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The Phantom of the Opera
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The Phantom of the Opera

1925
Drama
Horror
1h 33m
A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer. (imdb)
Directed by:
Rupert Julian
Written by:
Gaston Leroux Elliott J. Clawson
+1 more
Starring:
Lon Chaney Lon Chaney Mary Philbin Mary Philbin Norman Kerry Norman Kerry Arthur Edmund Carewe Gibson Gowland Gibson Gowland John St. Polis Snitz Edwards Snitz Edwards
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Genres:
Drama, Horror
Country:
USA
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Phantom of the Opera

1925
Drama
Horror
1h 33m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 61.34% from 646 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(646)
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timecapsuleTimeCapsule
Rated 25 Oct 2020
68
61st
While the famous Lon Chaney performance and make-up, along with the grand scale opulent opera house are worth the watch, let's be honest, it's really all about that reveal scene. The bigger thing was trying figure out just exactly which version I was watching. Although the colorized scenes in the 1929 Eastman print were an interesting addition, and while the 1925 reconstruction film is a bit slow, the streamlining edits and the added soundtrack in the 1929 release really detract from the film.
Rated 25 Oct 2020
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 27 Jul 2019
80
77th
The Incel of the Opera.
Rated 27 Jul 2019
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 11 Mar 2009
68
30th
I saw the revised version from the 30's where they used color filters, for the most part the color was retarded "Ohhhhhhh, wow, everything's purple." For about ten minutes the thing was actually in color--full color--it was quite astonishing to see 1925 in color. The movie itself is slow and occasionally good--but not often. The leading lady was quite beautiful, not common in early film.
Rated 11 Mar 2009
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 28 Jul 2011
51
8th
I have to imagine that even Webber's version is more nuanced than this. Barebones storytelling with zero intriguing developments and drearily dull characters. I couldn't give a damn what happened to Christine (whose reaction to the phantom is no more sophisticated than "eww gross") or her generic lover. Even Lon Chaney is just a boring bogeyman with a cool makeup job. There are a few striking images and a handful of funhouse tricks at the climax, but nothing terribly exciting. Yawn.
Rated 28 Jul 2011
paxtonPaxton
Rated 17 Jan 2014
60
38th
Beneath your dancing feet are the tombs of tortured men. Thus does the Red Death rebuke your merriment.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
hotsakehotsake
Rated 22 Oct 2018
72
80th
Over the top and theatrical. It's not my favorite version and doesn't quite live up to the hype but its still very fun to watch and Lon Chaney's Phantom still looks better than the one from more recent films. Also to be noted is that I found this movie too be about 30 minutes too long.
Rated 22 Oct 2018
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 12 Nov 2011
20
5th
I lost interest somewhere in the middle. Folding laundry suddenly became awfully attractive.
Rated 12 Nov 2011
sheepslashersheepslasher
Rated 25 Oct 2021
4
81st
Viewed with a live theater organ performance accompanying, a must.
Rated 25 Oct 2021
scribScrib
Rated 04 Jul 2022
70
54th
High on drama and low on atmosphere, but it does have its moments. The reveal comes all too quickly for it to be hugely impactful, but our antagonist's "hideous" face no doubt shocked a few in its day and Chaney's performance still carries. Compared to some versions, the Phantom is lacking enough of a sympathetic edge and the female protag is laughably shallow. This doesn't help in rooting for the latter or feeling much for the former when things get 'ugly' (heh). Enjoyable nonetheless.
Rated 04 Jul 2022
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 22 May 2010
79
57th
Chaney's good as are some of the visuals, but the story's too weak and drags the film down.
Rated 22 May 2010
johnnyzombieJohnnyZombie
Rated 09 Oct 2008
90
83rd
The unmasking of the Phantom is still an effective scene.
Rated 09 Oct 2008
yiannosYiannos
Rated 12 Jul 2016
65
60th
T.P.O.T.A is best appreciated for its historical significance than its actual quality, which varies considerably from scene to scene. Chaney's intense physicality made him an ideal silent actor, and he puts it to good use as the deranged Phantom with an unhealthy obsession for a pretty young opera singer. It's notable for two legitimately great sequences: the unmasking of the Phantom and the colourised ball. They are masterfully executed, but the film as a whole is not.
