Phantom Nightmare

The unscrupulous developer Harv lets teenager Eric's parents' house burn down so that a new shopping center can be built on the site. Just in the nick of time, Eric's girlfriend Melody is able to save herself from the flames, while Eric burns to death. Years later, the opening of the mall is overshadowed by mysterious deaths. Melody, who has gotten a job as a waitress, is shadowed by a mysterious man. Is Eric still alive? Together with her new friend, the reporter Peter, Melody tries to get behind the mystery.

When Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge hit U.S. theaters on December first, 1989, the slasher craze had already died down, only to be revived in 1996 with Scream. The response to Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge was poor. It's a shame, because the slasher cleverly makes use of The Phantom of the Opera by moving the action to a US department store. Occasional lengths in the plot are pleasantly bridged by amusing scenes such as Melody's recurring disturbing sex dreams. Since Eric's supposed death in the flames, Melody seems to have been left a little too high and dry.

"Subterranean Cut" offers slightly more violence than the Theatrical Version

This small, rather obscure film has been given a top-notch release by Arrow Films. The limited first edition includes two Blu-rays and a booklet in a cardboard slipcase. Mentioned on the cover are three versions. Along with the Theatrical Version on the first Blu-ray is the US TV version and an extended version titled the Phan Cut, in which the additional scenes from the TV version were cut into the Theatrical Version.

Hidden on the first Blu-ray is another version of the film, which Arrow calls Eric's Secret Subterranean Cut. The version can be played by selecting Alternate and Deleted Scenes from the menu and then pressing right on the remote.

The Subterranean Cut has a mixed picture quality and is presumably from an SD source. In some respects, the Subterranean Cut differs from the Theatrical Version. As in the TV version, the scene where the Phantom sneaks into the athletic department and kills a security guard comes after the opening credits. Furthermore, some scenes in which the Phantom runs through the ventilation shafts have been moved. Interestingly, some of the violent scenes in the Subterranean Cut are longer than in the Theatrical Version. For the most part, the extensions are minimal and of little consequence. Still, it is surprising that there is a slightly bloodier version of the film. Possibly the violent scenes had to be trimmed a bit for an R rating. The rest of the differences can be attributed to cosmetic adjustments. Sometimes a shot was replaced, sometimes a scene was lengthened or shortened for the Theatrical Version. For fans of the film, this is a very interesting version.

If you are interested in the TV version or the Phan Cut, you should get the limited edition. Presumably, a regular edition will appear again, but then without the second Blu-ray.

Picture Comparison:

Theatrical Version:

Subterranean Cut:

Runtimes:

Theatrical Version: 90:33 min.
Subterranean Cut: 90:52 min.

[00:00:04][00:00:04]

After the logo, a man sneaks into a department store through a ventilation shaft in the Theatrical Version. In the sports department, he arms himself with a bow and puts on camouflage clothing. When a night watchman appears, he remains motionless. The guard realizes that the man is not a mannequin. The night watchman is stabbed and dragged away.

Theatrical Version: 2:03 Min.


[00:02:13][00:00:11]

Alternative title insert.

No time difference.


[00:03:49][00:01:46]

After the opening credits, the Subterranean Cut shows two shots of the ventilation shafts in the department store..

SC: 9 sec.


[00:03:49][00:01:57]

After the two shots mentioned earlier, the Subterranean Cut shows the scene where the man sneaks into the athletic department and kills the security guard.

SC: 2:02 Min.


[00:03:49][00:03:59]

After the security guard is killed, the Subterranean shows the department store at night. It fades to daytime.

SC: 4 sec.


[00:04:16][00:04:31]

While Harv is giving his speech, the Theatrical Version shows the scene where Melody gets her acceptance letter for the job as a waitress.

In the Subterranean Cut, the Phantom watches Harv through the vents. He is then seen walking through the vents.

Theatrical Version: 36 sec.
SC: 29 sec.


[00:05:28][00:05:37]

After Karen's speech, the scene in which Melody gets her job offer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 35 sec.


[00:06:01][00:06:45]

After Suzie and Melody meet, the Theatrical Version shows a shot of Karen being watched by the Phantom through the vents.

The Subterranean Cut shows the Phantom walking through the hallways and disappearing down a hallway.

Theatrical Version: 4 sec.
SC: 7 sec.


[00:06:48][00:07:35]

As the audience applauds, the Theatrical Version shows the Phantom watching this through the vents. The Phantom runs through the aisles and disappears downstairs.

Theatrical Version: 26 sec.


[00:11:07][00:11:28]

In the Theatrical Version, Melody looks at the orchids in her locker.

The Subterranean Cut shows an alternate shot of her. She looks much more critical and appears frightened.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.
SC: 3 sec.


[00:13:31][00:13:52]

As the Phantom pushes the man's head against the fan, the Subterranean Cut shows another shot of the fan. Blood is spurting from it.

SC: 2 sec.


[00:13:45][00:14:08]

Before the Phantom drops the man, the Subterranean Cut shows another shot of the fan with blood spurting from it.

SC: 2 sec.


[00:18:58][00:19:23]

The Theatrical Version shows the guard's eye in the frozen yogurt mix.

The Subterranean Cut shows an alternate shot in which the eye is on the floor.

Theatrical Version: 6 sec.
SC: 7 sec.


[00:42:14][00:42:39]

After the Phantom picks up the dumbbell, the Subterranean Cut shows him working out in front of the mirror earlier in the next scene.

SC: 4 sec.


[00:48:49][00:49:18]

The Theatrical Version shows a brief shot of a burning cabinet falling on Eric before he lets go of Melody.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:48:57][00:49:26]

In the Subterranean Cut, this shot follows as Melody is already hanging from the roof.

SC: 1 sec.


[00:49:10][00:49:40]

The Theatrical Version shows Volker running to Melody. Then a cut to Melody.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[00:49:18][00:49:46]

In the Subterranean Cut, Volker pours gasoline on Melody. Cut to Melody. Volker tries to light the match.

SC: 6 sec.


[00:53:57][00:54:31]

The Subterranean Cut shows a black screen after the burning car was seen.

SC: 2 sec.


[01:01:34][01:02:10]

The severed head including the wriggling body of Volker can be seen longer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 1 sec.


[01:01:40][01:02:17]

Again, the severed head is seen a tiny bit longer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 1 sec.


[01:02:22][01:03:00]

Justin's severed head can be seen longer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 1 sec.


[01:02:25][01:03:03]

Again, the severed head of Justin is seen longer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 1 sec.


[01:07:24][01:08:03]

The Theatrical Version shows Buzz and Suzie hiding from the guard.

In the Subterranean Cut, the guard can be seen pulling his pants up.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec.
SC: 1 sec.


[01:08:24][01:09:03]

In the Theatrical Version, the Phantom and Melody are talking. The Phantom explains that he has been hiding here all this time. The Phantom wants to show Melody something.

The Subterranean Cut starts as the Phantom opens the closet.

Theatrical Version: 23 sec.


[01:21:11][01:21:27]

The impaled Karen is seen a little longer in the Subterranean Cut.

SC: 0,5 sec.


[01:21:17][01:21:33]

In the Theatrical Version, one of the guests shouts that something is at the ceiling.

In the Subterranean Cut, the shot of the impaled Karen is longer again. This is followed by an alternate shot as one of the guests shouts that there is something on the ceiling. The dead Karen is clearly visible in the foreground.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.
SC: 3 sec.


[01:24:21][01:24:38]

In the Subterranean Cut, we see the Phantom earlier using the flamethrower to set Harv on fire.

SC: 1 sec.