Rating: Summary: This is my favorite phantom version ever! Review: I was a little skeptical when I first got this because everyone had said it was too mushy. However, I am the sappy queen and I fell in love with this movie! I mean, any movie that can actually portray Erik as a good guy is okay by me and this movie did it in spades! It tells about his infancy, his childhood, his life. Plus, you really learn to hate the Raoul type character! He's a player in it! I mean you sit through it just begging for Erik and Christine to get together (or at least I was). Burt Lancaster added an interesting twist as Erik's friend/father. I loved Charles Dance as Erik and even though the lip syncing was pretty bad (all thanks to the flea scene with Carlotta) the singers who did sing were wonderful. Interesting thought though: was it just me or did Erik's voice sound different from when he was singing her to sleep and then when he was singing in his box with her?
Rating: Summary: A WONDERFUL NEW ADAPTION TO THE GREAT PARISIAN TRAGEDY Review: I have bought this DVD because I once saw it when it premiered on USA TV in 1990. I do not remember much from THAT preview but looking at the DVD now, I FULLY ENJOY IT!!First of all, it is mostly filmed at the great place itself, the Palais Garnier Opera House. It is so lovely and beautiful, and quite the musical palace as it is said. It was lovely to see some of the scenes shot there, although the auditorium for some reason was under construction so it was NOT filmed there, I was told. Second of all, the casting of the Phantom - Charles Dance. He is TRULY among the great three to portray the Phantom with such powerfulness. Lon Chaney Snr (1925 version of Phantom), Michael Crawford (1986-90 stage musical production), and then there is Charles Dance. He really makes it his own and I appreciate his gentle side as the Phantom, even though he is a bit on the dark side and quiet side. The only complaint I had about the film was the singing of Christine and some of the costuming, but other than that IT WAS TRULY and IS WORTH SEEING!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY PHANTOM FAN or any fan of the Palais Garnier Opera House Or BOTH!!! It IS worth it to get it!!!
Rating: Summary: fascinating Review: I quite agree with Linda Blood that Charles Dance as the phantom is absolutely fascinating; I had never seen Charles Dance in any films so far, and after that I bought a few films with him. I understood why he was chosen for the role. He has so extraorinary eyes, so clear, mobile and expressive that only he could play behind masks a whole film and literally captivate his viewers. With my friends we were horrified at the final choice of Christine Daee, for we found De Chagny ludicrous, stupid and uninteresting. The phantom has an artistic as well as metaphysical dimension. He is condemned to live in the underground whereas he is an exceptional being, a monstrous genius; he fights on the roofs for his liberation, to be finally killed by his own father. In comparison of him the other characters are rather dull and shallow, not very convincing. I am disappointed that Dance didn't play leading roles in more numerous films. I recently viewed Rebecca in which he plays Max de Winter and where he gives a good measure of Charm and seduction. I strongly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: Done well for the awful script. Review: I agree with the people who complimented the acting in this film. Some story changes are inevitable, but these are the ones that bother me: Eriks deep friendship with Christene ( She SHOULD Fear him but still love him), Erik having a living father (even though Burt played this well.), and there is no masque ball! The only really disapointeing thing is the lack of seeing Eriks face.
Rating: Summary: A P.S. to my Review Down Below Review: I just wanted to add some more info about this version of the movie. Although it is highly inaccurate (comparing to Leroux's novel) concerning Erik's past before his life as the Phantom, it is the first Phantom movie I have scene that chronicles Christine's past and her lifelong relationship/friendship with her lover with amazing faithfulness to the novel. Well, at least they do this up until she begins her life as an employee at the Paris Opera house. Oh, well. Can't win them all. Also wanted to add that La Carlotta and her husband are hysterically funny, as is Erik a few times, in this movie. Leroux's Erik has a sense of humor and a beautiful singing voice, two charming qualities that had been continually overlooked in the other movies. (I know, the silent movie with Lon Chaney discusses his lovely voice, but it's a silent movie...bummer. He also wasn't too funny in that one. That one focuses almost solely on the sinister.) I also like when Christine kisses a maskless Erik on the forehead just like in the novel. That too is a first in the movie versions.
