Phantom of the Opera (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection)
List Price:
Our Price: $7.11
You Save: $7.87 (53%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.04 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier, Leo Carrillo, Nelson Eddy, Susanna FosterBrand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Dubbed)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-04-12
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of Phantom of the Opera (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection)
DVD Review: The phantom of the opera shines
Summary: 5 Stars
The classical horror film genre is a genre that can only be praised.
The impact of this genre upon the cinematic universe is undoubtedly familiar.
Flickering candlelights, gothic structures, and an antihero villain. The phantom of the opera preserves these elements quite faithfully, though many would mistake it for a musical thriller rather than a masterpiece worthy to be recognized as one of the greatest and memorable of the horror genre.
This adaptation of French novelist Gaston Leroux's immortal horror tale of the disfigured masked musician haunting the catacombs of the Paris opera house is the second made in a chronological order. The 1925 silent film starring the great Lon Changey snr. is the first adaptation of the tale. I believe that the 1925 adaptation is one of the most blood chilling performances of a villain (along with Nosferatu) ,and a beautiful ,if not immortal grand masterpiece of the silent cinema, as well as a faithful rendition to the story. But the 1943 adaptation is a colorful remake of the tale, and the new storyline is thrilling enough, though it beRS few similiarities to the original novel.
The film tells the story of Erique Claudin,a violinist working at the Paris opera house in mid 19th century France. He has a modest look and a shy attitude, therefore no one can mistake him at the beginning for a madman .He is desperately in love with a beautiful operatic soprano Christine Dubois(The talented and unforgettable Susanna Foster),who is currently an understudy to the arrogant diva Madame Biancaroli.
Anatole Garron(The famous Nelson Eddy) is a baritone trying to win the affections of Foster, and police inspector of the surete Raoul D'aubert(Edgar Barrier) also wishes to
win her affections. Christine has to decide, however, between operatic life and what is usually called "normal life". She is told she cannot do justice to both. An unfortunate case of arthritis in his left hand forces him to be dismissed from the orchestra, and so Claudin is left penniless and desperate. Hoping to solve an important matter and thereby procure a fortune,he is trying to have a piano concerto he had written for two years be published,but a great misunderstanding makes him believe that the publishers he turned to have tried to rob him of his life's work. He commits murder and before he can escape his face is terribly burned by acid and he becomes disfigured.
He then escapes to the catacombs of the Paris opera and schemes to make Christine the new star of the Paris opera house and wreck revenge on those who will resist his mad demands. A chain of horrifying crimes starts to take place at the opera house.
The film is very colorful (Shot in an early Technicolor) and the set is absolutely breathtaking and marvelous, while the cast is consisted of thousands of singers, dancers, actors and audience members, all of them looking so glorious and marvelous as well. The operatic scenes are an unforgettable part of the film, full of gifted singers (such as Nelson Eddy and Susanna Foster), qualified dancers and colorful expensive customs. Some would claim that these scenes take too much of the film's overall length, but I believe they merely lighten the otherwise too glum atmosphere,(Instead of making the film totally horrifying and dark-something I would not wish to view).An audience which is not an opera lover would probably not be so excited, but I believe that these scenes can enthral most of the people with their glory and beauty .The musical soundtrack composed by Edward Ward is absolutely enjoyable, adapting musical themes of composers such as Chopin(Polonaise in A major) and Tchaikovsky(Symphony No.4) into memorable original and powerful operatic sequences.
The several moments where the phantom lurks into a scene is frightening enough I believe, and Claude Rains's performance is charismatic and elegant along with its horrifying elements(And I believe Rains does know how to frighten at the right moments-you should observe his masked glance-it makes it chilling enough).
Others may also claim that it is a shame Rains is given too little screen time, but I do believe it is quite enough for the masked phantom-for when he does appear-his appearance is definitely unforgettable. The story line is interesting and wondrous, even if it has little resemblance to the original novel, though the main message, that of of the" outcast" character's chastisement has remained quite the same. The operatic phantom is presented not only as a homicidal monster, but as a miserable human being who suffers and is being tortured by the power of love and misunderstanding as well, and therefore we can easily feel pity and understanding toward his madness. The ending of the film is thrilling and exciting, building to a terrifying climax where eventually the phantom reveals his disfigured face.
The scenes of Nelson Eddy and Edgar Barrier struggling over christine's affections add a comic relief to the overall film, which is important since a too dull and horrifying film can sometimes make a negative impression.
The last scene gives a comic relief to the tragic tale, something I admire much than the too dark and ominous ending of the 1925 adaptation, for example.
Indeed, this film is a true classic in the spirit of 19th century gothic tales that can be viewed for many years to come.
In conclusion, this lavish production will definitely remain for years to come a masterpiece not only of the genre, but for the Hollywood golden age cinema as well.
More Phantom of the Opera (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Description of Phantom of the Opera (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection)
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection (Frankenstein / The Bride of / Son of / The Ghost of / House of)Universal; Release date: 2004-04-27; Published: 2004-04-01; DVD
Best price: $17.00
Price in other shops:
The MummyNBC Universal; Release date: 1999-09-28; DVD
Best price: $8.27
Price in other shops:
Phantom of the Opera - Tv Mini Series (Import, All Regions)Published: 1990; DVD
Best price: $16.95
Hunchback of Notre DameWHV; Release date: 2010-11-09; DVD
Best price: $4.70
Price in other shops:
Creature From the Black Lagoon (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection)Universal Studios; Release date: 2007-07-24; DVD
Best price: $6.58
Price in other shops:
The Invisible ManUniversal Studios; Release date: 2000-08-29; DVD
Best price: $8.06
Price in other shops:
The Phantom of the OperaTCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2004-12-07; DVD
Best price: $3.57
Price in other shops:
Phantom of the Opera (1962)Release date: 2011-11-15; DVD
Best price: $13.49
Price in other shops:
The Phantom of the Opera - The Ultimate Edition (1925 Original Version and 1929 Restored Version)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2003-09-09; DVD
Best price: $69.95
The Phantom of the Opera (Widescreen Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-03; DVD
Best price: $4.85
Price in other shops: