I had to watch this for an international film class and not once did 'Phantom' pop into my mind...I have no idea why! I shouldn't call myself a phan. Maybe it was because I've never been so grossed out whilst viewing any version of Phantom as I was watching this.
I don't know if you've heard of an episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark", where this woman takes young girls' faces while they have to hide their incredibly featureless faces under those masks...no surgery involved, but it's pretty creepy nonetheless.
WHAT were they on when the retitled the movie? That cool title into that ridiculously ridiculous over-long thing? *SIGH* But yeah you're right I might like this but I won't watch this. I think I've seen enough of it by this review.
Oh, dear...I'm SO glad I'd seen the original film before learning how it was butchered in American distribution. Wish I could apologize for my stupider compatriots.
Ive definitely not seen (or even heard of) this one before. It looks very creepy. I have seen parts of a movie with Nicolas Cage where they switch his face with somebody else's face. I cant remember what its called though, and it doesnt involve anyone with a deformity, so its not remotely Phantom inspired. This film just made me think of it.
I've watched so many modern "horror" films and none of them have scared me at all, yet from what I've seen of this almost century old film has terrified me! It looks wonderful, I must try and get hold of a copy somehow, although like you say, living in Europe, that might be difficult...
Just out of curiosity, has anybody here seen Ring 0: Birthday? Because the characters in that film are putting on a play with a plot incredibly similar to that of this film. I was starting to wonder when it began and then when it reached the part about Christine calling her boyfriend, it seemed too close to be true!
I would have never thought of Phantom of the Opera by way of comparison. I thought more in the way of either German expressionist silent films (there is little dialog and not much music here) or Herk Harvey's similarly atmospheric Carnival of Souls, which also features a very blank woman swanning about. There is even a link to Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast as a possible influence, particularly in the final scene, which reminded me of Josette Day entering the Beast's castle in the Cocteau film.
Just a random question but do you think it's better to watch in the original language or is the English adaption worth hunting down. I actually do think I've heard of this the english name seems familiar anyway...
i like to watch both versions of these foreign made films. the american versions mainly because those i remember seeing as a kid. i like the original versions because they usually include different footage or edits.
Superb! I love psychological thrillers better than the overt goryness of today's horrors. May would thinks up this stories. Its interesting this film is from France and the girl is Christine with a disfigured face.
Oh, this one I definitely need to watch! I think what you said about the tension in that scene is very correct, and I find it more effective than the goryness of today's films. Those gory bits, I just don't watch. But this creates them in my head, a lot more creepier.
I haven't seen this one, but just the bits you showed gave me some serious creeps. It's just so... wrong. How does it end, dangit! What's the moral of the story in this version? I don't mind spoilers- tell me!
No worries! TCM has shown this film several times, just keep an eye out and you will stumble across it one day -- IFC might show it, too, if you get that channel.
Great review as always, I really have to check this one out. As long as you're reviewing non-canon Phantom films, how about looking at "Mystery of the Wax Museum" and "House of Wax"... and maybe Vincent Price's Dr. Phibes films too! All Phantom films, to my mind anyway.
You're right, it is a classic and certainly disturbing. The director Franju believed that you don't need to create horror for audience, just show reality to them.
I'm curios, like phantomzeroex, are you going to review other phantom-like films like Darkman or House of Wax?
Haha, I thought it was quite good! Dunno if it was intentional or not, but you did have me chuckling through YOUR reaction to the surgery scene (though if I were watching the actual movie myself, I'd probably be squirming and saying the same things to the TV XD).
And I'll thank you to at least be aware of the fact that I'm not a hill billy XD
Very interesting. I've read of this movie in old horror film books from my public libary back when I was a young boy. I never relized it could be considered a Phantom movie. I'll have too track it down. Thanks PhantomReviews for sharing this gem with us. I suppose you'll be reviewing other phantom-like films now. Like the original House of Wax, with Vincent Price, and perhaps DARKMAN.
