Phantasm: Zombie Movie or Not?
Where do we draw the line on what is and what is not a zombie movie? We just can’t decide on our own, so every Monday we’ll post a new movie to be debated by, you, our readers and ask the question: Zombie Movie Or Not? Every Sunday we’ll post our findings and possibly strike that movie off our Zombie Movie List. The week should give you enough time to rent the movie if need be or you desire.
What every reader must keep in mind is that there are two basic types of zombie that every zombie movie based off of – the Voodoo Zombie and the Romero Zombie. The Voodoo Zombie, while not always raised by Voodoo necessarily, is basically a person, either undead or entranced, that is controlled by a person or entity for the purpose of completing tasks, often killing. Romero Zombies are basically mindless, flesh-eating undead whose bite will turn victims into zombies. Now, not all movies adhere to all of these rules, but if the basics are there, you got a zombie movie.
This weeks debate is over Phantasm (1979) Directed by Don Coscarelli.
IS: The Tall Man (aka the undertaker) resurrects dead bodies and turns them into his dwarven slaves, thus they are both voodoo AND Romero zombies.
IS NOT: It’s unclear whether the dwarves are really zombies or some sort of beings from an alien world – if they really were zombies why did they shrink to half their size?
Now it’s up to you, reader. What do you think? Phantasm: Zombie Movie Or Not?
Comments(11)
ttly not a xombie flik
this move is Grade A E.A.F.!!!
(esoteric as fuck)
the tall man is a descendant of the nephilim existing primarily in the Hollow Earth
thems little guys are dwarves!!
the only thing missing was some dinosaurs!! :D
Not a zombie movie. I didn’t care for this movie at all.
I never thought to consider this before, but it merits discussion.
I think it could technically be zombie-related, but the dwarves play such a small role in the movie that it doesn’t really count.
NOPE, not any kind of zombie movie. I kinda had this one on my own zombie movie list for years, but no, I really don’t consider it a zombie movie at all.
not a zombie movie
Fun movie to watch (saw it recently at the last Flashback Weekend), but not a zombie movie.
I’ve been mulling it over the last few days and have been eagerly reading everyone’s responses.
I am going to say Zombie movie, but only marginally so. There’s no denying that the dead are coming back to life and are little bastards who do attack people.
Going to have to give this movie a “no”.
what a film, but not a zed as we understand them in sight, in my humble opinion…
Nope, nope and nope.
i never even imagined thinking of Phantasm as a zombie movie!
no.
not a zombie movie.