Edgar Wright on PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE

[@RenzoMonster]

Would you believe in 1976 I saw this in the movie house as a double feature with Monty Python and The Holy Grail? Imagine seeing both of those for the first time in the same afternoon!

[@pugnacious1]

Wow how cool was that!! 2 of my favorite movies ever! I stayed home one day from school when I was 11 and this was when cable was "the new thing"(wow movies at home;) I still remember rolling on the floor laughing!! "Brave sir Robin ran away, bravely ran away away.."

[@withnail-and-i]

wow

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Those days of heady eclectic filmmaking are gone. Enjoy your memory of times when creativity and free speed was king!

[@dariawells7438]

Mindblowing!

[@ShinSennju]

I would have loved such a combo. Two of my favorite movies ever.

[@moxxichannel5950]

My dad took me to see this in 1974 at the Garrick Theater in Winnipeg and I was terrified but hooked for life (I was 7). It was the first movie that inspired me to love music, as I fumbled terribly to learn the guitar at that age. But I persevered and learned to play drums, guitar, bass and have taught music for 34 years, all because of this movie. When I finally made enough money selling music on iTunes, the first thing I bought was a replica Phantom helmet, which stands watch in my studio. As a reminder of how amazing this movie and Paul Williams soundtrack is. My son is also a fan (and multi-instrumentalist) and we're throwing him a Phantom themed 15th birthday tomorrow, complete with Phantom helmet cake and montage-inspired melted candle-wax Faust sheet music. I can honestly say, without hyperbole, Phantom of the Paradise changed my life.

[@RETIREMESOON]

EDITED OLD SOULS REINCARNATION TO ANGELA LEE DANKS 3:07 AM To: LEE DANKS For those that don't believe in en-carnation listen to the words, Paul Williams hit the nail right on the head Reply · BRUCE LEE 1 second ago (edited) I have spoken to Jessica Harper because I was very touched by this movie in the 1970's. Years after seeing this movie I had a similar experience to the lyrics in this song. It was April 1979.I had liked Angela since 1972.She was 12 and I was 14 and we lived on the same street. I may have never met her except that this Italian family was unable to have children. They went to the Sudbury CAS and picked out two twin boys but Angela giggled and reached out for Emilio's hand and hung on for dear life. He really wanted the boys but he looked into Angela's big brown eyes and he became fixated as if she was staring through him. So I secretly had a crush on Angela and lot's of boys liked her because she looked like Jessica Harper the singer above or one of Charlie's angels. I hadn't a hope in hell of going out with her because I had a case of the freckle's...LOL I was leaving for College in 1979 in September and I had given up dating my destiny girl. I felt like I had known her for so many lifetimes which is such an ODD FEELING. ?? Then on April 23rd /79 I was playing pool with my friends. We were playing the game called " LIFE " and I was going through the motions and depressed as Angela had started dating Gordy which was one of the guys that I did music with. RUSH 2112 and everything else he played by ear and I was his tone deaf singer. So I was playing pool when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder ? I turned around and it was Angela. She wanted to know if I had seen Gordy ? I said NO ! and she was in some sort of trance with her eyes locked onto mine. The music in the pool hall faded away and all the talking in the room vanished . I felt weird like she was staring into my soul and everything like time stood still and we went into a type of slow motion. Like two flames had risen up to meet each other and they were twisting and turning in reunion ??????????? I could feel a feeling my soul entangled with hers. Then we broke away and all the sounds and music came rushing back in as if reality returned.35 years later and Angela and I still talk about that experience that we both had. I think she saw the future. The Tropical Islands we would go to 17 times and all the other adventure's ,the passion and the love we would share by the fireplace in our Terrace gardens and dream home. She probably saw the arguments and difficult times of illness and pain. I think Angela saw it all....... So 4 years ago we went to a famous medium called Dorthia .She had even worked with the Police on missing persons. She was the real thing and connected with my cousin that died in a fire crash with her husband far...far.... away from here. She told me what they were wearing...BINGO...how the engine flew out due to broken motor mounts and every detail was verified by police reports and a video I obtained. Then Dorthia..... stopped............. and said wow !!.....to me ? " You must feel frustrated at times with people" ! You have been here 88 times and you don't want to come back....WOW...That was my ODD FEELING OVER THE YEARS ??? Then she said that my soul helper was Angela and the only reason I came back was that she would join me ONE MORE TIME.??? Apparently she has been my cousin, sister, brother, uncle, boss, slave owner etc...etc...When she said this to me my brain exploded in overload and I had chills. I suddenly had a flash memory of her as my sister in another time. Their is an afterlife as the Buddhist's speak of and we do have soul helpers. For the last 20 years I have worked on a book called THE TEN DIARIES and I think that is what we are here to do. I shall not return I have had enough. I will not ask her to reincarnate again. After 88 lifetimes I love her too much and owe her everything. SHE IS MY OLD SOUL like the song say's.

