The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

A young soprano becomes the obsession of a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opéra House.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers:

Gaston Leroux (novel), Andrew Lloyd Webber (book)

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 39 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Begins when an opera ghost terrorizes the cast and crew of the French Opera House while tutoring a chorus girl. He finally drives the lead soprano crazy so she and her friend leave. The girl is able to sing lead one night but the soprano doesn't want her show stolen so she comes back. The ghost demands they keep giving his protégé lead roles. Meanwhile, His pupil falls in love with the Vicomte de Chagny, but the Phantom is in love with Christine, his student. The Phantom is outraged by their love and kidnaps Christine to be his eternal bride. Will Raoul, the Vicomte, be able to stop this dastardly plan?

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Plot Keywords:

opera | singer | mask | singing | disfigurement | 

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Taglines:

The waiting is over...let the fantasy begin.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Central Partnership [Russia]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 December 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,219,310 (United Kingdom), 12 December 2004, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,001,890, 26 December 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$51,268,815

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$103,380,072

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Odyssey Entertainment, Really Useful Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When old Raoul is in his carriage remembering buying the engagement ring for Christine, they are at a Swarovski shop. Swarovski made the chandelier for this movie.

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Goofs

When Christine lights a candle for her father in the chapel after "Think of Me", she lights her match from another candle. However, when the shot switches to over her shoulder, the candle she lit is the only one burning.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Auctioneer: Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mâché musical box in the shape of a barrel organ.

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Connections

Referenced in Mini Neds: Round 2 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Learn To Be Lonely
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, and Richard Stilgoe
Performed by Minnie Driver
Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nigel Wright, Joel Schumacher, Simon Lee, and Guy de Villiers

User Reviews

Musical Blockbuster!

A great musical spectacular of a scale not seen since the fantastic Chicago a year ago.

If you only know the main Phantom theme tune, you will quickly learn to love the other beautiful tunes throughout this film.

I had never seen the stage show, nor knew the story before seeing this film, so everything that happened was a surprise including the wonderful ending.

Take a tissue or two with you as it's sad...I won't say any more about that.

The ONLY thing that slightly annoyed me during the film was that the solo musical numbers were not perfectly in sync to the person singing it and it spoilt the illusion that the person was actually singing it and not just miming.

Nevertheless, one of the best films of the entire year, and I've seen a lot of films! An easy 8/10 vote for me.