Yeah I was going to do a general review of Phantommy films, with Yeux, Darkman, House of Wax,Phibes all in the same review, but I thought Yeux was such a good film that it deserved its own review. I may do Darkman as well, but havent seen the others in a long time.
Surgery. The most horrific tool of horror movies.
WinxJedi 1 week ago
I had to watch this for an international film class and not once did 'Phantom' pop into my mind...I have no idea why! I shouldn't call myself a phan. Maybe it was because I've never been so grossed out whilst viewing any version of Phantom as I was watching this.
caviekim 1 year ago
I have to see this now! I have always wondered what it Christine was the deformed one?
Boblett285 1 year ago
I don't know if you've heard of an episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark", where this woman takes young girls' faces while they have to hide their incredibly featureless faces under those masks...no surgery involved, but it's pretty creepy nonetheless.
LaDracul 1 year ago
WHAT were they on when the retitled the movie? That cool title into that ridiculously ridiculous over-long thing? *SIGH* But yeah you're right I might like this but I won't watch this. I think I've seen enough of it by this review.
PhantomSammy 1 year ago
I find your Phantom voice somewhat sexy !
Karosanyo 1 year ago
@Karosanyo lol we all do
I have same accent :D
TheCamoTurtle 1 year ago
this is a good movie. thankfully I got to see it in its original french format. leave it to america to ruin good cinama even when is not there own ..
melred56 1 year ago
Awesome movie and great review, but the name's Christiane.
DrGregoryHouseIT 1 year ago
The funny thing is, I don't even think she wears a mask- that is the actress and not the character. There is one scene were her lips move...
If it was purely make up then they did an outstanding job, especially with her eyebrows.
TheThreeWeavers 2 years ago
Oh, dear...I'm SO glad I'd seen the original film before learning how it was butchered in American distribution. Wish I could apologize for my stupider compatriots.
Raven112358 2 years ago 8
I watched this not too long ago. I was very impressed with it's dreamlike quality. A very elegant horror movie.
4thtroika 2 years ago 2
i saw this in hmv
inferno663 2 years ago
Ive definitely not seen (or even heard of) this one before. It looks very creepy. I have seen parts of a movie with Nicolas Cage where they switch his face with somebody else's face. I cant remember what its called though, and it doesnt involve anyone with a deformity, so its not remotely Phantom inspired. This film just made me think of it.
LerouxFan 2 years ago
I think the movie your talking about is called "Face Off".
gizmobizness1 2 years ago
Yep, that's the one. I really must rent it someday and see the rest.
LerouxFan 2 years ago
Comment removed
only4sesshomaru 2 years ago 15
@only4sesshomaru
Right. Some of us can actually spell properly!
thesunnandearth 1 year ago
Wow unmasked Christine is MUCH creepier than any of the unmasked Erik's.
This movie looks good.
PS. Are you going to review V for Vendetta an "almost" phantom film? Or Batman's "Mask of the Phantasm"? Or the obscure "Blue Velvet"?
stitchgrl777 2 years ago
I've watched so many modern "horror" films and none of them have scared me at all, yet from what I've seen of this almost century old film has terrified me! It looks wonderful, I must try and get hold of a copy somehow, although like you say, living in Europe, that might be difficult...
Tangetastic 2 years ago
Just out of curiosity, has anybody here seen Ring 0: Birthday? Because the characters in that film are putting on a play with a plot incredibly similar to that of this film. I was starting to wonder when it began and then when it reached the part about Christine calling her boyfriend, it seemed too close to be true!
Kat097 2 years ago 2
I would have never thought of Phantom of the Opera by way of comparison. I thought more in the way of either German expressionist silent films (there is little dialog and not much music here) or Herk Harvey's similarly atmospheric Carnival of Souls, which also features a very blank woman swanning about. There is even a link to Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast as a possible influence, particularly in the final scene, which reminded me of Josette Day entering the Beast's castle in the Cocteau film.
sparxfan 3 years ago
Perfect music for this film.
mauser88mm 3 years ago
billy idol's song 'eyes without a face' was inspired by this film...
ironick5 3 years ago
Intriguing. I'm going to have to see this one, now. It looks very good.
