Fantomas Returns! ('64 - '67) Limited Edition Box Set Eureka UK - Blu-ray Region B

Fantômas • Fantômas Unleashed • Fantômas vs Scotland Yard

Created by crime writers Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre, the criminal mastermind Fantômas is best known outside of France as the antagonist of the silent serial that bears his name, directed by early cinematic pioneer Louis Feuillade. Within France, though, he is most famously associated with André Hunebelle’s beloved Fantômas trilogy. Released between 1964 and 1967, Hunebelle’s films revived the character with a comedic twist in the era of four-colour comic books, Bondmania and a boom in French popular cinema.

In the first film of the trilogy, Fantômas seeks revenge on Jérôme Fandor (both played by Jean Marais in dual roles) after the journalist publishes an unflattering article about him. The master of disguise begins by framing Fandor for a series of crimes before moving on to impersonate Juve (Louis de Funès), bumbling commissaire of the Parisian police. In Fantômas Unleashed, the villain kidnaps scientists to work on a new super weapon, leading Fandor and Juve on a trip to Rome in an attempt to thwart his plans. Finally, Fantômas vs Scotland Yard transports Fandor and Juve to an old dark house when Fantômas decides to tax the rich – beginning with the wealthy owner of a Scottish castle, Lord McRashley (Jean-Roger Caussimon).

Drawing on a huge range of influences, from The Pink Panther and James Bond to Silver Age superheroes and Dr Mabuse, Hunebelle’s Fantômas films are colourful adventures featuring breathtaking stuntwork, sweeping scores by Michel Magne and standout performances by comedian Louis de Funès, one of the most beloved figures in the history of French cinema. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the Fantômas trilogy on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Limited Edition Hardbound Set [2000 copies]
• Limited edition hardcase with package design by Nick Wrigley
• Limited edition 60-page book featuring new writing on the Fantômas trilogy by film writer and programmer Ryan Finnigan, spy cinema expert Llewella Chapman and Krimi! magazine co-editors Boris Brosowski and Holger Haase
• 1080p HD presentations of all three films from restorations by Gaumont Film Company
• Original French mono audio tracks
• Optional English subtitles, newly revised for this release
• Audio commentary on Fantômas with genre film expert and Video Watchdog founder Tim Lucas
• New audio commentary on Fantômas Unleashed with film historian and author David Kalat
• New audio commentary on Fantômas vs Scotland Yard with film historian and author David Kalat
• International Supercrooks – new interview with Leon Hunt on Fantômas and his connection to other European supervillains in the 1960s
• Juve and De Funès – new interview with French cinema expert Mary Harrod on Louis de Funès, French comedy and the Fantômas trilogy
• Fantômas vs Fantômas – new video essay on the evolution of Fantômas in cinema by Radio Times editor Calum Bake
• Original theatrical trailers