Phantom of the Paradise

PG

Now Playing

1h 32m

Musical

Comedy

List

82%

66 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After record producer Swan (Paul Williams) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks into Swan's offices. Catching Leach, Swan frames him for dealing drugs, which lands him in prison. After Leach breaks out and again attempts to sabotage Swan's empire, an accident crushes his face. Leach then dons a costume and becomes the Phantom, intent on ruining Swan while saving singer Phoenix (Jessica Harper) from a terrible fate.

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Critics Consensus

Brian De Palma's subversive streak is on full display in Phantom of the Paradise, an ebullient rock opera that rhapsodizes creativity when it isn't seething with disdain for the music industry.

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Jay H

Fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will love this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

David P

Having watched this after seeing Rocky Horror you almost would think it was trying to capture that films magic, except, this came out a full year prior to Rocky Horror. That being said, there are catchy songs, over the top characters, themes of Faust, Phantom of the Opera, as well as Dorian Grey. In other words, this is a film worth your time as it's unique and entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/23

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Ashley H

Phantom of the Paradise is a disappointing film. It is about disfigured composer who sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. Paul Williams and William Finley give terrible performances. The script is badly written. Brian De Palma did a horrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/18/23

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John A

Likable B-movie that blends elements of horror, comedy and romance in a seemingly tongue-in-cheek way.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

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Steve D

It wants to be Rocky Horror. It isn't but that does not mean it isn't fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

Full Review

GS T

I was thinking this is a Great movie. And I think is Not as famous as it should be

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

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Brian De Palma

Director

Paul Williams

Swan

William Finley

Winslow

Jessica Harper

Phoenix

George Memmoli

Philbin

Gerrit Graham

Beef

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Andrew Sarris

Village Voice

De Palma has mixed too many of his styles in Phantom of the Paradise, but this is still a movie to be seen and heard.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

A crazy, savage film -- iconoclastic and truly liberating.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

De Palma, who can't tell a plain story, does something that a couple of generations of student and underground filmmakers have been trying to do and nobody else has ever brought off. He creates a new Guignol, in a modern idiom.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

Brian De Palma’s 1974 pastiche is a near-psychedelic experience built not on freaky visual effects but on pure passion and unadulterated artistry.

Mar 29, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The film is admittedly ragged, but it works as a satire of the rock operas so popular during the period.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 21, 2024

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A stylized and silly rock opera anchored by a number of delightful performances and catchy music.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

After record producer Swan (Paul Williams) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks into Swan's offices. Catching Leach, Swan frames him for dealing drugs, which lands him in prison. After Leach breaks out and again attempts to sabotage Swan's empire, an accident crushes his face. Leach then dons a costume and becomes the Phantom, intent on ruining Swan while saving singer Phoenix (Jessica Harper) from a terrible fate.

Director: Brian De Palma
Producer: Gustave M. Berne
Screenwriter: Brian De Palma
Production Co: Harbor Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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