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The Phantom of the Opera

Original title: Il fantasma dell'opera
  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
4.3/10
6K
YOUR RATING
Asia Argento in The Phantom of the Opera (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Ardustry Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
40 Photos
Horror

Gory remake of the Gaston Leroux classic story, only this time, the phantom is not disfigured, but a man who was raised by rats deep under the Paris Opera House.Gory remake of the Gaston Leroux classic story, only this time, the phantom is not disfigured, but a man who was raised by rats deep under the Paris Opera House.Gory remake of the Gaston Leroux classic story, only this time, the phantom is not disfigured, but a man who was raised by rats deep under the Paris Opera House.

  • Director
    • Dario Argento
  • Writers
    • Gaston Leroux
    • Gérard Brach
    • Dario Argento
  • Stars
    • Julian Sands
    • Asia Argento
    • Andrea Di Stefano
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.3/10
    6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dario Argento
    • Writers
      • Gaston Leroux
      • Gérard Brach
      • Dario Argento
    • Stars
      • Julian Sands
      • Asia Argento
      • Andrea Di Stefano
    • 107User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Phantom of the Opera (1998)
    Trailer 1:14
    Phantom of the Opera (1998)

    Photos40

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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Julian Sands
    Julian Sands
    • The Phantom
    Asia Argento
    Asia Argento
    • Christine Daaé
    Andrea Di Stefano
    Andrea Di Stefano
    • Baron Raoul De Chagny
    Nadia Rinaldi
    Nadia Rinaldi
    • Carlotta Altieri
    Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni
    Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni
    • Honorine
    István Bubik
    • Ignace, the rat-catcher
    Lucia Guzzardi
    • Madame Giry
    Aldo Massasso
    • Pourdieu
    Zoltan Barabas
    • Poligny
    Gianni Franco
    Gianni Franco
    • Montluc
    David D'Ingeo
    • Alfred
    Kitty Kéri
    • Paulette
    John Pedeferri
    • Dr. Princard
    Leonardo Treviglio
    Leonardo Treviglio
    • Jerome De Chagny
    Massimo Sarchielli
    Massimo Sarchielli
    • Joseph Buquet
    Luis Molteni
    Luis Molteni
    • Nicolaud
    Enzo Cardogna
    • Marcel
    Antonio Pupillo
    • Gustave
    • Director
      • Dario Argento
    • Writers
      • Gaston Leroux
      • Gérard Brach
      • Dario Argento
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews107

    4.36K
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    Featured reviews

    6WillDoFilmsLLC

    wonderfully bad

    Being a fan of horror films, I was naturally intrigued to see that Italian horror legend Dario Argento had made a version of Phantom of the Opera. I rented it without hesitation. Well, it certainly isn't his best work, to put it mildly. The film introduces several new and interesting elements to the Phantom story, which by now has been rehashed ad nauseum. Some of these elements include - the Phantom having been raised by rats, the Phantom is not (externally) deformed, and therefore, does not wear the mask that is almost mandatory for the part (despite the fact that it appears on the cover - though it does make a haunting appearance in one scene, if you can catch it in the background). Unfortunately, the potential of these new ideas is never fully explored, rather, they are reintroduced and reintroduced as if to say, "Hey, look what I thought of! Isn't that great?" It seems that Argento got so caught up in the atmosphere and style of the movie that he forgot there was actually a story going on. The commitment to atmosphere is obvious - the costumes _are_ positively marvelous, and the cinematography is also quality. Beyond that, the film more or less falls apart. The acting is, for lack of a better word, absolutely terrible. I was sighing with relief everytime one of the few actors who managed mediocrity came onscreen. Julian Sands as the Phantom is flat, not surprising for an actor who fell off the face of the earth ten years ago. Andrea di Stefano as his rival Raoul is neither good nor bad, but certainly inexperienced. Asia Argento as the singer is disappointing compared to some of her other performances - but as one reviewer noted, she always seems to be holding back when working for her father.

    The biggest problem I had with it was the hideous line dubbing. At least I _hope_ some of those lines were dubbed. Another problem is just how quickly the movie takes things for granted. Almost before I had time to take my popcorn out of the microwave and sit down, the singer and the phantom were madly in love and communicating psychically. Yes, psychically, another new idea that is interesting of its own right but doesn't work because it is presented far too suddenly and with very little supporting detail.

