![phantom of the paradise phantom of the paradise](https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/posters/phantom-of-the-paradise-william-finley-as-the-phantom-1974_u-L-Q1HWMDH0.jpg)
Soft focus on objects and black crush can also be seen in the double exposure shots during "The Phantom's Theme (Beauty and the Beast)". During this scene, lights appear with a bit of banding and there's some black crush as singers disappear into the background space. There are great texture details seen in close-ups and jacket fringe.ĭuring Phoenix's tryout, it looks like a softer focus was intentionally used. Blacks are frequently rich but falter in a couple of instances mentioned below.
![phantom of the paradise phantom of the paradise](https://thefilmstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Phantom-of-the-Paradise-2-759x500.png)
The colors are seen in bright hues right from the get go in the opening credits. The print looks clean and has a pleasing amount of grain. The video for 'Phantom of the Paradise' has been given a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC that is displayed at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The discs boot up directly to the menu screen without any promotional advertisements. They are housed in a standard bluecase and come with a slipcover. Scream Factory has released 'Phantom of the Paradise' on a 50GB Region A Blu-ray disc paired with a DVD of additional extras. Not only does he get the cast to commit to these characters, he makes interesting stylistic choices, like the unexpected visual reference to Orson Welles' 'Touch of Evil.' And in addition to its Academy Award-nominated song score, the film has a strong directorial hand in De Palma. Hopefully, Scream Factory's release of 'Phantom of the Paradise' will lead to a reappraisal of the film. He also delivers the classic Williams sound with "Old Souls" sung by Harper but could easily have been a hit with Karen Carpenter. The film opens with '50s doo wop, "Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye." "Upholstery" is in the style of the Beach Boys, and "Somebody Super Like You" would have fit well into an Alice Cooper setlist. Previously known for writing pop hits, such as Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song", and the Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays," he got to stretch out into other genres and does so very well. Williams' songs are a highlight of the film. Winslow is not happy about the change, leading to the Phantom being unleashed on all who stand in his way. De Palma uses Beef to comment on the sacrifices an artist is expected to make for his audience. Swan changes his plans and rather than giving the music to Phoenix, he gives it to an outlandish glam rocker named Beef (Gerrit Graham in a wonderfully over-the-top performance). Swan uses some equipment to create a singing voice for Winslow, which is performed by Williams, leading to a funny in-joke when Swann calls it perfect. Not only does an accident occur that damages his face and voice, but he also becomes Swan's prisoner to complete 'Faust'. After Swan's men dispose of Winslow, he seeks revenge but with tragic results. He decides she is the only one who can sing his music. Winslow meets Phoenix (Jessica Harper) and immediately falls in love. Winslow will soon be living the story after the contract he signs with Swan.Īfter a month goes by, Winslow breaks into Swan's place and discovers a number of women auditioning with his music.
![phantom of the paradise phantom of the paradise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e05e534402434aa0f846c2/1481074278777-ZBTBOMZDE1XLBBN7837L/phantompara1.png)
He wants to open a concert hall called the Paradise and decides the perfect music to do it is being created by Winslow Leach (William Finley), who is telling the story of 'Faust' in a cantata. Swan (Paul Williams, who composed all the songs), founder of Death Records, is a mysterious figure. 'Phantom' is a wild mishmash of ideas taken from 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Faust' and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' blended together to comment on the music industry. 'Phantom' has only been able to generate a small cult of fans over years, but deserves a bigger following. After flopping at the box office, 'RHPS' started its ascent into becoming a worldwide phenomenon the following year when it first found its audience on the midnight-movie circuit.
![phantom of the paradise phantom of the paradise](https://live.staticflickr.com/3653/3470457920_3aba2e7863_b.jpg)
In the mid-'70s, the American public and the critics weren't ready for musical comedy horror films, as 20th Century Fox would find out with the release of Brian De Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise' (1974) and Jim Sharman's 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975).