The Phantom of the Opera [VHS]

This is a very difficult film that demands a lot from it's viewers. It is not always easy to read between the lines of an Argento film. It never has been easy after all.

Argento does not care to make a traditional horror film, that's for sure. Instead, he creates a self-ironic film, deliberately balancing between shots of poetic grace (the Phantom's visions of children pierced by mousetraps - chilling) and shots of extravagant kitch (Asia's appearance in the same scene!).

Argento's choice of not to have his Phantom disfigured was not without a point: This man is disfigured from the inside, and thanks to the script, it shows. Let's not forget that Gerard Brach, the co-scripter, is the man who co-wrote "Frantic", "The Fearless Vampire Killers" and many other Polanski films. He lived up to our expectations once again.

The film is deliberately funny in places but it contains some very weird scenes (like the one in the brothel - unbelievable for an Argento film). I would say that it is his most 'Fellini-esque' film yet. It is his "8 1/2". This is his contribution to a tradition kept by directors such as Fellini or Visconti for that matter (he is often called "the Visconti of violence" after all).

Let's not forget the help he gets from his actors: Julian Sands couldn't be a better choice. His phantom is gentle, vicious, romantic and monstrous all at the same time. Asia on the other hand seems to be stoned for most of the film which adds more to the dreaminess of the concept me thinks.

Sergio Stivalleti has done some great work with CGI, especially in a scene where a poor guy gets impaled (you think it's really happening!). Ronnie Taylor's photography is NOT up to perfect standards (it is known that he could not stand the weather conditions and wanted to leave as soon as possible) but the known quality of his work is there, once again.

A movie that belongs more to the Art-House section than to that of Horror, I might add. Don't miss it though. And buy the Ennio Moriconne soundtrack, it is a masterpiece!


Argento's own "8 1/2". Art-House Horror for the Soul...   November 2, 1999
Peter Neal
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Well, after the pretty poor by Argento standards "Trauma" and the near-perfect "Stendhal Syndrome", Dario Argento pulls off his most expensive in-joke yet! I saw this movie at Athens Film Festival where they had organised a retrospective of Dario's work and I found it extreamely interesting.

Argento does not care to make a horror film, that's for sure. Instead, he creates a self-ironic film, deliberatly balancing between shots of poetic grace (the Phantom's visions of children pierced by mousetraps - chilling) and shots of extravagant kitch (Asia's appearance in the same scene!).

Argento's choice of not to have his Phantom disfigured was not without a point: This man is disfigured from the inside, and thanks to the script, it shows. Let's not forget that Gerard Brach, the co-scripter, is the man who co-wrote "Frantic", "The Fearless Vampire Killers" and many other Polanski films. So, there is no mistake here.

The film is deliberatly funny in places but it contains some very weird scenes (like the one in the borthel - unbelievable for an Argento film). I would say that it is his more Felini-esque film yet. It is his "8 1/2". After all, he is Italian!

A movie that belongs more to the Art-House section than to that of Horror, I might add. Don't miss it though. And buy the Ennio Moriconne soundtrack, it is a masterpiece!


Interesting take on 'Phantom,' true to story   May 14, 2000
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I thought that this was an fascinating film, and the director did a very good job. The costumes were really sensational, and some of the horror scenes were rather..well,..horrorish. All in all, Sands did a good job as the Phantom, and the other cast was good as well. Note: Good soundtrack buy too.


Argento's Most Under-rated Movie   April 4, 2004
Joseph Adams (Superior, WI USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I have every Dario Argento in my collection except for the not yet on home video Four Flies on Grey Velvet. Out of all Dario Argento films, this is the one I've watched the most. I am also a fan of the original Lon Chaney film, and have the Leroux novel but haven't read it yet. Like any Argento, this is to shock and disturb the viewer rather than to make a "quality" film. In this case, argento is shocking his diehard fans and Phantom fans. This is radically different than any other Argento because of the extent of plotting and character development in between a few gore scenes. Argento suffered the same fate as the heavy metal he used in Phenomena and Opera in the 90s- it was passe and most didn't think it was even halfway as good. As much as I love this film, it is not even close to essential viewing or essential Argento, but a rare commodity that you will eaither love or hate.


Bizarre Even by Argento Standards   November 30, 1999
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

Dario Argento's adaption of the Leroux novel is truly strange even by his standards. Anyone expecting a faithful adaption will be sorely disappointed as will die-hard gore fans. Though the time period and characters of the novel remain the same the remainder is radically different. The Phantom is no longer a physical monster but one scarred from the inside. Raised by rats he prowls the underground catacombs and halls of the opera house dispatching victims in various gruesome ways. He also holds a psychic link with Christine. The film is lush, romantic, gory and filled with intentional and not so intentional comic touches. Bizarre to say the least and, oddly enough, though it's quite far from being a completely satisfying experience I couldn't wait to watch it again.