The classic musical comes to the big screen for the first time.|Dec. 08, 2004|United Kingdom|143 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama;Romance;Thriller
Description: In 1919, Paris hosts a public auction to clear the vaults of a deteriorating opera house. The elderly Viscount Raoul de Chagny competes with Madame Giry, the retired ballet instructor, for a papier-mâché music box featuring a monkey playing cymbals. The auctioneer displays a repaired chandelier, linking it to the mysterious tale of the Phantom of the Opera. As the chandelier ascends to the roof, the story flashes back to 1870.
The theater prepares for the grand opera “Hannibal,” led by soprano Carlotta Giudicelli. Theater manager Monsieur Lefèvre announces his retirement, transferring ownership to Richard Firmin and Gilles André. They introduce their patron, the young Raoul. Christine Daaé, one of the dancers, recognizes Raoul as her childhood sweetheart but remains unnoticed by him.
Carlotta refuses to perform, citing torment by the theater’s resident “Opera Ghost,” a shadowy figure rumored to dwell in the catacombs below. Facing cancellation, Madame Giry suggests Christine replace Carlotta. Christine, showcasing her talent, achieves great success on opening night.
Christine confides in her friend Meg, Giry’s daughter, about her tutor, the “Angel of Music.” She reunites with Raoul, sharing that the Angel fulfills her late father’s promise to send guidance after his passing. Raoul dismisses her story. That night, the masked Phantom of the Opera appears in Christine’s mirror and takes her to his underground lair. There, he reveals a mannequin of Christine in a wedding dress he crafted. She faints and later goes missing, presumed to be lost.
Cast director: Joel Schumacher
Cast actor: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Ciarán Hinds, Simon Callow, Victor McGuire, Jennifer Ellison, Murray Melvin
Original name: The Phantom of the Opera