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  • "Everyone dies, I just choose the time and place for a few."

    Best line ever!

  • If he has already been able to have a normal face (he made the mask) then why bother haunting anyone? Wouldn't Erik be happy to have a normal face and try to make his life worthwhile?

  • as soon as the unmasking was shown my head started hurting. Scary...

  • I didn't like this movie. Robert Englund put in a good performance as the Phantom, and Christine wasn't bad, but the whole plot was just so terrible. I was a bit shocked (but not unhappy) when the Phantom killed Raoul- that just had to happen eventually, with all the Phantom versions made. And I laughed out loud when the Phantom asks the mugger, "Is this what you wanted?" and then slaps him in the face with the bag of money. But on the whole, I wouldn't watch it again.

  • @phangirl1986 Pfft, like any experienced phan watches The little known phantom movies, for anything other then Erik. XD Lest that's how it feels.

  • 1:27 its like robert didnt expect the question so he had to think about it

  • 6:28 either say HERES FREDDY! or Jack The Ripper

  • 1:36

    ...is it me or does he make a "d'aww" face when he sais that?XD

  • @F4nGiRL Yes, he dose look a little regretful. If you listen closely, you can hear the emotion in his voice. I also noticed, that most times, when he speaks to Christine his voice is youthful and beautiful, but other times it is horse or bitter, as if he was hiding his more, frightening voice. It seems like that was in the book or in another movie, I lost track.

  • @MissCrabyCake In the book, the Persian says that Erik's voice can change from melodious, gentle and heavenly to loud, frightening and monstrous. So that's just another element of Leroux's that they put into the movie, which we need to see more of in Phantom adaptations.

  • @Razor9350 True, very true. I had forgotten about that (Or rather I didn't think about it) while watching this scene.

  • Imagine a Hunchback movie with Kane Hodder as Quasimodo.

  • I figured it out! Erik lives forever therefore his music lives forever. Erik describes it himself when he talks with Christine about his music. Like he says, he IS the music.

  • This Phantom movie's idea was usd in Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre films. The killer, Leatherface, skins his victims as well.

  • Robert Englund is great in this, and kudos for presenting a fairly realistic deformity. It's 500x better than the Gerard Butler's "disfigurement." I also love the fact that they chose a man who's not conventionally attractive to fill the shoes of Erik. They need to do that more often. I have an issue with pretty Phantoms (even though I love the Charles Dance version).

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  • Haha. This spoiled everything but still I almost can't wait to see this! :D That looked pretty cool even though somewhat nonsense indeed. But especially the visuality caught my interest + Englund kicks ass & that Phantom indeed had some awesome lines... Must. See. This. I meant to watch this back in 2005 when I became a phan but oh well. Better late than never.

  • the rat catcher reminds me of Renfield from Dracula.

  • Is This What You Waunted Bang best scene

  • Dwarves were used in Opera for comic relief.

    Hope that helps with the whole 'Midgets keep randomly popping up in Phantom movies' issue.

  • at the end where his face comes off he looks like Freddy Kruger lol

  • @DuffBassGNR2 coincidence or not?

  • how gay

  • I'm kind of glad Carlotta dies in this version. She's such a bitch, she deserves it.

  • I love that line: "Tonight, your name is Christine".

  • This is my favorite review! :D I love your voice and the way you're like "OMG RAOUL DIES!!?!?" lol. I have had this movie for years and still haven't watched it yet because my mom's a bible-thumper and apparently watching this movie is going to make our house possessed :P But this video has made me even more convinced to watch it anyways lol

  • No need to diss the Bible

  • Who said anything about "diss"ing the bible? I was "diss"ing my mother.

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  • You are difinately a dedicated fan clearly. I haven't been so lucky as to find a copy of the novel yet, but I definately want to. Right after I finish up with Dracula. Thanks for all this cool info about which movies would be good too.

  • This is the only "different" version that i like....Some things bother me- like the prostitute thing (it was unnecessary....nudity and phantom do not mix- lust is great-actual sex is not)

    Robert was wonderful in this, and i like the fact that a lot of things were based on the book (moreso than most versions)

    Honestly though...every time i see/read a version of POTO i can never understand why Christine is so horrified by him- I wouldnt mind staying in the lair- but thats just me.

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  • @XOAceyOX Well, besides the fact that he is a mad man he is also a mass murderer....That's two reasons to be horrified by him. Not only that, how often do you see a face like Erik's? I'd be a little overwhelmed myself.

  • I've noticed another thing that pops up a lot in Phantom films: pervy guys in charge of the opera house! We've got D'arcy in the 1962 movie, the Frederick Forsythe Baron in the 1983 film, Bill Nighy's Carlotta-fancying character in this version & the paedophile from the Argento version.