Rated 12 Jul 2016
moviesinhellmoviesinhell
Rated 26 Dec 2009
88
85th
An ever amazing Chaney dominates as the deranged, disfigured but oft sympathetic title character in Rupert Julian's opulent, poignant, and creepy silent-film giant.
Rated 26 Dec 2009
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 20 Nov 2018
100
94th
The Phantom is prime niceguy incel material - weird obsession with hats; thinks capes look cool; delusions of grandeur; melodramatic unsolicited 'romantic' gestures; sense of entitlement, etc. Anyway -- Lon Chaney is terrifying. The sets are magnificent - in turn grandiose and opulent, than dark and gothic. The bits of color here and there are still awesome 100 years later. Not a huge fan of the score from Alloy Orchestra.
Rated 20 Nov 2018
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 23 Mar 2013
80
72nd
An old-school opulence almost makes the film less ridiculous than it should be, just as its' Grand Guignol-style is both refreshing and reassuring, in its perverse way. Chaney's Phantom's madness is never once in doubt, and makes the film tense and enjoyable for its entirety.
Rated 23 Mar 2013
magbMagb
Rated 02 Feb 2007
65
30th
Lon Chaney is very good and the movie has some nice visuals, but the direction is so dull that it totally kills the whole thing. And it's hard to get past the fact that most of the acting (except for Chaney) is ridiculous, and not in a cool way like exaggerated German Expressionism acting. Mediocre stuff.
Rated 02 Feb 2007
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 30 Nov 2010
15
21st
"Like that other creaky Universal monster epic, Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera is one of those classic films whose reputation trumps its actual cinematic worth." - Eric Henderson
Rated 30 Nov 2010
egbertsouseEgbertSouse
Rated 16 Dec 2008
75
41st
Chaney's great, movie is mediocre
Rated 16 Dec 2008
eveeluneveelun
Rated 03 Feb 2010
78
70th
The sets are magnificent: the cavernous underground chambers, the claustrophobic dungeon, and the grand opera house are all marvels that capture the viewer's attention. Chaney's deranged performance and gruesome performance are similarly captivating. The rest of the picture is ok, the other actors are blandly melodramatic and the story itself is formulaic.
Rated 03 Feb 2010
feniusFenius
Rated 16 Dec 2015
85
53rd
The ballerinas who twirl when they're scared are a perfect touch.
Rated 16 Dec 2015
batuibatui
Rated 17 Oct 2011
55
26th
It's pretty good up to the unmasking; then I guess the writers didn't know how to proceed, because it turns into a jumbled mess, with an undercover policeman, some guy getting hanged, an angry mob, a bomb, etc. Maybe they shouldn't have had Christine unmask him so quickly - a lot of interesting plotting could have been fit in the interim. Also, the phantom is, unfortunately, unambiguously evil, and his doll-like mask is creepier than the makeup.
Rated 17 Oct 2011
damildamil
Rated 12 May 2013
70
67th
I thought this was a really good and impressive silent film. Some of the sets and production design were amazing. Lon Chaney is great, of course, especially with that make-up. However, the other performances were melodramatic in that typical silent film way. And the story itself felt a little thin, particularly towards the end. Regardless, it's totally worth a watch.
Rated 12 May 2013
monkeyflipmonkeyflip
Rated 25 Jul 2012
47
30th
It looks neat but if you have not already seen it, you probably will find that you're attention span will not be able to bear it.
Rated 25 Jul 2012
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 07 Sep 2023
85
93rd
This is my first proper exposure to 'The Phantom of the Opera' in any form - I have not read the novela nor seen/heard the Andrew Lloyd Webber spectacle - and I might leave it at that because I don't think this filmic rendition can be bettered. It's all very Méliès in style and intent. And it's films like these that we need to regularly return to in order to remind ourselves what filmmaking is really all about; the transformative power of the moving image.
Rated 07 Sep 2023
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 02 Nov 2013
8
80th
I grew up in a household that played the broadway musical during car trips. I also happened to see the broadway play in 9th grade, which I found very moving, because I'm a sap. With that said, it might be easy to say I have a sentimental attachment to the story and am biased, yet I swear that's not why I think this is great! The sets are wonderful, the music is quite good, and the story is told with skill and playful amusement. Worthy of your time, if you're in the right mood.
