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Post by muirin007 on Dec 5, 2011 19:48:56 GMT -6
"The Phantom of the Opera" is one of the most adapted stories for cinema. In your opinion, what has been the best film adaptation of the story? The worst? Why? (You can include versions beyond the movies, such as cartoons, children's specials, miniseries, radio versions, etc.)
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Post by nijil-xnv on Dec 5, 2011 20:06:36 GMT -6
As far as the book is concerned I'd have to say that Lon Chaney's Phantom is the most accurate. Though I hear that the animated version of that film is even more spot on. Having just aquired the animated version I must say I am anticipating comparing the two!
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Post by dragonessdeanna on Dec 5, 2011 20:19:48 GMT -6
Is it biased for me to say my own Erik?
Kidding!
But I have such a hard time deciding which one's the best. Though I have to say, I really loved Charles Dance's version. It made me happy for some reason... I don't know why!
Also, Kay's Phantom... So much love!
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Post by shadowsytem on Dec 5, 2011 20:26:59 GMT -6
i do believe that the Lon Chaney version is closest as any, though they could have been more accurate to it than it was. my favorite would have to be....Robert Englund though its one of the furthest from the novel, its still one of my favorites. the worst is RAT BOY!!!!
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Post by thisfakeusername on Dec 5, 2011 20:30:43 GMT -6
I'm ashamed to say it, but I actually haven't really been able to see many film adaptations of the Phantom of the Opera! D:
The local library only had the 2004 one with Gerard Butler (who, despite not being the best choice for Erik, was fun to watch, especially towards the end when he had his pecs in view for all to see BUT I DIGRESS) and the one with Charles Dance, which I suppose I enjoyed a lot more than I ought to have.
Anyway, does anyone know where on the glorious internet I may find the different film adaptations without having to purchase it? It'd be much appreciated!
Relevance to the Topic:
A lot of people bash the 2004 movie as being one of the worst film versions ever... Why is that? I mean, other than Gerard Butler being too hot and not being classically trained, and Emmy Rossum's static expressions?
As for the Charles Dance version... I dunno, I thought they made Christine too flaky and (to put it bluntly) a bit of a tease, although depending on your point of view I guess one could say that that's an accurate characterization of her. Although I was annoyed with the radical change brought to Erik's background story, I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy in the end.
Even if he was a total baby up until he thought his work was stolen.
Even the he had acid spilled on his head and shoulders and upper torso and in the end the only scarred part of him was less than half of his face.
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Post by nijil-xnv on Dec 5, 2011 20:48:04 GMT -6
Anyway, does anyone know where on the glorious internet I may find the different film adaptations without having to purchase it? It'd be much appreciated! Sometimes you can find them at other libraries in your district and they can be sent to your local library. Other than that you can find them for a good price on Amazon.com. You know, I didn't like that one either. I did the first time I saw it and that was because I was excited about a Phantom movie. I have to say, actors aside the thing that bothered me most about it is they made something that you can take seriously on the stage into something cheesy. I mean, in Point of no Return the way Rossum says "consumed" is ridiculous and I don't know how you could take the song seriously after that. Also, they spoke a lot of the lines that are supposed to be sung. That just makes it seem like Dr. Suess went crazy and stuck his fingers in Webber's work. I dunno. That's just my opinion. (And semi-unrelated: Erik WOULD NOT have lost that sword fight. Just sayin.) Are you referring to the Claude Rains version? The Charles Dance version is the adpatation of the Yeston-Kopit play. |
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Post by thisfakeusername on Dec 5, 2011 22:23:14 GMT -6
GAH, that's what I meant! >< Sorry, I got confused for a second. How embarrassing.
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Post by nijil-xnv on Dec 5, 2011 22:37:58 GMT -6
GAH, that's what I meant! >< Sorry, I got confused for a second. How embarrassing. Hehe, it's okay it happens to the best of us. Claude Rains was actually the first phantom i ever saw! My mom recorded it for me off TV and I watched it way too many times, haha. |
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leonore
Audience
Leonore likes to procrastinate in the arts of avatar making.
Posts: 8
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Post by leonore on Dec 5, 2011 22:39:22 GMT -6
For the worst, my vote is with Argento. What else can be said about it? We all know the horror...
For the best, I do love me some 1925. The acting is just phenomenal. And I always got a kind of silent movie vibe while reading the book; the dialogue sets the scene, but the stark atmosphere just sets the story in that kind of surreal place where you're not quite sure what to believe. There's a huge sense of suspense, and that really works to its advantage.
Plus, Lon Chaney.
That is all.
