"Madame I belive your adopted daughter is in clear and present danger!" "From who?" "From the Angel." "I thought you just said there is no angel." "There isn't!" "... ... ... Thanks for dropping by, Viscount." COMEDY GOLD
About the singing through a pipe bit: It’s possible. I was _obsessed_ with this book as a teen, and I just had to try the singing trick because it sounded so fake. I managed to sing audibly enough for my friend to hear, it really wasn’t much harder than singing normally. As long as the pipe’s circumference is big enough that you can press it tightly around your mouth and you’re swimming slowly (to not be out of breath), it’s actually surprisingly doable. Note: don’t use words. Simple la-la-la mermaid singing will do nicely. I copied Ariel’s singing from the part where Ursula steals her voice, because I was underwater and I was a dramatic teen. Using words would be much harder because you have to press the pipe really tightly against your skin. Doing it in the dark… well, I tried it in a swimming pool the shape of which I knew by heart, and didn’t have any trouble following my friend with my eyes closed. So I’d say with enough practice it’s most definitely doable. HOWEVER! Note that I used to be a competitive swimmer, so maybe my idea of what’s easily doable underwater is a bit skewed, but then again Erik was born a jack of all trades so why not a good swimmer? Still, I also know much easier ways to lure people to look over the edge of a boat in the dark, such as splashing water or tapping the side of the boat with your fingernails. So it’s doable with practice but _really_ fucking theatrical and overly dramatic. Sort of suits Erik, tbh.
Omg, someone actually tried this and succeeded, nice. And your totally right, if you know the area, underwater or not, well enough you could walk it, backwards blindfolded, hopping on one leg. Just saying.
The image of the Phantom singing that bit from The Little Mermaid during that scene will be stuck in my brain forever now, thank you. (The fact that his name is Eric- as in Ariel’s love interest- makes it even better.)
Plus, I learnt on a guided tour, where the concierge was supposed to be sitting was a men-only area of the auditorium(because hats); given the exhaustive research Leroux did for the story, there's no way he didn't know that. So it's an additional demonstration of the new manager's cluelessness about the opera that he sat a woman there.
@@Enixon869 the symptoms described literally do sound like a heart attack. For fun, if you find such things fun, you can totally read the novel while characterising Christine as a literal psychopath who just happened to get caught up in this craziness; or, if you want to be more charitable and read her as basically good but a badass who will take ruthless preemptive action to defend herself, imagine she doused her forehead with belladonna. I think there's even a line in there about her eyes being impossibly huge and blue at that moment, like they might be if some of it had got down into them.
Christine's choices: literal sewer Goblin or self entitled pretty rich boy... tough choice. I think the reason their romance reads as stiff is because Raoul was more of a means to an end to escape than an actual romantic interest
It's interesting because Christine purposely plays the role of disinterested because she knows Erik is watching, and before that, she doesn't want Raoul to marry her because it would hurt his future, so she pretends not to remember him.
I pick the sewer Goblin!!!Read the book, Erik did some tantric breathing shit on Christine that quite literally caused her to orgasm whenever she sang with him. Pretty boy Raoul cant do that! Also something that wasnt mentioned in the video, Raoul comes of as INCREDIBLY insecure and obsessed with The Phantom, constantly asking Christine if Erik was handsome would she love him, and quite pointedly asking is she was attracted to him (Erik). The fun part is she never answers him directly lol
In the book, Erik is a very damaged middle aged man, a genius and an emotional child. He's willful, capricious and immature and almost certainly a virgin. And, for such a monster, his dream is really commonplace: he wants to be married and take his wife to the park on Sundays. A fun, extravagant little book. It has really beautiful chapters and poetic imagery, like the graveyard scene, and some slapstick comedy with Mme. Giry and the managers. I enjoy it a lot.
My favorite scene was when he was telling Nadir about how (he thought but wasn't true) that Christine loved him and how he was going to take her out of Sundays and how he was going to play for her every weekday. He did not pick the best girl to go after. I bet he would have had better luck going after a seamstress in her late twenties or early thirties lol
To quote Lindsay Ellis: "So while some see it as a tragic story at repressed sexuality or something, I see it as a coming-of-age story for a 50-year old man."
So lemme get this straight - Erik is a genius with a freakish, deformed face who is emotionally stunted and childlike. Oh, and he’s great at music and has a unique fashion sense. So Erik is really . . . MICHAEL JACKSON?
Erik: I was hated the moment I was born, everyone runs at the sight of me and I've never been shown a shred of love in my entire life! Frankenstein's Monster: Yes that's very tragic....
Just so you know, there's this comic on tumblr by phana-banana that's about Erik running a " ugly " club and characters like Frankenstein's Monster, The Man Who Laughs, The Beast, etc appear in it. I highly recommend it!!
The Ratcatcher is my favorite character lmao, just a guy hanging around in the sewers with his rats and completely unintentionally making the opera house seem even more haunted than it already is
The Phantom the Opera is perfect adaptation material. Great idea, a simple plot, room for audio and visual expansion, easy to cut material, and a roughness of execution that leaves room for improvement. It's no wonder producers keep going back to it again and again.
I think the reason that Phantom of the Opera has been given so many adaptations is that regardless of the original story's quality, the image of the Phantom himself is such a powerful visual of Gothic romanticism. He's sort of like Dracula, a character who has outlived his original story and exists as his own sort of thing.
The comparation is very apropiate considering how many adaptations of Dracula take massive liberties that often add to the iconicity of the character. Thats likely because, it could be said, the quality of the original novel is also questionable. Despite being considered a classic its not quite in the same level of "classic" that the likes of the og Frankenstein novel, which is far more often apreciated as such and nowhere near as dated. When it comes down to it, even if the stories didnt stood the test of time, their monsters (if we can call the Phantom that) are so iconic that it doesnt even matter that the story isnt as memorable. Dracula certainly has an advatage in that sense, since its prety common to see him outside adaptations of the og story while the same cant really be said about the Phantom. But the Phantom, or rather Eric, has the benefit of being far more humane than Dracula. Its the same thing that makes the Frankenstein monster more popular, the "gothic romanticism" of it all. Tragic characters always capture the public more easily, probably the reason why so many adaptations try to give Dracula a tragic backstory when he isnt portrayed as a complete monster.
So when it comes to making excuses Eric is Carol from Llamas with Hats. Eric: So I held him underwater till the bubbles stopped. The Parisian: Eric that kills people! Eric: Oh... wow, I did not know that.
One point of caution, when commenting on the writing quality of something that has been translated from another language: you are really commenting on the quality of the translator's writing. Any translation of a work is already an adaptation. Some things like dialog when translated can come across as incredibly clunky, when in the original language it flows quite naturally.
He is aware... One if the videos he quoted at the beginning is quite a depth evaluation of the translations and the variations from the original and each other... It's a really good, albeit long, video
I always thought it was a simple thing to translate, all you had to do was take the word in one language and change it into the same word in another. I never knew or appreciated how hard it was to translate writing from one language to another until i started reading Chinese lightnovels online. One story had the translator making constant notes each chapter (anywhere from 1 to 5 usually) on the changes he made and why.
@@corruptangel6793 I'm a Translation student, and yeah... that shit is WAY more complicated and delicate than I thought before starting the course. Really interesting, though.
Christine pretending not to recognize Raul is perfectly logical when you consider this: She was a woman in the late 1800s. Societal standards forbid her from being too enthusiastic about meeting men, especially if they only met once before. At least from showing it openly. She was probably scared that Raul would think less of her if she happily ran into his arms or something. Women in that time are often portrayed as dishonest and deceptive but being open and honest about your feelings and opinions could give you serious disadvantages. Being seen as an opinionated woman could've gotten Christine kicked out from the opera altogether if the wrong guy dislikes that about her. No such thing as protection from discrimination in the workplace back then. If the boss doesn't like your nose, you're shit out of luck. Other countries were just a little bit more progressive at the time but consider that the French women's suffrage movement began in 1919 and women weren't allowed to vote in all of France until 1945.
