Is Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1979)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 1979, Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Drama, Horror, Comedy, TV Movie category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into The unnamed Landlady (Siobhan McKenna) is the titular main villainess from "The Landlady", episode 1. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, Horror, Comedy, TV Movie are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "The unnamed Landlady (Siobhan McKenna) is the titular main villainess from "The Landlady", episode 1.05 of Tales of The Unexpected (airdate April 21, 1979), based on the Roald Dahl short story of the same name. The episode begins with Billy Weaver (The main protagonist), arriving in Bath as part of a work trip. While there, he looks for accomdation, and sees a bed and breakfast sign in the window of a house. The unnamed woman then invites him in, claiming that a hotel he had been planning to stay at was booked out. Although finding the landlady's overly friendly demeanour off-putting, Billy decides to spend the night."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Siobhán McKenna provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.

The direction by Herbert Wise is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 24 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, Horror, Comedy, TV Movie, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady explores the dichotomy of fear and discovery. The 1979 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Herbert Wise respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Siobhán McKenna or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected: The Landlady is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.