The Belgrade Phantom

Great and unique movie. Even better if you know the background. To understand the "term" phantom in movie context you got to understand the real events that this film is depicting: I was only eight years old when phantom was chased by whole Belgrade police in Porsche he stole. I lived in one of the downtown streets of Belgrade where the Phantom was making fun of police in the famous chases, but I had never heard of him until the 80's (and be aware of the fact that kids know everything). For a good reason, since this sort of vigilante wasn't popular in such regime. It was Tito's regime of tyranny and fear when it comes to freedom of speech or even loud thinking. Police was right hand of such regime and strangler of every free thought. In order to give the clear message to the people, police was brutal and often judge and jury. You could be beaten and locked for giving a wrong look to the police officer in the street, without real chance to complain thereafter. In such country, police had no enemies, and police itself could be everybody's enemy if the one was not cautious. In such country, there was no crime. If any, SA police was always successful in getting criminals to justice and always very quick. This is why nobody wanted to take their chances against Tito's Praetorians. Nobody except Belgrade Phantom. We can only guess why this guy stole that Porsche and mocked whole almighty police of Belgrade for ten days in the heart of the communistic police state. Was he the guy who worshiped Ryan O'Neal as a "Driver"? Or a guy who just wanted to see how good car Porsche really is? We don't know that for sure but tend to doubt these. I think that the previous are cases when the event character wants to appropriate thing he has stolen or use for the reasons of material or other personal benefit, and Porsche at that time would certainly be good for that. However he definitely didn't steel the Porsche to make profit out of it. So, we know that he use it to baffle the police. Did he do that for personal reasons? Like only because he could? Many people today believe that he used it as a tool of his resistance that encapsulated suppressed reluctance to repression of every free minded citizen in that time Belgrade. That includes not only the ordinary eye witnesses that gathered in downtown to hail him every night, but many among police officers. In the country of poltroons and silent listeners in all social structures including army, media and diplomacy, he used the only skill he had to shake the system: driving. Even if his motives were completely different, Belgrade citizens of that time identified with him exactly for that reason and this is what we today love to believe. The movie tries to bring you the recreation of the event without casual manipulating in leading to final conclusion. That is performed by pretty unique combination of documentary cinema verite and feature film, almost perfectly. Downside is bad acting of minor roles. Also, casting could be better especially when it comes to leading role. All in all big 9 and must see, if you ask me!

I eagerly anticipated this movie for a long time. Beogradski Fantom, or the Belgrade Phantom was a legend from the late 70s. A young rebel and a wacko Vlada Vasiljevic, also known as Vlada Opel or Vasa Kljuc was thundering throughout Belgrade's streets for 10 or so days during 1979 in a stolen white Porsche. This is one of Belgrade's famous urban legends and something my parents and older friends told me so much about. That's why I was so impatient to see this movie, and maybe the reason why my disappointment was so huge.

The major problem isn't only a low budget or bad acting, which were imminent, but lack of information. It's obvious that the crew had best intentions and all the energy, it's just that they couldn't fill up a bit more than an hour with material. The story is cut through and through with interviews of people involved in the Phantom matter (the cops who chased him, his friends, his fans...) and for more than a half of the movie same few facts go on and on in circles. Not to mention illiterate taxi drivers and cops who repeat one sentence the entire time... it's so annoying. Apart from boring monologues, there is a certain amount of action scenes. Nice, but nothing more. This is where the low budget becomes visible.

Finally, the acting was a kiss of death. A very poor play by actors, often unconvincing and dull. Like a bad commercial. The Phantom himself remains silent during the whole time, not one single word, with a grumpy face weather he's chasing with the police or laying in his bed. Booooring!

The best part of the movie by far are the sequences of Belgrade from the 70s which roll in the opening titles. Probably made by the secret service or something, they depict many details of the era.

10 for effort and idea, 2-3 for the final product. Overall 5.

I saw the film two times in the movie theater and couldn't believe the previous comment! This is definitely one of the best Serbian films, especially in the last 15 years. This person must have personal reasons for his comment, because all of the reviews in the media, and what I heard people saying, including me is that this film is wonderful. Great mix of documentary and fiction, wonderful actors that really look like the authentic people, fantastic pictures, i loved it! I know the story of the Fantom from my parents, and it really didn't disappoint my expectations. Again, opposed to the previous comment, one of the strongest points of the film is the atmosphere, the actors, the photography and the interviews which are a true delight no only to me, but the whole movie theater was overwhelmed by their charm and wits. Sorry, but i recommend this film not only to those interested in Serbian film, but anyone in search of good cinema.

I expected much more from this movie...Yet I was disappointed in many ways...Urban legend of "Beogradski phantom" (Belgrade phantom) is used, and since I was teenager in late 70's I am recalling exactly that times. First, IMHO, there are lot of miscast in this movie. Characters are played without enough passion. Leading role (Phantom himself) is played emotionless - without face expression, without stress or anger or joy. What will feel the driver when is chased by dozen of police cars? Will he remain silent, expressionless and dumb? I doubt so! Also, chief of police is played not good enough - like he is some fruit-seller on the market. All chase-scenes were shot in the dark, pretending we see Belgrade in 1979! But still we can see street signs, exchange-office sign from modern times! Also, Phantom wears bad copy, clearly visible, of "ADIDAS" sport-shoes, with 4 stripes ! That was such mistake! Real ADIDAS is with 3 stripes, and in late 70's there were easy to buy original Adidas shoes in every shoe-shop! That was big mistake. Well, I really like beginning of the movie, with scenes taken from real documentaries, but lately, everything went sloppy. I gave 2/10 just because I like scenes taken from documentaries.

This movie is outstanding. The dark streets, the music, and the old buildings really give you the feeling like you are in the old Socialist Yugoslavia. It's really a blast from the past. The storyline is gripping, and fun to watch. There is not one spot in the movie that is boring. There were some flaws, like newer cars visible, modern apparel, modern buildings, but man... this movie really shows you how life was back in SFRY Yugoslavia! 10/10, I hope the same director makes plenty more movies. He definitely has the right image in his head, and hopefully he can make more movies taking place during the 1970's and 1980's of Yugoslavia. Really great movie, that's all I can say.