I got the milestone dvd when it came out in 2003 and the both blue rays blue rays since im a huge fan of this film and other silent film's like Hunchback of Notre Dame , Nosferatu and The Lost World recently watched all my blue rays of these films for my 55 th birthday 3 days ago
Terrific informative overview of this film's history and what is currently available on home video. I elected to get the BFI over the Kino, and glad to still have the Milestone DVD. There leaves open I feel an opportunity certainly for a 4K restoration with a comprehensive set of the versions and extras existing on the prior releases. It certainly is a masterwork that deserves it, and will be welcome by silent film enthusiasts and just film fans in general.
You’re knowledge on The Phantom is astounding !........in 1966, when I was a kid, my Father found me a Complete 8mm Transfer Of Phantom in 8 reels !!!! I used to watch it on my Keystone 8mm Projector ...I probably still have it somewhere. I remember that the picture quality was exceptional. ..on a related subject ....I’ve been looking at The Eureka Masters Of Cinema UK Series Blu-ray’s ( they have almost 400 Blu-ray’s ) ....but most, they say, won’t play on USA format Blu-ray players ??.....I emailed them and they said only the 4K releases will play on American players...P.S. My Father actually saw virtually ALL of Lon Chaney’s films in the 1920s when he was a kid !!!………… he always spoke of Lon Chaney with Absolute Total Awe ! Best Wishes
That's fantastic. I wish my first Phantom experience had been that way instead of the crummy VHS edition I had growing up! Eureka like most UK labels is in a different Region code, Region B, for Blu-ray. Just as with DVD you have to get a region free Blu-ray player for non-American releases except for discs that aren't region locked. Unfortunately most studios insist on region locking which is why Indicator had to start doing it to their releases as well. Thankfully the UHD format by design is without region coding so that is no longer a concern with 4K discs. It's now rather easy to get a good modified player for import titles. I got mine a few years ago from 220-electronics.com.
you reminded me... I was missing a commentary! I went back into a backroom to rediscover the Milestone Ultimate Phantom. Just as you say... the Mcqueen Commentary is magical, insightful and very funny. Especially when he explains the hackery of the director and the constant in fight between Julian and Chaney. I had forgotten this wonderful gem of a commentary. Watched/listened to it again this morning. And now Milestone is at home on the shelf with Kino and BFI. Thanks for reminding me!
enoyed this very much, made me glad I bought both releases. I have two sideshow premium figures of Lon's Phantom as I've always marveled at his brilliance and simplicity he achieved in his 'deaths head' make up. Amazing what he was able to do with some face paint, shadows, use of lighting and fake teeth.
My favorite score for the 1929 ver. is the Franz Schubert score from some public domain copies. Unfortunately it's edited for a 115 min ver. of the movie so it does't sync.
Wasn’t the 1929 version the sound version without its soundtrack? I believe most releases used the better quality footage to try to recreate the silent version. With all the advancements on different versions, and even some new discoveries (I.e. additional color footage found), it sounds like we’re due for another cut of the 1925 version. This was the definitive version that made the most cultural impact and should be treated as the main version. The 1929/partial talkie version should be treated as an alternate cut
Another great review (except for a friendly disagreement: I prefer the Davis score). I've always been curious about what was being said in the "lantern" speech. I suspect it's probably an early variant of the Van Sloan Frankenstein prologue: " We are about to unfold the story of the Opera Ghost. It is one of the strangest tales ever told...". (after hearing it even at the beginning of the MAD LOVE restoration, I'm now convinced that it was probably written back in 1915, when Uncle Carl opened the studio gates)...😀
I really enjoy the Davis score. I like most of the Phantom scores except for the more electronic versions. It's something about the Thibideau score that just seems to grab me a bit more. I absolutely agree on the lantern speech. I always figured it was like the Dracula curtain speech cut from the film done by Van Sloan and the Frankenstein curtain speech with a similar feel. Hearing it restored to Mad Love with almost the exact same phrasing cracked me up!
It is windowboxed for a reason in that scene but even though windowboxed it has more on all sides than any other version most have a lot of the left missing that could have been a reason for the windowboxing
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader my family and I watched it yesterday and it looked and sounded incredible. The kids where against watching it and very quickly where pulled into the comedy and mapcap energy of it.
Out of all the movie adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, the 1925 silent version with Lon Chaney is still my favourite. The first video release I checked out of the movie was the DVD that Image Entertainment released in 1997 and at the beginning of this month I finally checked out the Kino version on Blu-Ray from 2015 which I thought was extremely nice. I too prefer both the 1925 version and the score that Gabriel Thibaudoux composed in the 1990's. I agree, Gabriel Thibaudoux's score really suits the movie perfectly. I've always really liked The Phantom of the Opera. I've read Gaston Leroux's original book, I saw the musical back in the Summer of 2006, and I found Joel Schumacher's movie adaptation from 2004 of the musical to be pretty good.