FioreArdente 3 years ago
I don't know about the rest of you but this creeped me out more than even the Englund version of Phantom!
sk8phan 3 years ago
Just a random question but do you think it's better to watch in the original language or is the English adaption worth hunting down. I actually do think I've heard of this the english name seems familiar anyway...
Kat906 3 years ago
i like to watch both versions of these foreign made films. the american versions mainly because those i remember seeing as a kid. i like the original versions because they usually include different footage or edits.
tapthatt2012 3 years ago
Superb! I love psychological thrillers better than the overt goryness of today's horrors. May would thinks up this stories. Its interesting this film is from France and the girl is Christine with a disfigured face.
lshield1 3 years ago
I've heard that the movie's main song sounded like the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" theme.
jarvisel 3 years ago
Oh, this one I definitely need to watch! I think what you said about the tension in that scene is very correct, and I find it more effective than the goryness of today's films. Those gory bits, I just don't watch. But this creates them in my head, a lot more creepier.
clamp2005 3 years ago
I haven't seen this one, but just the bits you showed gave me some serious creeps. It's just so... wrong. How does it end, dangit! What's the moral of the story in this version? I don't mind spoilers- tell me!
SloeEyedDoe 3 years ago
HEY, this was on TCM earlier this month! And I didn't know this was similar to Phantom! *grumbles*
AwesomeCinema 3 years ago
No worries! TCM has shown this film several times, just keep an eye out and you will stumble across it one day -- IFC might show it, too, if you get that channel.
renaleria 2 years ago
Yay another review! It always makes my day! So what will be next Phantom?
Hasselhoffhater 3 years ago
Great review as always, I really have to check this one out. As long as you're reviewing non-canon Phantom films, how about looking at "Mystery of the Wax Museum" and "House of Wax"... and maybe Vincent Price's Dr. Phibes films too! All Phantom films, to my mind anyway.
ImhotepsAshes 3 years ago
Love this film! So grusome and yet beautiful and poetic all at once. great review!
matheusmarchetti 3 years ago
Interesting. If I run across the film i may get it. Looks interesting enough.
TangoMaureen07 3 years ago
I am sooooooooo disturbed by this
baneofnewbs 3 years ago
that was creepy as fuck...
RebelFounderOdogoo 3 years ago
You are such a good reviewer! I'll have to watch this sometimes, phantom like or not, it looks good!
QueenOfTheKelpies 3 years ago
You're right, it is a classic and certainly disturbing. The director Franju believed that you don't need to create horror for audience, just show reality to them.
I'm curios, like phantomzeroex, are you going to review other phantom-like films like Darkman or House of Wax?
kriitikko 3 years ago
Haha, I thought it was quite good! Dunno if it was intentional or not, but you did have me chuckling through YOUR reaction to the surgery scene (though if I were watching the actual movie myself, I'd probably be squirming and saying the same things to the TV XD).
And I'll thank you to at least be aware of the fact that I'm not a hill billy XD
Biskuits 3 years ago
Very interesting. I've read of this movie in old horror film books from my public libary back when I was a young boy. I never relized it could be considered a Phantom movie. I'll have too track it down. Thanks PhantomReviews for sharing this gem with us. I suppose you'll be reviewing other phantom-like films now. Like the original House of Wax, with Vincent Price, and perhaps DARKMAN.
phantomzeroex 3 years ago
Yeah I was going to do a general review of Phantommy films, with Yeux, Darkman, House of Wax,Phibes all in the same review, but I thought Yeux was such a good film that it deserved its own review. I may do Darkman as well, but havent seen the others in a long time.
PhantomReviews 3 years ago