:nod: I want!

Here I thought you were talking about the Lon Chaney silent!

The 1925 Lon Chaney silent version is already available on DVD... has been for several years now.

In fact, the most recent DVD release of that version, contains the original cut of the film... transfered from the only available print... as well as the more well-known 1929 re-scored, re-edited and tinted print.

80 years later, and it remains the definitive film adaption (and a must-see, if anyone hasn't). :nod:

But is it really a must-see? Rather, isn't the Pabst "Pandora's Box" a must-see?

I hate to be the naysayer...
 

But I HATED HATED HATED the film.

It's probably because I loved the show so much (twice, once on B'Way and once at the Curran we-filmed-the-stage-scenes-of-All-About-Eve-here in SF.)

It was the first stage musical I saw on B'Way and has always had a soft spot in my heart. So I was so excited about the movie. I was in agony within 10 minutes of the movie. As HOT as Gerry is, he sucked as The Phantom. People complained about Madonna having to rework 'Evita' songs, but Gerry just slaughtered his.

I hated the lyrics that were used as dialogue, I hated the new scene.

I did like Emmy Rossum. She did Christine right, even better than Brightman. I liked Minnie Driver, she was hilarious. And I liked the new song. (It should have won an Oscar, and Beyonce should not have sung it.)

Sorry JS...

I don't think he's much to look at, personally, but other than the fact that he can't sing for beans, I thought he was fine. I suppose I feel lucky that he was cast and not *barf* Ewan McGregor. I got a kick out of Minnie Driver and an even bigger kick out of Patrick Wilson's horrific hair (long hair does not suit ya, babe). Emmy Rossum made the movie, in my opinion. She was great. Too bad I hear that she's a diva bitch, though. :laugh:

On another note, when I think about it, I think Evita has some of Madge's finest singing ever. She's no Lupone by ANY means, but she lent a lot of sweetness and, dare I say, elegance to those songs.

OMG, I agree with you 98%...I think the Phantom should have been older. It was hard to get my head around the 'father figure' aspect of the character when he was played by someone so young.

You are right about Madge and Evita. She was at her vocal peak. No, she was no Patti, but who is? I still get chills when I watch that movie.

(Hey, maybe in 20 years, Madge can do the movie of the musical of the movie 'Sunset Boulevard.')

What didn't you like about her performance, Curtis?

Carlotta was supposed to be an obnoxious, insufferable twit of a woman... and very high-camp... and I thought Minnie pulled it off perfectly.

It's one of those things I've learned to live with. But it helps that there are very rarely any movies that I wouldn't rather just wait to see on DVD anyway!

I know you're not much of a romantic, and Webber's 'Phantom' is unabashedly romantic... so I actually expected that to be a turnoff for you.

Glad you liked it (or, at least, didn't hate it)! :)

I had the completely opposite reaction.
I've been listening to the original London cast recording since 1988, so when I first heard the soundtrack to the film, I wasn't sure if I liked it or what.
It grew on me as I listened more though... and then when I finally watched the film this past week, I was blown away.

Some of the things I disliked about the soundtrack... speaking lines that were originally sung, and so forth... made complete sense within the context of the film, once I watched it. (Though I still would have liked if they had sung the "Secret Engagement" parts.)

I've watched it a couple of times already, and it's extremely rare for me to watch a movie... even one that I really enjoyed... more than once in a matter of days.

You really thought he was that bad?
I had to get used to his voice in comparison to Crawford's, but I have to confess... as blasphemous as this may sound... I've come away from it appreciating his interpretation of the character even more than Crawford's.

I thought he was especially effective throughout "Down Once More," where he sounds so anguished and desperate.

The swordfight in the cemetary? I liked that, too. :o :laugh:

S'Ok, Ran... I still love ya. :xoxo:

It really is a shame you didn't enjoy it more though -- but I'm sure glad that I did! :laugh:

Emmy was 16 when they filmed it, and Gerry is more than twice her age. Definitely old enough to be a father figure.

How much older do you think he should have been, Ms. LeTourneau? :laugh: ;)

I like Gerry better than Crawford, too. There was no way they could make everyone happy... personally, Michael Crawford was always much too theatrical for me. Too over the top and bombastic. For the film, anything approaching that would've been awful. I thought Gerry managed to make the Phantom human- tortured, frightening, intimidating, but still completely compelling- in a way I've never thought Crawford or any of the stage Phantoms could.

I mean, on film, it's completely different anyway. But I liked Gerry's voice and was actually not all that fond of Emmy Rossum.

I'm really glad you loved it, Stewy, and weren't disappointed. All this talk about it actually made me go out and rent it today. I wasn't planning on seeing it again after I saw it in theaters.

Yeah, what she said! :nod: :D

Crawford was good in the role, but I've never been his biggest fan.
I always wanted to hear Steve Barton sing the Phantom's parts actually.

Still, being so familiar with the London cast recording, it was really difficult to not compare Gerard Butler to Michael Crawford. At least initially.

Thanks, Mrs. Stew!

I hope you enjoy it as much the second time around, as you did the first time.

I just rented this last night and I really, really, really liked it. A lot.

I had seen the play here in KC many years ago. The sound that night was horrendous. You could only hear about every third word. And I was really disappointed trying to figure out what was going on. I mean I knew the basic story, but when you can't hear the words, it's a bit difficult to follow what's happening at any given time. So when the movie came out, I didn't bother. Now I'm sorry I didn't go.

I had never heard of Gerry Butler until last night. That man is smokin' HOT. I definitely have a new crush. Thanks for the pics, guys. Wow.

Cute.

I always picured the Phantom in his late 50's early 60's. If you want a Phantom story that will make you cry for days, read 'Phantom' by Susan Kay. She wrote it a year after the debut of the musical. It tells Erik's entire life story from when he was born to the time he becomes the Phantom. Absolutely heartwrenching.