[@jmgmarcus808]

moxxi That's a good story, not often do people stick with it. I worked in music most of my life, my wife also. Glad to hear your passing on the love. I have to say, I've seen a lot of old movies but this slipped by. I am going to watch this weekend.

[@rhondathompson6942]

your in for treat

[@swrennie]

That movie played a long time in Winnipeg and Selkirk - and made many return engagements. Remember the lines outside the Epic Theatre for the midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Show?

[@swrennie]

I still can't get through the last line of "Old Souls", without choking up...

[@softbatch1]

It's awesome to me that EW mentioned how he is very taken by the "running down the corridor" scene because that's one of my favorite bits that adds so much to the intensity of the ending. I mean The Phantom is really hauling ass and the shot itself is so well done. I just love it. I was just telling a friend that if this movie was going to be remade it would have to be done by EW. How crazy is that?

[@troybirch]

OK Edgar….. Phantom, Suspiria, Silent Running AND The Fury? Best. Taste. Ever.

[@bturner999]

seriously

[@SuperSweetBoy]

Got this in a discount sale on Arrow Video a few years ago on Blu Ray while I was still at university, I was utterly taken by it, especially on rewatches. It’s got everything, it has this wild 70s rock n roll party atmosphere stacked with nods to classic cinema, like the Caligari-inspired look for The Undeads’ stage show, but then there’s a real tragedy beneath it all. I’ve recommended this to so many friends since.

[@fireshiata]

I was fortunate enough to see both this film and "Rocky Horror Picture Show" together at a little 'art theater' in New Haven, Ct. as a (sing it with me) "double feature" on a Saturday afternoon, months before they were released throughout America... and I liked this film more. Yes, I became part of the midnight matinee crowd for Rocky, but had to wait for the new fangled MTV program to show Phantom as part of a Halloween Night special. Like Edgar, I recorded the film on a cassette player, and nearly wore the tape out from all the replays... alas, the VHS format was still new and very expensive, not yet affordable for someone making minimum wage. Its still (and will always be) my favorite movie for all time.

[@djnekroman]

One of my all-time favorite movies. It's great to know that one of my favorite contemporary directors (Edgar Wright) is such a huge fan, as well.

[@monkeytrousers]

Lovely and radiant is right. Jessica Harper takes my breath away anytime I see her on screen in Phantom, Susperia and Shock Treatment.

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

Can it even be possible that there are still people out there who haven't seen this incredible film?

[@vastral1924]

Im with you!! Is a masterpiece. JUST HOPE NO ONE,NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN A REMAKE!!!

[@patrickbarnes9462]

I remember seeing this one New Years Eve, while I was in highschool. The whole movie intrigued me from start to finish. Thank you for sharing this. I need to find this on Netflix or DVD sometime.

[@DeepEye1994]

I'm so glad this is one of his favorite movies, it's one of mine too, this has to be by far my all time favorite muscial ever.

[@RickTBL]

Faust, The Picture Of Dorian Gray,, Phantom Of The Opera, and at the end, a little Manchurian Candidate, just for fun.

[@meowza3k]

"Get away from that record press!"

[@Joaquin77]

The video "why Daft Punk wear helmets" brought me here. They got inspired by the phantom's mask...

[@Davesky19]

Just finished watching it. It’s the sixth time I’ve watched it in the last two months.

[@chaseh432]

I cant believe this is what was considered a PG film

[@lucasbachmann]

Pg-13 was created in response to gremlins and Indiana jones and the temple of doom.

[@larryjex6485]

That was typical in the '70s. 'Jaws' was released the following year, and it has enough blood for 2 R rated movies.

[@verilyheld]

It played in Winnipeg and Paris weeks after it was finished showing everywhere else in the world.

[@withnail-and-i]

There's actually a documentary about the Winnipeg phantom craze

[@pugnacious1]

Nice to know so many people enjoyed this movie, probably THE MOST underrated movie of the '70's. I absolutely loved it! Everyone was so good in this..the music was awesome!! I was a kid and was terrified of Winslow, even gay old "Beef" lol! Now I realize just how really creepy Swan was-- Paul Williams played him so good, even his snarky mannerisms were on point! Paul Williams if you ever see these things--I loved the songs and particularly "Old Souls" -Jessica Harper sang it beautifully too. What a great movie!

