O Fantasma da Ópera

I have seen all other film version of this story, and have read the original novel, and I can say this is absolutely the best adaptation. It surpasses the original story, it is presented with A-list actors, superb mounting, flawless film-making savvy across the board, but most importantly the changes to the original story, and the ignoring of every previous film effort, have made this TV production of The Phantom of the Opera the Classic cinema adaptation! I assume the fact of my missing this film in 1998 is due to it being an overseas TV production but the DVD I viewed is available in at least two of the giant rental chains in the U.S. And I found the soundtrack CD on Amazon.

If your looking for mindless gore and horror, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a phenomenal story, incredible cinematography, lavish costumes, superb acting, and all the elements from Phantom of the Opera that you've ever wanted to see wrapped up in imaginative, risk-taking dialog, see this one. Charles Dance is the perfect blend of sympathetic monster and mad, love obsessed gentleman. He loves deeply with an innocent passion. Teri Polo plays Christine with such angelic sweetened and bitter remorse, you'll love, hate, and love her character time and again. Add to that Burt Lancaster's majesty and Andréa Ferréol's over-the-top performance as Carlotta, and this is the strongest PotO cast I have ever seen. Plus, you get to hear real opera beautifully sung throughout the film.

I watched this movie because I wanted to see what Andrew Lloyd Webber was up against. I honestly thought it was going to be horrible. After, I saw the movie not only was I very impressed, but I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the cast. I was extremely pleased not none of Yestin's and Koppit's songs were used.(Now, I saw the Yestin's and Koppit's play long before I even knew a movie of it had been made.)I didn't like what they did with Eric's background story. I felt that it took away from his character. I hated that they didn't make Philippe more of a hero and that he had scenes in which he smoked!!! I was disappointed that we only saw Eric's face once and that it wasn't more believable. His face also really wasn't scary. I also thought that young Philippe, young Christine,and young Eric should have, at least, some dialogue.

One, Charles Dance is always terrific, playing good, bad or indifferent guys with equal aplomb and skill. (This time he's a good guy who, unfortunately, is not blessed with good looks.) Two, the sets and music are superb. And three, the final climactic aria is Charles Gounod's fabulous goosebump-raising "Anges Pur, Anges Radieux" ("Angels Pure, Angels Radiant") from "Faust". No, we don't see the Phantom's face....but Christine does, and her expression tells us everything.

Aside from the original musical, this is probably the pick of the crop out of the cinematic versions of the story.

Charles Dance does an outstanding job, making good use of the script and direction, both of which are well above average. Other performances were pretty excellent too. The music is engaging and well worth adding to any non teenage-dirtbag collection!

This could easily have been a disaster, but instead turned out to be surprisingly - and pleasantly - good with interesting variations on a theme. Good, clean entertainment that the whole family can enjoy without the usual Hollywood crass to spoilt it! All in all, a big thumbs up to all concerned.