Edgar Wright on PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE

Brian De Palma and Paul Williams' satirical glam-rock-opera takeoff on the Lon Chaney classic is the very definition of a midnight movie: bizarre, stylish and totally out there in that unique anything-goes 70s mode that looks positively classical today.

But wait! There's more! TFH has a podcast!

It's THE MOVIES THAT MADE ME, where you can join Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson and his, ummm, "co-host" Joe Dante in conversation with filmmakers, comedians, and all-around interesting people about the movies that made them who they are. Check it out now, and please subscribe wherever podcasts can be found.

ABOUT EDGAR WRIGHT

Writer-director Edgar Wright is best known for Spaced, the BAFTA-nominated tv series he created with Simon Pegg for Britain's C-4, as well as the feature films Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), Hot Fuzz (2007) and the zombie romantic-comedy Shaun Of The Dead (2004). The latter earned Wright a BAFTA nomination along with a Bram Stoker and a British Independent Film Award. He co-wrote the screenplay for The Adventures of Tintin, executive produced Attack the Block and has recently completed his latest directorial outing The World's End out now.

ABOUT TRAILERS FROM HELL:

TFH is the premier showcase for a breathtakingly eclectic assortment of trailers from classic era films both in their original form and punctuated with informative and amusing commentary by contemporary filmmakers.

[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!

[moxxichannel]

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.

[softbatch]

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.

[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?

[vastral]

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

[DeepEye]

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.

[Joaquin]

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

[RickTBL]

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

[patrickbarnes]

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. 

[meowzak]

"Get away from that record press!"

[luckychick]

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!!!

[pugnacious]

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!

[Davesky]

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

[GregoriousGregori]

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

[verilyheld]

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