  • Sequel Sequel Sequel !!!!!!!

  • Does anybody else LOVE the Inspector in this version? He kicks such ass!

  • I read an article about this script. They wanted to use a chandelier crash, and it was written in the original script, but their budget was cut short and they couldn't afford it. The same article I read discussed the sequel plans, and I agree with you, the sequel sounded pretty bad ass.

  • XDXDXDXD ahh I love this. haha Raoul died that brightened my day!

  • I thought this movie was great, except for the New York scenes and the Faustian back story. I had no idea the Freddy Kreuger guy could actually act, but he was incredible in this role, especially in the graveyard scene and in his lair after.

    I wonder, though, do you think they were playing around with Jack the Ripper a bit? They made Erik a serial killer who mutilates his victims, and the hat and cloak in the scene with the robbers... It just screamed "Jack" to me...

  • well the hat and cloak outfit are part of the origional phantom outift, like the mask and red death costume. not sure about the mutilating part haha. i thought the faust was pretty creative once i learned what faust was about

  • @FatalBellman Englund was also in a disney channel movie called the Paper Brigade...his character is actually quite funny....

  • Carlotta and Raoul die!

  • Raoul dies?! WHAT THE HELL! NO! That is SO WRONG! I am so NOT going to watch this version!

  • Yeah, I'm pretty upset that Raoul dies too. :( But this is an incredible film adaptation-one of my favorite versions actually. I recommend you see it at least once.

  • haha i'm not! i love this movie

  • Despite the general nature of the film, I think it's worth watching. If you observe Erik's character, and if you can put aside the fact that it was written primarily as a slasher film, it's certainly worth your time. Raoul's death is an inconvenience, yes. But not worth disregarding the film altogether. besides, with all this time hopping stupidity Raoul wouldn't have gotten Christine anyway. It gives me a headache just thinking about it...

  • Dwarves are ....part of freakshows and so was Erik supposedly ...? And Turkish baths are a nod to his work in Mazenderan and Constantinople? *shrugs* Good question really...

    I agree though, Englund's performance was amazing... He did a good job mixing the childish, romantic, and amoral elements of the character, at least as Leroux wrote him. Though I figured I would hate this flick, I actually enjoyed it very much because of him. :)

  • erik wasnt a dwarf, Hes supposed to be abnormally tall.

  • One problem. You didn't say anything about spoilers. But hell I'm not going to watch this anyway lol

  • Don't all of the phantom films mend the same way?

  • Not this one. Raoul has never died before lol; nor as Carlotta lol

  • I LOVE your reviews! So witty, and I couldn't agree with you more!

  • Yeah you are SO subscribed to! These reviews have been so AWESOME so far! And very amusing. ^_^

    Thanks for doing them PR.

  • I think I'm now going to bring a midget with me where ever I go in attempt to attract the Phantom's attention.

    Also, the Rat-Catcher reminds me of Renfeild in Dracula.

    And the best part is that Raoul actually dies. I wish they would've made the sequel. It would've/should've been a hit.

    Anyway, fantastic video!

  • this isn't a bad version from the looks of it but why does it have to be so gory!!! xxxxx

  • Actually it's really tame for it's time, which works in the movie's favor. They sacrificed buckets of blood for atmosphere, that puts it head and shoulders above the hacknslash films it was unfairly categorized with.

  • hey P.R... i'm just wondering if you've read 'Angel of the Opera', where Erik meets Sherlock Holmes (who is called in to investigate all of the goings-on at the Paris Opera).

    it's actually quite good, much better than F. Forsythe's book and most other fanfic i've read :-P

  • That's a great book.  Perhaps one of my favourite pastiches.

  • I just realized...bill naghy, IE Victor from Underworld and master of a thousand awesome roles and accents, is in this movie.

  • Haven't seen this version in years. I really should watch it again.

  • He reminds me of Robin Williams, kinda.

  • I think the devil in this movie is also in the Gerald Butler version. I could be mistaken though

  • I don't think so - although you could think of the fair owner in Erik's flashback as a devil.

  • I somehow get the idea that she was killed by the mirror smashing.

  • just amazing the masquarade scene if lloyd webber puts music to this version this phantom would ROCK!!!! SCREW 2004 VERSION

  • He's sooo hot in the fight scene. xD I love the way he stands to the side and his cape goes "whoosh" behind him. :x

    I'm such a loser. lol. ^.^

  • No you're not, I thought the same thing <333

  • I actually think Robert Englund is a pretty intense actor. He is pretty passionate in this movie. Grant it the movie is rather crappy but he is actually good in it.

