Kino Lorber
As costumed heroes go, Lee Falk’s enduring Phantom pre-dates them all, even Superman. The purple-clad jungle gunman has long since become a major cult figure in some parts of the globe, but surprisingly, not in the U.S.
Perhaps that’s why the 1996 live-action movie adaptation, The Phantom, starring Billy Zane, was not particularly well received. This was too bad as it’s actually one of the best comics hero adaptations of the past few decades. A bit uneven in some ways but visually stunning and overall, quite entertaining.
We open with a quick “For those who came in late…” intro as to how the little white boy whose father was killed by pirates grew up to become Tarz…I mean, The Phantom. (We find out later that the son of each Phantom grows up to replace his father, giving the impression of an immortal jungle crimefighter—“The Ghost Who Walks.”)
Once past that intro, the actual opening sequence gives the viewer more than a little of an Indiana Jones feel as jungle raiders in 1938 find and filch a treasure from a cave only to have drums grab the attention of our hero, who says to his loyal wolf companion, “Devil, somebody needs us!”
It’s a perfect introduction, followed soon by our first full view of the character, heroically galloping in slow motion on his white horse, Hero, with Devil running along behind. It could easily have been played for camp but the serious score keeps it straight.
One can argue over the peculiar little detailing on the Phantom’s outfit, the partly painted on black mask, and the lack of his traditional striped shorts, but color-wise it’s fairly accurate to the traditional Phantom costume, complete, naturally, with his signature skull signet ring.
Treat Williams is a tad over-the-top here as the urbane, sophisticated, smiling, but incredibly cruel millionaire villain behind the raiders, Xander Drax. His creepy early “punishment” to a man he feels betrayed him is clever and sadistic enough to have come from a Giallo film!
Kristy Swanson, an actress best remembered as the original, big screen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, (and more recently for her extreme political comments) plays the feisty Diana Palmer, the Phantom’s traditional consort, a little tougher here than usual. The other major female role is a sexy villainess (who sometimes helps the good guys for her own ends), played by the lovely Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The great Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner) appears—to the Phantom, anyway—as his father, the previous Phantom. It’s unclear if he’s meant to be an actual ghost or if the current Phantom is just a bit…off, and talking to himself.
Our hero, though, is what carries this type of movie. In this case that’s Billy Zane, perfectly cast here in this early picture, even though he would soon become best known for his bad guy roles, as in Titanic. Sleek and handsome, stylishly outfitted and giving a carefully measured and respectful performance, he treats the material seriously and comes across as a hero all along the way.
When the plot moves to pre-War New York City, with its vintage clothes, hats, vintage cars, vintage designs, and rain-drenched night streets, the picture looks even more impressive. Also, in the New York scenes, Zane looks equally accurate as Kit Walker, the Phantom’s alter ego.
A little too much camp sneaks in from time to time, perhaps inevitably, such as when someone is warned, “No smoking in the Skull Cave,” or a cab driver is overpaid with precious gems.
The Phantom looks great, though. The action sequences are well-done, the score invigorating. The mystic mumbo jumbo toward the end is a bit much, and the movie ends with a logical and obvious set-up for a sequel that never came. There was a TV pilot later on and now, this very week, there’s chatter online about yet another upcoming Phantom pilot. Not with Billy Zane, unfortunately, now too old and better known for his recent astonishing portrayal of Marlon Brando in 2024’s Waltzing with Brando. Whether or not a new version comes to pass, old jungle saying says, the 1996 Phantom is well worth a look if you like good superhero movies!
Extras include audio commentary, new interview with star Billy Zane, new interview with composer David Newman, trailer and alternate cover.
Booksteve recommends.