If I remember it right, it was more about how much she was scared of the "angel of music" abandoning her if he saw she liked Raoul. She one day innocently told Erik about him and the reception wasnt great, thats when he said he would have to "return to the heavens" and disappeared for a short time. Because the phantoms music was what saved her from basically depression from the death of her father and she still thought he was the angel sent by, well, her father, she pretended not to recognize Raoul to not threaten it seeming like love and..."making the angel jealous", as madame Valerius understood it. But I like your interpretation too! Just wanted to state what the book mentioned
I'm not sure why I found this so funny, but when you were explaining why 'Eric' would not be such an exotic name to a frenchman and then cut to a John Cleese performance when Eric Idle was also part of that comedy group ust cracked me up.
doubledamn I find it kinda funny. That Erik (spelled with a K) is one of the most common names in Sweden, so of course to make him sound exotic the Frenchmen gives him that name. What’s even more funny is when Swedish books wanna give us an exotic characters is very often French names.
@Zapporah Mann In Sweden where "Erik" is the standard, it's almost considered the other way around. Also, "Kristin" or "Christin" would've been more suitable for a Swedish name, but "Christine" does occur as well, so... Here's a funny little tidbit about the Swedish version of the Phantom of the Opera musical: Daaé is in no way a Swedish name, so it's written off as Walloon - basically a French-speaking Belgian ethnic group that emigrated to Sweden in huge numbers during the 1600's and onward for work (mainly in mines and later factories). - Daaé? Strange name. - Yes, a Swede... Walloon origins, I believe.
17:59 - One of the best parts of the book in my opinion simply because how humorous, random, and anti-climatic it becomes, especially when you consider that even Eric, The Phantom himself, didn't notice nor mind the humble rat catcher routinely working in his underground domain.
Erik did notice. After they get scared by him, the Persian tells Raoul that Erik talked to him about the rat-catcher, and that he should have remembered that but wasn’t expecting the rat-catcher to look like he did.
Erik: "I am a genius!" >Christine uses love Erik: "OH NO!" I do not know why I decided to do that. But I thought it would be fitting. Also I couldn't help but picture the Fate/ version of Erik/The Phantom of the Opera. Pulling this off. Absolute madlad.
The fact you went out of your way to dress up in a Red Death costume for a split second bit shows the dedication you have to your show. Keep going strong, Mr. Noble!
I finished reading this book this weekend and I really liked it. It was really emotional and Erik's final moments with Christine and how he told everything to the Persian actually made me cry. It takes a lot for a book to do this to me, so I highly recommend reading it. I liked the musical too, especially the 25th anniversary in Albert Hall. Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo are my all-time favorite Christine and Phantom.
Yes, thank you! The book really meant a lot to me when I read it, something about how Christine makes the best of a difficult situation. She is such a survivor and I really loved that.
Personally, I prefer the recording of Grand Ledge High School's performance. I know what you're thinking, and you are wrong. Those kids killed it, every last one of them. The main trio has a set of amazing voices, and the Raoul is made into an honorable, heroic, and lovable protagonist. Go check it out!
Meanwhile she throws a noose around the males neck while he throws his hand up to the level of his eyes. While not outright explaining it verbally they did it in showing the practice
Watching the book run-through left me with a horrifying realization: that one shitty, animated Phantom of the Opera movie is the most accurate movie adaptation of the book that probably will ever exist
@@gj4916 1988? Only two years after the musical premier! It's janky, hilarious, and manages to be more true to the book in 45 minutes than all the other PotO adaptations combined
Thank you for calling out one of the wildest and most upsetting things Erik did in pursuit of Christine which was to break into her dad's tomb and presumably disinter him in order to play on the violin he was buried with in order to perpetuate the whole Angel of Music thing. (It's been a minute since I read it but that's how I recall the sequence of events. Either way super uncool!) I'm shocked at how often people don't even *mention* that when they talk about the original novel. I get that there's a lot of other stuff to talk about with him but still!! (Also the fact that Erik is old enough to be her father is upsetting too.)
With the singing through a pipe, I did that when snorkeling when I was about 6-7. My parents could hear me humming underwater and slightly above water, and it wasn't hard for me to do. Mostly vibrations. So yeah, Eric could be able to hum though a snorkel and be heard.
Also to take into account that Erik was a skilled ventriloquist...yeah, full on singing through a snorkel is probably not so out of the realm of probability. :)
It’s crazy that how I’ve heard people interpret the 2 ‘romances’; Raoul, is the sweet childhood love- Eric, is the more mature adult love - & her choice between them; is choosing between fame & self-attained fortune, with ‘independence’ (though she wouldn’t be independent from Eric, I rather think- though he can’t be physically by her side in public) - or, the safety & security of a respectable marriage that will also give her wealth & status, but it won’t be indivisible from her husband. They both seem pretty rough options to me; one’s a creepy stalker, who extorts money & is a ‘genius’ - the other’s a creepy stalker who’s attractive & has money & a title...
Why should Raoul be content with Christine only when he is handsome and rich to have many lovers. He should forget about Christine. He should be like Phoebus in the Novel: Notre Dame de paris.
Very good episode! My favorite part: *screaming as rats swarm* "oh, ello. I'm the rat catcher. If you don't move, you'll be fine. So errrrrm, yeah, I'm just gunna go this way with me rats. Byeeee!"
Eric is literally the prototypical comic book supervillain. He's like a direct precursor to Dr Doom. Also, yeah Raoul is a twit in the book. Luckily, he's actually way better in the Joel Schumacher movie. One of the few good thngs.
The disappointment of the mystery becoming common knowledge makes sense. I feel the same way about Jekyll and Hyde. What was once a clever plot twist has become a plot point no one attempts to treat as a mystery at all.
At least with Phantom, the true meaning isn't even spoiled. In Jekyl and Hyde, the Hyde transformation isn't even a split personality, it's just Jekyll creating a new look for him to bring out his true personality, and it becomes an issue when he involuntarily transforms into hide because then he wpuld no longer be able to run from the consequences of a murder he committed while in his Hyde form. But pop culture has turned this clever thing into a split personality.
"Wow he's been married a lot. I thought he was gay." had be laughing the loudest witch cackle. He adapted this novel to a musical for his wife and then they divorced, so I wonder how he feels about it now.
@@RileyRivalle2 My big impression of that was that Sarah Brightman was rather desperately trying to get out of arms reach of her ex during that whole time. She just looked so incredibly *uncomfortable*. But ye gods if that rendition of the title song with that small army of actors who've played the Phantom wasn't absolutely fantastic.
@Dork One That's just the way she looks on stage, dude; she always was kinda wooden. But if I keep that in mind next time I watch it, maybe I'll see something similar. Anyway, if anyone was uncomfortable on stage, it was Andrew himself. :D
@Black-Handed_Ice_ Gwiazda he's referencing Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where there's a plot point regarding the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything :)
One rather intriguing aspect of the novel is "The Shadow". The mysterious person who wanders around the basement, and who is mentioned by both the Persian and Eric. Leroux even adds a footnote saying he can't reveal who it is due to issues of state, so that has always had me wondering, especially since it's kind of a small mystery that gets so overshadowed by Eric it never really gets brought up.
I read Phantom of the Opera because "Hey that's the book that Maskerade is based on!" and was really suprised how many elements Pratchett took from the actual book and twisted around in really clever ways.
Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite books ever but as is the case with Dracula the Phantom has become such an iconic figure in pop culture it is hard for a modern audience to let itself be astounded by the mystery being unraveled, and I agree whole heartedly about Raoul he is very whiny and stalkerish even when Christine tells him off multiple times and he always makes her cry I did not care for their romance (not even in the musical) and Eric is kind of hillarious actually and I do feel for him (not that it excuses all the awful shit he does) but I thought it very powerful that Christine's compasion even when he has put her through hell makes him wanna change not with the purpose of changing her mind to be with him but because he just wanted to experience love and once he did he looked at the world differently.
Raoul could be more cynical, he doesn't care about Christine, he is initially interested in her to have sex, but in the face of his refusal, he gives up on her to look for other women. He could be like Phoebus in the novel: Notre Dame de Paris.
There is Gwynplaine who has a deformed face, but there is a beautiful voice. Gwynplaine was created by Victor Hugo, he is a character in the book The man who laughs: "An extraordinary thing like you should snarl, and not speak. You sing harmoniously. I hate it. It is the only thing about you that I do not like. All the rest is terrible - is grand. In India you would be a god Were you born with that frightful laugh on your face? No! No doubt it is a penal brand. I do hope you have committed some crime. Come to my arms. "
Yeah, and both men are part of love triangle, both are heartbroken, and both have very tragic endings with both dying because of their love for the women who rejected them
When it comes to "Phantom" and most of its adaptations, those adapting it leave out what I feel are the most intriguing and moving parts of the story. Sure, at first glance, it's a murder mystery dressed up as a love triangle, but I think there's more to it than that. For me, "Phantom" has always been less of the sappy melodrama many portray it to be and more of a tragic cautionary tale about what happens when an innocent child (Erik) grows up believing he has no other choice but to become the monster he's assumed to be. In that sense, I place it alongside novels like Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" or Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "The Man Who Laughs". And, maybe it's just me, but I think there's something to admire in Erik. No, obviously not the blackmail, stalking, and murdering, but the fact that, after all he went through, he still found it in his heart to yearn and strive for love. The line that captures him perfectly in the book is, "He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world, yet in the end, he had to content himself with a cellar." That says so much. I first encountered the novel when I was about 14 or 15, right when I really needed a story like it, or rather, a character like Erik. The bittersweet mix of unrequited love's pain and the joy of finding an eventual sense of peace, the striving to carve out a corner of the world for yourself (even if it is cellar-sized) in the name of your own humanity, those themes spoke to and comforted me. I've been visually impaired since birth and, while I was fortunate enough to grow up in a loving family and had confidence in myself as a child, I went through a tough dark night of the soul during my teenage years. I think most people with disabilities do. Adolescence and puberty are awkward times as they are, but add them on to the fact that you're already physically different from everyone else and . . . yeah, it's no picnic. But I digress. The point is, Erik is a wonderful character, a creature of both light and dark, as we all are, and stories need to include more characters with disabilities. And lastly, Daroga needs more love. The excerpts from his narrative are the best parts of the book.
@@DarkRelm22 Glad you agree. The story's a lot deeper than many give it credit for. I love the Lloyd Webber musical, but let's face it, it's not exactly the most philosophical adaptation. And, while it's fun to see what various filmmakers do with the story, my favorite movie of it will always be the 1925 silent film. Lon Chaney Sr. is THE Erik.
@@AliciaNyblade I mean I agree, but it goes against what is said in the video. There IS a reason the book has had so many different adaptions. Because it WAS worth it. It works as a cautionary tale a la Frankenstein, it works as tragic high romance like the ALW musical, it works as a police murder mystery. It has a little bit of everything, and the different adaptions highlight what stands out to them more.
One correction: It was Brittany where Christine and Raoul met, not Normandy. When I read the novel as a child, I was perplexed by the name “Brittany”, because it’s so similar to “Britain” that I thought they’d left France and gone to England, even though they hadn’t. It’s only recently that I’ve developed a passion for linguistics which led me to learn that the Bretons are Brittonic Celts who came to Brittany from Cornwall, and, considering that, the name “Brittany” in fact makes quite a bit of sense.
"i'll be using the 25th anniversary to represent the musical" I mean it has Sierra, Ramin, AND Hadley, so it's preeeetty much perfection, so A+ choice.
Woohoo! I'm very excited for this series! Phantom has such a bizarre history... I don't remember Raoul being overly rude or stalkery with Christine, or the Phantom drugging her. 😲 Time for a reread I guess.
I know you're looking at the musical, but you really should check out the 1925 silent film with Lon Chaney. Probably the most faithful adaptation of the book, and a very good watch in and of itself. Chaney's make up still has the ability to gross you out years later.
Having read the book, this was awesome. Also laughed so hard at the bloopers I almost puked. 10/10 would watch again. Looking forward to the rest of this series
Dom in the Red Death getup, singing to his cat is probably the best thing i will see today. (also not doing a bad job in the singing department, if i may add)
It’s very much like the Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The big reveal/twist has become so famous that the original story is impossible to experience in its original context, which will inevitably undermine your enjoyment somewhat. What’s the fun in a mystery novel when you know the ending?
French speaker here , and your way of pronouncing Leroux sounds much cuter than painstaking, which - to me at least - largely compensates for the few scorched names (I'm no judge when it comes to the Three Musketeers review because I didn't go deep into this series - the book upsets me and I don't care for anything related to it).
Ok but, imagine what kind of story it would've been if Christine did fall in love with Eric. Is there a fanfiction where she would team up with the Persian to chastise her husband when he kills people?
And one errors of yours is that Erik lives in or near sewers. He lives near the lake that was made by pumps that stabilize the water level under the Palais Garnier opera house.
So... is nobody going to talk about the adorableness of Red Phantom Dom holding his cat in his arms and stroking it like Ernst Stavro Blofeld as the cat is just laying there like, "Yes my beautiful human! Sing... FOR ME!!"
"And the entire cast of characters are kind of unlikeable." YES! That's exactly how I felt when I'd finally gotten through this book. I think I was extra disappointed because I loved the Phantom, Christine AND Raoul in the musical that when I read about their characters in the book it was a huge let down.
Paused after 1:30 to say I hope he makes mention of the Lon Chaney silent adaptation. While I've never seen it, I know enough about the man to realize what a genius and innovator the man was. As an actor, he had to do what they have makeup and effects departments to do today.
The original novel of “Phantom” is very much different to the adaptations we’ve seen. But in a way, it’s one of the great gothic thrillers of all one. However, Leroux was no Victor Hugo: but he was an excellent storyteller. He is no master of language, and the book is no masterpiece. But it’s a ripping yarn that not a lot of people can put down. And you’re quite right. A lot of the characters aren’t likeable. Raoul annoyed me no end. I sat while reading going like “are you sh***ing me?” Neither Erik of Raoul really deserve her. They’re both manipulative characters and she’s very much the mould of the heroine who is to be saved but ends up saving them. The book was far from a bestseller but it had an extensive following in France when it was released finally on volume form after its serialisation. His other words have sort of dropped off the radar which is sad, because “The Mystery of the Yellow Room” is actually his most popular, after “Phantom.” He is an excellent and vivid storyteller, and you can tell the influence of Poe and Dickens and Conan Doyle are very present. You did a wonderful and amazing breakdown of the whole story and I applaud you for it, as a Phantom fan!
This whole video was great, but I absolutely died laughing at the outtake of you singing to Sir Terry in Eric's "masque of the red death" costume. That was hilarious! Totally something I would do with my cat!
Actually, between The Blair Witch Project first being advertised and running in theaters, the actors had to lay low in motel rooms and stay out of sight for an entire year. They really committed to the bit.
So excited you're finally doing Phantom! Beware watching the Phantom 25th Anniversary performance. The performers are wonderful, and I am so glad we have a filmed version of the musical that's not the 2004 version, but the actors playing Christine and the Phantom also originated the roles in the show's sequel (Yes...there is an unnecessary sequel called Love Never Dies based on The Phantom of Manhattan by Fredrick Forsyth), and you can tell the relationship between the main trio are influenced by that. Especially the cold nature of Raoul.
You should do a Mini episode for the film Phantom at the Paradise. It's definitely just inspired by the book (and Faust and the Picture of Dorian Grey) and very acid trippy since it was made in 1974.
One thing the Broadway show has are the effects. It does feel like the Phantom might have magical powers especially when can appear and disappear out of nowhere.
From your description I picture the Persian being Toby from the Office. The Persian: "You can't just murder and kidnap whomever you like, Eric. There are rules against that" Eric: "Who let the lemon head in?!"
I love your synopsis of the book which by the way I have read over 60 times ( I am 70 years old). I first read it when I was in the orphanage and every time I read it I notice something different about the story, little nuances. Besides Erik I adore the Persian best and the Madame Giry character of the book as she is a hoot. Leroux uses fear, laughter, unrequited love and mystery to weave a very off beat story that has stood the test of time. I love all the various adaptations but have a soft spot for the original story.
“That [twist] is pretty much common knowledge now, even for people who have never seen any incarnation of the story.” Uuuuuuuuhhhhhh was I the only one who didn’t know?
The 1925 version is the closest to the book and yeah i really agree! Ill give props for the ALW version for making Raoul less annoying but the majority of the plot didnt do justice to the novel
A little while ago, I finished one of Gaston Leroux's earlier novels, La double vie de Théophraste Longuet, usually found in English as "The Black Feather". He does use the same narrative tricks in it, but the story is about a mild-mannered middle class Parisian who finds out that he's the reincarnation of an 18th century bandit. This leads to a Jekyll & Hyde struggle and a lot of criminal shenanigans (including what pretty much amounts to parkour a good century before it became a sport). The English title comes from a weird example of reincarnation of a bird. Overall, the book has a slow start, but does have a good pace until the last few chapters, in which the title character escapes into the catacombs and discovers an utopian society of blind people, and then it just becomes a satirical critique of modern society with the protagonist being completely passive.
Fun fact: France is probably one of the last places where the book is still relatively better known than the musical. It’s often mandatory reading in school and the musical has never toured France. They tried to play it once. The theater took fire and was so damaged that the musical never played there. Some say it’s a curse…
I wonder how many times I've watched this video . . . My favourite reviewer reviewing my favourite story . . . And how many more times I'll watch it . . .
"Madame I belive your adopted daughter is in clear and present danger!"
"From who?"
"From the Angel."
"I thought you just said there is no angel."
"There isn't!"
"... ... ... Thanks for dropping by, Viscount."
COMEDY GOLD
Rebecca Woolf That’s what I was thinking!!
RIP Terry Jones.
Giving me life right now 🤣🤣🤣
Love it 😂
About the singing through a pipe bit: It’s possible. I was _obsessed_ with this book as a teen, and I just had to try the singing trick because it sounded so fake. I managed to sing audibly enough for my friend to hear, it really wasn’t much harder than singing normally. As long as the pipe’s circumference is big enough that you can press it tightly around your mouth and you’re swimming slowly (to not be out of breath), it’s actually surprisingly doable. Note: don’t use words. Simple la-la-la mermaid singing will do nicely. I copied Ariel’s singing from the part where Ursula steals her voice, because I was underwater and I was a dramatic teen. Using words would be much harder because you have to press the pipe really tightly against your skin.
Doing it in the dark… well, I tried it in a swimming pool the shape of which I knew by heart, and didn’t have any trouble following my friend with my eyes closed. So I’d say with enough practice it’s most definitely doable.
HOWEVER! Note that I used to be a competitive swimmer, so maybe my idea of what’s easily doable underwater is a bit skewed, but then again Erik was born a jack of all trades so why not a good swimmer? Still, I also know much easier ways to lure people to look over the edge of a boat in the dark, such as splashing water or tapping the side of the boat with your fingernails. So it’s doable with practice but _really_ fucking theatrical and overly dramatic. Sort of suits Erik, tbh.
The scientific community thanks you for your contribution!
Bless you!
Awesome! Thank you for enlightening us with your extensive personal research!
Omg, someone actually tried this and succeeded, nice. And your totally right, if you know the area, underwater or not, well enough you could walk it, backwards blindfolded, hopping on one leg. Just saying.
The image of the Phantom singing that bit from The Little Mermaid during that scene will be stuck in my brain forever now, thank you. (The fact that his name is Eric- as in Ariel’s love interest- makes it even better.)
me: :(
Dom: *calls us his beautiful watchers*
me: :)
Same
Me too
The Dom*
@@thomastakesatollforthedark2231 Dom* He dropped the "the" a while ago.
Fun fact: The part where a chandelier falls on and kills a concierge was a real life event that inspired this book in the first place.
I thought in the novel it's actually a sandbag counterweight, not the chandelier itself? (It's been a while seen I read the novel)
I thought it was just a counterweight in the real life incident and the novel made it the chandelier for extra drama
Catherine Morrill that is correct. Also it was the her first day
Plus, I learnt on a guided tour, where the concierge was supposed to be sitting was a men-only area of the auditorium(because hats); given the exhaustive research Leroux did for the story, there's no way he didn't know that. So it's an additional demonstration of the new manager's cluelessness about the opera that he sat a woman there.
MJ Red hmm too bad there weren’t other real life events that caused this story to be better
your voice for christine's adopted mother is so similar to terry guilliam's voice for all the ladies he plays in monty python, i'm in tears
That's what I was going for! :D
@@Dominic-Noble You definitely succeeded
Why don't you do TREASURE ISLAND, PETER PAN, PINCOCCHIO?
Yes, that totally was a Monty Python moment...
It so did, and it was great! :)
So basically, Eric realized he was allergic to feelings and died
RJai500 he just had a lot of feels
Yes.
In Whoville they say, the Phantom's small heart grew three sizes that day... which of course had a catastrophic effect on his cardiovascular system.
most incels are
@@Enixon869 the symptoms described literally do sound like a heart attack. For fun, if you find such things fun, you can totally read the novel while characterising Christine as a literal psychopath who just happened to get caught up in this craziness; or, if you want to be more charitable and read her as basically good but a badass who will take ruthless preemptive action to defend herself, imagine she doused her forehead with belladonna. I think there's even a line in there about her eyes being impossibly huge and blue at that moment, like they might be if some of it had got down into them.
Christine's choices: literal sewer Goblin or self entitled pretty rich boy... tough choice.
I think the reason their romance reads as stiff is because Raoul was more of a means to an end to escape than an actual romantic interest
That is very true.
That was also my impression. :-)
It's interesting because Christine purposely plays the role of disinterested because she knows Erik is watching, and before that, she doesn't want Raoul to marry her because it would hurt his future, so she pretends not to remember him.
I pick the sewer Goblin!!!Read the book, Erik did some tantric breathing shit on Christine that quite literally caused her to orgasm whenever she sang with him. Pretty boy Raoul cant do that! Also something that wasnt mentioned in the video, Raoul comes of as INCREDIBLY insecure and obsessed with The Phantom, constantly asking Christine if Erik was handsome would she love him, and quite pointedly asking is she was attracted to him (Erik). The fun part is she never answers him directly lol
So a bit like the Belle, Beast and Gaston dynamic then?
"He had to take a day job as a writer."
YOU CAN DO THAT!?
You could 100 years ago in France.
Dominic Noble That would never happen now!
Sam Aronow good ol’ times.
