Terror in the Aisles

Trailer—Terror in the Aisles

This is a hard one to review, because it's not really a movie in the traditional sense, but it's a well made, incredibly well-edited clip show of some of the best horror/suspense/thriller films up until 1984 (meaning stuff like A Nightmare on Elm Street just missed the cut). It's hosted by Donald Pleasance (taking a break from hunting Michael Myers) and Nancy Allen (probably fresh from her divorce from Brian De Palma) who are their usual charming selves. They spit out a few bits of psycho babble about why horror films are popular and important as they sit in a crowded movie theater with people who talk and yell back at the screen. There are some of the usual suspects in here (Psycho, Halloween, The Omen, Carrie, The Exorcist, etc.) and even some more obscure and random films (Vice Squad, The Seduction, Ms. 45, Alone in the Dark, etc.) It moves along quite well and it's great for a beginner horror fan to get a nice sampler platter of some of the best the genre has to offer.

Donald Pleasance and Nancy Allen take the audience on a trip through famous horror films with some pop-psychology about the need for audiences to experience fear thrown in for good measure. Terror in the Aisles clocks in at less than 90 minutes and there are most definitely worse ways to waste your time. If you've seen all the films featured, it might not be of interest, but there are a few more obscure films featured in the film that might peak your interest.

Well edited tribute to horror films made before 1984 with a good selection of clips even if some of them are more action/crime oriented than horror. Donald Pleasence and Nancy Allen make for excellent hosts. It's a fun ride especially for those who haven't seen all of the movies featured.

It's been years since I have seen this film - I saw it again after a long time of no see. I was a teen the last time I saw it and I recalled just how much I loved this movie then and after watching it again all these years later I still found this to be a great horror film - and now I consider it a nugget. Why do we watch horror films? What is that keeps us watching and going back to watch more of them? What is worse - you may find yourself alone in the dark after watching one. Terror in the Aisles is great film copulation that horror fans should watch. It's loads of fun - and good old fashioned horror. 9/10

Saw this one in a drive in back in 1984. It was a great place to see this compilation of the best clips of (mostly) more recent Horror and Suspense movies. This movie was released in theatres first, not direct to video as with many other compilations, so the highlighting of 1970s slasher movies is totally understandable from a marketing viewpoint. For fans of early horror, I recommend the documentary "Universal Horror" which highlights the classic horror films and influences of Universal Studios. Donald Pleasance was at his prime then, starring in slasher films galore, he camps it up here as does Nancy Allen, trying to keep the suspense up in between clips. It all works. For horror fans, its a fantastic sampler platter of some of the greatest moments in Horror film. It will steer you toward films you may not be aware of, or it will give you peeks at films you may have heard of but never seen.

"Terror in the Aisles" is an interesting documentary about horror movies. Donald Pleasence and Nancy Allen host this movie which feature scenes from 75 movies that deal with horror, science fiction, suspense, or crime that have scared moviegoers over the years. You get scenes from classic horror films such as "The Exorcist", "Psycho", "Halloween", and "Rosemary's Baby"; sci-fi flicks such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "The Thing", and "Alien"; crime pictures such as "Nighthawks", and "Vice Squad"; and suspense thrillers such as "Wait Until Dark", "The Seduction", and "Klute". You even get to see a little comentary from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock (scenes from a couple of his films are featured in here). Not a great documentary, but a good one. *** (out of four)

Rather pointless but also quite entertaining compilation of clips from famous (pre-1984) horror films. Many of the complaints that others have expressed about this film are valid (unnecessary "narration", too much footage from "Halloween II", some odd selections of sources - what are "To Catch A Thief" and "Midnight Express" doing here?), but I still believe most horror buffs will find enough to enjoy here - you may even feel a chill running down your spine during some of the scenes. (**1/2)

This documentary shows some of the best moments mainly from 70's and early 80's horror movies. Donald Pleasance was a perfect choice for a host. Its really fun to guess and point out which scene came from what movie. Highly recommended for any true horror fan.