[@garcemac]

America wasn't ready for this movie at the time of its release. But Canada was! I am old enough to have seen this in the theatre when I was a kid, and I am probably going to pop in the Blu-Ray right now. GREAT MOVIE! And Paul Williams was a personal hero of mine - and he is still doing very, very well. One of the greatest songwriters of all time.

[@pugnacious1]

+garcemac Oh, Canada! I was pleasantly surprised to see how much PW is still appreciated there. There was a film bio made about him several years ago and Canada was the warmest reception! it made him happy. He sang a beautiful song at the end of it..There was a sadness behind that really funny, talented guy..

[@luckychick6363]

I have seen this movie ..wow over 100 times..Paul Williams was the Swan.Beef was Beef .and Winslow was the ultimate Phantom..I was 13 when I saw this film and now I am 53..always will love it!!!

[@dirkturrell6460]

kim charbonneau are you from Winnipeg by any chance? Lol

[@GregoriousGregori9]

I was lucky enough to see this on the Big Screen I faked my way in to the theater as it was an Adult film thankfully I was old enough looking when it came through our local cinema in the early 80's Loved every moment of it from start to end

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

Wild. Never heard about this one -- thanks for the intro, Edgar. Hopefully just the fault of the trailer's editing, but I expected to hear some lush analog synths given that over-the-top modular synth setup the phantom has.

[@NiceGuyCody]

Got to see a film print of this on the big screen a couple of years back, and it was entirely because Edgar Wright had been invited to to host a double feature live showing of Scott Pilgrim and a film of his choosing. Phantom was one of his first choices, but was unavailable at the time (he ended up selecting Flash Gordon, good man). But he put the bug in the theater program director's ear, and they wound up getting their hands on a print and aired it on New Year's. So, thanks for that, Edgar.

[@SoylentBlack1]

i taped it from the tv at the same time as him. i had it for years,then got the dvd, and now also have the steelbook blu ray. love this film

[@bobfield1971]

I saw Jessica Harper sing in the early 1970s in the Village playing with some of my friends. She was beautiful then and still is. And a wonderful actor.

[@mrmusickhimself]

When Paul Williams popped up in Baby Driver, I actually sat up and applauded. Now I know WHY he was there.

[@SirSmoldham]

This is the BEST! Nominated for an Oscar for best music, Rocky Horror hasn't got SHIT on this! Best Psycho spoof moment by the way. And let's not forget Rod Serling's narration.

[@vastral1924]

My story is interesting; I must’ve been six or seven years old and my older cousin lend me the vinyl 33 LP at a time, and I fell in love with the lyrics the song in years later. I saw the movie. And I was thrilled when it turned digital!

[@MizMite2002]

Somebody super like you. Thanks Brian.

[@vincentzombi3916]

I was not myself last night, in the morning light I can see the change was showing

[@Swan281]

My father forced me watch this back in 1994 I was 16 it didn’t take long to realize this was the best movie I would ever watch now my kids watch it with me.

[@richardpowell126]

Seen it as a double feature with rocky horror. Love both.

[@michellepercival7938]

Saw it in theaters on its original run- I was 10 yrs old. Double feature with 1972 film The Other. A fantastic experience with some of the most iconic filmed pieces that were shocking at the time but stuck with me - the split screen which BDP also used in Carrie - added to the thrill. And funny how a 3 second filmed-from-behind Phantom sprint is one of the most iconic parts of the movie for me. And why didn't Paul Williams become a superstar after this? Perfect voice and killer lyrics.

[@ColinJVitro13]

I would love it if he released commentary tracks.

[@Emulous79]

Fucking classic film, mate. Wright would later cast him in Baby Driver.

[@JKolman1179]

one of the best movies ever made!

[@Quorthon100]

My favorite movie. Hands down. Great soundtrack.

[@madahad9]

The trailer is terrible. It literally gives away everything. Agree with the comment that it is better than Rocky Horror. I love the music but the movie itself is rather dull at times. Phantom is just pure adreneline from beginning to end. During the 70's DePalma was at his best. This is among her rare instances when he was not ripping off Hitchcock---perhaps a little homage here and there, escpecial the Phantom's visit to Beef (the hysterical Garrit Graham) in the shower which is an obvious to another famous shower scene with a bit of a twist. Jessica Harper is so pretty in this movie. Paul Williams and the late William Finlay are outstanding. That is Rod Serling doing the opening narration. I thought it was just an impression. It's fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.

