It changes the entire dynamic of the first film as well. Because of this, as we watch the actors age over five films and 37 years, it really does feel like these characters have spent their whole lives on this journey. As the years (and decades) went by, he added chapters to his epic sci-fi/horror saga and could always count on these actors to reprise their roles and continue the journey for their characters. The fact that the three main characters kept returning only speaks volumes to the incredible continuity and loyalty they had to writer/director Don Coscarelli. It’s not uncommon for the villain of a horror franchise to be the only link to tie all their films together, as is the case with Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, Michael Myers, and so many others. It helped audiences connect and watch them grow and evolve. But for Phantasm, these three (along with Angus Scrimm’s Tall Man) were always there throughout the series. There have been other franchises that decide to do sequels/reboots years later and bring back the original cast members. Michael Bowen, Bill Thornbury, and Angus Scrimm have appeared in every film in the series. With the exception of Jody’s absence and Mike’s recasting in Phantasm II (at Universal’s demand), Reggie Bannister, A. What’s made the franchise so intriguing, other than the long form narrative over the sequels, is the fact that the protagonists (or the actors playing them) haven’t changed since the very beginning. Whereas the first film kept things very cryptic, each sequel delved deeper into the Tall Man’s background, including his human origin, inter-dimensional travel, and extra-terrestrial plan for world domination! In Phantasm: Ravager, we’ve gone from a quiet and creepy thriller to a full scale alien invasion! Nine years later, Phantasm II picked up with Mike and Reggie continuing their struggle against the Tall Man, and what started as a single horror film became one long narrative that would take almost 40 years to complete. Along with the sliver sphere, this is perhaps the most iconic image from all of Phantasm.Īs with most horror classics, it was only a matter of time before Phantasm was revisited in the form of a sequel. Particularly the scene with the Tall Man looming over Michael’s bed, which has created countless nightmares in the last 40 years. Between the Tall Man’s grim-looking and intimidating appearance, the graveyard and mortuary locations, and the now-famous floating silver sphere, there’s plenty of iconic imagery to conjure up when most fans look back on this sci-fi/horror classic. Much of the Tall Man is shrouded in mystery, and it helps give this film a dreamlike quality, all of which fuels its overwhelmingly creepy atmosphere. The Tall Man spends most of the original film as a foreboding presence throughout the town. Michael Baldwin) and Jodie (Bill Thornbury), along with their ice cream vendor friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister) contend with a mysterious and overwhelming force. Rather than delve too deeply into the Tall Man’s motivation or plan, instead we watch brothers Mike (A. Writer/Director Don Coscarelli was initially inspired by a nightmare he had and it really shows. The original film is intentionally vague and mysterious in the origins and plans of the nefarious Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), and this works very much to its advantage. What started as a simple sci-fi/horror film (as well as an astounding achievement in low budget filmmaking), became a series with a rich mythology and a longevity into modern day most fans don’t even realize. Yet often overlooked is the indie darling, which would go on to become a cult classic: Phantasm. That decade gave us the likes of Halloween, The Exorcist, The Omen, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jaws, and Alien, to name a few. The 1970’s has always been synonymous with the birth of several iconic horror franchises.
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