Phantasm Exhumed: The Unauthorized Companion

by Dustin McNeill, Angus Scrimm (Introduction)

"... a glorious retrospective on the film franchise that put the fear of the "Tall Man in every horror fan's heart." - HorrorHound Magazine

“Dustin McNeill's PHANTASM EXHUMED is a much-needed, long overdue tribute to these seminal films. Equal parts erudite examination and enthusiastic love-letter, this book provides an in-depth history and a wealth of obscure information that even the most hardcore fan will find fascinating. Engaging, compulsive reading. I highly recommend it!" - Brian Keene, bestselling author of THE RISING, GHOUL, and THE LAST ZOMBIE

READY YOUR SHOVELS for PHANTASM EXHUMED, the first book on the making of the PHANTASM franchise. Featuring more than sixty new interviews with cast, crew, effects creators and studio executives, EXHUMED takes readers behind the scenes of the franchise that catapulted the Tall Man into the annals of horror iconography. Trace PHANTASM’s history from forerunners JIM THE WORLD’S GREATEST and KENNY & COMPANY through to OBLIVION and beyond. Contained within are the classic tales of PHANTASM lore along with production stories never before told by the filmmakers. Careful what you look for... you just might find it within this book!

PHANTASM EXHUMED - An Introduction by Angus Scrimm - Exhaustive coverage of the film productions - More than 250 rare photographs, many never-before-seen - Information on deleted scenes and script changes - Unprecedented insights into effects, props & set construction - Rare letters, memos and production artifacts - Excerpts from Angus Scrimm’s 1977 set journals - Sections on Phantasm 1999, the 2005 remake and Phantasm Forever - New details and photos from the upcoming Ravager! - Tips and tricks for better embalming (just kidding)

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Horror, Media Tie In

268 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2014

About the author

Dustin McNeill is the author of eight books released through Harker Press. A lifelong genre fan, he began his writing career in the pages of HorrorHound Magazine before publishing his first book in 2014. Titled Phantasm Exhumed, this franchise companion was warmly received by fans and filmmakers alike, which encouraged the author to continue his writing efforts. In 2019, he teamed with co-author Travis Mullins for the best-selling and critically acclaimed Taking Shape book series, which the pair followed up in 2022 with Reign of Chucky: The True Hollywood Story of a Not So Good Guy. In 2023, Dustin penned yet another solo effort with House of Rejects: The Making of Rob Zombie's Firefly Trilogy. He has contributed supplemental material to multiple Phantasm and Chucky boxsets by Arrow Video and Scream Factory. In 2024, Dustin recorded an official audio commentary for Via Vision Entertainment's Blu-ray release of the original Halloween II.

Reviews

[M.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for Phantasm fans. Probably tedious of anyone else.

This is a great book for hard core Phantasm fans, but was a dry, slow read. Worth it for anyone with a strong interest in the movies or movie making in general.

[Joe Aguiar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is a fun and informative love letter to one of the most beloved horror franchises of all time, Phantasm! It traces Don Coscarelli's entry into filmmaking with his first features, before beginning a look back at the making of the original, classic Phantasm film, with a host of stories, anecdotes and pictures from many of the cast and crew. McNeill then discusses the erratic and sometimes lengthy periods of time between each sequel and the making of those sequel themselves. It's a fascinating look at low budget filmmaking and big studio interference, such as the replacing of series regular A. Michael Baldwin with James LeGros in Phantasm II. There are even shared entries from the personal journal of The Tall Man himself, Angus Scrimm! The author ends his tale right as the rumblings began for the fifth and final (?) entry Phantasm: Ravager...but that is another story and book! Overall, it's an entertaining and in-depth look at the making of this legendary film series and of the passion of it's creator in getting his movies made. A must have for fans...or should I say Phans!

[Jeff Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every true Phantasm fan must read this book. McNeill takes you back to the beginning, when Don Coscarelli was just a kid, amazing people with his vision and film making skills. You see how Phantasm came to life, from a vague idea in his head to the phenomenon it became.
I saw the movie when I was 13 years old, and two scenes: the one of the flying sphere embedding itself into foreheads, and the scene of a brief glimpse of the red planet, fired my imagination and stayed with me throughout my entire childhood...and beyond. This book brings that move, and the entire franchise, to life. Duncan McNeill does such a great job introducing you to the folks that created Phantasm, and by the end of the book you feel like you have been on the journey with them, from Phantasm to Ravager.
It's a truly amazing ride.

[Nutkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! So many great stories & pieces of trivia about the series, particularly the first four films. It was me want to immediately rewatch each film now that I have a deeper understanding of what was happening or alternate lines that were considered.

[Shaun Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep-dive into the first 4 instalments of the cult franchise.
Not enough on the technical how-to's to be instructional enough and perhaps too niche in its interviews with the series regulars to be of much interest to those not in the know.
that said, if you're a Phan then this is an absolute must

[Elizabeth Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phive stars.

This was a phantastic book, very phun to read. Any Phantasm phan will love it (seriously).

Okay, I'm done. Phor now :).

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun if you are a fan of the series, which I am. I learned some really neat things about the cast and crew as well.

[John Conkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

No interview or insight from the creator of the series, Don Coscarelli, really hurts the book. On the plus side, shows the down and dirty truth of low budget filmmaking.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for any Phan!