Modern viewers not used to silent films will be surprised at how easy it is to watch this film. It is taut with complex themes and fabulously acted, designed, and written. Clearly, Phantom is one of the greatest silent films ever made. There is too much to write about this classic.
BEST PHANTOM OF THE OPERA MOVIE FULL
The setting of an opera house full of props and stage structures adds a point of realism to the film that would otherwise be lost. The film also boasts an excellently choreographed chase scene at the end, full of action, drama, and twists and turns. Additionally, the film is a morality tale warning people about the dangers of excessively pursuing success.
This specific film is undoubtedly a case study in the classic haunted house tale, although this house is for operas and not the traditional domesticated abode. The story is a classic romance of unrequited love cast in a beauty vs. The beauty of Phantom is the volume of its archetypal themes. at the very least-this film has some of the best outdoor camerashots on early film.Īt least five film remakes have been made since this original classic horror. and it could do without some of the characters multiple appearances (competing singers mom for example), and could have had a more logical ending(how all those people so far away and on foot, kept right up with that horse drawn carriage driving at a breakneck pace, i'll never know- especially after already having stormed through tunnels and water to get back outside to chase said carriage), but all that being said-it is a visual feast at best, overlong and overacted at worst, but is worth watching -to at least see how a director of photography best does his/her job. the acting styled along the same lines as most silent films is over-hammed (even by chaney) in a lot of places. the story itself is unnecessarily overlong, as well as fairly slow-paced.
BEST PHANTOM OF THE OPERA MOVIE MOVIE
but that is about where this movie and i (sa well as most of the people reviewing here ) part ways. the background scenery is often breathtaking, and the leading lady is gorgeous. the make-up used to heighten the evil, anger, and sorrow wrapped within this character cannot be given enough praise.
The phantom of the opera with lon chaney- is the only version of this story that is watchable. Looking forward to a full-size theater showing around Halloween with complete theater organ accompaniment! It's a fact that Chaney and Julian did NOT get along, and I've heard that it was actually Chaney himself who directed the unmasking scene (and who also insisted that all advance advertising had the unmasked Phantom's face covered). Nonetheless wanted to give the film 5 stars for what saves and immortalizes: Chaney's performance alone and the wonderfully creepy, shadowy atmosphere it portrays. Lest I sound like a blind admirer, know that I very much disliked the oft-mentioned "wooden" performances of Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry (Christine and Raoul respectively), as well as the botched, horrible direction by the mediocre director Rupert Julian, or the tragical re-editing and cutting of the original footage. For all the jaded folks used to modern CGI and horror effects, NO one still has accomplished anything like The Man of 1,000 faces Lon Chaney did here. My father first saw the original release in 1925 as an 11-year-old boy, and confirmed that the audiences indeed were scared out of their wits with screams, faintings, and general histronics. To fully appreciate it, one must try to avoid being over-exposed to the now-commonly-seen unmasked face of the Phantom, and know something about the times in which it was made. A must-see film for anyone who loves the REAL Phantom of the Opera, Lon Chaney, horror film history, or all of the above! I finally watched this movie again after 24 years of Chaney's Phantom scaring me nearly to death but I love the Phantom character and love silent movies, so I'm glad love conquered all and I finally got to see it AND enjoy it!