"Spirits of the Dead" is a 1968 film, also known as "Histoires extraordinaires" in French and "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" in the UK, that features three separate segments, each based on a different short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The film is a collaboration between three renowned directors of the time: Federico Fellini, Roger Vadim, and Louis Malle.
The first segment, "Toby Dammit," is directed by Fellini and stars Terence Stamp as the titular character, a washed-up English actor who is commissioned to star in a film in Italy. However, Toby's alcohol and drug addictions make him increasingly unstable as he begins to experience surreal visions and encounters with a mysterious young girl.
The second segment, "Metzengerstein," is directed by Vadim and stars Jane Fonda as a medieval countess who becomes obsessed with a black stallion. Her infatuation with the horse leads to a strange and eerie relationship that ultimately reveals a dark secret about her deceased lover.
The final segment, "William Wilson," is directed by Malle and stars Alain Delon as a sadistic Austrian student who becomes fixated on his own doppelganger, a seemingly perfect counterpart who appears to have all the qualities he lacks. However, as the two become embroiled in a twisted game of one-upmanship, their rivalry reaches a deadly climax.
The overall tone of the film is dark and haunting, with each segment exploring themes of obsession, madness, and the supernatural. The film also features an opening sequence with Vincent Price reading from Poe's "The Sphinx" and a closing sequence with Price reciting "Hop-Frog."