Phantasm (1979) #HorrorClassic

After each time I see Phantasm (1979), it lingers in the back of my head for days. It has to be one of the most iconic movies for me for that reason. The beauty of the marble halls with the coffin drawers always delights my senses, but that’s not all that entices me into this world, and it’s also the flying chrome balls with blades zooming across the screen.

With my most recent viewing, I’d forgotten the way Tall Man walks. Sometimes it’s heel to toe. On other occasions, it’s with wide strides. With each step of his fancy footwork, there’s a peculiar grace in his hand movements, even with the exaggerated swinging. Agnus Scrimm makes this icon of horror one of the creepiest and weirdest antagonists ever created; I can’t imagine anyone else taking the role and doing it justice.

The dwarves always freak me out. Even knowing beforehand what/who they are, doesn’t change the unnerving sensation they exude. They are vicious things, and I wouldn’t want to cross them ever.

Things get weird for me with Phantasm when the group of heroes finds the room with the portal to a strange world. There’s no real explanation of what it is or where. The ending is another piece that takes me by surprise with Mike waking in his bedroom. It is a relief when Tall Man appears, and Mike is pulled through the mirror.

I can’t imagine anyone having not already seen this film, but you must see Phantasm if you are one of those. You will not regret it. I promise.

I give Phantasm 5 out of 5 Stars.

Come back next week, I’ll be talking about Phantasm II (1979).