  • If he was given a script like that of the original novel or at least similar to the Lon Chaney version - then yes, I agree. Robert would be a good choice for the role. Although, I do think there are other actors who could bring more depth and other sides of the character to play. Michael Crawford would be fantastic as he perfectly captures Erik's sensitive, loving, and at the end, remorseful side.

  • Hey, I just saw your reply comment. Yes, I suppose you could add Michael to the list of kickass actors in the Phantom role. And yes, he gives Erik plenty of humanistic qualites, something that Robert didn't do as much, and it definately reminds the audience that he's human too. However, you can't compare these two guys, depth wise, because their interpretations are so different. I just appreciate them both because they each introduce a side of Erik that's essential to create the original Erik.

  • I suppose your right. Oh btw, to PhantomReviewer, I don't think Leroux ever mentions a Turkish bath in the original novel. He mentions Erik working in Persia for the Shah as well as working for the Sultan of Turkey, but that's all.

  • When you talk about how Erik's deal with the devil midget dude got turned around, it actually was explained, by Erik himself, when he talks about actually BEING the music. His music became immortal because he is immortal. You're right, though...read the fine print on anything you sign with blood. Seriously.

  • Ha, Ha! Nice Sweeney Todd reference.

  • Nice sweeney reference :)

  • :D I love the clips of the Chaney version you keep using to express his emotions, like him clapping his hands in delight when Raoul dies or when he leans against the wall looking exhausted at "Eugh, I need a drink...", very cleverly done :D

    This is one of the only film adaptations I haven't seen of Phantom and it looks really quite good, I must try and see it sometime...

  • It's funny that you bring up the direction. This was directed by Dwight H. Little, who also directed Halloween 4, one of the best Halloween movies. He really knows how to make film look great on a low budget.

  • i watched this movie many time...Robert Englund is a great actor but everything else was rubbish!

  • o________________o

    RAOUL DIES! yay

    Defo Need To see this

    Gimme Gimme Gimme The Link

    Pleeeeeasssse!

    Anyone? c:

  • Now I have to see this movie. Especially the scene where Raoul dies. =D

  • ok one thing that puzles me is how does she know his face isn't real at the end? coz even though she remembers everything when she sees the floppy how would she know his face is a mask and how would she know she could just rip it off like that

  • I wish I knew ur name this is the best youtube phantom account by far thank u!!!!!!!!!!!!! This version is very bazare but thats what makes it sooooo great i LOVE the phantom and I have seen almost every version of the phantom=) ur phantom voice is soooooooo awesome I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thank Y ou 4 posting this and making a phantom account

    PhantomPhan

  • I wish they made a sequel! This movie is brilliant, and my #1 favorite so far (I've seen many, not all yet) They really took the story to new heights!

  • hehe they should definetly make the sequel.

    That woud be awesome. Too bad they probably won't. I don't understand why they keep making awfull movies.

  • wow. that plot really really sucks. Erik selling his soul to the devil? That's faust. Okay, this is very random. But the "Rat-Catcher" sounds like Mr. Beaver from Narnia. Wonderful review, though. Thoroughly funny. :D

  • Raoul dies?!

    I'll have to see this version!!

  • I second that thought!! xD

  • they should make an anime version of phantom of the opera, and it that version the chick should be italian and her boyfriend should be in the mafia, that way the phantom would battle the mafia.

  • I was in greade school when this film came out, they promoted it like it was a nightmare on elmstreet films

  • What first struck me about Mr. Englund's Phantom was the hands. When he's down in his home sewing skin on his face, you get some closeups of his hands. Yeah... he has nice hands.

    Then there's his voice. He has a niiiice voice. Basic requirement for a Phantom. But you never know just how nice it is, since most have only seen him as Freddy. And somehow, the softer tone he uses makes the quipy lines just THAT much better. He also adds a touch of the Nerd to his Erik, which I just LOVE.

  • Frankly, I dunno why Christine didn't just go with it at the end. Hell, I'd take him.

    And I think that the face at the end was actually due to that big fire. He wasn't decomposing, he just got seriously burned. In more ways than one.

    And the destroying of the music... hell, he had an ENTIRE SOUND SYSTEM and his music on BACKUP. I doubt those were the only copies. And once he gets to the Internet age, his music really WILL live forever. On the Webs...

  • I love this movie...and I'm so glad you did a good review of it. :)

  • Good review. The first time I watched this movie, I hated it. The second time around I was able to get past some of the absurdities and enjoy the few good elements.

  • AH! my favorite part of the movie is the 'you're suspended.' part! and robert englund is superb in this.

  • Raul dies-Cool!

    perfect!

