Phantasm series questions

08-24-2005, 05:19 AM

I just finished watching the first 3 movies for like the 100th time, and some questions came up in my mind. The original Phantasm is one of my all time favorite horror movies and all, but, when you watch part 4 they show the Tall Man being hung while in part 1 he falls into the mine shaft. How could this be; both scenes were shot at the same time. I don't see how it could be logically done.
In part 2, Mike is in a Morningside mental institution. Why didn't the Tall Man destroy the rest of the town, instead of just moving across the country? I mean, Moringside was the first town he came to and started his takeover in. And another question is why Universal didn't want Michael Baldwin to reprise his role as Mike?
And in part 3, how does Reggie have the 'cuda again after wrecking it in part 2, and why does he have his 4 barrel shotgun after throwing it away towards the end of part 2? And what happens to Tim after part 3, because part 4 never says anything about him.
I believe that's all the questions I have. If anybody has any reasonable answers they wish to share or if there is some deleted scenes to tell why these questions are left unanswered in the film, could someone please tell me? Thanks a lot!

rijir · 08-24-2005, 05:48 AM

I'll try answering some....

Q..I just finished watching the first 3 movies for like the 100th time, and some questions came up in my mind. The original Phantasm is one of my all time favorite horror movies and all, but, when you watch part 4 they show the Tall Man being hung while in part 1 he falls into the mine shaft. How could this be; both scenes were shot at the same time. I don't see how it could be logically done.

A..When Don shot part 1 the rough footage ran about 3 hours. There were many different endings and such filmed. Those scenes in part 4 were just some of those scenes never used (since they wouldn't have fit).

Q..Why Universal didn't want Michael Baldwin to reprise his role as Mike?

A..Mike actually tried for the part. But Universal would only allow Don to keep one original cast member. So, Don felt it would be easier to replace Mike (with a now older Mike) rather than replacing Reggie someone who looked like Reggie.

Little known fact is that Brad Pitt actually tried for the part of Mike but was not chosen)

08-24-2005, 06:09 AM

Yeah, I read that Brad Pitt tried out for the part and to be honest I think I'd rather had him play Mike than James LeGross, but still, I'd always would have prefered Michael Baldwin. That sucks how Universal made so many demands for the movie. I read that they didn't want any dream like footage in the movie because they felt it would confuse people with what was reality or a dream. Also, the casting problem and then you've got the M.P.A.A. cutting out what little gore there was out to begin with. Universal acted like they were spending a fortune on this movie and I read they only spent 2 million, which Coscarelli did a fantastic job with by the way. I mean, it looks like they spent 10 million not just 2. Phantasm II was a breath of fresh air in the horror genre for 1988, in my opinion. Because in that year you had Halloween 4, Hellbound:Hellraiser 2, A Nightmare On Elm Street 4, Friday The 13th part 8, etc. mainly slasher movies, and this one was original, or at least it was original in storyline compared to the above mentioned movies, even though it borrowed just about all it's "scares" from the first Phantasm, like the Tall Man sneaking up on someone and telling them that the funeral is about to begin or a character looking out the windows and looks out one and the Tall Man is standing there, ready to break throgh it and grab someone. I know, I'm anal about my movies, but I'm a huge film fan/buff, and that's why I'm here!

rijir · 08-24-2005, 06:18 AM

I'm hoping that one day we will get to see a 3 hour Phantasm.

If you're a Phantasm Phan please visit this site and its message boards. The people there are great.

http://www.phantasmfilms.com/

maybrick · 08-24-2005, 11:34 AM

I love Phantasm, it's my favorite horror movie, but I hope to GOD we never see a 3, or even a 2 hour Phantasm. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see all the extra scenes, just not reincorporated into the film. A three hour length would definitely screw too much with the pacing, and the pacing is a great deal of what makes the movie great.

As far as any questions you may have regarding continuity in the PHANTASM series, just remember, in these movies you're never really supposed to know for sure which parts are dreams and which parts aren't. How strong is the continuity in your dreams?

08-24-2005, 11:35 AM

I think most of those things you are talking about are just continuity problems. They probably didn't care much about continuity with these films anyway, since they were basically made to fuck with your mind.

Egg_Shen · 08-24-2005, 11:39 AM

Reggie has the Cuda and the Quad-barrel shotgun in 3 cause they’re both really cool things to have. I mean, right? I love these flicks, but often times they don’t make a lick of sense.

08-24-2005, 09:45 PM

Yeah, you guys are right. I told you I'm anal about movies though!

Regurgitate · 08-24-2005, 11:05 PM

My question is why the hell has it taken so damn long since the introduction of DVD technology for Phantasm II to get a region 1 release?

jscott · 08-24-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regurgitate

My question is why the hell has it taken so damn long since the introduction of DVD technology for Phantasm II to get a region 1 release?

Because Universal doesn't think it would be a profitable title, so I've heard.

08-25-2005, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jscott

Because Universal doesn't think it would be a profitable title, so I've heard.