Rated 02 Nov 2013
senseisensei
Rated 06 Jun 2011
80
69th
The phantom being unmasked is my earliest movie memory. I was 2 and a half at the time, I think. So I can't hate this film!
Rated 06 Jun 2011
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 09 Nov 2020
93
88th
Grand, gloriously melodramatic production (the broad emotions of the story are perfect for a silent production) is really a showcase for Chaney's haunting, wounded portrait of pain, under a still incredibly effective (and discomforting) make-up job. Grimly atmospheric and generally well performed by its cast, highlighted by some genuinely unsettling horror set pieces (especially that frightening initial reveal of the Phantom himself!)
Rated 09 Nov 2020
solomonburrrSolomonBurrr
Rated 29 Jul 2020
80
76th
80.2.
Rated 29 Jul 2020
halukilhanhalukilhan
Rated 18 Nov 2011
80
45th
maske, muzik
Rated 18 Nov 2011
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 16 Sep 2022
50
23rd
It needs editing as many scenes go on and on with nothing to add, the exposition and exaggerated acting leave a bad impression, and it's weird to see Christine so appalled by the Phantom's looks but not at all by his extremely problematic behaviour. The third act is an improvement: the tempo's faster, there are stakes and a couple of moments stand out (Raoul rushing to Christine, the Phantom's final trick). Chaney is visually iconic thanks to his own make-up, yet the film's a missed opportunity.
Rated 16 Sep 2022
x_humanx-human
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
53rd
The '25 version is slow to start but quickly becomes more engaging. Chaney is brilliant in subtle ways beyond the larger than life persona. The '29 version is chopped liver by comparison.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
agentsands77Agentsands77
Rated 18 Jul 2010
70
52nd
Lon Chaney's presence elevates what would otherwise be a so-so spectacle.
Rated 18 Jul 2010
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 17 Mar 2012
50
44th
Lon Chaney looks great, and so do the underground sets, but the plot's not engaging or well-edited enough to keep suspense going for an hour and a half.
Rated 17 Mar 2012
q31Q31
Rated 17 Mar 2008
94
75th
Incredible performance and make-up by Lon Chaney, with some superb cinematography too. I see why it's a classic.
Rated 17 Mar 2008
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 05 Jun 2013
80
57th
A silent horror classic. Lon Chaney's appearance and acting make him an absolutely perfect Phantom.
Rated 05 Jun 2013
stainStain
Rated 31 Mar 2007
50
33rd
None of Lon Chaney, Sr.'s films have aged well
Rated 31 Mar 2007
heliophageHeliophage
Rated 14 Sep 2015
72
89th
A great looking film, though the plot and characterization are spread pretty thin. There's a suitably grand opera house set (shown off very nicely in a stylish Technicolor sequence, no less), some moodily lit catacombs, and one of Lon Chaney's most famous makeup jobs.
Rated 14 Sep 2015
kadrianKadrian
Rated 23 Nov 2011
50
34th
Worth seeing once, though I'm not really into silent movies. At least some versions of this film include a few minutes of color. It's not great color, but for 1925 it's incredible.
Rated 23 Nov 2011
eggbeatereggbeater
Rated 12 Dec 2009
83
82nd
Famous unmasking scene still packs a jolt, and the Bal Masque is especially impressive in two-strip Technicolor. One of Chaney's finest hours.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
glm01glm01
Rated 25 Mar 2014
89
97th
89.000
Rated 25 Mar 2014
cinemaveriteCinemaVerite
Rated 07 Mar 2008
20
19th
It's so overrated.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
troothTrooth
Rated 11 Jul 2012
85
91st
I didn't know much about Phantom of the Opera until I saw this movie. The makeup effects on Lon Chaney were fantastic (as to be expected), and the story is exceptional. It was actually kind of jarring when his face is revealed. The tension just builds more and more as you learn about the Phantom, and what makes him tick. Some elaborate sets really contribute to the atmosphere, and make it the best silent horror movie I've seen (so far).
Rated 11 Jul 2012
aaaaaaarrgggaaaaaaarrggg
Rated 31 Jul 2010
86
91st
The first and best movie version of the classic Leroux tale is also one of the best silent horror films ever made. Chaney is unforgettable. He directed many of his own scenes, and most leave an everlasting impression: his gliding into a masked ball as Poe's "Red Death"; the abduction of heroine Philbin through the glistening black catacombs beneath the opera house; and, of course, the famous unmasking, which, believe it or not, still packs a jolt today.
