In keeping with the his cult reputation, Italian filmmaker Dario Argento's take on Gaston Leroux's enduring Gothic tale of terror and obsession features plenty of sex and graphic, high-tech gore (although hard-core Argento purists may find the splatter scenes rather sparse). Unlike other renditions of the illustrious Phantom, Argento's version suffers no facial disfigurement and therefore remains unmasked. His creepiness, shown in the early parts of the story, comes from having been abandoned as a baby and raised by rats in ...
Read More
In keeping with the his cult reputation, Italian filmmaker Dario Argento's take on Gaston Leroux's enduring Gothic tale of terror and obsession features plenty of sex and graphic, high-tech gore (although hard-core Argento purists may find the splatter scenes rather sparse). Unlike other renditions of the illustrious Phantom, Argento's version suffers no facial disfigurement and therefore remains unmasked. His creepiness, shown in the early parts of the story, comes from having been abandoned as a baby and raised by rats in the labyrinthine catacombs beneath the Paris Opera. Unaccustomed to humankind, the Phantom (Julian Sands) spends his days in the darkness playing an organ, murdering intruders, saving his rodent family members from the theater's exterminator and occasionally wandering about the opera house. His life changes when he falls in love with beautiful young singer Christine (Asia Argento), understudy to temperamental zaftig diva Carlotta (Nadia Rinaldi). Desperate to have her, the Phantom plays a haunting melody and lures her into the bowels of the great theater. There he will begin a macabre courtship destined to end in tragedy. Those who enjoy finding continuity mistakes will be delighted to discover that while the story is set in 1877, the theater is lighted with electricity, something that did not happen in real life until 1888. Sandra Brennan, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Dario Argento's Phantom of the Opera to cart. $7.49, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Allumination.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Gianni Franco, Zoltan Barabas, Aldo Massasso, Lucia Guzzardi, István Bubik, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Nadia Rinaldi, Andrea... Very good. 1998 Run time: 99. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Phantom of the Opera: Original Soundtrack Recording to cart. $9.44, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by EONE MUSIC-DRG RECORD INC.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Phantom of the Opera: Original Soundtrack Recording to cart. $13.14, good condition, Sold by Seattle Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
All our items include the original disc(s) in the original case. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
I am a major Phantom phan, and this is probably one of the most depressing films I have ever seen. Dario Argento is highly regarding for his work in horror films, but this is pretty tame. Also, for someone who is really into Phantom, it is really frustrating. The story doesn't seem the same as Phantom AT ALL, and the only thing the same is the characters names ands the love triangle, and even that is messed up a bit. SPOILER: Despite the mask on the cover, the Phantom doesn't wear one nor is he deformed, but instead his mind is twisted. There are some disturbing scenes and it is almost an atrocity to all things Phantom and known as one of the worst adaptations to date. However, some Phantom phans have come to view as a "so bad it's hilarious" film. I think the actors are quite good, the cinematography isn't bad, and the I find the music absolutely beautiful. It's still worth looking into if you're a mega Phantom phan and have a strong curiosity, but it does come across as disturbing. It would be a very good movie if it had nothing to do with Phantom, but I am a huge phan so perhaps I'm nitpicky.
Selina
Sep 27, 2008
A good film
Dario Argento is a gifted director. This is his best piece since Suspiria. The sets and costumes were enchanting.
The talented director also found a talented cast. Asia Argento( daughter of Dario Argento) stars as Christine. She is definately the prettiest girl to play Christine and she plays Christine in a less innocent fashion. Christine and the Phantom of a pretty intense love affair. There is also alot of nudity. Julian Sands( Room with a View, Gothic, Werewolf Hunter, Boxing Helena) plays the phantom. This phantom does not wear a mask but is instead emotionally deformed due to being raised by rats.
There is very little resemblence to the novel. worse most of the film deals with the relationship between Christine and the phantom. Christine spends at most five minutes on screen with Raoul. In the scene where she wears a Swan style hat she tells Raoul she loves him as a brother. The relationship is rushed and not convincing.
This is probably not to everyone's liking. There is nudity and blood, but there is Julian Sands. This is a movie to watch if a fan of the cast. A phantom fan may be disappointed with the story and the phantom being super good looking. If one must see every version of the phantom and loves anything close it it than its a great way to spend an afternoon. Unless a die hard phantom fan or Argento or Julian Sands fan then I'd probably skip it.
