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Product Description
Beneath the sewers of the Paris Opera House, a masked figure dwells. He is Enrique (Lon Chaney), the Phantom, a hideously disfigured composer whose dream is to turn chorus singer Christine (Mary Philbin) into a diva. This adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel gave 'Man of a Thousand Faces' Lon Chaney his most famous role, and is celebrated today as one of the great classics of American silent film.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Along with Nosferatu this is the best horror film of the silent era. The film on this DVD has been produced by David Sheppard and has really good picture quality and quite a nice score. At the moment this is the best edition of the film availble in the UK. There is also a trailer of the films 1929 rerelease and an interesting 12 minute audio essay.
So why not five stars?.
Firstly I have deducted a star because there is an even better restoration of this film which could have been put on the DVD (By Photoplay Productions with a score by Carl Davis).
I am deducting another star because this is the 1929 re-issue with about twenty minutes of footage missing. The reason for this is that the re-issue version is the only one existing with superior picture quality. However on the American Milestone editon of this film both versions appear in the same set, so you are able to compare them. (You can choose between poor picture quality or scenes cut from the film).
This is still a worthwhile DVD to add to your collection, at least until some else releases a better region 2 edition.
So why not five stars?.
Firstly I have deducted a star because there is an even better restoration of this film which could have been put on the DVD (By Photoplay Productions with a score by Carl Davis).
I am deducting another star because this is the 1929 re-issue with about twenty minutes of footage missing. The reason for this is that the re-issue version is the only one existing with superior picture quality. However on the American Milestone editon of this film both versions appear in the same set, so you are able to compare them. (You can choose between poor picture quality or scenes cut from the film).
This is still a worthwhile DVD to add to your collection, at least until some else releases a better region 2 edition.
81 of 88 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This DVD is issued closely following in the wake of the Lloyd Weber release - the cover graphics are derivative at first glance.The copy of the movie transferred to this DVD is lacking 25% of the original image. Being thus clipped means the titles and intertitles (this is a silent movie) are either partially missing or half seen in an annoying and increasingly irritating manner. Goodness knows the history of this copy but it is not a good print at all. The music added to the movie is a hodge podge of orchestral and instrumental snippets that neither complement nor serve to enhance the impetus of the story. Not worth buying and this is one for all movie buffs to avoid. If I am not mistaken there was also a brief sequence in early colour in this movie. Perhaps I am wrong. What a disappointment all round.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By M. Bryan
Format:DVD
The music in the Cleopatra edition is pop music that is inappropriate and has very little to do with the film itself. I watched the whole thing in mute because I found the music was preventing me from enjoying film.
The Special Collector's edition has a very good soundtrack by Gabriel Thibaudeau; it also includes some of the music of the opera Faust (for the scenes where Christine is performing). I just watched that version and enjoyed the film much more.
Update on my review above:
Another reviewer (M. D. Hart) made the same complaint about the music. He's also referring to the Cleopatra Edition.
I wish Amazon would allow users to give reviews for different prints/releases of the same film. I tried to write another review specifically for the Special Collector's Edition in order to give it 5 stars, but I wasn't allowed to because I'd already written this review. So I'll just say it here: Special Collector's Edition 5 Stars.
The Special Collector's edition has a very good soundtrack by Gabriel Thibaudeau; it also includes some of the music of the opera Faust (for the scenes where Christine is performing). I just watched that version and enjoyed the film much more.
Update on my review above:
Another reviewer (M. D. Hart) made the same complaint about the music. He's also referring to the Cleopatra Edition.
I wish Amazon would allow users to give reviews for different prints/releases of the same film. I tried to write another review specifically for the Special Collector's Edition in order to give it 5 stars, but I wasn't allowed to because I'd already written this review. So I'll just say it here: Special Collector's Edition 5 Stars.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
mistaken identity
It was not the film I was looking for. I was not offered Andrew Lloyd Webber's film which I thought it would be and so it was not suitable for the person for whom it was bought as... Read more
Published 4 months ago by colin john reed
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Great film condition not so good"
My review is specific to this release.
Briefly Lon Chaney was a star character actor in silent films. Read more
Briefly Lon Chaney was a star character actor in silent films. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bob Marlowe
5.0 out of 5 stars
The phantom of the opera
First of all, I would like to comment on the 'Cleopatra edition' That many people have commented on and reviewed on this product. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jack Grimshaw
3.0 out of 5 stars
phantom of the opera
not bad its a silent film but ok for the very first film would recommend for those people who like
old films
old films
Published 17 months ago by topcat
5.0 out of 5 stars
My first silent film
I have loved the book for years and have wanted to watch this film. I took a gamble (i thought i might get bored by a silent film), afterall i am only fourteen. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kurn
2.0 out of 5 stars
phantom of the opera 1925
Ordered this for my son. He was very pleased with the DVD and the speed with which it was sent.
Published on 20 Jun 2010 by R. Findlay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly remarkable
This is easily one of the most a visually impressive silent films I have ever watched. From the lavish sets and extraordinary costumes to the magnificent score and eerie lighting. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by NELMES316
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ummm...
It didn't work for me, the music wasn't terrible for the imagery, but it was edited and chopped up, so you didn't get a song played all the way through. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2009 by Ellen B. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
an amazing classic
this is truly an amazing classic that really has inspired directors of this day. for 1925 it is amazing. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2008 by Marion Bedford
5.0 out of 5 stars
a true horror classic.
this is the film that really started the trend for horror films at universal; before "dracula," before "frankenstein," there was the original silent "phantom of the opera. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2007 by Mr. A. E. Ward Davies
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