  • Awesome review! I agree w/you this film makes no sense b/c no one knew about the sequence business. Anyway, I wish that some independent art director would come along and make a good Phantom of the Opera film, no gore, no sex, just pure Phantom full of love, passion, music, and beauty. Thanks again for your review

  • Thanks its awesome to see someone out there looking and reviewing all these phantom films. There are an awful lot. The public just can't get enough of this story. Thank you again.

  • Very good. I like that part with all the cool lines Erik had "I am the Music." Is on of my fav

  • There's a Maximilian Schell version of POTO? Can anyone tell me what year that was released? - Or where I can find it?

    Thanx

  • It was released in 1983, and it's kinda hard to find it, or then again you can try youtube.

  • Thanks a bunch, Hasselhofhater. (I love watching Schell)

    Amazon doesn't have it, so I guess YouTube will be my best bet.

    Thanks again! :)

  • Well glad I could help.

  • heh, heh, I have a soft spot for this movie and rent it from the library every once in a while.

    My favorite part is always the lame man at the ball, "Who is this man? I MUST KNOW!"

    Oh geez :]

    nice reviews, very entertaining and I usually agree with them!

  • Actually, I think his face is all weird because of it being burned in the fire.

  • There is a quote somewhere comparing Garnier's Opera House to a Turkish bath...perhaps the similarity is subliminal?

  • i have been looking for this movie FOREVER does anyone know were i can get it

  • Amazon, really cheap too ^^

  • A chandelier... Oh, the killing potential. I wondered that, too.

    I also thought the dwarves were ridiculous.

    Great reviews! I look forward for more!

  • Excellent review!!!! Good work!!! I think I would choose this one as one of my favourites, probably the favourite, of POTO films!!! Thanks for that! I wanna see now what you say about "Gerik", ick!! *evil grin* ;)

  • Dude.

    Why is Christine NEVER blonde? D8

    She was blonde in the original book!

  • Well, she was blonde in the Claude Rains version and in the mini series (with Charles Dance as Erik.) The blonde Christine in the miniseries seemed like an amateur actress, though.

    But I get your irritation. I'd like to see more blonde Christines.

  • Charles Dance is one of my favorite Eriks, next to the Lon Chaney version. :p

    And yeah, she wasn't the best... And because she didn't actually sing the opera, it wasn't very... convincing...

    But yeah, blonde Christine would be nice. :p

  • I would like more blonde Christine's too, as long as they don't act blonde. Teri Polo's Christine didn't come off as the brightest. Leroux Christine is much more shrewd.

  • Yeah, preceisely. I do think that Englund's version and Dance's version are my favorites, though. :]

  • Yeah, mine too. Both versions portray Erik in very different ways, in Englund's version, he's a complete monster, but in Dance's, he's very benign. In my opinion, you need both those elements if you want to recreate the Leroux Erik. But all the same, Englund and Dance kick everyone else's ass when it comes to playing the phantom. Well, Chaney does too, but that's kind of a given seeing as he was the original and he set the standars for the other Phantom actors. All three are awesome!

  • Exactly! I feel like hardly anybody else likes Englund's version, though. I just have a soft spot for Robert, I guess. I'm a NoeS fan. XD

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  • there is a blonde christine

  • Can't wait for the next review. It'll take a lot to top this one though. :)

  • I agree there are some strong Leroux/novel elements in this version. But the slasher elements and the whole Faust thing, while it is counterpoints to the original novel synposis, it negates the rest of the novel. (I hope that made sense?) Erik was supposed to have a heart big enough to hold the empire of the world (meaning that he had so much love to give), this Erik seems anything but except as a lustful, vengeful, mindless killer/madman.

  • Thanx for reviewing!

  • Man, awesome review. Btw, you have a brilliant voice XDDD

    Nice to listen to.

    Keep those reviews coming, can't wait to see more!

  • This is the only version i have yet to see, it seems interesting. Although i usually think slasher scenes or bloody scenes are just used for bad story telling.

  • Despite this version's many flaws, I rather enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing it!

  • I don't know what's up with the random midgets either, but hey, little people gotta work too. I agree there's a lot of good to be found in this movie. As for the bad, well, I think the writers/producers were just trying too hard and overshot the mark.

  • I feel the same way about the nasty skinning and stiching it to his face part!

    Grross lol.

    I can't wait to hear your review on the"rats" phantom movie if you ever do it:)

  • Oh my God, El Fantasma dell Opera? Have you seen defenestrationmag's spoof of that? I have never laughed so hard! Go look it up!

  • Oh, the "rats" version is definately in my targets, but I must just leave the worst till last.

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