Phantom of the Paradise a Winnipeg favourite

WINNIPEG – 40 years after the film was released, Phantom of the Paradise is still winning hearts in Winnipeg.

“Our DVD is pretty much worn out we actually went and bought the Blu Ray just recently so we can watch it again,” said Ilona Funk.

The horror musical is about a man who sells his soul for rock’n’roll. It was a success in Winnipeg but was a box-office failure almost everywhere else.

“Not many things in Winnipeg take a hold…. but this one it just has that feel to it,” said Funk.

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Over 20,000 copies were sold in Winnipeg, where the film was screened for months after it was released.

“It’s played a big role in our lives,” said Funk who used the film’s soundtrack as one of her wedding songs.

“I liked it ever since I first saw it back in ’74,”  said Darren Hunter, another fan who has watched it over 50 times. “We’re all 70’s kids, this is how we spent our Saturday afternoons, watching Phantom of the Paradise. 

Brian De Palma’s 1974 film will have a series of 40th anniversary screenings at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre on Saturday, all of which are sold out.