Forgotten Film Friday: Phantasm

A retrospective by Brooks Rich

Borderline whether this film is forgotten or not. I will call it a forgotten film as while I think it's a horror classic, I don't think it's held up on the level of films like Halloween or Night of the Living Dead or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But 1979's Phantasm is a fantastically creepy independent horror film with one of my favorite horror boogeyman, the terrifying Tall Man, played by the immortal Angus Scrimm.

I don't want to give away too much. Basically the Tall Man is a creepy undertaker at a mortuary who is up to some sinister acts. He is discovered by young Mike, who attempts to stop the Tall Man and save himself and his friends. That's not really it but I'm not giving anything away. Just know the stakes are high. Young Mike has a lot to contend with as far as The Tall Man goes.

I love the use of the location in this film. Shooting at a real funeral home and mortuary really adds to the story. There's just an inherent creepiness. Add in the Tall Man and his minions and you've got a horror classic. There is a surreal dreamlike quality to this film. It's very seventies and there's some cuts I would usually find jarring but it works for me here. There is something doesn't feel quite right as you watch. As if the Tall Man himself is bending reality.

The Tall Man is the main reason to see this. He is a totally frightening character and right up there for me with the legends like Michael Myers, Freddy, Jason, and the Universal Monsters. He's truly a monster and there's nothing likable about him. He's pure evil and a horror antagonist who deserves more love. The film is on Peacock right now. Check it out. I think it's worth it.

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