This eerie supernatural horror has lots of weird moments which help to make it a cult classic film. Numerous sequels have followed, each composed of the key cast in this, the original. This film is very strange and surreal. Some parts of it are frightening too, such as the dwarf attacks. It blends a lot of different aspects of different genres - horror, thriller, mystery, action, comedy - and it works, although the film just may be too confusing for some. It's a very low budget type of film with cult written all over it.
This is my main complaint with the film. With all the plot twists and strange dream-like scenes, it's difficult to keep track of just what is going on exactly. In fact it gave me a headache, and the loud noise didn't help much in that respect. The acting in the film is all excellent; even the young boy isn't too annoying. Angus Scrimm gives a tour-de-force performance as the Tall Man, totally creepy and mysterious. The special effects, although somewhat dated, are still entertaining and the dwarfs look strangely like the Jawas from STAR WARS. PHANTASM is a good film but not one to watch with your brain switched off, you've got to be on the ball in this case. It's just so odd and out there that it's pretty unique too (well, at least it was until the sequels followed).
This is my main complaint with the film. With all the plot twists and strange dream-like scenes, it's difficult to keep track of just what is going on exactly. In fact it gave me a headache, and the loud noise didn't help much in that respect. The acting in the film is all excellent; even the young boy isn't too annoying. Angus Scrimm gives a tour-de-force performance as the Tall Man, totally creepy and mysterious. The special effects, although somewhat dated, are still entertaining and the dwarfs look strangely like the Jawas from STAR WARS. PHANTASM is a good film but not one to watch with your brain switched off, you've got to be on the ball in this case. It's just so odd and out there that it's pretty unique too (well, at least it was until the sequels followed).