Fântomas was a character that first appeared in a series of 32 pre-WWI French thrillers written by Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain.

Also known as Lord of Terror and The Genius of Evil, Fântomas was an arch-criminal who's sole purpose it would seem was to terrorise the bourgeois society in which he moved by carrying out horrific crimes such as releasing plague-infested rats on an ocean liner, forcing a victim to witness his own execution by placing him face-up in a guillotine (nice touch) or by substituting sulfuric acid in the perfume dispensers at a Parisian department store. Fântomas' crimes are scenes of complete horror - and he always manages to escape justice every time.

The cinematic version of Fântomas first appeared in a French Silent Film Serial (1913-1914). An American version of this serial was then produced in 1920-21. The first full length Fântomas movie with sound was released in 1931 and then two remakes of the Fântomas films were produced in France in 1946 and 1949.

The music on this CD comes from the trilogy of Fântomas movies that were produced in the mid-60s. All three were directed by André Hunebelle and starred Jean Marais as Fântomas (and also his pursuer, Journalist Jérôme Fandor).

Also includes bonus tracks - one of 'em being a cool Fântomas theme remix by Nicholas Errera.

Packaging & Liner Notes
CD: Classy digipack. Superb booklet (French and English language) containing background info.