. That little ZUNI fetish doll coming to life, those sharp, pointy little teeth, his sharp little weapon, making that Nyaaaah, Nyaaah, Nyaaaaaaaah yell and then the end where Karen herself, turns into a Zuni Fetish doll lookalike with POINTY TEETH AND ALL! GRUESOME, GRUESOME, GRUESOME!!! Still makes me pee pee in my big girl panties! LOL!
Rating:
Summary: To Zuni Fetish Doll Haters, Wherever You May Be...
Review: I saw this movie (like MANY other reviewers) at an impressionable age (probably around 8 or 9 years old) on TV. Of course, the TV version was tamed down a bit due to nudity in the first story between the high school ... boy, Chad, who finds Karen Black's MUCHO OLDER teacher character sexy in that sort of "motherly/librarian" way. He drugs her, blackmails her with seedy pictures and thus the one sided affair ensues. As if you can really tame down the GREAT and MAGNIFICENT Karen Black. (See her in her Oscar nominated role in "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?) The second installment in the trilogy is about a good sister bad sister relationship. The weakest of the three but still HIGHLY enjoyable. The FINAL story is the one that STILL leaves me with nightmares. That little ZUNI ... doll coming to life, those sharp, pointy little teeth, his sharp little weapon, making that Nyaaaah, Nyaaah, Nyaaaaaaaah yell and then the end where Karen herself, turns into a Zuni Fetish doll lookalike with POINTY TEETH AND ALL! GRUESOME, GRUESOME, GRUESOME!!! Still makes me pee pee in my big girl [underwear]! LOL!
Rating: 
Summary: EXELLENT DVD INVESTMENT.....
Review: Originally made for TV, "Trilogy" works just fine on DVD. Dan Curtis was a prolific TV director who presented many horror outings on television in the 70's but this is my favorite. The marvelous Karen Black was the perfect choice for these three tales of three very different women. In the first, she's a prim college professor who's really a witch/succubus with a taste for turning the tables on amorous young men. The second has her as a spinster with a split personality---allowing her to play "two" roles. And the last is the now famous Zuni fetish doll story that has the doll coming to life and terrorizing her all over her apartment. She's a lonely career woman dominated by her mother and the ending has her possessed by the spirit of the doll waiting for mama to come over. A great ending. The movie is Black's show all the way. As I said, it's perfect for DVD and lots of fun to watch in repeated viewings. There's a written interview included with Black where she explains how the Zuni doll episode was shot. Kudos to Anchor Bay.
Rating:
Summary: Classic 1970's Television Movie Featuring A Horror Icon
Review: If the memory of "Trilogy of Terror" was based on the strength of the first and second stories,( titled "Julie", and "Millicent and Therese"), this horror trilogy starring Karen Black would be largely forgotten today with horror fans and would have been long relegated to the depths of the TV movie vaults. It is however solely because of the unforgettable third story titled "Amelia", that this film continues to enjoy fame and notoriety. This story spawned one of the great horror icons of modern times in the vicious and frightening Zuni Fetish Doll which in this third story comes to life and attacks Karen Black in a startlingly gripping tale of the supernatural. This story more than makes up for the weaknesses of the first two segments which are well acted but not particulary riverting horror tales. I find the "Amelia", story is just as unrelentingly frightening and nightmare inducing with each successive viewing and the killer Zuni Fetish Doll is one character that can't help but stay in your mind long after viewing "Trilogy of Terror". Story number one "Julie", is a fairly straightforward tale of school teacher Julie Eldridge (Karen Black), who teaches English at an American high school. She is mousey, studious and never goes out on dates. She "attracts" the attention of one of her students who takes her on a date, drugs her and begins to blackmail her into further meetings. At first the victim of the piece Julie ends up turning the tables on the young man and in the final twist it is revealed to his great personal cost that it is Julie who is the one in control and who has used him as she has numerous other young men for her own ends. Story two "Millicent and Therese", is probably the weakest of the three stories and has Karen Black playing two roles as "identical" sisters Millicent and Therese. The similarity between the women ends with their looks as Millicent is prim and proper and very introverted in her ways while Therese is outlandish in her dress and not shy about her relations with numerous men. A real hatred exists between the two sisters and Millicent succeeds in driving off one of Therese's boyfriends by telling him of her sordid past. As the tension in the house rises Millicent starts to fear for her personal safety and dabbles in witchcraft to remove the menance of Therese's presence. The family doctor long aware of the real truth of the "two sisters", arrives too late however to save the situation from a tragic outcome. "Amelia", is of course the classic story and has everything that the first two stories lack in sheer terror and exhausting nail biting suspense from the opening scene. Here Karen Black plays downtrodden young woman Amelia who to get away from a domineering mother has taken a sublease on an upstairs apartment for 6 months. She has managed to find herself a boyfriend and as a birthday gift she has purchased as a result of his love of african arts a genuine Zuni Fetish Doll from an antique shop.It comes with a scroll saying that if the little metal chain around its waist is broken a spirit will be released that is "he who kills". By accident the chain breaks off and thus begins a nightmarish tale where this killer doll comes alive and goes on a murderous rampage attempting to kill Amelia in her apartment. After trying to drown it and trap it in a suitcase and enduring numerous stabs from the doll which is armed with a butchers knife Amelia manages to burn up the doll in the oven. However a decidely horrific outcome develops where she "inherits", the spirit of the Zuni doll and starts to take on its traits in a horrific last scene. Many people have commented on the fact that this TV movie and in particular the "Amelia", story terrified them growing up but was almost comical when viewed as an adult. I still think the third story packs a real punch in the horror department and the sight of this murderous doll making horrific growling noises and stabbing Karen Black as she attempts to escape is a horror image just as terrifying as anything I've seen recently in the horror field. All the segments are well acted by Karen Black who is a fine actress however the brilliance of the Zuni Doll seemingly chasing her around a small apartment is the real element of genius in this movie and is superb in a pre special effects era of movie making. Turn down the lights and watch "Trilogy of Terror", sometime to see one of the best "horror figures" of the 1970's come to life.