    Overall . . . it has its moments. Those moments could have made for a very refreshing look at the Phantom story, as well as a darn good movie. Unfortunately, it managed to do only some of the former, and none of the latter.
    Galina_movie_fan

    Guilty Pleasure

    It is not the best movie ever made but it is watchable, mainly due to Morricone's Music and the opera selections. Asia Argento plays the main heroine, young talented opera singer Christine. I don't think she was bad and her face is unbelievably beautiful - she reminds Olivia Hussey of "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) and Uma Thurman if Uma ever decides to dye her hair dark. Production values, costumes, special effects, decorations, and the singing voices are very good. I noticed that I laughed a lot during the film - perhaps Argento made a dark comedy of the familiar story?

    I did not like Julien Sands as a non-masked Phantom. He looks a lot like the creatures that raised him.

    The film has an orgy scene that is so funny it could've came directly from "Caligula"

    Overall - I had a lot of fun, and and can call it one of my guilty pleasures.
    ScaryMann

    Not nearly as bad as people say it is

    I'm a brand new Dario Argento fan, having only seen 4 of his films (Phenomena, Tenebrae, Suspiria, and this). But I'm definitely planning to see more (my copy of Stendhal Syndrome is preordered and should be here next week). I bought this simply because it was Argento, and I was actually surprised. I was told that this was his worst film, and some even called it his swan song. I rather liked it, myself. If it is made by Dario Argento, it will be good. Dario took a few liberties, making this more of his own instead of yet another adaptation of the novel. I have to applaud him for that, even though some of it hardly makes sense. And there is the fact that electric light was not around at the time. But if you spend your life analyzing movies and hating them for the smallest detail, what's the point of watching movies? I watch to be entertained. The visuals aren't nearly as great as Suspiria, and the special effects are hardly special (you can smell a CGI shot from a mile away). Not to mention some performances. But I still liked it, because it had that Argento touch that all of is films have. Besides, Argento's worst films are still better than most of the 'horror' America has, today. I'd probably give it 3 out of 4 stars if I had to grade it. Check it out.
    The Yeti

    Dario Argento still kicks-ass!

    'Suspiria' was scary. 'Tenebrae' was good. 'Trauma' was silly but all of Argentos movies were good. This film still proves that point. The actual plot for the movie is a lot like the book. Julian Sands is great as the Phantom and the other characters are creative. There are people who get killed which really deserve it. A paedophile. A thief. This movie is a lot better than your average slasher movie. 'Scream' was rubbish! A must see for Argento fans. 8 out of 10.
    Warlock-5

    About 10 times better the second time around

    Yet again, a Dario Argento film that is absolutely horrible the first time, but somehow fantastic the second time you watch it. This phantom is pretty much different from the 1989 effort,starring Robert Englund, that also aimed for gory shocks and mayhem....and failed miserably. Argento's version is much better, never taking itself too seriously and telling a romantic tale that you actually care about. Julian Sands is good as the Phantom, when he learns that his lover Christine loves someone else, he listens to them kiss and he starts to sob, his acting is so good that it almost breaks your heart. Asia Argento is also a nice actress, I didn't care for her much in Trauma (and I've yet to see The Stendhal Syndrome) but her acting here has improved, she is a talented and beautiful actress. Now back to the movie itself, it's the best adaptation I've seen of the story yet, it is violent, but not too much. There's also a great sense of humour. "You will not play in Romeo and Juliet. If you defy me, I will hurt you. Do you understand me you fat cow?"

    "How dare you-a speak-a to-a me-a like-a that!"(Italian accent)

    The movie is really a lot of fun and I think I have a crush on Kitty Keri, but it's too bad she has her tongue ripped out.

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    Related interests

    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rumour has it that Dario Argento's original cut of the film ran almost an hour longer and that the version which was finally released, has been heavily re-cut and changed by the producers to assure the film's appeal to wider audiences.
    • Quotes

      The Phantom: [Caressing Christine's neck from behind] Your perfume! Your feminine smell flows through my veins like the melody of the rolling ocean.

    • Alternate versions
      The DVD release is the unrated director's cut while the VHS version is the R-rated cut.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Phantom of the Opera: Behind the Scenes (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Faust: Overture
      Music by Charles Gounod

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1998 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • French
    • Also known as
      • El fantasma de la ópera
    • Filming locations
      • Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Medusa Film
      • Reteitalia
      • Cine 2000
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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