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| Home: DVD: The Phantom of the Opera (1924) (Silent Film Classic) |
The Phantom of the Opera (1924) (Silent Film Classic)- Amazon |
Troubling transfers: 2003 2-disc Milestone or 1997 Image
2005-10-23
The silent PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has probably been available in dozens of VHS and DVD editions over the years. Virtually all are based on the very heavily re-worked 1929 reissue, the version almost everyone knows--probably even unaware that it isn't the original release and how unlike the original film it is. In fact, the original 1925 version doesn't seem to exist any longer in a decent print: only scratchy, blurred, grainy "play-at-home" 16mm prints survive. Sadly, the original version contained better camera set-ups, better editing, a more coherent story, more consistent acting and direction, and it runs 107 minutes to the reissue's 92 (at the same 20 frames-per-second projection speed of the period).
Most of the many versions around on DVD now are awful. There are only two somewhat serious contenders. The 2003 2-disc Milestone PHANTOM's greatest asset is its second disc, which contains the original 1925 general release from one of those few surviving poor 16mm prints. It's the only 1925 version available and probably--if frustratingly--in the best condition we will ever have. The organ score, written and performed by Jon Mirsalis, is quite fine. The second disc also has story continuities from the Los Angeles and San Francisco premieres, using interspersed stills that show yet other, very different, films. The fact is that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has always been a bit of a mess, and the producers didn't know what to do with it. Its only real assets are Lon Chaney's astonishing performance and make-up, as well as its place in history as the first American horror film. Remember, however, that the far superior German NOSFERATU by great director F.W. Murnau, based on the novel DRACULA, was produced three years earlier in 1922, and the German expressionist CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI appeared three years before that in 1919. The more highly touted aspect of the Milestone set is its first disc, which contains the 1929 reissue transferred from the 1996 British Photoplay restoration made from a brilliant copy in the George Eastman Archive. There is a fine orchestral score by BBC composer Carl Davis. Additionally, 1930 sound excerpts are available on a separate synchronized audio track; there is a commentary track by film historian Scott MacQueen; and every scrap of historical data in existence is included as extras. However, the Milestone DVD of the 1929 PHANTOM reissue is seriously degraded. Because of the PAL to NTSC transfer, it runs slow: 94 minutes to Photoplay's original 90. With a silent film, this is not so serious, but with a synchronized orchestral score, it becomes a problem: the music is a semi-tone flat in Davis' score; and all other sound, including the bits of synchronized 1930-reissue dialogue, has been *slowed down* and flattened in pitch to match the inaccurate projection speed of the picture: some of the 1930 dialogue appears in the bonus features at the right speed so it's easy to tell. Even worse is the picture's continuous "motion blur," a jerky, multi-ghosting effect that distorts all movement and gives the viewer a headache; even still frames are slightly blurred. No other version is afflicted with this horrible defect, including the original 1996 Photoplay restoration. That Milestone should have considered these problems to be acceptable for a "definitive" release is disgraceful. Photoplay itself made some strange decisions, omitting the 2-minute prologue with the "lantern man" that appears in every print of the 1929 reissue, on the assumption that it dated from 1930 and was intended for synchronized sound, which doesn't exist: there is no evidence for such an assumption. Even silent, the scene sets the mood, and casually deleting it amounts to historical vandalism. Milestone's "ultimate" DVD edition doesn't even bother to include it as one of its countless bonus features: Scott MacQueen merely mumbles something about its absence on the commentary track. (Strangely, a few seconds of the scene, with slightly altered shots, appears in the *1925 version* on Disc 2, where it certainly doesn't belong!) Further, the Photoplay version inexplicably omits the closing repetition of the cast list, which Universal certainly wanted "at the request of patrons" as indicated, a completely irresponsible move from Photoplay/Milestone. The Milestone 2-DVD version is only valuable for the 1925 version--it is the only place to get it now, and for the copious historical extras. The low-pitch, motion-blurred 1929 transfer of the already cut 1996 Photoplay restoration is worthless. The 1997 Image DVD of the 1929 reissue made by David Shepherd for a 1992 laser disc, does not come from such a pristine original print. Also, the tinting, though supposedly done according to a "Universal Pictures cutting continuity," is problematic. Dark tints, especially red, are over-saturated and degrade the picture's clarity badly even when the TV's color level is set to zero. But at least, unlike the Milestone version, there are no random cuts, and the projection speed and pitch are accurate. The Gabriel Thibaudeaux score for the older Image disc is more minimal and perhaps a bit more effective than the lush Carl Davis score in the Milestone edition. Both versions letterbox the picture on the sides: early frames were more square than the later 4:3, so it was a wise move to ensure that nothing is lost when seen on a TV screen. It is difficult to recommend either version, but between the two, the 1997 Image version, though imperfect, at least contains a usable 1929 reissue, while the second disc of the Milestone set is the only source for the 1925 original--in however poor surviving condition. I'm still waiting for a really decent restoration, at least for the 1929 PHANTOM reissue: it just can't be that hard! 