I know man, it sounds like something out of a fantasyland.
Half in jest, presumably you still could in the 70's also, at least, according to the Beatles' song Paperback Writer.
my ears are burning
Thanks for dropping by ^__^
new favorite youtuber interaction
@@vanillatwilight82
Yeah, Lindsay's video about the Orientalism of Phantom was one of her best imo...
In the book, Erik is a very damaged middle aged man, a genius and an emotional child. He's willful, capricious and immature and almost certainly a virgin. And, for such a monster, his dream is really commonplace: he wants to be married and take his wife to the park on Sundays. A fun, extravagant little book. It has really beautiful chapters and poetic imagery, like the graveyard scene, and some slapstick comedy with Mme. Giry and the managers. I enjoy it a lot.
My favorite scene was when he was telling Nadir about how (he thought but wasn't true) that Christine loved him and how he was going to take her out of Sundays and how he was going to play for her every weekday. He did not pick the best girl to go after. I bet he would have had better luck going after a seamstress in her late twenties or early thirties lol
To quote Lindsay Ellis: "So while some see it as a tragic story at repressed sexuality or something, I see it as a coming-of-age story for a 50-year old man."
Yeah, he was unfair to this book.
So lemme get this straight - Erik is a genius with a freakish, deformed face who is emotionally stunted and childlike. Oh, and he’s great at music and has a unique fashion sense. So Erik is really . . . MICHAEL JACKSON?
Erik: I was hated the moment I was born, everyone runs at the sight of me and I've never been shown a shred of love in my entire life!
Frankenstein's Monster: Yes that's very tragic....
Quasimodo: I can relate guys.
A crossover ship 😶
Just so you know, there's this comic on tumblr by phana-banana
that's about Erik running a " ugly " club and characters like Frankenstein's Monster, The Man Who Laughs, The Beast, etc appear in it. I highly recommend it!!
@@BezddDakota 😯 I want to read that, like, yesterday!! Thanks!
I want to press like but... 69...
The Ratcatcher is my favorite character lmao, just a guy hanging around in the sewers with his rats and completely unintentionally making the opera house seem even more haunted than it already is
The Phantom the Opera is perfect adaptation material. Great idea, a simple plot, room for audio and visual expansion, easy to cut material, and a roughness of execution that leaves room for improvement. It's no wonder producers keep going back to it again and again.
But they also continue to spoil a classic of literature like the hunchback of notre dame in many horrible adaptations, including disney.
and also it's public domain, so technically you could grab a camera and make your own Phantom of the opera movie
I think the reason that Phantom of the Opera has been given so many adaptations is that regardless of the original story's quality, the image of the Phantom himself is such a powerful visual of Gothic romanticism. He's sort of like Dracula, a character who has outlived his original story and exists as his own sort of thing.
The comparation is very apropiate considering how many adaptations of Dracula take massive liberties that often add to the iconicity of the character. Thats likely because, it could be said, the quality of the original novel is also questionable. Despite being considered a classic its not quite in the same level of "classic" that the likes of the og Frankenstein novel, which is far more often apreciated as such and nowhere near as dated. When it comes down to it, even if the stories didnt stood the test of time, their monsters (if we can call the Phantom that) are so iconic that it doesnt even matter that the story isnt as memorable. Dracula certainly has an advatage in that sense, since its prety common to see him outside adaptations of the og story while the same cant really be said about the Phantom. But the Phantom, or rather Eric, has the benefit of being far more humane than Dracula. Its the same thing that makes the Frankenstein monster more popular, the "gothic romanticism" of it all. Tragic characters always capture the public more easily, probably the reason why so many adaptations try to give Dracula a tragic backstory when he isnt portrayed as a complete monster.
"Life, like RUclipsrs, can be a real bastard sometimes!"
Don't think I didn't see that little smirk, Dominic.
I wonder who he's referring to.... *holds up image of youtuber you don't like*
Thomas takes a toll for the dark I’m guessing a certain bespectacled critic with a penchant for shrieking like a little girl.
So when it comes to making excuses Eric is Carol from Llamas with Hats.
Eric: So I held him underwater till the bubbles stopped.
The Parisian: Eric that kills people!
Eric: Oh... wow, I did not know that.
One point of caution, when commenting on the writing quality of something that has been translated from another language: you are really commenting on the quality of the translator's writing.
Any translation of a work is already an adaptation. Some things like dialog when translated can come across as incredibly clunky, when in the original language it flows quite naturally.
Very true!! And the original English translation actually left some key moments out as well, as I guess being too spicy for the Edwardians.
@@KryssLaBryn Oh? Like what?
He is aware... One if the videos he quoted at the beginning is quite a depth evaluation of the translations and the variations from the original and each other... It's a really good, albeit long, video
I always thought it was a simple thing to translate, all you had to do was take the word in one language and change it into the same word in another. I never knew or appreciated how hard it was to translate writing from one language to another until i started reading Chinese lightnovels online. One story had the translator making constant notes each chapter (anywhere from 1 to 5 usually) on the changes he made and why.
@@corruptangel6793 I'm a Translation student, and yeah... that shit is WAY more complicated and delicate than I thought before starting the course. Really interesting, though.
Christine pretending not to recognize Raul is perfectly logical when you consider this: She was a woman in the late 1800s. Societal standards forbid her from being too enthusiastic about meeting men, especially if they only met once before. At least from showing it openly. She was probably scared that Raul would think less of her if she happily ran into his arms or something.
Women in that time are often portrayed as dishonest and deceptive but being open and honest about your feelings and opinions could give you serious disadvantages. Being seen as an opinionated woman could've gotten Christine kicked out from the opera altogether if the wrong guy dislikes that about her. No such thing as protection from discrimination in the workplace back then. If the boss doesn't like your nose, you're shit out of luck.
Other countries were just a little bit more progressive at the time but consider that the French women's suffrage movement began in 1919 and women weren't allowed to vote in all of France until 1945.
If I remember it right, it was more about how much she was scared of the "angel of music" abandoning her if he saw she liked Raoul. She one day innocently told Erik about him and the reception wasnt great, thats when he said he would have to "return to the heavens" and disappeared for a short time. Because the phantoms music was what saved her from basically depression from the death of her father and she still thought he was the angel sent by, well, her father, she pretended not to recognize Raoul to not threaten it seeming like love and..."making the angel jealous", as madame Valerius understood it. But I like your interpretation too! Just wanted to state what the book mentioned
Can we have more Rat Catcher in the future? I think he's my new favorite character.
He appears in the 1989 movie, I think.
Omg
Yes please!
That can't be possible because Christine's adoptive mother is the best character
@@b.d6642 Spin-off idea! Christine's mother and the Rat Catcher start their own theater.
Fun Fact: The Iron Maiden song “Phantom of the Opera”, based on this book, was released 6 years before the Webber musical
I'm not sure why I found this so funny, but when you were explaining why 'Eric' would not be such an exotic name to a frenchman and then cut to a John Cleese performance when Eric Idle was also part of that comedy group ust cracked me up.
It's Erik, that was why Christine thought he was Scandinavian in the book, like her.
@@Kari7 As someone whose name is spelled exactly that way I am very grateful that it's spelled that way, since it's pretty rare.
Also, spelling it with a k is just cooler and all Eric's should consider changing their name.
doubledamn
I find it kinda funny. That Erik (spelled with a K) is one of the most common names in Sweden, so of course to make him sound exotic the Frenchmen gives him that name.
What’s even more funny is when Swedish books wanna give us an exotic characters is very often French names.
@Zapporah Mann
In Sweden where "Erik" is the standard, it's almost considered the other way around. Also, "Kristin" or "Christin" would've been more suitable for a Swedish name, but "Christine" does occur as well, so...
