Three tales of British horror unfold as stolen videotapes unleash puppets, premonitions, and deadly garden gnomes.
SCREAMTIME
An unholy trinity of terror, three times the horror, three times the murders.
Compilation of three short horror films: "That's The Way To Do It", "Dreamhouse" and "Do You Believe In Fairies?" plus some new linking material.
Quick Answer
Screamtime is a 1983 British horror anthology directed by Stanley A. Long and Michael Armstrong, featuring three chilling stories watched by thieves who steal videotapes from a video store.
Programmer's Pick
Screamtime serves up its scares anthology-style, mixing puppeteers on the edge, psychic chills, and homicidal lawn ornaments. British psychotronic energy pulses through each segment, with a wrap-around that’s a love letter to the age of VHS and video store heists.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Directors
- Stanley A. Long, Michael Armstrong
- Writer
- Michael Armstrong
- Release
- 1983
- Runtime
- 1h 31m
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Horror
Why This Matters
The film's second segment, 'Dreamhouse,' was later remade and expanded into the 2010 feature-length film Psychosis, demonstrating the enduring appeal of its premise within the horror genre.
Cast & Crew
View all →
Why Cult
Three distinct horror tales are wrapped in a clever frame story involving stolen videotapes and late-night viewing.
From a homicidal puppeteer to vengeful garden gnomes, the threats are imaginative and uniquely British.
A blend of supernatural, slasher, and camp, this portmanteau film captures the offbeat spirit of UK horror in the early '80s.
The film’s wrap-around story channels the era of VHS and video store culture, complete with stolen tapes and late-night scares.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Stolen videotapes watched by thieves
Supernatural and homicidal forces in anthology stories
Characters face madness, premonitions, and violent supernatural guardians
British homes and gardens, video store, friend's house
Questions from the Vault
When was Screamtime released? +
Screamtime was released in 1983.
Who directed Screamtime? +
Screamtime was directed by Stanley A. Long and Michael Armstrong.
How long is Screamtime? +
Screamtime has a runtime of 91 minutes.
What genre is Screamtime? +
Screamtime is a horror film.
