Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8401 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-06-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 91 minutes

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 5
French
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English French
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Theatrical Trailer
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
English\French

Synopsis
Brian De Palma's great, overlooked 1970s glitter-rock comedy-musical spectacle is a memorable combination of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and FAUST. Winslow Leach (William Finley) is a talented young rock composer/janitor whose music is stolen and whose life is destroyed by a ruthless record tycoon named Swan (Paul Williams)--who just happens to have sold his soul in exchange for rock-n-roll success and eternal youth. The ruined and disfigured Leach becomes the Phantom, an imposing leather-clad creature who is hell-bent on demolishing Swan as the diabolical music mogul prepares to open his biggest venture yet-- a rock-and-roll palace called the Paradise. Eerily prescient in it's depiction of yet-to-exist musical genres, this stunningly original and darkly comic rock nightmare features voice-over narration by Rod Serling, and memorable original songs by Williams.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant
If you have slipped upon this out of curiousity make sure you click and buy it now. Featuring tremendous direction, great performances and superb songs this is the movie Rocky Horror wishes it was. Great fun

A Must See if you like Rock Musicals
Great film, great soundtrack (be wary of the CD though, see my review on that) A brilliant satire on the Rock industry mixed with a touch of Phantom of the Opera and possibly just a nod to The Rocky Horror Show. Well worth buying for "Beefs" antics alone.

Personal Favourite
I first saw this movie in the 70s as a double bill with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", which was the film I actually went to see. I'd never heard of "Phantom" before, but enjoyed it far more than "TRHPS". The movie is best described as a black comedy/theatrical rock/horror/fantasy, you'll see what I mean. Based loosely around the "Phantom Of The Opera" story and the legend of "Faust", but in a modern (70's) rock setting. Directed by the now legendary Brian De Palma, he brings excellent performances from Paul Williams (deminutive American singer/songwriter, best known in the UK for the "Bugsy Malone" score) as the villan, Gerrit Graham as the brilliantly camp character "Beef", and William Finley as the "Phantom" (how anyone can convey such emotion with just one eye showing still amazes me). De Palma also uses his split screen technique to good effect. Looks very dated, but apparently a cult classic now (I thought it was just me). This is a movie you'll love or hate. Definately different. Hope this was helpful to you.