Movie Review: Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Phantom of the Opera (1925) directed by Rupert Julian

The opera "Faust" is playing at the Paris Opera House as the owners sell it to two new guys. The owners casually mention there might be a ghost in the opera house. Don't believe it but also don't try to dissuade the guy in Box Five. In fact, don't mess with him at all. The new owners head over to Box Five and are creeped out by the back silhouette. After a moment, they work their nerve up and go back in, only to discover him gone. Soon enough they are getting letters from the Phantom demanding that Christine Daae (Mary Philbin) be given the main role instead of Carlotta. Carlotta's mom refuses to budge but Carlotta does call in sick. A second letter comes, again requesting the substitution. The mother is adamant that Carlotta will sing. During the next performance, the chandelier comes down on the crowd during one of Carlotta's solos. The Phantom has struck! 

Back in Christine's dressing room, the ghostly voice that has been training her tells her to walk through the mirror, which she does, leaving behind her boyfriend Raoul (Norman Kerry). The masked Phantom leads her down to the depths of the sub-basements of the opera (a lot of old sets, props, and costumes are stored underneath--the old rooms used to be prisons and torture chambers!). He professes his love for Christine and wants her to stay. She's uneasy about the situation and plays along. As he works on a new opera, "Don Juan Triumphant," she sneaks up behind and unmasks him. He's shocked that she would do it. She's shocked by his appearance, which is indeed horrific. He eventually agrees to let her return to the opera one last time before she is his forever. He forbids her from seeing Raoul and expects her to return shortly. She agrees.

Once back up, she sends a letter to Raoul asking him to meet her at the Bal Masque at the opera house. All of Paris turns out for the festivities. She and Raoul head to the roof to plot her escape from the Phantom. The Phantom is up there too and overhears their plans. He starts making his own plans to keep her. The story continues to its tragic ending.

The movie was a landmark when it was released in the 1920s. Chaney's makeup was not photographed by any press or media, so no one saw the Phantom's face before seeing the actual movie. The unmasking scene is so well edited and acted that it has become iconic. The other parts of the production are also lavish. The Bal Masque scene was colorized to show off the Phantom's Red Death costume. Much of the rest of the film is tinted to give an atmospheric feel. The sets are huge and elaborate. The grand staircase of the opera is at least three stories tall and many of the sub-basements are cavernous. The Phantom's lair at the bottom is reached by a subterranean lake! The production is quite lavish.

The acting matches the production values. Chaney does a great job making the Phantom both frightening and empathetic. Philbin is strong and vulnerable as Christine. Even smaller roles shine, like the opera owners who are skeptical but wary about the ghost. They mostly deliver comic relief (and are out of the story halfway through). The finale gives the Phantom one last chance to show off.

The version I watched has an orchestral score by Carl Davis from the 1990s which worked very well with the movie. I think the Kino version (which is linked below) has the same score. Kino has put out lots of high-quality DVDs and Blu-rays of silent films, so they are worthy of trust.

Highly recommended--this is one of the greats of silent cinema.