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Phantom of the Opera (The) (1925)
The greatest horror film of modern cinema!Director: Rupert Julian (Lon Chaney, Ernst Laemmle, Edward Sedgwick, Lois Weber: uncredited)
Year of Copyright: 1925
Year of Production: 1924-25
OVERALL: Draw-
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Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (cobbled together collection of classical music pieces)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:This edition from Alpha Video Distributors features a video transfer from a 16mm reduction print, with the Technicolor sequences in color. The print is a little soft in image details. The transfer frame rate is at the correct speed.
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Extras:Liner notes with photos
Scenes from the 1925 original release deleted from the 1929 reissue
Production stills and promotional materials
Theatrical trailer (1929 re-release) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (orchestral music score, with pipe organ and opera soprano Claudine Coté, commissioned by La Cinemateque Quebecoise and composed by Gabriel Thibaudoux in 1992)
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Case type:Snapper Case
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Notes:Higher quality windowbox transfer from a very good 35mm print. Re-mastered at the visually correct running speed of 20 frames per second. Color tinted according to the specifications of an original Universal cutting continuity, and the Bal Masque sequence is in its original two-strip Technicolor.
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Switchblade Symphony score)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Extras:Documentary / assay on the production of the film, written by R Dixon Smith, and narrated by Russell Cawthorn over an impressive array of behind-the-scenes shots and publicity material (~16:00)
Theatrical trailer (1929 re-release) (2:53) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (1990 score composed by Gabriel Thibaudoux)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The version presented on this DVD is the 1929 silent version which has been colour tinted to the original Universal Pictures specifications. Correct speed (20 frames per second), accurate tinting, and an clear presentation of the scene shot in two-strip Technicolor ("the Bal Masque sequence").
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
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Case type:Keep Case
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Switchblade Symphony score)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Extras:DISC ONE (Blu-ray)
DISC TWO (DVD)
* The Film: 1929 Reissue in the 1996 Photoplay restoration (1.19:1)
* The Film: 1925 Version (1.37:1)
Reel 5 from the lost 1929 sound reissue (1.19:1) (11:19)
The 'Man with the Lantern' sequence (silent) (1.19:1) (1:22)
Original 1925 Trailer (2:51)
1929 Sound Reissue Trailer (1:20)
DISC THREE (DVD)
"Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces" 2000 documentary (1.33:1) 85:15) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.37:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):1929 Reissue:
Music Dolby Digital 5.1 (Carl Davis score)
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (Carl Davis score)
1929 version:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (Ed Bussey score) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Comes with a 32-page liner notes booklet "The Phantom of the Opera" by Kevin Brownlow, "The Phantom's Many Faces" by Patrick Stanbury, "The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Reviewed" by Geoff Brown. Also contains cast and crew information, restoration credits, information on the special features, informaton / cast / crew on "Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces", information about the transfers and acknowledgements.
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Extras:Interview with film director Mike Hodges (27:27)
Excerpt of Roy Budd performing “The Girl from Ipanema”, introduced by Bob Hope, at the 1983 Royal Gala Evening (5:25) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (score by Roy Budd)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The back cover incorrectly states the run time to be 93 minutes.
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Special thanks to Rewind user Davy_Lee for providing these specifications.
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Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:"Horror Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 1", triple feature with (Metropolis (1927) and Nosferatu (1922).
Bad transfer. Includes the two-strip Technicolor scene. -
Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE
* The Film: 1930 reissue 1996 Photoplay restoration (1.19:1)*
Audio commentary by Scott McQueen (2003)
Dialogue sequences from the 1929 sound reissue (audio tracks only):
- Track 1: Managers' Office I (2:23)
- Track 2: Box 12 (2:33)
- Track 3: Managers' Office II (1:40)
- Track 4: Garden Love Scene (3:09)
- Track 5: "Faust" Trio and Finale (5:24)
- Track 6: Christine's Dressing Room (7:46)
- Track 7: Managers' Office III (2:07)
- Track 8: Through the Mirror (0:53)
- Track 9: Apollo's Lyre (3:41)
1925 trailer (2:45)
1929 reissue trailer (1:33)
Still Gallery: Featuring Missing & Deleted Scenes:
- Los Angeles Premier Version: Reconstruction (21:33)
- San Francisco Premier Version: Reconstruction (2:27)
- Posters & Lobby Cards (0:48)
- Promotion (2:12)
- Press Kit (1:24)
- The Phantom Stage (3:48)
- Publicity Portraits (4:00)
- Backstage Stills (3:51)
- Concept Art (1:45)
- Publishing (1:39)
DISC TWO
* The Film: 1925 version (1.33:1)
"Richard Koszarski Interviews Charles Van Enger: July 29, 1973" 2003 featurette (9:11)
"Carla Laemmle Remembers: An Interview with David J. Skal" 2003 featurette (6:13)
“Faust” opera excerpt from “Midstream” (1929) (9:59) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (music score composed and performed on digital keyboards by Jon C. Mirsalis)
1929 Reissue:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (with synchronized music and sound effects, and post-synched dialogue sequences, edited here to fit the source print)
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (score composed by Carl Davis) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Comes with a paper insert with chapter listings on one side and blank white on the reverse.
The 1925 version has been transferred from a 16mm reduction print, with a windowboxed natural-speed video transfer without hard-cropped edges, so that all of the surviving 16mm image will be visible on most televisions. An improvement over the transfer that was available on the 1990 Image Entertainment laserdisc, making this version watchable.