[@TheParamountPrincess]

For me, this trailer gives nothing away. I saw the film at home, late night after work on HBO or Cinemax or ?..when cable first came out in the mid 80's. The days when a film would run several times during any given month. If I had seen the trailer in a theatre, I would of never been interested. I taped it, watched it loads of times til the tape died. LOL

[@MikeKiker]

I wonder how much the awful trailer played into the film's attendance. It probably turned off a lot of people at the time from seeing it. Perhaps a better trailer would've indeed changed the movie's fortunes for the better as well.

[@mckennalester2248]

I really enjoyed this movie one of may all time favorite movies I watched it with rocky horror picture show but I watched it in 1999

[@tarantulaguy1998]

One thing we've got to thank this movie for. If it wasn't for this movie, two very talented French musicians would probably have never become the coolest robots in the world.

[@fleurdelavallee6024]

What I like in this moie its that its representant so exactly the reality........

[@AlanBondFilms]

I originally saw this at the movies. I even have the soundtrack LP but only recently did I obtain it (at last) on DVD. I, too, always thought it was better than Rocky Horror with a better score ( though of course I like Rocky H). It would make a superb stage show but as far as I know it has not been done like that. Still though, it stands the test of time (Sissy Spacek was a set decorator!). I always wondered why the name SWAN etc was blacked out but at last know the reason why!!

[@rollergoalie16]

Ugh, not on Netflix :(

[@softbatch1]

It's worth buying an actual copy. It has great re-watchability. :)

[@FaerliKreepi]

This trailer is HORRIFIC...it gives away the entire movie! One of my favourites too--beautifully absurd. And I agree, much better than Rocky Horror.

[@JohannaLeigh]

Sorry, I'm totally blanking on why people connect Phantom to Rocky Horror.... Apart from the musical aspect, the stories are apples and green tomatoes....very different worlds. I was introduced to the double feature of Phantom of the Paradise and Young Frankenstein. BACK, *BACK* in the early days of cinema, it was Phantom (Opera) , Frankenstein, King Kong and A Star is Born (Janet Gaynor). The 70's re-connected the big 4 even though Phantom... and A Star Is Born had been retold a few times previous. In the 70's, Phantom, Frankenstein and King Kong were given more sympathetic and even heroic stories. In fact, if you REALLY look at the stories, RHPS bears more of a STORY resemblance to Frankenstein. However, because of the music, I guess, the two (Phantom and RH) got paired up.🤦‍♀️🤷

[@ConkerKing]

I didn't watch this for ages because i thought it was set on a tropical island and sounded like an episode of fantasy island or something... 'the' paradise... not 'paradise'. duh !!

[@psychoabattoirhorror]

fantastic film

[@ghosted1662]

Saw this on tv when I was way too young. Doesn't someone get their head crushed in a record press?

[@TheUndead1977]

That isn't the trailer. There was a 2:10 trailer for the first release A 1:00 trailer for the re-release (only the end of which is seen here for the title / narrator slug) 60sec and 30sec tv spots And this is none of them. I don't know who put it together, but it is horrible. I have a feeling it is something Fox recently slapped together in preparation for the BluRay release or for their own website, Good review on your part though Edgar. Best, Sid Terror (If you ever need to borrow some of my collection again for another Phantom screening like the one I loaned things out for at The New Beverly, let me know. It was a pleasure.)

[@HappyScareBear]

Wasn't a character based on glam rocker Jobriath?

[@lewiskeyes9683]

I saw this in the 70's- under an R rating and what sucks is they cut the scene where he gets his face crushed by the record press and then kills this dude! Now you have a PG film in its place with the great gory scene missing.

[@adrianajimenez5895]

Both of those scenes are intact. Brian De Palma always intended it to be rated PG.

[@EthanFyler]

Exactly Phantom is better than Rocky, to me, Phantom is my all time favorite film of all time

[@garcemac]

An American Rock Opera Giallo. Easily my favourite movie. EVER. BEEF!

[@chrisbacos]

Yes, Led Zeppelin's label is called Swan Song.

[@amyclarke41]

yes

[@dailyflash]

Probably the best movie ever made.

[@TheDarkLordOfBass]

No mention of the fact that the trailer shows the entire ending of the movie!? Ok.

[@mcharrison23]

Yeah, i guess mom thought it would be fun to take me to this, i was eight. That's the seventies for you. Nightmares for quite a while.

[@JohannaLeigh]

I love the musical irony, that the guy who WROTE Old Fashioned Love Song got to play a guy who would have STOLEN Old Fashioned Love Song. This movie seriously jump-started Paul Williams' acting career because he was GOOD at making us believe he swindled the life's work of hopefully-naive composer Winslow Leach. Likewise, William Finley was equal to the task of making us feel for the betrayed songwriter who, at last, comes down off the top rope like Randy Macho Man Savage! Long-story short; it worked. And while it's popular to SAY "no one saw this movie outside Winnipeg.". Not true. Someone in Lala land had to have seen Phantom... because Paul was all over the place. Trust me, I know. I watched everything he was on.