Here's a funny little tidbit about the Swedish version of the Phantom of the Opera musical: Daaé is in no way a Swedish name, so it's written off as Walloon - basically a French-speaking Belgian ethnic group that emigrated to Sweden in huge numbers during the 1600's and onward for work (mainly in mines and later factories).
- Daaé? Strange name.
- Yes, a Swede... Walloon origins, I believe.
17:59 - One of the best parts of the book in my opinion simply because how humorous, random, and anti-climatic it becomes, especially when you consider that even Eric, The Phantom himself, didn't notice nor mind the humble rat catcher routinely working in his underground domain.
Erik did notice. After they get scared by him, the Persian tells Raoul that Erik talked to him about the rat-catcher, and that he should have remembered that but wasn’t expecting the rat-catcher to look like he did.
The last time I was this early, Christine’s Dad was still alive
The singing to the cat was adorably amusing. "You look absolutely...terrified."
The cat probably *is* terrified. Cats get freaked out by masks.
My Princess would make faces when I would sing if I cuddled her in my arms; never offended her 😅 Goomba got annoyed one time 🤣
Probably bc of Dom's singing
Erik: "I am a genius!"
>Christine uses love
Erik: "OH NO!"
I do not know why I decided to do that. But I thought it would be fitting. Also I couldn't help but picture the Fate/ version of Erik/The Phantom of the Opera. Pulling this off. Absolute madlad.
Rachel Swank If you know, why’d you have the ‘but I thought’ bit?
@@stormcloudsabound Agh damn it spelling error. It ment to say _I do not know_ not that.
It's perfect
The fact you went out of your way to dress up in a Red Death costume for a split second bit shows the dedication you have to your show.
Keep going strong, Mr. Noble!
I finished reading this book this weekend and I really liked it. It was really emotional and Erik's final moments with Christine and how he told everything to the Persian actually made me cry. It takes a lot for a book to do this to me, so I highly recommend reading it. I liked the musical too, especially the 25th anniversary in Albert Hall. Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo are my all-time favorite Christine and Phantom.
omg yes dude the end made me cry my eyes out
I love the Albert Hall version, I'm so excited for the next video!
Yes, thank you! The book really meant a lot to me when I read it, something about how Christine makes the best of a difficult situation. She is such a survivor and I really loved that.
Personally, I prefer the recording of Grand Ledge High School's performance. I know what you're thinking, and you are wrong. Those kids killed it, every last one of them. The main trio has a set of amazing voices, and the Raoul is made into an honorable, heroic, and lovable protagonist. Go check it out!
I love the rat misadventure. I feel like that was something the author put in as an early draft but found it so funny he decided to keep it in there.
They never explained “keep your hand at the level of your eyes” in the movie. It bugged me so much
Yeah they did. There is a whole scene while they talk about it
@@msjkramey In the Gerard Butler movie, she just says "keep your hand at the level of your eyes" a bunch with no explanation.
@@whiteraven562 yeah but the movie sucks and removes a lot from the musical's narrative
Meanwhile she throws a noose around the males neck while he throws his hand up to the level of his eyes. While not outright explaining it verbally they did it in showing the practice
@@ashleebrennan5032 This. Read this. It was indeed showed not told.
Watching the book run-through left me with a horrifying realization: that one shitty, animated Phantom of the Opera movie is the most accurate movie adaptation of the book that probably will ever exist
There's an animated movie!? When did that happen?
@@gj4916 1988? Only two years after the musical premier! It's janky, hilarious, and manages to be more true to the book in 45 minutes than all the other PotO adaptations combined
The 1925 silent movie is pretty close, except for the ending. Which I honestly think is fair enough.
@@Seal0626 the silent film is truer. Damn those studio endings
I love it so much, it's so corney, it's beautiful.
Thank you for calling out one of the wildest and most upsetting things Erik did in pursuit of Christine which was to break into her dad's tomb and presumably disinter him in order to play on the violin he was buried with in order to perpetuate the whole Angel of Music thing. (It's been a minute since I read it but that's how I recall the sequence of events. Either way super uncool!) I'm shocked at how often people don't even *mention* that when they talk about the original novel. I get that there's a lot of other stuff to talk about with him but still!! (Also the fact that Erik is old enough to be her father is upsetting too.)
He’s pretty much grooming a teenage girl
With the singing through a pipe, I did that when snorkeling when I was about 6-7. My parents could hear me humming underwater and slightly above water, and it wasn't hard for me to do. Mostly vibrations.
So yeah, Eric could be able to hum though a snorkel and be heard.
Also to take into account that Erik was a skilled ventriloquist...yeah, full on singing through a snorkel is probably not so out of the realm of probability. :)
I keep forgetting your cat is named Sir Terry... 😢
I'd love to see you talk about HIS Phantom adaptation, Maskerade!
Ooh, that was fantastic!! Had some of my all-time favourite Pratchett lines in it, too.
Hands down my favorite adaption(ish) of The Phantom of the opera.
I need to read that one.
Such a beautiful book.
"He has no nose!"
"...how does he sm-"
I love that Dom went to the Monty Python School of Older Lady Acting.
Dom: "Phantom of the Opera trilogy"
Me: *Johna hill screaming gif*
*starts singing "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters*
It’s crazy that how I’ve heard people interpret the 2 ‘romances’; Raoul, is the sweet childhood love- Eric, is the more mature adult love - & her choice between them; is choosing between fame & self-attained fortune, with ‘independence’ (though she wouldn’t be independent from Eric, I rather think- though he can’t be physically by her side in public) - or, the safety & security of a respectable marriage that will also give her wealth & status, but it won’t be indivisible from her husband.
They both seem pretty rough options to me; one’s a creepy stalker, who extorts money & is a ‘genius’ - the other’s a creepy stalker who’s attractive & has money & a title...
Why should Raoul be content with Christine only when he is handsome and rich to have many lovers. He should forget about Christine.
He should be like Phoebus in the Novel: Notre Dame de paris.
There are seriously people who interpret it like this? What the fuck
Very good episode! My favorite part:
*screaming as rats swarm*
"oh, ello. I'm the rat catcher. If you don't move, you'll be fine. So errrrrm, yeah, I'm just gunna go this way with me rats. Byeeee!"
Eric is literally the prototypical comic book supervillain. He's like a direct precursor to Dr Doom.
Also, yeah Raoul is a twit in the book. Luckily, he's actually way better in the Joel Schumacher movie. One of the few good thngs.
"He...was...already strangled when I found him?" 😂😂😂
"How did you eve get in here, Sir Terry? The door is closed!"
CAT.
The disappointment of the mystery becoming common knowledge makes sense. I feel the same way about Jekyll and Hyde. What was once a clever plot twist has become a plot point no one attempts to treat as a mystery at all.
At least with Phantom, the true meaning isn't even spoiled. In Jekyl and Hyde, the Hyde transformation isn't even a split personality, it's just Jekyll creating a new look for him to bring out his true personality, and it becomes an issue when he involuntarily transforms into hide because then he wpuld no longer be able to run from the consequences of a murder he committed while in his Hyde form. But pop culture has turned this clever thing into a split personality.
"Wow he's been married a lot. I thought he was gay." had be laughing the loudest witch cackle. He adapted this novel to a musical for his wife and then they divorced, so I wonder how he feels about it now.
I think "Love Never Dies" answers that question... God I hate that "Sequel"
@Andriana Ferguson
He seemed pretty fine with it in the 2011 stage version, inviting her to sing an extra number and calling her his angel of music.
@@RileyRivalle2 that's so sweet. Hope they continue to have a good relationship.
@@RileyRivalle2 My big impression of that was that Sarah Brightman was rather desperately trying to get out of arms reach of her ex during that whole time. She just looked so incredibly *uncomfortable*.
