Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

I have a lot of love for director Dan Curtis and for the movies he made during the 1970s, particularly his made-for-TV movies and horror anthologies. He was responsible for some of the most modest yet delightfully entertaining genre outings back then, like the vampire epic "House of Dark Shadows" (based on his own cult-series) and the infamous "Trilogy of Terror" (featuring a segment with Karen Black versus a crazed Zumi doll). For this relatively unknown "Dead of Night", Curtis had the honor and pleasure – I presume – to work with the acclaimed writer Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend") who penned down three versatile short stories of – and I quote the narrator – mystery, imagination and terror! Admittedly all the stories are mundane and tame, but they are charming and the overall movie definitely isn't boring. When browsing through the other user- comments around here it seems that most of my fellow fans prefer the last segment, but I respectfully disagree because I found "Bobby" the most predictable and derivative of the three. Personally I've seen too many full-length films or omnibus segments in which a devastated relative desperately attempts to bring a loved one back from the dead – through whatever method – only to come to the obvious conclusion that doing so is a very bad idea and has painful consequences. No, in fact, my favorite segment is the (also predictable) opening segment "Second Chance" in which old-timer car fanatic Frank (Ed Begley Jr.) buys – for a miserable $100 – and restores an awesome Jordan Playboy that was involved in an accident that killed two people back in 1926. During its first ride, however, the Jordan somehow drives Frank all the way back into time as if it wants to restart its own life-cycle. "Second Chance" is a fantasy/fairy-tale instead of a suspense story and doesn't feature a single drop of blood or moment of tension, but it's likable and nostalgic. The segment in the middle is called "No such thing as a Vampire" and is primarily worth checking out for its cast that contains names like Patrick MacNee, Elisha Cook Jr. and Horst Buchholz. Is there a vampire on the loose in the mysterious old Gheria castle and is he stalking the lady of the house Alexis? The superstitious townsfolk avoids the place like hell, but the truth might not be so supernatural after all. "Dead of Night" might just be the most forgettable movie I watched this year, but at least I don't regret it.

Dan Curtis gives us another effective film, told in a trio of stories.First has Ed Begley Jr. as a young man whose love of a car sends him on an intriguing time-travel excursion that, while not original, is at least satisfying.Second has Patrick Macnee in a period piece as a husband worried over his fear that his wife is the victim of a vampire. Film has a clever twist that you may not see coming...Third tale called 'Bobby' is by far the best, reminiscent of "Trilogy Of Terror" in how it tells the scary tale of a guilt-ridden mother who turns to the supernatural to resurrect her drowned son, a decision she comes to regret horribly...tense and effective, with a hair-raising final scene that will not be soon forgotten, after seen...

By the way, no narrator is listed by IMDb. It sure sounds like John Dehner.Segment One stars Ed Begley Jr. and begins in the present time. After buying an old car from the 1920s, he suddenly finds himself transported in time--back about 40 years. But why? Well, when he returns to the present, he's able to figure it all out for himself. Overall, interesting but not especially memorable.Segment Two stars Patrick Macnee, Anjanette Comer and Horst Buchholz. A woman insists she's being preyed upon by a vampire and her husband seeks out professional help. I won't say more--the twist is REALLY, REALLY good. It's probably the best of the three segments.Segment Three stars Joan Hackett as a grieving mother. She can't get over the death of her son and has sought the occult to try to return him. Unfortunately, she gets that--the boy returns. Unfortunately, it's NOT all it's cracked up to be! Almost as good as segment three--very creepy and memorable.Overall, you've got two great episodes and one good one--not a bad outing for Dan Curtis--the man who also brought us "Dark Shadows" and many wonderful monster films in the 60s and 70s. Well worth your time and perhaps the pilot for a failed series.

I have enjoyed reading others' reviews of this anthology. I definitely remember seeing it when it was new and just watched it again tonight for the first time since 1977. So glad this is out on DVD. It does feel very much like Night Gallery episodes put together, though the first one is more akin to the early Twilight Zone series' sentimental type story of time travel or wishful thinking. Funny though, I had no recollection whatsoever of either of the first two episodes. I just don't remember them at all. The one I remembered very clearly and enjoyed again tonight was "Bobby". Lee Montgomery and Joan Hackett were excellent in this cautionary tale wherein the mother turns to black magic to summon her dead son. Very atmospheric, creepy and convincing, with good production values for a TV movie, "Bobby" (to me) hasn't lost any of its punch over the years. The portrait of the boy in the living room, the rain and lightning, the ocean, the house, all powerfully suggest the fear that will come. Nice house. I kept asking myself, where was this filmed? I could not find any information on IMDb regarding filming location. It looks like California, the hills and the ocean shots reminded me of "Play Misty for me". The first two stories are OK but rent this one for "Bobby".