Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 7, 2016

Darkness is teased through “Fantomas,” a five-episode serial that ran from 1913 to 1914, adapted from literary adventures created by Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre. A villain with a sense of style and ability to change his appearance through carefully designed disguises, Fantomas is brought to the screen by director Louis Feuillade, who labors to transform the mundane details of crime fiction into riveting silent movie suspense.

Feuillade guides “Fantomas” through a series of encounter between good and evil, establishing a snowballing sense of warfare as numerous characters encounter the titular rogue and his strange ways. Evil deeds are communicated broadly by star Rene Navarre, who delivers strong work as Fantomas, creeping around the frame while pulling off the disguises with flair (the opening of four of the five episodes celebrates this make-up evolution). Everything presented here is amplified to play into silent film traditions, but mood is impressively managed by the actor and Feuillade, who bring unease to the serial as Fantomas encounters a range of victims and opponents.

Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is impressively detailed for a 100 year-old production, crisply exploring set design and exaggerated facial response, where everything performed by the actors is open for inspection. Largely black and white, balance is maintained, while colors are introduced through tinting to convey evening adventures. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is never clouded. Source has gone through an extensive restoration, and while limitations obviously remain, the viewing experience is free of extended damage.

Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 Dolby Digital sound mix is devoted entirely to music, and orchestral might is felt throughout. Even with the lossy presentation, instrumentation comes through nicely, handling the serial with a symphonic sway. It's a simple listening experience, but it remains crisp and clean.

Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentaries by film historian David Kalat appear on the episodes "Fantomas" and "Juve vs. Fantomas."

• "Louis Feuillade: Master of Many Forms" (10:37, SD) tracks the career of the "Fantomas" filmmaker, included a decade-long stint as the creative director for Gaumont.

• Short Films by Feuillade include 1910's "The Nativity" (13:57, SD) and 1912's "The Dwarf" (16:36, SD).

• Gallery (10:19) offers "Fantomas" book covers from around the globe.

Fantomas: 5-Film Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While it doesn't always demand attention (at one point, a three-level elevator ride is showcased in real time), "Fantomas" does a fine job with escalation, helped along by a few cliffhangers and new characters, giving the audience a sufficient ride of discoveries, betrayals, and cold-blooded actions. Perhaps the profound pleasures of "Fantomas" are reserved solely for fans of the source material or silent film aficionados, but Feuillade creates a compelling world of sinister business, sold with impressive technique and atmospheric command.