But ye gods if that rendition of the title song with that small army of actors who've played the Phantom wasn't absolutely fantastic.
@Dork One
That's just the way she looks on stage, dude; she always was kinda wooden. But if I keep that in mind next time I watch it, maybe I'll see something similar. Anyway, if anyone was uncomfortable on stage, it was Andrew himself. :D
(Sung to Webber's popular tune) "It's there, the RUclips ALGORITHM!"
Holy shit, the meter works.
"The RUclips Algorithm is there. Inside my heart."
Sir Terry, ninja cat
And you singing to him has made my day
"Wow, he's been married a lot. I thought he was gay." I ' M S C R E A M I N G
oh wow. that caught me off guard. there are actual tears.
I laughed out loud!
When does he say it?
@@homobissi2872 29:05! In the bloopers
@@Luanna801 Omg yes! Lol
"feeling he'd been so screwed over by life, the universe and everything"
I see what you did there
@Black-Handed_Ice_ Gwiazda he's referencing Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where there's a plot point regarding the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything :)
Last time that I was this early, Michael Crawford was still playing the Phantom on Broadway
+
One rather intriguing aspect of the novel is "The Shadow". The mysterious person who wanders around the basement, and who is mentioned by both the Persian and Eric. Leroux even adds a footnote saying he can't reveal who it is due to issues of state, so that has always had me wondering, especially since it's kind of a small mystery that gets so overshadowed by Eric it never really gets brought up.
I read Phantom of the Opera because "Hey that's the book that Maskerade is based on!" and was really suprised how many elements Pratchett took from the actual book and twisted around in really clever ways.
Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite books ever but as is the case with Dracula the Phantom has become such an iconic figure in pop culture it is hard for a modern audience to let itself be astounded by the mystery being unraveled, and I agree whole heartedly about Raoul he is very whiny and stalkerish even when Christine tells him off multiple times and he always makes her cry I did not care for their romance (not even in the musical) and Eric is kind of hillarious actually and I do feel for him (not that it excuses all the awful shit he does) but I thought it very powerful that Christine's compasion even when he has put her through hell makes him wanna change not with the purpose of changing her mind to be with him but because he just wanted to experience love and once he did he looked at the world differently.
Raoul could be more cynical, he doesn't care about Christine, he is initially interested in her to have sex, but in the face of his refusal, he gives up on her to look for other women. He could be like Phoebus in the novel: Notre Dame de Paris.
"Oh he's been married a lot I thought he was gay" is possibly the best line ever in any context. Thank you.
Even funnier when you realize that Webber wrote the role of Christine specifically to showcase the skills of his wife at the time, Sarah Brightman.
The two aren't mutually exclusive.
@@EileenGallia Sarah Brightman is the best!
@@donsample1002 Never said they where. There are lots of cases for it. Just the casual way Dom said it though was perfect and I want to use it later.
@@EileenGallia Absolutely makes it more tangible and hilarious, yes!!! All the best comedy comes from harmless irony and good delivery.
Dom singing to his cat while dressed as the Red Death is one of the best things I've ever seen.
Anyone else notice the Phantom is basically Quasimodo, in that he's a deformed guy living within a Paris landmark?
There is Gwynplaine who has a deformed face, but there is a beautiful voice.
Gwynplaine was created by Victor Hugo, he is a character in the book The man who laughs:
"An extraordinary thing like you should snarl, and not speak. You sing harmoniously. I hate it. It is the only thing about you that I do not like. All the rest is terrible - is grand. In India you would be a god Were you born with that frightful laugh on your face? No! No doubt it is a penal brand. I do hope you have committed some crime. Come to my arms. "
"I'm losing to a bir-" Oh, wrong channel. My bad.
@@jbvader721 🤣🤣
Yeah, and both men are part of love triangle, both are heartbroken, and both have very tragic endings with both dying because of their love for the women who rejected them
When it comes to "Phantom" and most of its adaptations, those adapting it leave out what I feel are the most intriguing and moving parts of the story. Sure, at first glance, it's a murder mystery dressed up as a love triangle, but I think there's more to it than that. For me, "Phantom" has always been less of the sappy melodrama many portray it to be and more of a tragic cautionary tale about what happens when an innocent child (Erik) grows up believing he has no other choice but to become the monster he's assumed to be. In that sense, I place it alongside novels like Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" or Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "The Man Who Laughs".
And, maybe it's just me, but I think there's something to admire in Erik. No, obviously not the blackmail, stalking, and murdering, but the fact that, after all he went through, he still found it in his heart to yearn and strive for love. The line that captures him perfectly in the book is, "He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world, yet in the end, he had to content himself with a cellar." That says so much. I first encountered the novel when I was about 14 or 15, right when I really needed a story like it, or rather, a character like Erik. The bittersweet mix of unrequited love's pain and the joy of finding an eventual sense of peace, the striving to carve out a corner of the world for yourself (even if it is cellar-sized) in the name of your own humanity, those themes spoke to and comforted me. I've been visually impaired since birth and, while I was fortunate enough to grow up in a loving family and had confidence in myself as a child, I went through a tough dark night of the soul during my teenage years. I think most people with disabilities do. Adolescence and puberty are awkward times as they are, but add them on to the fact that you're already physically different from everyone else and . . . yeah, it's no picnic. But I digress. The point is, Erik is a wonderful character, a creature of both light and dark, as we all are, and stories need to include more characters with disabilities.
And lastly, Daroga needs more love. The excerpts from his narrative are the best parts of the book.
Thank goodness, someone said it. I’ve been shaking from fear since the moment I clicked on this.
@@DarkRelm22 Glad you agree. The story's a lot deeper than many give it credit for. I love the Lloyd Webber musical, but let's face it, it's not exactly the most philosophical adaptation. And, while it's fun to see what various filmmakers do with the story, my favorite movie of it will always be the 1925 silent film. Lon Chaney Sr. is THE Erik.
This is a gorgeous comment and I agree with every word.
@@Luanna801 Thank you!
@@AliciaNyblade I mean I agree, but it goes against what is said in the video. There IS a reason the book has had so many different adaptions. Because it WAS worth it. It works as a cautionary tale a la Frankenstein, it works as tragic high romance like the ALW musical, it works as a police murder mystery. It has a little bit of everything, and the different adaptions highlight what stands out to them more.
You know you're a Phantom fan when you get indignant that people are spelling Erik's name with a "c" in the comments section
And dont say ERIIIK, which would be accurate.
One correction: It was Brittany where Christine and Raoul met, not Normandy. When I read the novel as a child, I was perplexed by the name “Brittany”, because it’s so similar to “Britain” that I thought they’d left France and gone to England, even though they hadn’t. It’s only recently that I’ve developed a passion for linguistics which led me to learn that the Bretons are Brittonic Celts who came to Brittany from Cornwall, and, considering that, the name “Brittany” in fact makes quite a bit of sense.
Gotta love the pythonesque voice for christine’s adoptive mum. Very good terry jones impersonation 😛
"i'll be using the 25th anniversary to represent the musical"
I mean it has Sierra, Ramin, AND Hadley, so it's preeeetty much perfection, so A+ choice.
Woohoo! I'm very excited for this series! Phantom has such a bizarre history...
I don't remember Raoul being overly rude or stalkery with Christine, or the Phantom drugging her. 😲 Time for a reread I guess.
I know you're looking at the musical, but you really should check out the 1925 silent film with Lon Chaney. Probably the most faithful adaptation of the book, and a very good watch in and of itself. Chaney's make up still has the ability to gross you out years later.
Having read the book, this was awesome.
Also laughed so hard at the bloopers I almost puked. 10/10 would watch again.
