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Phantom of the Opera

Play trailer Poster for Phantom of the Opera Released Aug 27, 1943 1h 32m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Talented Christine (Susanna Foster) is unaware that her singing lessons are being funded by a secret admirer, Enrique (Claude Rains), a mysterious violinist with a disfigured face. Christine's colleagues become suspicious when mysterious accidents start occurring at the Paris Opera House, as the deaths coincide with her meteoric rise to stardom. Christine's suitors, Raoul (Edgar Barrier) and Anatole (Nelson Eddy), brave the dark recesses of the opera house to find the true culprit.
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Phantom of the Opera

Phantom of the Opera

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Critics Consensus

Though it lives beneath the 1925 version, Claude Rains plays title character well in this landmark color version of the classic tragedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy While Lon Chaney Sr. remains the best (and most frightening) Phantom, Claude Rains lands in the place position for his more sympathetic handling of the role. Rated: 3/4 Oct 28, 2023 Full Review Alan French 1428 Elm The cinematography remains gorgeous to this day, and the sets are pretty. It is a picture of opulence. On that front, the film remains a success Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 12, 2018 Full Review Dan Jardine All Movie Guide Lon Chaney created such an empathetic villain that it was nearly impossible not to root for him Nov 13, 2015 Full Review Paul Chambers Movie Chambers Rains, one of my favorite actors, gives a superb interpretation of the mysterious recluse. Rated: A Oct 26, 2014 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Rated: 4/5 Mar 8, 2008 Full Review Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers Fine version of classic horror/love story/tragedy...minus music, of course. Rated: 5/5 Aug 25, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matthew D Mostly all long opera performances with Claude Rains carrying the beginning and end. Arthur Lubin's direction is so flat and stagey that he wastes all these beautiful sets, gowns, cinematography, lighting, hairstyling, makeup, and music. What an odd way to direct Phantom of the Opera by turning it into mostly a drama. It's not very romantic and all the horror is gone. Claude Rains is fantastic as a sympathetic version of the Phantom, but he's barely in the movie! He looks like he really cares about Christine. Nelson Eddy sings powerful opera singer Garron, but he cannot really act well. He's so much of this movie. Susanna Foster is pretty and can sing, but not in an engaging way. Her acting is terribly boring. Edgar Barrier is awful at acting as the captain of the guard Raoul. He's in way too much of this one. Jane Farrar is a stunning redhead, who is more gorgeous than Susanna Foster. She should have been Christine. Her powerful operatic voice is prettier than Foster's. She should have been Christine! What strange casting! In short, Phantom of the Opera (1943) lacks the romance of the 2004 version as well as the horror of the 1925 monster movie classic. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Curtis H I must say that I enjoyed this adaptation—immensely. As someone who appreciates the performing arts, I approached this film with a different mindset than others. Given the name of the film is “Phantom of the OPERA”, one should naturally expect opera sequences, and this adaptation delivers some magnificent sequences in abundance. Beyond the music, the film dazzles viewers with its breathtaking cinematography, lavish set designs, and exquisite costumes. It’s clear that a great deal of care, time, and resources were poured into every frame, and the result is a visually stunning production. The scenes featuring the Phantom added a nice layer of suspense, with moments that were genuinely thrilling and unexpectedly delightful. The film also offers a conclusion that’s both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/25 Full Review Queralt T This adaptation focuses more on Christine's relationship with Raoul (who is somehow a policeman?) and Anatole (a random singer) and their dispute to win Christine's heart. In the mix we can find Erik, bue he is quite irrelevant. A little bit disappointed. But even so I enjoyed the music, scenes and performances, so no need to complain. As a music student, the Lizt "cameo" was very fun. Sit back and enjoy, Phans. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Julian S A richly vibrant adaptation, more melodrama than horror, but undeniably effective. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Watchable, but not very compelling, Lavish Technicolor production, Huge sets, fancy costumes, mammoth opera scenes, All money is up on the screen, But Phantom is more of a tragic figure, He is shown before he goes psycho, Way too much of his back story, Needed more mystery about his character. The horror should've been amped up and the music sequences edited down, , Claude Rains gives a solid performance, as does girl who plays Christine, Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/23/24 Full Review Henry C when people talk about the universal monsters people forget this compelling charecter and his one film Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Phantom of the Opera

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Movie Info

Synopsis Talented Christine (Susanna Foster) is unaware that her singing lessons are being funded by a secret admirer, Enrique (Claude Rains), a mysterious violinist with a disfigured face. Christine's colleagues become suspicious when mysterious accidents start occurring at the Paris Opera House, as the deaths coincide with her meteoric rise to stardom. Christine's suitors, Raoul (Edgar Barrier) and Anatole (Nelson Eddy), brave the dark recesses of the opera house to find the true culprit.
Director
Arthur Lubin
Producer
George Waggner
Screenwriter
Samuel Hoffenstein, John Jacoby, Gaston Leroux, Eric Taylor
Distributor
Universal Home Entertainment, MCA/Universal Home Video, MCA, Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 27, 1943, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2014
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1)
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