This is the first English language film by Matteo Garrone whose track record previous to this is very impressive. Interestingly enough Garrone veers of his normal path and has made a version of famous fairy-tales by Giambattista Basile but with the original sensibilities intact. So, you will get violence, sex and gore with not too much holding back. Like most original in their original form they are a lot darker and violent than modern sensibilities are used to, but taking this in account even Basile’s stories were considered nastier and more visceral than most. Certainly, in cinematic form they are definitely not for the kids.

For me the fact it was Italian and a minor gore and flesh-fest I was instantly thrown back into the world of 1980s horror films, albeit a fairly high-budgeted well made one, but the feel was there. This is not to criticise the film or the out-standings cast but the further you got into the running time the more the threads you were expecting to tie-up or tangle together did not. I seem to remember a fair few Italian horrors where scenes did not follow any narrative or story and the viewer was quite often left saying ‘what?’ or ‘where did he go?’ or even ‘who was she?...’ Tale of Tales, particularly as the film concludes, definitely does.

Many viewers looking for a more traditionally film will be disappointed or frustrated. The feeling that this is ‘Part One’ is certainly part of the experience.

This does sound as if I did not like the film but in fact I did enjoy it. With highly skilled actors of the likes Hayed, Cassel, the inimitable Toby Jones alongside John C. Reilly and Shirley Henderson you are going to have to have a special skill to make an entirely bad film. In particular Toby Jones’ skills shine through endowing his character, the King of Highhills, with a depth that in lesser hands would reduce him to unfeeling patriarch. Jones is almost matched in the heavy hitting stakes by the less well-known or experienced Bebe Cave who beautifully portrays his daughter, Violet, and her journey from naivety to iron willed sovereign.

The scenery and set pieces are beautiful works of art in their own right with several real Italian castles used that gives the film an authentic and solid feel. The custom work and all other aspects of the settings give the film an impressive period feel, I certainly felt I was taken back into an imaginary part of medieval history. Frustratingly for me, despite these great ingredients, the film dropped ‘good-will points’ by the stories taking too long to reach their respect apexes and then as we finally feel we are coming to some great revealing ending the whole story stumbles, leaves loose ends and finishes with a good few points unresolved or not even near to being resolved.

Having said this the man himself, Matteo Garrone, has said that the film should be ‘felt’ and not ‘understood’, perhaps, but by making a film that can be understood and show all human foibles and weaknesses in a clever and artful way then leaves you slightly confused at the conclusion – well to be fair leaves this slightly over-weight comprehensive educated British man confused. Which really isn’t that difficult.

Not for all palates but every now and then it does you good to taste something new.