The Tell-Tale Heart

In his classic 19th century horror tale, Edgar Allan Poe used a very simple structural device to convey the psychological unraveling of a man driven by his obsessions: a "Narrator" recounts his actions leading up to his murder of an "Old Man" under whom he serves, with the result being a chilling excursion into the mind of a madman. Monterey Media's new video adaptation wisely focuses on narration to capture the Narrator's psychological disintegration; however, the decision to blend the Narrator's confession--told directly to the camera (the unseen "investigator")--with traditional storytelling re-enactments, occasionally compromises the dramatic tension. The result is a faithful, if occasionally lackluster production, more concerned with Poe's language than his psychological punch (by contrast, the American Film Institute's eerie, b&w 1971 production--also available from Monterey Media--sticks to voice-over narration, letting the visuals convey the inner world of Poe's character). For dramatic effect, the latter production is a better choice but this new production should also find a welcome audience among students of Poe's work. [Note: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe, a DVD including The Tell-Tale Heart, A Journey in Verse, and the AudioTheatre production of Stories & Tales, Vol. 1, as well as various extras, is also available for $39.95.] Aud: J, H, P. (A. Cantú)