Synapse Films presents

Fantasm Comes Again (1977)

"Perhaps if you remove that archaic costume you'll feel freer."- Mister Bates (Rich Cassidy)

Stars: Angela Menzies-Wells, Clive Hearne, Rich Cassidy, Candy Samples, Uschi Digard, Serena
Other Stars: Bill Margold, Cheryl 'Rainbeaux' Smith, John Holmes
Director: Colin Eggleston

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nudity, sexuality, rape)
Run Time: 01h:38m:28s
Release Date: 2004-11-16
Genre: late night

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
D+	C-	B+	B-	B-

 

DVD Review

The huge international success of Fantasm assured a sequel of more sexual hijinks. Dispensing with the silly professor and much of the comic aspect of the original, the result is somewhat labored and less interesting, though much of the same cast returns.

This time round Harry (Clive Hearne), the longtime writer of the "Dear Collette" sex advice column is retiring and is handing the reins over to Libby (Angela Menzies-Wells), an aspiring young writer. Ten letters are examined by them, forming the vignettes that are the heart of the film. Ten segments feature several instances of sex in public, an office party orgy, voyeurism, and incest, with another religious turn of Serena as the finale.

The absence of the wit and charm of the original hurts quite a bit. The sex scenes generally feel a bit rote, especially early on, when they tend to go on long after they've worn out their welcome. The later segments are briefer and better paced, including a cute essay on the dangers of oral sex while driving. There are a few steamy bits, including the nude gymnast sequence that will be appreciated by fans of Girls on Trampolines. Tragic cult figure Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith figures in a drive-in segment (where the drive-in film is the first Fantasm) that culminates in a rape sequence. In all, a less effective followup to the charming original.

Rating for Style: D+
Rating for Substance: C-

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.66:1 - Widescreen
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	yes

Image Transfer Review: The source print is better than was the case for the first print, with very little damage visible onscreen. Colors are again vivid and the detail is a little crisper, though both were blown up from 16mm and consequently are fairly soft. Black levels are fairly solid, with little in the way of artifacting.

Image Transfer Grade: B+
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
Mono	English	yes

Audio Transfer Review: Similarly, the 2.0 mono sounds better than on the disc of the first film, with only a minor level of hiss. The music has decent depth and presence and dialogue is clear throughout. Nothing great, but as good as one can expect.

Audio Transfer Grade: B- 

Disc Extras

Static menu with music
Scene Access with 16 cues and remote access
1 Original Trailer(s)
Production Notes
1 Feature/Episode commentary by producer Antony I. Ginnane
Packaging: generic plastic keepcase
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: The extras are a little thinner on this sequel, but producer Ginnane contributes another worthwhile commentary, though he again runs out of steam towards the end. He notes that they did shoot now-lost XXX insert footage for this film, which wasn't the case with the first picture, but that it was never actually added to any release print, and thus it's appropriately omitted. The only other feature is a full-frame trailer.

Extras Grade: B-
 

Final Comments

A weak sequel that lacks much of the humor of the original and is the worse for it, but the source material is in better shape. A decent commentary and a trailer help increase the value.

Mark Zimmer 2004-12-01