When Does the Film "The Phantom" (1996) Take Place?
"The Phantom" is a historical fiction superhero film written by Jeffrey Boam [adapting "The Phantom" storylines "The Singh Brotherhood" (1936) as well as "The Sky Band" (1937) and "The Belt" (1954) all by Lee Falk] and released June 7th, 1996.
It takes place in the years:
We know this because after the prologue, there is immediately a time and place setting title card over the footage that reads, “BENGALLA JUNGLE 1938”.
1938 AD - 1939 AD
We know this because after the prologue, there is immediately a time and place setting title card over the footage that reads, “BENGALLA JUNGLE 1938”.
Much later, there is a banner hanging on the front of the building at the beginning and the end of the “Museum of World History” sequence that clearly says "1939".
Additionally, the film “You & Me” (1938) is advertised on a marquee in the background of a New York City street scene. It premiered in New York City on June 1st, 1938 AD.
Finally, in the boardroom scene, Xander Drax declares that “Europe and Asia are on the brink of self-annihilation” strongly implying the first stages of the famous and tragic Spanish Civil War (which started in 1936 AD) and the Second Sino-Japanese War (which started in 1937 AD) as a backdrop.
Finally, the film opens with a prologue recounting the origin story of the first Phantom, and the accompanying narration only dates the events to "400 years ago". That puts it at roughly 1538 AD.
1938 - 400 = 1538.
