Original 1979 - Phantasm - UK Quad Poster

🎬 PHANTASM (1979)

Original UK Quad Poster – First Release
Format: UK Quad (30 x 40 in)
Country: United Kingdom
Distributor: GTO Films
Certificate: X
Year of Issue: 1979

🖼️ Poster Description

This is an original UK quad for Don Coscarelli’s cult horror classic Phantasm, one of the defining titles of late-1970s American supernatural horror. UK quads for Phantasm are notoriously scarce and are one of the most desirable European posters for the film due to their unique artwork and small original distribution run.

Design & Artwork

The quad is dominated by the film’s surreal and nightmarish imagery, rendered in lurid, high-contrast illustration typical of British horror advertising in the late 1970s:

• Primary Composition:
  The artwork is framed within a tombstone-shaped border—an iconic touch unique to the UK quad—symbolising death, the supernatural, and the eerie tone of the film.

• Top Tagline:
  “If this one doesn’t scare you… You’re Already Dead!”
  One of the most famous tag-lines from the video nasties / late-70s horror cycle.

• Central Imagery:

  • The chrome sentinel sphere, complete with blades, dominates center stage—a hallmark of Phantasm’s visual identity.

  • Above it, young Michael appears suspended mid-air, as if being pulled into the nightmare world.

  • The Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) emerges below, menacingly positioned with his signature deathly stare.

  • Hooded figures (the robed dwarves) surround the sphere, adding to the atmosphere of dread.

  • The right side features a distorted, screaming face, highlighting the psychological horror aspect.

• Colour Palette:
  Warm, oppressive reds fading into black borders—evoking fire, blood, and the dream-like terror that defines the film.

• Credit Block:
  Includes:

  • Written and Directed by: Don Coscarelli

  • Produced by: D.A. Coscarelli

  • Music: Fred Myrow & Malcolm Seagrave

  • Cast: Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Reggie Bannister, Kathy Lester, and Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man

  • Distributed in the UK by GTO Films

  • “CERTIFICATE X” printed (pre-1990 British classification), confirming original theatrical release.

• Soundtrack Note:
  “Soundtrack Album available on GEM Records” — another indicator of first-release authenticity.

⭐ Collectability & Rarity

The Phantasm UK quad is one of the most coveted European posters for the title, due to:

• Extremely low UK print run (limited theatrical play)

• Unique artwork not used on any U.S. posters

• Strong and enduring cult following

• Horror genre boom in collectability

• Tall Man and Sentinel Sphere imagery—instantly recognisable and market-driving

Original 1979 quads rarely surface in high grade. Many surviving copies exhibit heavy fold wear or are from cinema recycling lots.

This title consistently sells to three overlapping collector groups:
Horror collectors, video-nasty era collectors, and 1970s cult cinema collectors.

📜 Condition Assessment:

• Listed in Very Fine condition.

• Normal original fold lines visible (as issued)

• Some crease stress and minor fold wear

• No major tears or stains visible

• Colours remain strong and unfaded

• Paper looks correctly aged with no restoration visible

• Displays extremely well