Phantom of the Paradise

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Phantom of the Paradise

PG

Released Oct 31, 1974

1h 32m

Musical

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

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67 Reviews

84%

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10,000+ Ratings

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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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

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

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

Jun 27, 2023

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Pauline Kael

The 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

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...filters highbrow influences through colored 1970s strobe lights.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 29, 2024

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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

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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

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Johnathon W

Unique take on the Phantom of the Opera that while flawed, provides an entertaining 90 minutes. The cast is solid for the most part, with Jessica Harper entrancing as Phoenix while Paul Williams is nicely menacing as Swan, the evil manager, while also pulling double duty delivering some nice songs. Behind the camera, Brian De Palma does a mostly fun job adapting "Phantom of the Opera" with a mixture of "Faust" but doesn't quite get the tone right at times. The opening act is the worse, feeling more like slapstick, before settling into a more tragic, horror vibe. Ultimately, a fun watch for fans of the material but definitely not perfect.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

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Michael V

He sold his soul for rock n’ roll! Phantom of the Paradise is a 1974 American rock musical comedy horror film written and directed by Brian De Palma and scored by and starring Paul Williams 🎭 A fun B grade cult Movie… Not bad, but not my favourite either 😐 Meh, it passed the time. Just. 😐 👍🏼👎🏼 A gifted rock composer plots revenge after a devious record producer steals both his music and his girl.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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Audience Member

Though, i know this film is nowhere near perfection , but i really liked its eerie style and how good they mixed comedy with mild horror, one of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

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CodyZamboni Z

I didnt know this was a musical, Intentionally campy and trashy, It pays tribute to lots of past horror movies, Jokes are amusing, Pace and performers have lots of energy, But the music is so intentionally bad, They could've at least made a few songs memorable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

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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

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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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Brian De Palma

Director

Paul Williams

Swan

William Finley

Winslow

Jessica Harper

Phoenix

George Memmoli

Philbin

Gerrit Graham

Beef

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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: Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter: Brian De Palma
Production Co: Harbor Productions, Pressman-Williams Enterprises
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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