I agree the 1925 version still reigns supreme. I like the 1943 Unviersal version but it takes too many shortcuts. Hammer’s version is also great but seems to mix elements of the 1925 and 1943 versions. The Kino BD is good as it fixes problems in the first two Image Blu-ray releases. The technical problems it has are a bit frustrating so I decided to check out the bfi release as well. I think both releases have their strengths but the BFI is definitely the more polished. Hopefully one day there can be a definitive release with more discovered material. Some of the color ballet footage turned up recently and it is rumored Universal is working on their own 4K restoration like their revelatory Hunchback 4K restoration. I’ve never read all of Leroux’s novel. I keep meaning to but with all the different translations I wasn’t sure which version to go with. Do you have a recommendation on a good text or printing to get?
I'm so sorry about the late reply. I'd love it if a definitive Blu-Ray release of The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney would eventually happen. I hope the rumor of Universal performing their own 4K restoration of the film is true. The hardcover edition I own of Gaston Leroux’s novel is from 1988 and it was published by Dorset Press. I found it to be a nice translation that was easy to understand and it has a Foreword written by Peter Haining. It was a gift from a friend back back when we were in High School and it was few months after the movie adaptation of the musical opened in Cinemas.
You are welcome and I hope you enjoy it! It even has a black & white poster of the silent movie in it. Are you a fan of the movie adaptation of the musical from 2004? I thought it was pretty good. It was visually stunning and I liked the covers of the songs. I hope Warner Bros will remaster and re-release it soon. The current Blu-Ray is from 2006, it is a single layer disc, and the audio is Dolby Digital whereas it's HD-DVD counterpart had Dolby TrueHD.
Hello- an interesting question- even if prints no longer exist is there at the least some annotations.,notes etc...... somewhere of what the print used for previews in the LA area shortly before the film was et to open and the print used for the World Premiere in San Francisco contained that wasn't in any other release print?
The blu ray will play on a region A ( North American) player. Not sure about the DVD discs but no region marker is printed on the box for either Blu-ray or DVD
I have the BFI release. Is amazing this restoration and the best in image quality. But my favorite score is by the organist Lee Erwin (1974), the best for me. This score is only available in the 4 disc collection by Reelclassic (dvd-r),,out of print and little overpriced. Very sad.
I got the milestone dvd when it came out in 2003 and the both blue rays blue rays since im a huge fan of this film and other silent film's like Hunchback of Notre Dame , Nosferatu and The Lost World recently watched all my blue rays of these films for my 55 th birthday 3 days ago
Terrific informative overview of this film's history and what is currently available on home video. I elected to get the BFI over the Kino, and glad to still have the Milestone DVD. There leaves open I feel an opportunity certainly for a 4K restoration with a comprehensive set of the versions and extras existing on the prior releases. It certainly is a masterwork that deserves it, and will be welcome by silent film enthusiasts and just film fans in general.
One of my favourite BFI releases for one of my favourite films, and one of your strongest reviews in my opinion
You’re knowledge on The Phantom is astounding !........in 1966, when I was a kid, my Father found me a Complete 8mm Transfer Of Phantom in 8 reels !!!! I used to watch it on my Keystone 8mm Projector ...I probably still have it somewhere. I remember that the picture quality was exceptional. ..on a related subject ....I’ve been looking at The Eureka Masters Of Cinema UK Series Blu-ray’s ( they have almost 400 Blu-ray’s ) ....but most, they say, won’t play on USA format Blu-ray players ??.....I emailed them and they said only the 4K releases will play on American players...P.S. My Father actually saw virtually ALL of Lon Chaney’s films in the 1920s when he was a kid !!!………… he always spoke of Lon Chaney with Absolute Total Awe ! Best Wishes
That's fantastic. I wish my first Phantom experience had been that way instead of the crummy VHS edition I had growing up!
Eureka like most UK labels is in a different Region code, Region B, for Blu-ray. Just as with DVD you have to get a region free Blu-ray player for non-American releases except for discs that aren't region locked. Unfortunately most studios insist on region locking which is why Indicator had to start doing it to their releases as well. Thankfully the UHD format by design is without region coding so that is no longer a concern with 4K discs.
It's now rather easy to get a good modified player for import titles. I got mine a few years ago from 220-electronics.com.
Sounds like your standard 8mm film on 8 reels was the same version I had.
This release is awesome! The Carl Davis score is worth it alone, and the transfer is beautiful.
you reminded me... I was missing a commentary! I went back into a backroom to rediscover the Milestone Ultimate Phantom. Just as you say... the Mcqueen Commentary is magical, insightful and very funny. Especially when he explains the hackery of the director and the constant in fight between Julian and Chaney. I had forgotten this wonderful gem of a commentary. Watched/listened to it again this morning. And now Milestone is at home on the shelf with Kino and BFI. Thanks for reminding me!
enoyed this very much, made me glad I bought both releases. I have two sideshow premium figures of Lon's Phantom as I've always marveled at his brilliance and simplicity he achieved in his 'deaths head' make up. Amazing what he was able to do with some face paint, shadows, use of lighting and fake teeth.
My favorite score for the 1929 ver. is the Franz Schubert score from some public domain copies.
Unfortunately it's edited for a 115 min ver. of the movie so it does't sync.
Wasn’t the 1929 version the sound version without its soundtrack? I believe most releases used the better quality footage to try to recreate the silent version.
With all the advancements on different versions, and even some new discoveries (I.e. additional color footage found), it sounds like we’re due for another cut of the 1925 version. This was the definitive version that made the most cultural impact and should be treated as the main version. The 1929/partial talkie version should be treated as an alternate cut
Another great review (except for a friendly disagreement: I prefer the Davis score). I've always been curious about what was being said in the "lantern" speech. I suspect it's probably an early variant of the Van Sloan Frankenstein prologue: " We are about to unfold the story of the Opera Ghost. It is one of the strangest tales ever told...". (after hearing it even at the beginning of the MAD LOVE restoration, I'm now convinced that it was probably written back in 1915, when Uncle Carl opened the studio gates)...😀
I really enjoy the Davis score. I like most of the Phantom scores except for the more electronic versions. It's something about the Thibideau score that just seems to grab me a bit more.
I absolutely agree on the lantern speech. I always figured it was like the Dracula curtain speech cut from the film done by Van Sloan and the Frankenstein curtain speech with a similar feel. Hearing it restored to Mad Love with almost the exact same phrasing cracked me up!
It is windowboxed for a reason in that scene but even though windowboxed it has more on all sides than any other version most have a lot of the left missing that could have been a reason for the windowboxing
Thanks for this review, I am always interested in phantom. Have you picked up arsenic and lace criterion yet? I assume that movie is up your alley.
I've been eagerly awaiting it since the announcement. It's one of my most wished for titles.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader my family and I watched it yesterday and it looked and sounded incredible. The kids where against watching it and very quickly where pulled into the comedy and mapcap energy of it.
@@adamATOM3 that’s good to hear! It’s absolutely magical and for me the definitive version of the play.
So...I'm torn bc I love the 1925 version but geez, the tinting is...GARISH
Out of all the movie adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, the 1925 silent version with Lon Chaney is still my favourite.
The first video release I checked out of the movie was the DVD that Image Entertainment released in 1997 and at the beginning of this month I finally checked out the Kino version on Blu-Ray from 2015 which I thought was extremely nice.
I too prefer both the 1925 version and the score that Gabriel Thibaudoux composed in the 1990's. I agree, Gabriel Thibaudoux's score really suits the movie perfectly.
I've always really liked The Phantom of the Opera. I've read Gaston Leroux's original book, I saw the musical back in the Summer of 2006, and I found Joel Schumacher's movie adaptation from 2004 of the musical to be pretty good.
I agree the 1925 version still reigns supreme. I like the 1943 Unviersal version but it takes too many shortcuts. Hammer’s version is also great but seems to mix elements of the 1925 and 1943 versions.
The Kino BD is good as it fixes problems in the first two Image Blu-ray releases. The technical problems it has are a bit frustrating so I decided to check out the bfi release as well. I think both releases have their strengths but the BFI is definitely the more polished.
Hopefully one day there can be a definitive release with more discovered material. Some of the color ballet footage turned up recently and it is rumored Universal is working on their own 4K restoration like their revelatory Hunchback 4K restoration.
I’ve never read all of Leroux’s novel. I keep meaning to but with all the different translations I wasn’t sure which version to go with. Do you have a recommendation on a good text or printing to get?
I'm so sorry about the late reply.
I'd love it if a definitive Blu-Ray release of The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney would eventually happen. I hope the rumor of Universal performing their own 4K restoration of the film is true.
The hardcover edition I own of Gaston Leroux’s novel is from 1988 and it was published by Dorset Press. I found it to be a nice translation that was easy to understand and it has a Foreword written by Peter Haining. It was a gift from a friend back back when we were in High School and it was few months after the movie adaptation of the musical opened in Cinemas.
@@Riddler95 Thanks I'll check it out!
You are welcome and I hope you enjoy it! It even has a black & white poster of the silent movie in it.
Are you a fan of the movie adaptation of the musical from 2004? I thought it was pretty good. It was visually stunning and I liked the covers of the songs. I hope Warner Bros will remaster and re-release it soon. The current Blu-Ray is from 2006, it is a single layer disc, and the audio is Dolby Digital whereas it's HD-DVD counterpart had Dolby TrueHD.
Hello-
an interesting question- even if prints no longer exist is there at the least some annotations.,notes etc...... somewhere of what the print used for previews in the LA area shortly before the film was et to open and the print used for the World Premiere in San
Francisco contained that wasn't in any other release print?
Yes! These were reconstructed on the 2004 dvd release from Image and, I think, they've been uploaded at least once on RUclips
Hello Again-
to Damn Fool etc....... you said the BFI blu-ray was region free. but according to Amazon its a region B disc. what gives?????
The blu ray will play on a region A ( North American) player. Not sure about the DVD discs but no region marker is printed on the box for either Blu-ray or DVD
Amazon very, VERY rarely has the correct information for region coding.
IGNSKVIF
I have the BFI release. Is amazing this restoration and the best in image quality. But my favorite score is by the organist Lee Erwin (1974), the best for me. This score is only available in the 4 disc collection by Reelclassic (dvd-r),,out of print and little overpriced. Very sad.