Phantom Of The Opera DVD Release: 5/3

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally Posted by xxxmx

i know i'm not alone in this, but i could perform the entire thing... every part, every word. it got to the point where i didn't need to have it playing, i could do the whole thing without prompts. oh, and i was eight.

Same here! Even now I can quote some of the random libretto.

I didn't bother with this movie because I loved the Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman recording too much. Seeing it live in Sydney was a different story - while I didn't care for the lead voices, it was just so exciting to be there live. It ran for a couple of years or so in this theatre in Sydney, so they did up the entire theatre like the old opera, so from the moment you walked in the front doors you were at the actual opera house, with extravagant chandeliers and ballustrades etc.

"Lot 666 then, a chandelier in pieces..."

[Dark Angel]

Originally Posted by xxxmx

haven't seen the movie, but was ob.ses.sed with the musical. i mean obsessed to a level that is even scarier than my obsession with the Mac. the soundtrack lived in my stereo. i know i'm not alone in this, but i could perform the entire thing... every part, every word. it got to the point where i didn't need to have it playing, i could do the whole thing without prompts. oh, and i was eight.

This sounds strangely familiar. I would listen to the soundtrack every night. I knew all the songs and lines...I wasn't eight though.
Now, my daughter, who's four, is seriously addicted to the soudtrack from the film version. She has to have it playing every night at bedtime, and already knows almost all the songs, and will walk around the house singing them. Between Phantom and the Star Wars films, she totally obsessed...and I still am.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by dissention

I would positively die if I couldn't go to the movies for 16 years, love. Seriously.

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!

Originally Posted by dissention

I saw it last week and didn't think it was too bad. I'm glad I saw it on DVD, I don't think I would have enjoyed it much in the theatre.

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)!

[Dark Angel]

Originally Posted by hayley

Stewy, did you ever see the movie in the theaters, or were you waiting for the DVD?

Also, I shall use the occasion of this thread to post these:

Yum!
Haley...thank you!
In the meantime, I'm still pissed that he was here in St. Louis for the opening of his new film, and I missed him.

[Dark Angel]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Ok, I realize I'm the big Phantom dork here (accent on "big dork"), but I thought at least a few others might be interested to know that the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom Of The Opera is being released on DVD tomorrow (Tuesday, May 3rd).

The DVD will be available in three editions... 1-disc full-screen and widescreen editions, and a 2-disc edition with a lengthy documentary on the history of Phantom, from page to screen, three "making of the movie" featurettes, a deleted scene (featuring a new song), theatrical trailers, and at least one Easter Egg.

Yay! Another POTO fan. I am so getting this tonight. This is definitely a must-have for me. Next comes the Barbie and Ken set of dolls as The Phantom and Christne.

[David]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Ok, I realize I'm the big Phantom dork here (accent on "big dork"), but I thought at least a few others might be interested to know that the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom Of The Opera is being released on DVD tomorrow (Tuesday, May 3rd).

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

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by David

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).

[David]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

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

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

[RavenOfRhiannon]

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...

[dissention]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

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 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.

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.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I hate to be the naysayer... But I HATED HATED HATED the film.

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.

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

As HOT as Gerry is, he sucked as The Phantom. People complained about Madonna having to rework 'Evita' songs, but Gerry just slaughtered his.

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.

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I hated the new scene.

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

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Sorry JS...

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

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