andrey k
This movie is 104 years old as of now, and it's freaking good. Some critic justly said that this movie couldn't be made now with all these 'justice warriors' who would have demanded Fantomas to be punished. Here, in this picture there's no such thing as a universal justice. The creators are not concerned about 'feelings' and sentiments, they are concerned about how to tell a story right and it to be interesting and fascinating.
What really enlivens and modernises the picture is the awesome soundtrack featured on the Blu-Ray edition. It perfectly catches and enhances the mood of this classic.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
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Audience Member
The film is hailed by many for its innovations on feature length films. Often times it slows down its narrative to allow the audience to adjust themselves in bustling world the characters live in. There are scenes that linger on the mundane, but actually do a lot to establish the setting. One in particular follows the characters from a hotel lobby, into an elevator, then the camera follows the elevator up through several floors before reaching its destination. Surely it's pedestrian in this day and age, but back then these kinds of composition shots were nowhere to be found. Most films from this era cut from location to location, scene to scene, without any fluidity.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
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Audience Member
The first Fantomas film is a quaint trek through a criminal/detective chessmatch that feels vaguely reminiscent of the Lupin the III series (as a point of comparison, since this way predates Lupin).
As a silent film, the amount you enjoy this will be fairly proportional to how much you enjoy silent cinema in general. Makes a decent entry point into the "genre"; not as epic or influential as, say, Metropolis... but nowhere near as long, either.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
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Audience Member
At almost a century old it might be more of a history lesson than a great thriller, but it does still hold your interest.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/18/23
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Audience Member
This movie should have a bigger audience than it does. It is one of the earliest crime films and its influence can be seen in films and novels ranging from Diabolik, James Bond, The Shadow and the like. Based on a series of pulp novels that I would love to check out. If you like silent films and early crime films, this is a real treat. It is part of a bigger series that more or less equals an extended serial. It is also the namesake of one of my favorite bands.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This movie had a huge influence on the French surrealist movement, with many artists using images from it, the sequels,and the series it was based on for their works. it is also the basis of a musical featuring the character I'm working on. The Friends of Fantomas are quite active in the US striving to give this character and his creators the recognition they deserve in this country.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
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