Customer Reviews

The Phantom of Soho

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of my favourite German "krimis" of the 1960s, this deviates from other entries in the series by adapting a story from the typewriter of Edgar Wallace's son, Bryan. The author actually makes a brief cameo during the opening credits. Although the creepily skull-masked phantom is shown all too briefly, there is plenty of creative camera work, a gallery of thoroughly unpleasant characters and a typically fabulous jazz score to boost the entertainment factor. The motive for the killings is also gratifyingly sordid, using themes that would later be taken up by the more lurid Italian thrillers of the late 60s and 70s. The patently unrealistic recreation of London also adds to the film's sleazy atmosphere, locating it in a fog-bound, comic strip landscape that provides a perfect foil for the more outlandish elements of the plot.
So why only two stars? The problem here is not the movie itself, but Alpha/Gotham's appalling Dvd. I know the price is very low, but this is kind of quality you used to get when trading vhs copies of horror obscurities with your friends for free. Inside the the strikingly designed sleeve lies a disc struck from a soft, scratchy print with often inaudibile dialogue. The framing sometimes slips too, causing the picture to roll. Sadly, it looks unlikely that someone will put out a better version of this in the near future, but my advice is to wait and save your money in case Alpha bring out the cover artwork as part of their horror movie poster range.

On the dark, foggy back-streets of Soho, people are being stalked and murdered. Sansibar, the most popular brothel / stripclub is the center of suspicion as the body count increases. Owned and operated by the mysterious Joanna, Sansibar attracts both Lords and losers alike. Why are certain patrons being stabbed through the heart, and left with money or other valuables in their hands and pockets? What connection is there between the victims? Inspector Patton (Dieter Borsche) is on the case, running down clues, trying to catch the nefarious phantom before he / she strikes again. This is a fairly gritty german film about Soho. It's well written, performed, and directed. I was (pleasantly) surprised by some topless scenes, as well as an unmentioned widescreen presentation! I found the characters to be interesting and the mystery intriguing. Check it out...

I really like this movie, as I am into the Edgar Bryan Wallace mystery movies, all full of atmosphere. A who done it - certain people are being killed & Scotland Yard is called to find out why they are being killed and who is doing the killing. Surprise climax & a the murderer wears a creepy mask, held off until the end which adds suspense at least to me. It is is a low budget, but above average to me. I get into the atmospheric settings and just relax and enjoy.
Alpha Videos' DVD has an ok widescreen transfer of it/blurry faded, but Retromedia has released a cleaner widescreen transfer of it. It is also available in some German box set totally remastered in German language with no English subs to follow along. The sets are expensive & Im perfectly happy with the versions the USA has put out - they suit me fine :)