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Phantom of the Opera

Play trailer Poster for Phantom of the Opera 1943 1h 32m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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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

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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 10/28/2023
3/4
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. Go to Full Review
Alan French 1428 Elm 10/12/2018
2.5/4
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 Go to Full Review
Dan Jardine All Movie Guide 11/13/2015
Lon Chaney created such an empathetic villain that it was nearly impossible not to root for him Go to Full Review
Paul Chambers Movie Chambers 10/26/2014
A
Rains, one of my favorite actors, gives a superb interpretation of the mysterious recluse. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 03/08/2008
4/5
Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers 08/25/2006
5/5
Fine version of classic horror/love story/tragedy...minus music, of course. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Matthew D @OceanSage Sep 6 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. See more Curtis H Jul 15 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. See more Queralt T Mar 9 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. See more Julian S @akajulianscott Jan 23 A richly vibrant adaptation, more melodrama than horror, but undeniably effective. See more CodyZamboni Z Dec 23 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, See more Henry C 11/22/2024 when people talk about the universal monsters people forget this compelling charecter and his one film See more 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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