Those who thought that smoke machines and cobwebbed candelabras were the stuff of Halloween parties and dance clubs need to think again. In Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, these moody set devices--and countless others--make every scene an atmospheric vision .. Read more
| Starring | Emmy Rossum, Miranda Richardson, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson |
|---|---|
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Genres | Drama, Music/Musical |
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Those who thought that smoke machines and cobwebbed candelabras were the stuff of Halloween parties and dance clubs need to think again. In Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, these moody set devices--and countless others--make every scene an atmospheric vision of souped-up 19th-century Gothic bliss. Christine Daee (a luminescent Emmy Rossum) is a tortured young star who is haunted by the voice of the phantom (Gerard Butler--who also played the lead in DRACULA 2000), a musician who hides in the shadows to hide a facial disfigurement, yet sings to her obsessively. Dwelling in the dark, damp chambers beneath the Paris opera house, the phantom lords over the cast and management with artistic autocracy--he writes the shows, casts them, and threatens all who disobey his plans with dramatically violent outbursts. But when his young student Christine falls for the rich and dapper Raoul (Patrick Wilson), the phantom descends into madness. Webber's memorable songs are performed with aplomb by Rossum, whose background includes singing with the Metropolitan Opera, and Wilson and Butler provide ample accompaniment. One of the treats of the proceedings is Minnie Driver's deeply exaggerated portrayal of the jealous diva, giving this PHANTOM a very appropriate dose of comic relief.
| Starring | Emmy Rossum, Miranda Richardson, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver, Simon Callow |
|---|---|
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | Blu-ray: 2 hrs 15 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | Blu-ray |
| Genres | Drama, Music/Musical |
| Language | Blu-ray: English |
| Released | Blu-ray: 02 Nov 2009 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | BLU-RAY |
WOW! This was my first Blue Ray DVD with HD Audio (only 5.1 sound but nonetheless what an amazing audio track - a great test for the new amp and speakers I bought last weekend.)
OK so I'm a softie for ALW musicals, and I always found Richard Stilgoe amusing, but for me this show is extra special.
The costumes, lighting, the outstanding stage building work and sculptures, the special effects, the powerful singing, the beautiful female lead (is it really fair to be so stunning, with a wasp waist and the voice of an angel - all in the same person???!!) combine to make this one of my favourite productions - and a must for my permanent collection.
Utterly fantastic.
If you're into musicals then this is the holy grail of them all.
Not needed, but for best results, plug in a decent sound system and it is just simply stunning.
Repeat viewing? I've lost count!