Fantomas Returns! The Fantomas Trilogy 1964-67 on Blu-ray in November
10 September 2024
Eureka Entertainment to release Fantomas Returns! The Fantomas Trilogy 1964-67; three globe-trotting films of daring heists, outrageous set pieces and an unforgettable masked mastermind, starring Jean Marais and Louis de Funès. Presented on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK, from restorations by Gaumont Film Company, and released as part of The Masters of Cinema Series. Available in November, this edition is strictly limited to 2,000 copies and comes housed in a hardbound slipcase with a 60-page collector's book.
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, the title character 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 presents the Fantômas trilogy on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK.
Fantomas Returns! The Fantomas Trilogy 1964-67 will be released as a two-disc Blu-ray set by Eureka Entertainment as part of the Masters of Cinema series on 24 November 2025 at the RRP of £39.99.
LIMITED EDITION TWO-DISC BLU-RAY FEATURES:
Limited edition of 2,000 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 Baker