brileyvandyke

I am of two minds about this film. First, it's a highly interesting and unique film. It is a film that is a historical document. In this way I believe it has value and merit. Second, the film is hysterical in the incoherence of both leftists and rightists portrayed. It is a document of a nation becoming ungovernable, bombastic and paranoid.

I could not help but chuckle at the thought that the hippies became hedonists in the 70's, yuppies in the 80's and are today mocked by their grandchildren as selfish, self-absorbed boomers. The latter statement is on full display in this film. Perhaps to a different generation that will be the takeaway. This film demonstrates the self absorbed, paranoia of the idealistic boomer generation.

Astonishing highlight of German expressionism. What an innovative film that still holds an uncanny look. A simple plot involving a madman who psychically manipulates a somnambulist to commit murder. Simple, but highly effective due to the makeup, set designs, lighting, shadows and execution of set pieces. Told in six acts, we watch how an innocent carnival act of a sleeper awakens and becomes a sinister killer.

The set designs of uneven lines and shapes sets a mood of uneasiness; the colored filter and fade outs give the movie an surreal quality. I was amazed and mesmerized watching this movie. I haven't seen anything quite like it and to think its over a century old!! For me, the silent era horror films hold up. I think its horror cinema perfected.

Unbelievable film. Its a kind of love story gone horrifically bad. Lon Chaney is a tour de force. Astonishing how he applied his own makeup, and I love his performance here. All his costumes are impressive and memorable. Honestly, for me, no other adaptation of the Phantom comes close to the imagery in the original. I know the film doesn't follow the book strictly, but I do find this film as a work of art. The colors, the music, the opera house. The Red Death scene-nothing in modern cinema aspires to be both elegant and horrifying. Just watch the film and enjoy. "Feast your eyes, glut your soul, on my accursed ugliness!"