Phantasm (1979)

 

Sometimes, you have to let your love for a project overcome such niggling details as having nearly no money or a crew. Because that's what Don Coscarelli did for this one and while it may not be the most coherent film in horror history, the surreal atmosphere, cool visuals and introduction to one of the most endearing villains ever do speak volumes. 

One can only applause. And the film is ever entertaining, though it's tough to try and make sense of it, in which respect this leans close to Italian horrorfilms that were usually atmosphere over substance anyway and also delivered quite a few cult classics and this is certainly no exception.

After the death of their brother, Jody and his younger brother Mike are pretty much feeling like absolute crap. Jody plans to leave the town they live in to find his fortunes elsewhere and he will leave his younger brother with an aunt, but Mike isn't too happy with that idea. But then strange things start to happen, or at least: Mike begins to notice some things that are off concerning the local cemetery and its caretaker. 

For starters, the guy can lift a full coffin on his own. 

It gets even more bizarre when small hooded creatures that resemble 'Star Wars' Jawas turn up and violently attack both Mike and Jody. They are also uncannily strong and when our unlikely heroes find out that these dwarves are actually dead people shortened and mutated (of sorts), it gets even more bizarre.

Maybe spoiler territory, but here goes: the caretaker (also known as the Tall Man) is actually an alien who processes dead bodies to be used as slaves on his home planet.

Yes, it is as bonkers as you think it is.

But the story isn't what makes this film so appealing. Heck, it isn't even most of the acting, as the majority of people involved can't really act all that well, with the exception of Angus Scrimm as the Tall Man, who really leaves an impact as one of the iconic movie villains of all time. No, it's the surrealist visuals coupled with a soundtrack that could have been lifted off a Fulci zombie epic, but still has its own identity. The theme melody truly sticks in your head after about two playthroughs and it is on par with let's say 'Halloween' or 'Tubular Bells' from 'The Exorcist'. 

Especially the inside of the mausoleum is a German expressionist's heaven, with white and black corridors, high ceilings and everything designed to make you feel small and often askew. It's wonderful what you can do with some imagination. 

Is it for everyone? No. If you like some substance/story with your film, this won't make you feel happy. If you don't have a thing for weird visuals and can't deal with massive plotholes, editing that's all over the place and inconsistencies, then you might also want to skip this. But if you're looking for something unique and different, then you could do quite a lot worse than this one.