PHILM PHACTS
Hungary/UK/USA 1989
Directed by Dwight H. Little
Cast:
Robert Englund: Erik Destler, The Phantom
Jill Schoelen: Christine Day
Alex Hyde-White: Richard
Also Starring: Stephanie Lawrence, Bill Nighy, and Terence Harvey
21st Century Film Corp./Breton Films/Castle Pictures Color
Summary: This film is a stylish horror take on the famous story. Starting off in modern day New York, Christine, after an accident is sent back in time to her past life in Victorian London. This time the Phantom makes his mask out of pieces of human flesh he skins from his victims. While Englund’s portrayal of the phantom is more violent, this version of Erik does not lack passion on screen.
Other Philm Phacts
Kevin Yagher, the film’s make-up man, also did the make-up for
Robert Englund’s “alter ego” Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street Series
This version of Phantom was filmed for just $6,000,000 dollars.
There was supposed to be a sequel to this film, entitled the Phantom of the New York, but the idea was dropped. The film Dance Macabre was supposes to be a follow-up.
REVIEWS
JOANNA PHANTOM’S REVIEW 5 STARS
I love this version even though it is a modern Christine taken back to the past. It also makes Phantom out to be more of a killer, but he also has a lot of passion. The song from Don Juan Triumphant is just haunting and the Characters are very well done.
ICEHEART’S REVIEW 5 STARS (I'D GIVE MORE IF I COULD!)
I’ll try not to go to overboard with this because not only is this one of my favorite phantom film but one of my favorite film of all time (Almost out raking Star Wars, which if you ever run into my old school buddies they can tell you...never mind) Don'’ believe most of the reviews that people right about this flick calling it a ‘lame horror movie with no plot and not worth any one’s time’. They’re all LIES, LIES! Even if you’re not a horror fan or a phantom phan, you really should watch this film if you have a free night. Give it a try. You can cover your eyes at the gory parts (or the mushy parts…). Why because this film has style and class, believe it or not. One reason to like this movie is to put it bluntly, the Phantom kicks ass. Is the perfect example of a Victorian Aged antihero, kicking the crap out of anyone that gets in his way or pisses him off. If makes you want to cheer for him when he kills the robbers who tried to mug him. And then there is the murder in the sauna, which is so inventive, I think. Yeah so that’s what you get for messing with the Phantom.
But besides being a screen villain, Englund portrays the role with as much raw passion since former Phantom performer Lon Chaney. Englund once said that he made the film to remind audiences that the phantom story was also a horror story, but the element of romance is still present. He even weeps on screen while Christine is singing his music, very powerful, touching scene. His relationship with Christine is tender, without being too passive, and adds a hint of seductive aggression, without being too much like a forceful rapist. And some of the scenes from the film seem right out of the book such as the Phantom is his box listening to Christine on stage, the music lessons in the dressing room and the graveyard scene. Another plus in this movie is the clever ending. When Christine is flung back into the present, the Phantom follows her, being alive all these years (Note: the Phantom gains immortality when he sells his soul) and even after she tries to destroy him, he appears again trying to win her back with his music (with and ending that begs for a sequel, make a sequel, I’ll write it.) Also the soundtrack to this film is gorgeous!!!
So watch this movie, it’s worth your time. Come on get off your butt, get to the video store, spend two bucks and watch this film! Trust me you’ll thank me later, or you won’t. Whatever you do, it won’t stop me from lovin’ this movie!!!!
For PCP member Lelia review click here
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Visit this movie’s site at Internet Movie Database
