It is obscure enough that, although it was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, it is not included in De Palma’s filmography on Entertainment Weekly’s website. It’s a film that bombed everywhere it was released except my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, (where it played for a year) and Paris, France.

He’s not wholly evil, but has been enslaved by someone who is: a cruel master who exploits his unique powers in order to further his own, evil ends.ĭarth Vader? Actually, it’s the Phantom of the Paradise, from Brian De Palma’s 1974 movie musical of the same name. He retreats to an egg-shaped chamber where he can meditate and find peace. The damage to his vocal cords means he breathes with an eerie rasp, and has a box with lights and switches on his chest to help modulate his voice. He’s a character of superhuman power and strength, clad in black leather and a flowing cloak, with a stylized helmet to cover hideous scars on his face. In which I argue that an obscure glamrock musical with a soundtrack by the man who wrote “The Rainbow Connection” was the inspiration for one of the greatest movie villains of all time.

Star wars space opera darth vader