The 1929 (actually 1930) version is the 1996 Photoplay Productions restoration edition from a 35mm print and features the original Bal Masque Technicolor footage. An excellent video transfer, severely compromised by indiscriminate over-use of the digital restoration process.
The restored version on disc one ends at 94:17 with DVD credits playing out till 94:47.
* The disc packaging claims that this is the 1929 sound reissue but Scott McQueen on his commentary states that the Photoplay restoration is actually using the 1930 international sound reissue as it's basis. -
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Extras:DISC ONE
* The Film: 1929 Reissue Version (24fps) (1.19:1)
* The Film: 1929 Reissue Version (20fps) (1.19:1)
Audio commentary by film historian Dr. Jon Mirsalis (on the 20fps version) (2011)
Photo Gallery (13:30)
DISC TWO
* The Film: Original 1925 Version (1.33:1)
2011 Interview with Gabriel Thibaudeau (10:27)
Original Trailer (3:13)
DVD P-ROM:
- Reproduction of 1925 Souvenir Brochure PDF
- Reproduction of 1925 Original Script PDF -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (Frederick Hodges Piano Score)
1929 Reissue - 20fps:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (Gabriel Thibaudeau Score)
1929 Reissue - 24fps:
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (Alloy Orchestra Score)
Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (Gaylord Carter Score) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Discs are in the NTSC format.
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Special thanks to Rewind user Davy_Lee for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:Documentary / essay on the production of the film, written by R Dixon Smith, and narrated by Russell Cawthorn over an impressive array of behind-the-scenes shots and publicity material (~16:00)
Theatrical trailer (1929 re-release) (2:53) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.33:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Music Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (1990 score composed by Gabriel Thibaudoux)
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The version presented on this Eureka DVD is the 1929 silent version which has been colour tinted to the original Universal Pictures specifications. Correct speed (20 frames per second), accurate tinting, and an clear presentation of the scene shot in two-strip Technicolor ("the Bal Masque sequence").
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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OVERALL: Draw
The UK Park Circus Ultimate Edition includes 3 versions of the film plus extras including a commentary.
The US Milestone has 2 versions of the film including the Photoplay restoration version plus extras including a commentary.
The UK BFI edition has 2 versions of the film including the Photoplay restoration version and a lengthy documentary.
The UK Mishka Production and UK Eureka releases have only one version of the film, but with exclusive extras.
The following versions of the movie are known:
(1.) The original theatrical silent 1925 version, which is so far available in low quality reconstructed from 16mm elements.
(2.) A shorter, reworked silent version released in 1929, of which two main variants are known:
-- The "Blackhawk" version, originally released on DVD by Image in 2001, and featuring an opening scene with a "lantern man" saying something to the audience in the sewers,
-- The "Restored Photoplay" version (1996 restoration), originally released on DVD by Milestone in 2003, in which the previous scene is missing, but that also offers more shots in Technicolor during the Bal Masque scene - this version is said to have the best picture quality. This is actually the 1930 version.
(3.) The 1929 talkie re-release. A hybrid of the 1925 silent version with some scenes reshot with actors reprising their roles with synchronized sound, added voice over narration and newly added scenes.
The complete film is lost and all versions are most likely cut in some way.
For additional information on the differing versions of the film and technical details of discs, see Nerdly Pleasures' "Versions and Sources of the Phantom of the Opera" blog entry.
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CUTS:
- R0 America- Alpha Video Distributors - No cuts - 1925 version
- R0 America- Image Entertainment - No cuts - 1929 reissue version.
- R0 America- Music Video Distributors - No cuts - 1929 reissue (~90:00 NTSC)
- R0 Australia- Beyond Home Entertainment - No cuts - 1929 reissue (91:49 PAL)
- R0 United Kingdom- Elstree Hill - No cuts - 1925 version (106:31 PAL)
- R0 United Kingdom- Quantum Leap Group Limited - No cuts - 1929 reissue (~90:00 PAL)
- R0 3-Disc Dual Format Edition United Kingdom- British Film Institute - No cuts - Includes the 1925 version (99:03 PAL) and the 1996 Photoplay restoration (87:05 PAL).
- R0 Limited Collector's Edition United Kingdom- Mishka Productions - 1929 reissue (Blackhawk version) (85:55 PAL)
- R1 Horror Classics Triple Feature, Vol. 1 America- Navarre Corporation - No cuts - 1929 reissue (~107:00 NTSC)
- R1 The Ultimate Edition America- Image Entertainment - No cuts - Includes both the 1925 version (107:03 NTSC) and the 1930 international sound reissue (1996 Photoplay restoration) (94:47 NTSC)
- R2 2-Disc Ultimate Editon United Kingdom- Park Circus - No cuts - Includes the 1925 Version (114:05 NTSC), the 1929 Reissue Version (77:56 NTSC) and the 1929 Reissue Version (91:30 NTSC)
- R2 Special Collector's Edition United Kingdom- Eureka - No cuts - 1929 reissue (91:49 PAL)
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Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!
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Comparison added by The Rewind Team on 13/11/02
Comparison last updated by Rick_Curzon on 27/03/22UPDATE LOG:
27/07/15: Additions of the UK Elstree, UK BFI, UK Park Circus, added ASINs.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
07/03/18: Added UK Mishka, removed UK Dark Vision, Japan Culture Publishers, France KVP for lack of specs, updated version notes, DVDBeaver.
07/07/19: Blog link.
06/03/22: Added detail on booklet to BFI disc.
07/03/22: Greatly expanded the 2003 US Image / Milestone disc.
27/03/22: Added additional uncredited director.
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