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Post by muirin007 on Dec 6, 2011 0:37:06 GMT -6
Is it biased for me to say my own Erik? Kidding! But I have such a hard time deciding which one's the best. Though I have to say, I really loved Charles Dance's version. It made me happy for some reason... I don't know why! Also, Kay's Phantom... So much love! Ha, not at all! I'm SO with you! I adore Charles Dance's version. And Kay's, of course. Charles Dance was a bit like Susan Kay's version, personality wise. Except less addicted to...everything. |
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Post by muirin007 on Dec 6, 2011 0:41:46 GMT -6
I'm ashamed to say it, but I actually haven't really been able to see many film adaptations of the Phantom of the Opera! D: The local library only had the 2004 one with Gerard Butler (who, despite not being the best choice for Erik, was fun to watch, especially towards the end when he had his pecs in view for all to see BUT I DIGRESS) and the one with Charles Dance, which I suppose I enjoyed a lot more than I ought to have. Anyway, does anyone know where on the glorious internet I may find the different film adaptations without having to purchase it? It'd be much appreciated! Relevance to the Topic: A lot of people bash the 2004 movie as being one of the worst film versions ever... Why is that? I mean, other than Gerard Butler being too hot and not being classically trained, and Emmy Rossum's static expressions? As for the Charles Dance version... I dunno, I thought they made Christine too flaky and (to put it bluntly) a bit of a tease, although depending on your point of view I guess one could say that that's an accurate characterization of her. Although I was annoyed with the radical change brought to Erik's background story, I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy in the end. Even if he was a total baby up until he thought his work was stolen. Even the he had acid spilled on his head and shoulders and upper torso and in the end the only scarred part of him was less than half of his face. Oh, Gerard Butler, flashin' your pecs around like you were in SPARTA or something, geez. ;D I totally agree about the Charles Dance version, though. Don't get me wrong, I think it's my favorite film adaptation, but there are things that I just don't like about it. Christine's a bit bland, like you said. Philippe is so unbelievably annoying that I kind of WANTED Erik to just kill him. And I didn't like the fact that his father was there...kind of defeats the whole "NO ONE LOVES ME EVER" thing, huh? What is with no one ever putting Nadir in ANYTHING? Gerard Carriere was pretty much Nadir. For Pete's sake, Nadir is awesome, movie industry, what is wrong with you? |
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Post by muirin007 on Dec 6, 2011 0:44:26 GMT -6
SERIOUSLY. WHAT WAS THAT? I'll always love that movie because it was the first version I ever saw, but now, I'm like, "Um. No. Erik is like Chuck Norris, okay? There is no WAY he would have lost that sword fight."
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Post by muirin007 on Dec 6, 2011 0:46:44 GMT -6
For the worst, my vote is with Argento. What else can be said about it? We all know the horror... For the best, I do love me some 1925. The acting is just phenomenal. And I always got a kind of silent movie vibe while reading the book; the dialogue sets the scene, but the stark atmosphere just sets the story in that kind of surreal place where you're not quite sure what to believe. There's a huge sense of suspense, and that really works to its advantage. Plus, Lon Chaney. That is all. I think the Argento version is pretty much the worst film made ever. Just in general. Eugh. You can't beat that original. And I agree, the whole atmosphere is just eerie, especially with the stark lighting. Also, this is going to sound incredibly irreverent, but some of Erik's facial expressions are just hilarious. |
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wulphe
Chorus
au chapeau de feutre.
Posts: 237
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Post by wulphe on Dec 6, 2011 1:05:31 GMT -6
If you want to watch some more versions of PotO or general "phantomy" movies, here's a link to Phantom Reviewer's forum post, listing some free streaming links: phantomreviews.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=movies&action=display&thread=263And if you want more information on Phantom films, or a hilariously snarky break-down/review of them, even *very* obscure ones, check out PR's youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/PhantomReviews (I suggest watching them in order, staring from the review of the 2004 movie) Now, my favorite movie is definitely the Lon Chaney version. He just does an amazing job as Erik. I love all his subtle movements, and the "attitude" he can exude without even speaking. My only wish is that they wouldn't have cut out the Perros Graveyard scene or replaced the original ending where Erik dies of a broken heart rather than an angry mob. I recently downloaded the BBC Big Finish productions radio dramatization of the book too, and I loved it! They need to make a movie based off that script.  OH! And that fan-made movie Erik: Portrait of a Living Corpse looks promising. I haven't seen it yet, but the second I get a chance to, I will. Least favorite phantom adaptation... hmm... I'm thinking the Phantom of Manhattan book. At least the Dario Argento version is SO BAD it's funny. You just need a humorous friend to watch it with you and you've got your own personal Mystery Science Theatre. But this book.... UGH! Erik *rapes* Christine and worships a demon of greed? Right... |
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Post by muirin007 on Dec 6, 2011 1:15:21 GMT -6
If you want to watch some more versions of PotO or general "phantomy" movies, here's a link to Phantom Reviewer's forum post, listing some free streaming links: phantomreviews.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=movies&action=display&thread=263And if you want more information on Phantom films, or a hilariously snarky break-down/review of them, even *very* obscure ones, check out PR's youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/PhantomReviews (I suggest watching them in order, staring from the review of the 2004 movie) Now, my favorite movie is definitely the Lon Chaney version. He just does an amazing job as Erik. I love all his subtle movements, and the "attitude" he can exude without even speaking. My only wish is that they wouldn't have cut out the Perros Graveyard scene or replaced the original ending where Erik dies of a broken heart rather than an angry mob. I recently downloaded the BBC Big Finish productions radio dramatization of the book too, and I loved it! They need to make a movie based off that script. OH! And that fan-made movie Erik: Portrait of a Living Corpse looks promising. I haven't seen it yet, but the second I get a chance to, I will. Least favorite phantom adaptation... hmm... I'm thinking the Phantom of Manhattan book. At least the Dario Argento version is SO BAD it's funny. You just need a humorous friend to watch it with you and you've got your own personal Mystery Science Theatre. But this book.... UGH! Erik *rapes* Christine and worships a demon of greed? Right... Ooh, good to hear that the BBC version is good. I'm looking to download it. And I'd love to see Portrait of a Living Corpse! They had a fairly low budget and it still looks great! You are totally right. At least we can laugh about the whole rats-in-pants debacle. Especially the Phantom Reviewer's videos. That guy is so hilarious, my stomach hurts whenever I watch his stuff from laughing so hard. |
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OH! And that fan-made movie Erik: Portrait of a Living Corpse looks promising. I haven't seen it yet, but the second I get a chance to, I will.