Phantom of the Opera

Tartan obviously have some balls, either that or they don't really know! You see in the same week that they release the poorly received Argento thriller 'Trauma' (see our review) they have chosen to release Argento's other much maligned (and how wrongly so) 'Phantom of the Opera'. Poor marketing decision or keen bit of forward thinking savvy? I'd like to think the latter...

Forget everything you have read regarding Argento's 'Phantom of the Opera' - this is a GREAT movie. The story (for the few that aren't familiar with Gaston Leroux's work) involves a baby that has been abandoned in the sewers beneath an Opera House that is saved and brought up by the rats that breed there. Yeah I know that sounds as dumb as hell but who cares when the movie is as delicious as this is? This classic yarn sees the now grown up phantom (played by Julian Sands) stalking the Opera House, hypnotically romancing a young protege opera singer (played to perfection by the beautiful Asia Argento) and unbridled passion soon kicks in...but surely love between a cellar dwelling rat lover and a beautiful operatic femme can only end in tears?

After reading all the condemnation from a bewilderingly large number of Argento's fan base, I actually found Phantom an absolute treat to view. Argento doesn't let his fans down at all with an lovingly executed witty and often perverse script full of interesting sub-characters that keeps the interest flowing throughout the movie, as well as some fantastic gory death sequences that will have you cheer out loud (very blackly humorous and very bloody!) Argento's direction (as ever) is stylish and though maybe not as entertainingly brash as his earlier movies is as delightful as ever could be.

Julian Sands is delivers a solid enough Phantom but it is the performance by Asia Argento that is dizzyingly brilliant and goes a long way to helping the uninitiated realise why she has such a growing legion of devoted fans - beautiful, alluring and very talented. And lest I forget Ennio Morricone's lush score which is another point of perfection in this movie adding to the entertainment value no end.

Of course, I realise that many of Argento's fans will be scoffing at my obvious love for this vastly underrated gem but I do believe that it's their blind inability to open their minds to something different that is stopping them from getting the pleasure from what is most likely one of Argento's finest films. Perhaps the problem that some people have with Phantom was that they were holding it up against films like Deep Red and Suspiria looking for comparisons? But approach it with an open mind you will be thoroughly entertained.

But enough of my gushing, what about this disc from Tartan then? Well, it's good but not without one very minor flaw (which most will have no problem with). First off the anarmorphic widescreen picture looks great - sharp, colourful and flawless. The audio is solid enough delivering a decent enough 2.0 stereo sound but (here's the wee grumble) in comparison to say the A-Pix release it falls flat some way with the A-Pix offering both stereo and 5.1 audio tracks that make Morricone's lush lavish score sound just beautiful, but here's it's workable but at the same time quite flat. But as I say, only audio fetishist like myself would notice any real difference!

Extras wise, this Tartan release comes out tops! Of course there's the expected usual suspects in the form of filmographies, trailers (here there's the theatrical and 2 TV spots as well as a trailer for Trauma and the Tartan Terror reel) but you also get a nice wee text section that has been taken from Alan Jones forthcoming FAB Press book 'Profondo Argento' and perhaps best of all there's the inclusion of Anna Napoli's excellent documentary 'Il Fantasma d'Argento'. This 25 minute behind the scenes docu not only shows us some great on set footage but includes interviews with all the key players (Dario, Asia, Ronnie Taylor etc) who cover every aspect of the films production. A great accompaniment to the wonderful main feature and with the rest of the material included makes this the ideal disc to get (more so that it's out at a special budget price mark).

Ignore all the stuffy faced comments by the stubborn minded old school Argento fans, this is a simply wonderful film and this release from Tartan is a great value way to enjoy it. Take the chance and enjoy what will no doubt some day be a sleeper classic. Check it out!

Review by Alan Simpson