Lon Chaney's Finest Hour
2005-10-22
Despite a history of production troubles and extensive re-editing, "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925) has survived as a landmark of the silent era -- thanks largely to Lon Chaney's classic performance in the title role. It's a stylish melodrama with serial-style thrills and some genuinely horrific moments. The DVD "ultimate edition" features plenty of extras and a memorable Carl Davis score. Remakes come and go, but the original reigns supreme.
I'm Reviewing The Kino Video Tape.
2005-10-17
I have never read Gaston Leroux's novel that this movie is based on, I have the novel but haven't gotten around to reading it yet but I have seen this movie which is the first silent movie I have ever watched and I really liked it and thought that Lon Chaney was great as the Phantom. According to information on the back cover of my Kino video tape they used the original organ music score that was originally played live by an organist in theaters when people were watching the movie and I liked that! I have really enjoyed watching this tape but tapes wear out easily and I will have to think of buying the movie on DVD!
The Ultimate Version? Not quite... (Milestone Edition)
2005-10-16
While I have absolute praise for what is the most comprehensive edition of the original edition of the silent Lon Chaney, Sr. classic, what prevents this edition from being virtually flawless is the visual 'restoration' of the 1929/1930 foreign reissue version, from the finest known surviving print courtesy of The George Eastman House.
Transferring what is essentially a hybrid of silent (approx 18 frames per second) and sound (24 fps) footage from this release at its closest possible silent presentation (except for the sound version chandelier sequence featuring Mary Fabian as Carlotta), mastering in Europe's PAL (25 fps) format, and converting it yet again to NTSC (30 fps) for North American Region 1 release makes this presentation very choppy looking. Another problem is that the 'digital cleanup' used to remove scratches and dirt and present a virtually pristine image unfortuantely takes with it some of the important frame information. If you have seen the Kino Video release of Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis', you would have seen a restoration demonstration that shows the effects of too much reliance on digital cleanup - motion 'blurs' such running or other fast movement is interpreted by the software as dirt or other artifacts, and the result can be the brief disappearance of limbs or other objects. That aside, the bonus materials make this a fabulous addition for Phantom fans, thanks to an informative audio essay by Scott MacQueen, who documents the troubled production, the incompetence of 'director' Rupert Julian, and the sole savior of the film, actor/make-up master (and self-director) Lon Chaney. His body language is what makes the film most powerful, and his use of several variations of masks and facial makeup combined with critical lighting and photography under his direction make Chaney's Phantom one of the most iconic villians/monsters in movie history, while making him (like his other monstrous creations like "Hunchback"'s Quasimodo) a creature worthy of pity. Another rarely-seen bonus is the inclusion of a 16mm print of the "show-at-home" 1925 general release version, first seen by laserdisc fanatics on Image Entertainment's 1990 double feature laserdisc. By the time this version of the film had been issued in 1925, it was the third such release for 'Phantom', and the hodgepodge of title cards vary from rewrites and reshoots that occured (the first two premieres were disasters). The 16mm 1925 version features several different (albeit better) takes of shots and additional sequences dropped from the later sound reissue and give a more cohesive story than the version commonly seen today, but its visual quality understandably leaves much to be desired. Missing pieces of the Phantom's history are filled out in recreations of the first two premiere versions thanks to surviving shooting scripts and still photos. If you want to get a more detailed history of the original 'Phantom' there is a marvellous book also available through Amazon, detailing the production history with tremendous photos and amazing stories of Chaney's makeup and self-directing, Julian's drectorial inadequacy, Mary Philbin's wooden acting, and lost scenes. (A prime example - Erik's final showdown at with the mob featured him reaching into his vest, pulling out what appears to be a bomb, then is in reality nothing, takes on an entirely different meaning when it is revealed that the scene as it appears in the film was actually a rehearsal take; the intended take reveals that Erik was meant to pull out Christine's handkerchief she had given him in the now lost original version where the the Phantom dies of a broken heart at his organ in the underground lair before the mob arrives!) Check out the book "Phantom of the Opera (Hollywood Archives Series) (Paperback)" elsewhere on the Amazon site, endorsed by Chaney Enterprises (created by the grandchildren of Lon Chaney, Jr., and great-grandchildren of the legendary elder). That book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882127331/qid=1129433850/sr=1-12/ref=sr_1_12/002-5564117-0138427?v=glance&s=books The 'Ultimate' version of Chaney's Phantom has yet to be satisactorily released, but his package will do very nicely, thank you very much...
Discovery of an Icon
2005-09-30
The image of Lon Chaney as The Phantom of the Opera is one of those classic screen images, right up there with Karloffs Monster & Lugosis' Dracula, instantly recognisable. I purchased this Milestone 2 DVD release on a whim & have thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite Rupert Julians flawed direction, nothing can diminish the impact of Chaney's performance. As with all great monsters, the sympathy & understanding are with him. According to the excellent commentary by Scott MacQueen, it was rumored that Chaney directed his own scenes, & the performance of Mary Philbin does become remarkably 3 dimensional in their scenes together.
The new score by Carl Davis is a work of pure genius, brilliantly integrating excerpts from Gounods Faust in a tone poem of extreme beauty. The colour restoration is breathtaking, particularly the Lyre of Orpheus scenes. Nothing to complain about....treats all 'round.  Read for more: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B...
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