Rating:
Summary: Triology of Terror
Review: This is one of the most terrifying movies I have ever seen. I was about 12 when it first came on TV and it still scares the daylights out of me. To this day, I don't feel safe if my feet are not under a blanket at night. I haven't seen the movie in years, because I have been to scared to see it again, but today I went out and rented it. I hardly remember the first two shows, but I will never forget the evil voodoo doll! When I first seen this on TV, and the show was over, my older sister went into the kitchen and grabbed a big knife without my knowing this, and crouched down in the living room right in front of me and jabbed the knife towards the floor, like Karen Black. I screamed! The worst part was that I had to go to bed right after that! My friend was terrified of this movie also. One time when we were about 20, we were at her boyfriends house and his parents had a photo albumn with pictures from Hawaii and there was a picture of the Voodoo Doll in a glass case! We freaked out and ran out of that house! If that thing is in Hawaii, then I'm not sure if I want to visit there, or at least I would like to know where it is so I can stay away! I'm anxious to see the movie again even though I know I will be scared, but at least my sister won't be there to scare me even more!
Rating:
Summary: HELLA SCARY!!!!
Review: Wow, I had no idea so many other people were traumitized by this film when they were kids! I don't feel so alone now. My sister and I saw this film back in the early 80s and it scared the living crap out of me. I couldn't sleep for maybe 2 weeks straight after watching it. I kept thinking that damn doll was underneath my bed or opening my door. Every little noise that I heard in my room I thought was that bastard walking around my bed. UGH I never wanna go through that again! I used to hate taking baths cause of that scene where she tries to drown it in the tub and it pops it's ugly head out of the water. To this very day, I see a green old suitcase and I think of her trying to capture it in there. What I don't get is WHY on earth would she even buy such a hideous looking thing in the first place! I'd never bring such an evil looking thing like that into my living room and I would have tossed it outside the window the second I got my hands on it. The damn doll is scary enough just looking at it, when you add him running around like a maniac with that knife and making that horrible screaming sound well it's just a zillion times worse. I am 27 years old now and I have seen this movie since I was a child and I STILL find it very frightening. I try to laugh at how ridiculous the whole thing is but I can't get over my fear of it. To this day I won't watch it, I saw it on DVD the other day in a store and I nearly freaked just seeing the cover. I hope the people that made this movie know how many children and adults it has terrified over the years. Karen Black is once scary chick! She will always remind me of that movie and therefore I can never watch one of her movies again lol. We should start a Trilogy of Terror therapy group!! lol
Rating: 
Summary: not that scary
Review: this movie is really not that scary. The first two stories are kinda boring. No scary stuff, no blood, no nothing interesting. The third story is a little bit boring too, but it's the best out of all three. If you seen trilogy of terror 2, then you know the doll has loud yells, and there is a part where you see the doll kill a guy, and there's blood. In trilogy of terror, all it shows is the doll chasing amelia around the apartment trying to kill her and stabbing her a few times. The end of the movie is the best part of the movie. after the doll burns in the oven, amelia opens it to see if it's dead and she gets possessed. she then calls her mom and tells her to come over and amelia waits in front of the door pounding a knife on the ground with a creepy look and CREEP-AY teeth. If you want scary see trilogy of terror 2. It's way more scarier than the first, and the stories are interesting and cool.
Rating:
Summary: My parents were insane
Review: I can't believe my parents let me watch this on TV when I was four years old. I'm sure I was pretty obnoxious in my begging, because I've always loved horror stories, but I am now 32 and I still vividly remember images from the Zuni doll segment of this movie. I took me years to find out what the movie was called, since all I had to go on was the memory of that horrible face with its clacking teeth, and guessing it was released sometime in the 70's. But the impact was so strong that I just had to see it again, and thanks to Google (and looooots of time searching), now I can! If you're trying to decide if this DVD is worth a try, then yes, it definitely is, just watch it on a Friday in case you don't sleep for the next couple nights!
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