I think they should at least put out a double feature disc of Phantasm 2/3....just widescreen with trailers

Mortis · 11-18-2005, 07:45 AM

Who says he didn't go out and buy another? He mentions spending two years restoring it, so who knows for sure, but him having one isn't unfathomable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Bobby D

And in part 3, how does Reggie have the 'cuda again after wrecking it in part 2

08-24-2005, 05:19 AM	#1
Big Bobby D Guest Posts: n/a	Phantasm series questions I just finished watching the first 3 movies for like the 100th time, and some questions came up in my mind. The original Phantasm is one of my all time favorite horror movies and all, but, when you watch part 4 they show the Tall Man being hung while in part 1 he falls into the mine shaft. How could this be; both scenes were shot at the same time. I don't see how it could be logically done. In part 2, Mike is in a Morningside mental institution. Why didn't the Tall Man destroy the rest of the town, instead of just moving across the country? I mean, Moringside was the first town he came to and started his takeover in. And another question is why Universal didn't want Michael Baldwin to reprise his role as Mike? And in part 3, how does Reggie have the 'cuda again after wrecking it in part 2, and why does he have his 4 barrel shotgun after throwing it away towards the end of part 2? And what happens to Tim after part 3, because part 4 never says anything about him. I believe that's all the questions I have. If anybody has any reasonable answers they wish to share or if there is some deleted scenes to tell why these questions are left unanswered in the film, could someone please tell me? Thanks a lot!

08-24-2005, 11:05 PM	#9
Regurgitate Maniac Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 597	My question is why the hell has it taken so damn long since the introduction of DVD technology for Phantasm II to get a region 1 release? __________________ DVD Aficionado

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08-24-2005, 05:48 AM	#2
rijir Stalker Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 433	I'll try answering some.... Q..I just finished watching the first 3 movies for like the 100th time, and some questions came up in my mind. The original Phantasm is one of my all time favorite horror movies and all, but, when you watch part 4 they show the Tall Man being hung while in part 1 he falls into the mine shaft. How could this be; both scenes were shot at the same time. I don't see how it could be logically done. A..When Don shot part 1 the rough footage ran about 3 hours. There were many different endings and such filmed. Those scenes in part 4 were just some of those scenes never used (since they wouldn't have fit). Q..Why Universal didn't want Michael Baldwin to reprise his role as Mike? A..Mike actually tried for the part. But Universal would only allow Don to keep one original cast member. So, Don felt it would be easier to replace Mike (with a now older Mike) rather than replacing Reggie someone who looked like Reggie. Little known fact is that Brad Pitt actually tried for the part of Mike but was not chosen)

08-24-2005, 06:09 AM	#3
Big Bobby D Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah, I read that Brad Pitt tried out for the part and to be honest I think I'd rather had him play Mike than James LeGross, but still, I'd always would have prefered Michael Baldwin. That sucks how Universal made so many demands for the movie. I read that they didn't want any dream like footage in the movie because they felt it would confuse people with what was reality or a dream. Also, the casting problem and then you've got the M.P.A.A. cutting out what little gore there was out to begin with. Universal acted like they were spending a fortune on this movie and I read they only spent 2 million, which Coscarelli did a fantastic job with by the way. I mean, it looks like they spent 10 million not just 2. Phantasm II was a breath of fresh air in the horror genre for 1988, in my opinion. Because in that year you had Halloween 4, Hellbound:Hellraiser 2, A Nightmare On Elm Street 4, Friday The 13th part 8, etc. mainly slasher movies, and this one was original, or at least it was original in storyline compared to the above mentioned movies, even though it borrowed just about all it's "scares" from the first Phantasm, like the Tall Man sneaking up on someone and telling them that the funeral is about to begin or a character looking out the windows and looks out one and the Tall Man is standing there, ready to break throgh it and grab someone. I know, I'm anal about my movies, but I'm a huge film fan/buff, and that's why I'm here!

08-24-2005, 06:18 AM	#4
rijir Stalker Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 433	I'm hoping that one day we will get to see a 3 hour Phantasm. If you're a Phantasm Phan please visit this site and its message boards. The people there are great. http://www.phantasmfilms.com/

08-24-2005, 11:34 AM	#5
maybrick HackMaster Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Keene, NH Posts: 8,626	I love Phantasm, it's my favorite horror movie, but I hope to GOD we never see a 3, or even a 2 hour Phantasm. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see all the extra scenes, just not reincorporated into the film. A three hour length would definitely screw too much with the pacing, and the pacing is a great deal of what makes the movie great. As far as any questions you may have regarding continuity in the PHANTASM series, just remember, in these movies you're never really supposed to know for sure which parts are dreams and which parts aren't. How strong is the continuity in your dreams?

08-24-2005, 11:35 AM	#6
RyanPC Guest Posts: n/a	I think most of those things you are talking about are just continuity problems. They probably didn't care much about continuity with these films anyway, since they were basically made to fuck with your mind.

08-24-2005, 11:39 AM	#7
Egg_Shen broomhead Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 952	Reggie has the Cuda and the Quad-barrel shotgun in 3 cause they’re both really cool things to have. I mean, right? I love these flicks, but often times they don’t make a lick of sense.

08-24-2005, 09:45 PM	#8
Big Bobby D Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah, you guys are right. I told you I'm anal about movies though!