Rated 31 Jul 2010
mojojoestarMojoJoestar
Rated 06 Oct 2016
65
40th
Lon Chaney is the only reason I watched this otherwise boring silent film. He was great, but the rest is rather meh.
Rated 06 Oct 2016
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 22 May 2011
77
40th
Two words: Lon Chaney. He's the one who makes this film work. His makeup and performance is what makes this a classic in American horror cinema.
Rated 22 May 2011
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 21 Feb 2023
80
78th
A classic where Lon Chaney steals the show. At times it's maddeningly slow, while other times it seems to go too fast (that whole mob, and nobody encountered the brother?). The reveal scene still is powerful about a hundred years later; I wish I had seen the colorized version to be impressed by the masked ball.
Rated 21 Feb 2023
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
50
35th
Classic.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
omercyme33OMercyMe33
Rated 19 May 2009
50
33rd
This 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera is the first film adaptation of the 1910 novel of the same name. The story itself is pretty decent, but the movie drags on even by silent-film standards. Lots of still shots could have been cut down to increase the pacing. Also, the music seemed a bit odd. The Phantom theme was good, but a lot of times the music didn't match the tone of the scene at all. Although, I don't know if the version I have has the same music that was originally intended.
Rated 19 May 2009
mandymandy
Rated 08 Mar 2017
6
44th
Classic film of its time.
Rated 08 Mar 2017
trixrabbiTrixRabbi
Rated 17 Oct 2014
79
64th
The masquerade ball sequence alone is a stone cold 95/100. Rest of the movie holds up nicely and what a fantastic ending.
Rated 17 Oct 2014
puruppurup
Rated 28 Sep 2010
80
70th
This was one of the (if not _the_) first feature length silent films I saw. I was caught up in the story and the 90 minutes flew. My career as an academic film student might have begun here.
Rated 28 Sep 2010
glmglm
Rated 30 Dec 2010
81
69th
81.125
Rated 30 Dec 2010
sandwichlordSandwichlord
Rated 25 Apr 2009
1
0th
God damn, I hated this movie so much; Not because it was black-and-white, not because it was a silent film; I hated it because it was just so boring and useless.
Rated 25 Apr 2009
macswellMacSwell
Rated 08 Jan 2022
80
80th
Conflicting visions for the desired tone of the final film result in a somewhat spotty story, haphazardly cut together after multiple reshoots and sackings. The assured pacing however keeps excitement at a high amid the brilliantly-realised gothic sets, while Chaney’s huge presence and unmatched skills with makeup create an enduring villain worthy of a more complete picture.
Rated 08 Jan 2022
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 19 Jun 2023
75
57th
The silent style overacting in this actually enhances it, as it's the kind of story that suits it. There are some really great visual scenes, from the color scene at the ball to the rooftop eavesdropping. While Chaney is interesting and Philbin fits her role well, Kerry's character as the nominal hero is basically nothing. It's pretty enjoyable but I couldn't help thinking it could have been more. As with many silents, the sets and large number of extras, etc, are a joy to see.
Rated 19 Jun 2023
icarusIcarus
Rated 15 Aug 2010
80
58th
From its opening shot of a mysterious figure in an underground cavern, this film is all about atmosphere. The acting, the sets, and even the colorization all work to enhance the feeling of dread at one hellbent on fulfilling his desires for his preferred actress. Beyond Chaney's fine performance, the most impressive element is certainly the set design, which indicates an underground grandeur at every turn.
Rated 15 Aug 2010
iconogassediconogassed
Rated 07 Oct 2017
70
53rd
original '25 > '29 reissue 4eva
Rated 07 Oct 2017
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 09 Dec 2009
57
26th
An over-long silent film that does, however, still have its effective moments, especially the celebrated unmasking scene.
Rated 09 Dec 2009
bofbof
Rated 22 Feb 2012
72
64th
If only this movie had a coherent script... But Chaney does a great monster, the colourised ballroom scene is stunning.
Rated 22 Feb 2012
filmnoobFilmNoob
Rated 16 Mar 2018
6
62nd
I may have liked this better with the original ending.
Rated 16 Mar 2018

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