The Phantom of the Opera

Director: Terence Fisher Terence Fisher

Overview

Lon Chaney's silent, 1925 hit The Phantom of the Opera has been a popular drama on and off the silver screen. In this version by Terence Fisher a venal dwarf (Ian Wilson) has been added to the proceedings, a catalyst in the tragic tale of unrequited love. The disfigured phantom (Herbert Lom) lurks in the bowels of the London Opera House (in this version) and he has fallen in love with Christine (Heather Sears), a soprano he helps to promote and protect. One day the phantom is chased through the underground sewers by the evil dwarf -- a moment of high drama. The tragic tale is imbued with suspense and tension as the story unfolds, suggesting that something supernatural is haunting the opera house.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/01/2017
UPC:	0191329005927
Original Release:	1962
Rating:	NR
Source:	Universal Studios
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	32,931

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Herbert Lom	The Phantom
Heather Sears	Christine Charles
Edward De Souza	Harry Hunter
Michael Gough	Lord Ambrose d'Arcy
Thorley Walters	Lattimer
Martin Miller	Rossi
Miles Malleson	Philosophical Cabby
Miriam Karlin	Charwoman
John Harvey	Vickers
Harold Goodwin	Bill
Ian Wilson	Dwarf
Marne Maitland	Xavier
Michael Ripper	Longfaced Cabby
Sonya Cordeau	Yvonne
Patrick Troughton	Rat Catcher
Liane Aukin	Maria
Leila Forde	Teresa
Geoffrey L'Oise	Frenchman
Renee Houston	Mrs. Tucker
Liam Redmond	Police Insp. Ward
Edwin T. Astley	Composer

Technical Credits

Anthony Hinds

John Elder

Terence Fisher	Director
Anthony Hinds	Producer,Screenwriter
John Elder	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This Hammer-produced take on this iconic horror antihero was not a hit during its original release but time has been kind to it. The script takes liberties with the plot of Gaston Leroux's novel but the changes work: the addition of a strong villain and the retooling of the Phantom's backstory give the film its own, uniquely tragic tone, as does the emphasis on dramatic elements over horrific ones. Terence Fisher's direction is stylish, fully delivering the lush atmosphere expected from a Hammer film, but he also shows a confident touch with his actors, getting strong performances that drive the material as much as his visual flourishes. In terms of performances, Heather Sears offers a winning, sympathetic performance as the heroine and Edward De Souza makes for a charming, heroic love interest. However, the film truly belongs to Michael Gough and Herbert Lom: Gough is delightfully wicked as the music mogul whose sleazy machinations drive the plot and Lom is frightening and sympathetic by turns as the title character, a decent man driven to tragic extremes by the cruelty of Gough's character. On the critical side, Phantom Of The Opera does have some flaws: the tone shifts from scares to drama can be a bit abrupt at times and the rather rushed finale leaves a few plot threads dangling in a frustrating manner. That said, Hammer's Phantom Of The Opera is a solid addition to the screen treatments of this character and recommended to fans of the studio.