The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

A young soprano becomes the obsession of a disfigured musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opéra House. He kidnaps the soprano and forces the owners of the play to keep her as the lead role of the play.

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

At one point, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway were considered for the roles of the Phantom and Christine respectively. Due to prior commitments, neither could participate (the former in Van Helsing (2004) and the latter in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)). However, they would both go on to be cast in lead roles in another musical adaptation, Les Misérables (2012).

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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

Featured in HBO First Look: The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

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Soundtracks

We Have All Been Blind
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, and Richard Stilgoe
Performed by Patrick Wilson, Ciarán Hinds, Simon Callow, and Emmy Rossum
Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nigel Wright, Joel Schumacher, Simon Lee, and Guy de Villiers

User Reviews

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