Looking forward to the rest of this series
EileenGallia I think we had the same reaction to that 😂 either way my cat is looking at my very concerned
Dom in the Red Death getup, singing to his cat is probably the best thing i will see today.
(also not doing a bad job in the singing department, if i may add)
It’s very much like the Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The big reveal/twist has become so famous that the original story is impossible to experience in its original context, which will inevitably undermine your enjoyment somewhat. What’s the fun in a mystery novel when you know the ending?
French speaker here , and your way of pronouncing Leroux sounds much cuter than painstaking, which - to me at least - largely compensates for the few scorched names (I'm no judge when it comes to the Three Musketeers review because I didn't go deep into this series - the book upsets me and I don't care for anything related to it).
Ok but, imagine what kind of story it would've been if Christine did fall in love with Eric. Is there a fanfiction where she would team up with the Persian to chastise her husband when he kills people?
Or she decides both men are terrible and leaves both
That could work
The Dom in drag looks like Eric Idle dressed as women.
@@HappyCynic The Dom reminds me of Eric as Brian's mom in Life of Brian,
@@tengu190
But that was Terry Jones not Eric
@@Vely1 oops
Dom: "Hello, my beautiful watchers..."
Me: *feeds the algorithm*
You have us well trained, Dom.
And one errors of yours is that Erik lives in or near sewers. He lives near the lake that was made by pumps that stabilize the water level under the Palais Garnier opera house.
Dom, in costume, singing to his captive cat is all I needed to smile tonight. Thank you
So... is nobody going to talk about the adorableness of Red Phantom Dom holding his cat in his arms and stroking it like Ernst Stavro Blofeld as the cat is just laying there like, "Yes my beautiful human! Sing... FOR ME!!"
23:21
Eric: I do not kill people. That is, that is my LEAST favorite thing to do!
"And the entire cast of characters are kind of unlikeable."
YES! That's exactly how I felt when I'd finally gotten through this book. I think I was extra disappointed because I loved the Phantom, Christine AND Raoul in the musical that when I read about their characters in the book it was a huge let down.
"Are you wearing a wedding ring?"
_"Whaaaaaaaat? Nooooooooooo..."_
Paused after 1:30 to say I hope he makes mention of the Lon Chaney silent adaptation. While I've never seen it, I know enough about the man to realize what a genius and innovator the man was. As an actor, he had to do what they have makeup and effects departments to do today.
The original novel of “Phantom” is very much different to the adaptations we’ve seen. But in a way, it’s one of the great gothic thrillers of all one. However, Leroux was no Victor Hugo: but he was an excellent storyteller. He is no master of language, and the book is no masterpiece. But it’s a ripping yarn that not a lot of people can put down. And you’re quite right. A lot of the characters aren’t likeable. Raoul annoyed me no end. I sat while reading going like “are you sh***ing me?” Neither Erik of Raoul really deserve her. They’re both manipulative characters and she’s very much the mould of the heroine who is to be saved but ends up saving them.
The book was far from a bestseller but it had an extensive following in France when it was released finally on volume form after its serialisation. His other words have sort of dropped off the radar which is sad, because “The Mystery of the Yellow Room” is actually his most popular, after “Phantom.” He is an excellent and vivid storyteller, and you can tell the influence of Poe and Dickens and Conan Doyle are very present.
You did a wonderful and amazing breakdown of the whole story and I applaud you for it, as a Phantom fan!
Doms cat also has a system of secret tunnels and pathways through the house to reach his scratching post at any time he wants to.
This whole video was great, but I absolutely died laughing at the outtake of you singing to Sir Terry in Eric's "masque of the red death" costume. That was hilarious! Totally something I would do with my cat!
I never realised how insane this story was. I have the book but never got around to finishing it
Actually, between The Blair Witch Project first being advertised and running in theaters, the actors had to lay low in motel rooms and stay out of sight for an entire year. They really committed to the bit.
Is it just me or does the physical description of Erik sound like a nice guy who lives in his parents’ basement? Like he’s the ultimate nice guy.
So excited you're finally doing Phantom! Beware watching the Phantom 25th Anniversary performance. The performers are wonderful, and I am so glad we have a filmed version of the musical that's not the 2004 version, but the actors playing Christine and the Phantom also originated the roles in the show's sequel (Yes...there is an unnecessary sequel called Love Never Dies based on The Phantom of Manhattan by Fredrick Forsyth), and you can tell the relationship between the main trio are influenced by that. Especially the cold nature of Raoul.
You should do a Mini episode for the film Phantom at the Paradise. It's definitely just inspired by the book (and Faust and the Picture of Dorian Grey) and very acid trippy since it was made in 1974.
Your videos are the only thing making my early morning bus communting worth it.
One thing the Broadway show has are the effects. It does feel like the Phantom might have magical powers especially when can appear and disappear out of nowhere.
From your description I picture the Persian being Toby from the Office.
The Persian: "You can't just murder and kidnap whomever you like, Eric. There are rules against that"
Eric: "Who let the lemon head in?!"
I love your synopsis of the book which by the way I have read over 60 times ( I am 70 years old). I first read it when I was in the orphanage and every time I read it I notice something different about the story, little nuances. Besides Erik I adore the Persian best and the Madame Giry character of the book as she is a hoot. Leroux uses fear, laughter, unrequited love and mystery to weave a very off beat story that has stood the test of time.
I love all the various adaptations but have a soft spot for the original story.
This is one of my favorite stories of all time and your insights are so interesting and the bits you acted out are so funny.
“That [twist] is pretty much common knowledge now, even for people who have never seen any incarnation of the story.” Uuuuuuuuhhhhhh was I the only one who didn’t know?
29:12 "Oh, he's been married. I thought he is gay"
I'm dying, that's exactly what I thought
I think the problem with Phantom is that NONE of the adaptations have honoured the book...I do think a loyal adaptation could make a beautiful film!
The 1925 version is the closest to the book and yeah i really agree! Ill give props for the ALW version for making Raoul less annoying but the majority of the plot didnt do justice to the novel
A little while ago, I finished one of Gaston Leroux's earlier novels, La double vie de Théophraste Longuet, usually found in English as "The Black Feather". He does use the same narrative tricks in it, but the story is about a mild-mannered middle class Parisian who finds out that he's the reincarnation of an 18th century bandit. This leads to a Jekyll & Hyde struggle and a lot of criminal shenanigans (including what pretty much amounts to parkour a good century before it became a sport). The English title comes from a weird example of reincarnation of a bird. Overall, the book has a slow start, but does have a good pace until the last few chapters, in which the title character escapes into the catacombs and discovers an utopian society of blind people, and then it just becomes a satirical critique of modern society with the protagonist being completely passive.
9:45 that actually gave me a jump.
Well played Noble, well played.
Fun fact: France is probably one of the last places where the book is still relatively better known than the musical. It’s often mandatory reading in school and the musical has never toured France. They tried to play it once. The theater took fire and was so damaged that the musical never played there. Some say it’s a curse…
Thanks for mentioning the way they both treated Christine.
I wonder how many times I've watched this video . . . My favourite reviewer reviewing my favourite story . . .
And how many more times I'll watch it . . .
Is that a new theme my eardrums register? I like.
Your content is fantastic, but also I'm so happy you include your bloopers. Reminds me of classic Pixar. :')
10:22 when talking like the adoptive mother it sounds like terry jones as a housewife in Monty python. I love it so much
Even if I know nothing about what you are covering, I always watch! You are amazing.
“-been married, I thought he was gay??”
dominic this sounds like the script of a bad romcom
I was looking for that comment!
Don't knock The Object of my Affection. Dammit. Love that movie
I never knew I needed Dom to sing Angel of Music to Sir Terry until I saw it. IT'S EPIC, MORE MORE MORE