Rating: Summary: A great version of "The Phantom of the Opera" Review: This is such a wonderful version of "The PHantom of the Opera." Charles Dance is wonderful as the Phantom. He portrays him as , more of a romantic, gentle and sensative man. Very sweet and less violent then other version. I also loved Teri Polo who played Christine. This is my favorite movie version of "Phantom." It's a beautiful and sad story at the same time. The scenes between the Phantom and Christine are very good very romantic and beautifully done. It's a must see for anyone and among onne of my all time favorite films.
Rating: Summary: Charles Dance's Fascinating Phantom Review: Oh my goodness, Charles Dance as Erik!!! The Phantom of the Opera's metamorphosis from an object of horror to a romantic hero can probably be credited to two extraordinary actors: Michael Crawford and Charles Dance. In this non-musical (unless you count that gorgeous duet from 'Faust') made-for-TV version, Dance's Erik has been reconfigured so that the beauty of his artist's soul encompasses his whole being, his disfigurement concealed behind a series of elegant masks. Tall and elegant, with a cat-like walk and a wry sense of humor, Dance does some of his most effective acting with his wonderfully expressive eyes. Moving effortlessly from swashbuckling action and urbane wit to heartbreaking vulnerability, his Erik is so magnetic that it seems incomprehensible that Terri Polo's brave and charming Christine would choose her childish, petulant boyfriend Raoul over him. Polo has some lovely and heartfelt scenes, especially her tearful farewell to Erik, and Burt Lancaster plays his father with a sad and gentle world-weariness that conveys his impending sense of doom. The production is opulent and, more than any other I've seen, brings the viewer inside the world of the great Paris Opera. But Dance is the soul of this production and he will steal your heart in scene after scene before he finally gets around to breaking it.
Rating: Summary: Another non-musical screen adaption (yawn yawn) Review: Well...I must say that out of all the Phantom of the Opera's I've seen, none of them even come close to being perfectley exact compared to either Gaston whats his names book, or Andrew Lloyd Webbers fantastic musical adaption. I truly and honestly believe that there should be an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical stage to screen movie adaption. If there were, I know hundreds of people whom would go see it, including myself. Over all this movie sucked, and is not worth the time, or money buying or renting it, compared to how untrue it is to the beautiful opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Was this review helpfull to you?
Rating: Summary: a wonderful version Review: I love this version of "Phantom" Erik is portrayed as a very gentle kinder person, less violent. Also it's one of themost romantic versions as well. Charles Dance does a great job brilliant as the Phantom. Teri Polo is a very lovely Christine. And it's neat in this version that Erik has a father, played very wonderfully by Burt Lancaster. It's well worth seeing for anyone, and is a beautiful love story between the Phantom and Christine also between a father and a son. Its more about love then adventure or violence or action.
Rating: Summary: Intersting Phantom Remake Review: There are quiet a few Phantom of the Opera retold stories these days. This is one of the first movies that I have seen related to Phantom of the Opera. When I was younger I was enchanted by it. I liked the fact that we didn't see Erik's face when he showed it to Christine. That was a good move I believe. However, there are some things about the movie that I didn't really enjoy. They could have tried to get different actress for Christine and Erik's mother ( it's disturbing when you think about it.) I guess they didn't want to because they wanted to show exactly why Erik is so interested in Christine. The twist of Erik's father being in the film was interesting and kind of disappointing at the same time. I liked the chemistry between the two actors. And you could tell that Erik's father does love his son. However, again not really a Phantom plot line at all. All and all though it was a very good attempt for a new Phantom film at the time. My one thought is to try out Susan Kay's novel "Phantom". Another Phantom of the Opera retelling. Very nice. This movie is good but not really on my favorite list any more. It's good for romance lovers that like semi sad themes , that aren't really well developed. Either way it was a very interesting and good attempt for another Phantom of the Opera multimedia mix.
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