Phenomena

Year:

1985

Duration:

110 min | 116 min (integral version) | USA:110 min (re-release) | USA:82 min (edited version)

Genres:

Horror | Mystery

IMDB rate:

6.9

Director:

Dario Argento

Awards:

1 nomination

Details

Country: Italy

Release Date: 1985-08-02

Filming Locations: Wesendonck Villa, Rietberg Museum, Zurich, Switzerland

Earnings

Budget: $3,800,000

Gross: €203,657 (Spain) Admissions 515,034 (Italy)

Cast

Actor

Character

Donald Pleasence

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Corvino

Daria Nicolodi

Frau Brückner

Fiore Argento

Vera Brandt

Federica Mastroianni

Sophie

Fiorenza Tessari

Gisela Sulzer

Dalila Di Lazzaro

Headmistress

Patrick Bauchau

Inspector Rudolf Geiger

Alberto Cracco

UBS Bank Teller

Kaspar Capparoni

Karl, Sophie's Boyfriend (as Gaspare Capparoni)

Mario Donatone

Morris Shapiro

Antonio Maimone

EEG Doctor

Davide Marotta

Patua, Bruckner Child

Fulvio Mingozzi

Mr. Sulzer

Francesca Ottaviani

Nurse

Michele Soavi

Kurt, Geiger's Assistant

Franco Trevisi

Real Estate Agent

Fausta Avelli

Schoolgirl

Franca Berdini

Teacher

Marta Biuso

Schoolgirl

Marisa Simonetti

Schoolgirl

Geraldine Thomas

Schoolgirl

Tanga

Inga

Nick Alexander

Real Estate Agent

Dario Argento

Narrator (Italian version) (voice) (uncredited)

Sophie Bourchier

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Carolyn De Fonseca

Frau Brückner

Paola Gropper

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Ninke Hielkema

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Mitzy Orsini

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Director Dario Argento said that his idea for the look of the killer child came from the real genetic disorder Patau Syndrome, which causes severe deformation of the face. For this reason, Argento calls the child Patau, even though he is never named during the film.

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Jennifer Connelly said in an interview that she was bitten by the chimp in this film. Apperently during one scene the chimp kept turning around and Dario Argento, not wanting to film her behind, asked Connelly to place her hand on the animal to stop her from turning. But when she attempted to do so, the chimp became enraged and bit her; and then became very hostile toward Connelly for the rest of the film.

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Jennifer Connelly had part of her finger bitten off by the chimpanzee in the final scene at the end of the film. She was rushed to the hospital and the finger was re-attached.

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Goofs

Lots of the scenes with the larvae, the amount of the larvae changes. One good example is the 'glove', there's first only three larvae on it which she also seems to shook off, then later on when inspecting it under the microscope it seems to be filled with larvae.

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(at around 1h 35 mins) When Jennifer finds the small boy, she removes a sheet from a mirror. In the next shot the sheet is draped back over the mirror again.

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(at around 45 mins) The professor's comments about the hyperactive behavior of his insects are accompanied by close-ups of different bugs moving around in their cages very quickly. However, in close-ups of Jennifer listening to him, many of the same bugs can be seen in their cages behind her, and they are completely still.

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Quotes

Frau Brückner: [attempts to kill Jennifer with a slide] He was diseased; but he was my son! And you have... Why didn't I kill you before? I killed that no-good inspector and your professor friend, to protect him! And now... I'm gonna KILL YOU TO AVENGE HIM! Why don't you call your INSECTS! GO ON! CALL! CALL!

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Faq

Q

What are the differences between the R-Rated Version and the Original Italian Version?

A

In the US, approx. 30 minutes from Dario Argento's "Phenomena" were cut out to get an R-Rating. Beside some removed violent and plot scenes, a lot of shots are shortened plus there's a bit alternate footage in it. It's very likely that most of the cuts were made to reduce the length. A detailed comparison between both versions with pictures can be found here. In Britain the R-Rated cut was released by Palace Premiere on VHS and was even more censored, because two additional scenes were removed. A detailed comparison between this VHS and the R-Rated Version with pictures can be found here.In the UK, the movie was released on DVD by a company called Platinum Media. The first pressing features a censored version. Approx. 6 minutes are missing. As always one can find a detailed comparison with pictures here.

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