[@Swan281]

Best Movie Ever.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

who is this person narrating?/

[@victorhernandez8723]

Edgar Wright. Director of “Hot Fuzz”, “Shaun of the Dead”, “The World’s End”, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”, and “Baby Driver”. Do those movies ring a bell? Plus, his name is in the title.

[@firechiefrisley]

There's the "BEEF!" ... Are you feeling a touch out-of-sorts, somewhat frazzled n' disembodied upon reanimation, seemingly a wee bit peckish to no end? Not to be too presumptuous, but we of the blackest souls now residing at the "DEATH" Record Label would very much like to generously offer up a devilishly delectable sampling of "SWAN"- Song entrée delicacies for your garishly discerning palette. May we suggest our extremely popular Beef Swellington, or maybe our mouth-watering Beef Tendergroin; for the boldly adventurous possibly the Flaming Roast Beef Manwiches, how about the ever-so rigid n' hearty Swish-Kabobs, the oh' so mincy Beef Fairyaki? And of course, our campily reliable standby, Brian's Boeuf a' la Mode for "Somebody Super Like You". In any event, here's the "BEEF", "It's What's For Dinner!" ...

[@snarkus63]

*That* was the trailer? You're right,it is terrible...such a movie deserves better. I've never been a fan of "Rocky Horror"...I've seen it with an enthusiastic audience,many times on TV...but I've always found the score too clunky. I saw this for the first time about twenty years ago,on cable...Williams' score is way better.

[@johncarpenter987]

I saw both the Phantom of the Paradise and Rocky Horror when they came out, I was about 16. Phantom was by far the better filmmaking. The editing and songs far surpass what was in Rocky Horror. Phantom disappeared within a week or two from the theaters. Rocky Horror lasted a little longer because it had already been a stage show in Hollywood (don't know where else it may have played). Rocky Horror only continued because of the new thing called midnight showings. You would smoke weed and watch either Woodstock, The Song Remains the Same or Rocky Horror. The requirements were music, longer than normal and weird. It was the midnight showings that kept Rocky going and after about two years people had seen it so much that they began making fun of it from the audience. At 16, I had a crush on Jessica Harper and still love her songs from the album. Yep, I bought the album out as soon as it hit the record stores. If you wonder which film is better, ask yourself this who directed Rocky Horror? Who directed Scarface, Mission Impossible and the Untouchables? Brian DePalma was the better director and even though both films failed at the box office, DePalma was recognized for his skill in directing and got bigger films later.

[@KARLOSdlord]

marilyn manson

[@UtahOutcastsArchive]

Rated PG hahaha.

[@TheMrMojoRisin67]

This is such a terrible trailer... it does actually give away EVERY SINGLE DETAIL of the film... Love this movie, though. Even bought the soundtrack after seeing it.

[@DellaDykeborn]

The Hell of It was also used l for Hardy Boys Mysteries. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIeapJdsgdGBfaMm18s I agree that PotP is far superior to RHPS.

[@jackgrattan1447]

Gerrit Graham was great in this (as he was in USED CARS). Other than that, this movie didn't do anything for me, other than confirm to me that Brian DePalma is one of the most overrated directors in the history of cinema. The music in ROCKY HORROR blows the music in this film out of the water, and I'm not even a fan of RHPS. Paul Williams couldn't write a "Rock" tune if his life depended on it.

[@dornravlin]

i saw a better trailer for this movie

[@pacoval4577]

hard to believe it was PG lol

[@TimeofQwerty]

rocky horror is very overrated, yes

[@srb9]

I've seen this movie. It's pretty bad actually.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Yeah, it's bad but a good kind of bad, it's entertaining! Remember that Paul Williams was very popular in the early and mid 70's for his harmless poppy music, He wrote for the partridge family, some carpenters stuff and did all the Muppet Movie soundtracks. So for him this role was a lot of fun as he got to play a pretty evil character. DePalma did a great job on making the film too. I prefer it over Rocky Horror as lot of people do. Watch it again sometime, but remember it's a goofy fun film and maybe You'll like it, it's a guilty pleasure like old Godzilla movies.

[@srb9]

Oldbmwr100rs Rocky Horror is *intentionally* a bad movie. This on the other hand was supposed to be good but it not. It's a mess.

[@Markstubation01]

This film isn’t good

[@SCHMEGLETRON]

One of the gayest movies I've ever seen.