FANTOMAS RETURNS!: THE FANTOMAS TRILOGY. 1964-67 (LIMITED EDITION)

Created by crime writers Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre, the criminal mastermind Fant mas 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 Andr Hunebelle's beloved Fant mas 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, Fant mas seeks revenge on J r me 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 Fun s), bumbling commissaire of the Parisian police. In Fant mas 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, Fant mas vs Scotland Yard transports Fandor and Juve to an old dark house when Fant mas 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 Fant mas films are colourful adventures featuring breathtaking stuntwork, sweeping scores by Michel Magne and standout performances by comedian Louis de Fun s, one of the most beloved figures in the history of French cinema. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the Fant mas trilogy on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK. LIMITED EDITION TWO-DISC BLU-RAY SPECIAL 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 Fant mas 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 Fant mas with genre film expert and Video Watchdog founder Tim Lucas New audio commentary on Fant mas Unleashed with film historian and author David Kalat New audio commentary on Fant mas vs Scotland Yard with film historian and author David Kalat International Supercrooks - new interview with Leon Hunt on Fant mas and his connection to other European supervillains in the 1960s Juve and De Fun s - new interview with French cinema expert Mary Harrod on Louis de Fun s, French comedy and the Fant mas trilogy Fant mas vs Fant mas - new video essay on the evolution of Fant mas in cinema by Radio Times editor Calum Baker Original theatrical trailers