The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers (WGA):

Gaston Leroux (novel)
Andrew Lloyd Webber (stage musical)

Release Date:

21 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Her voice became his passion. Her love became his obsession. Her refusal became his rage.....

Plot:

A disfigured musical genius, hidden away in the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protege whom he trains and loves.

Plot Keywords:

Secret Admirer | Invitations | Broadway | Concert Interruption | Noose

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 26 nominations

Cast

Gerard Butler	...	The Phantom
Emmy Rossum	...	Christine
Patrick Wilson	...	Raoul
Miranda Richardson	...	Madame Giry
Minnie Driver	...	Carlotta
Ciarán Hinds	...	Firmin
Simon Callow	...	Andre
Victor McGuire	...	Piangi
Jennifer Ellison	...	Meg Giry
Murray Melvin	...	Reyer
Kevin McNally	...	Buquet (as Kevin R. McNally)
James Fleet	...	Lefevre
Imogen Bain	...	Carlotta's Maid
Miles Western	...	Carlotta's Wigmaker
Judith Paris	...	Carlotta's Seamstress

Also Known As:

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief violent images.

Runtime:

143 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English | French | Italian | Spanish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Malaysia:U | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:10 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Hungary:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Brazil:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:14 | Czech Republic:12 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Ireland:12 | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | USA:PG-13 | Greece:K | South Korea:12

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Odyssey Entertainment

Trivia:

Shekhar Kapur was set to direct at one point.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Christine and Raoul kiss on the rooftop, he picks her up and spins around. During this, her hand is on the back of his head, but when the camera goes in for a closer shot, her hand is around his neck.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Auctioneer: Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Ugly Betty: Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral (#1.8)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Phantom of the Opera

Excellent!

I have had the good fortune to have seen the stage production 3 times (twice at the Alhambra in Bradford and again 2 months ago at Her majesty's theatre in London) and would rate it as the best experience I have ever had in the theatre. So along comes this movie and I was not sure what to expect, before going I said to friends that if it was half as good as the stage show then it would be marvelous, well it exceeded that - I would rate it at about 80% myself.

My wife and I saw the movie last night and were enthralled all the way through, the costumes and scenery were superb, and we both thought the performances were excellent. My only minor detraction was with Gerard Butler, I just had this gut feeling that his voice just didn't quite have the power to portray the Phantom to the full extent; but what do I know? I have no knowledge or training or background in theatre or singing, as I said it was just a feeling that I had myself.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who may enjoy musicals - if you don't, then I rather think you would hate it (but then you are unlikely to be reading this are you?)

All in all a wonderful night at the cinema, which I shall be repeating, and I will be buying the DVD when it comes out.

9/10