Other Titles • Dario Argento's The Phantom of the Opera (2000) • Il Fantasma dell'opera • Phantom of the Opera (1999) • The Phantom of the Opera
Synopses for Dario Argento's The Phantom of the Opera (1998)
1.
Leaden horror costumer that takes its tenuous starting point from the classic Gaston Leroux novel of the same name. The twist in this variation is that the Phantom was raised by telepathic rats in the subterranean caverns beneath the opera house. Thus our feral Phantom (Julian "Ratboy" Sands) develops an obsessive love for up-and-coming diva Christine (Asia Argento), and sets about to seduce her to his dark, rodent existence. Although beautifully photographed, with lots of ornate period detail to catch the eye, this is largely a by-the-numbers supernatural horror story with scant gory set pieces as diversions. Fans of Dario Argento will yell "Rats!" and all else will merely shrug. And why are the rats telepathic, anyway? Screenwriting credits go to Gerard Brach, best known for his many collaborations with Roman Polanski, most notably Repulsion. However, none of his absurd sense of humor comes through in this film, which really needs it. A shame all around. The DVD includes a short interview with the film's star, Julian Sands, as well as a photo gallery, some dispensable making-of clips, spliced together to appear as a featurette (mostly in untranslated Italian) and a very informative article from Fangoria Magazine. --Jim Gay
2.
Gaston Leroux's celebrated Gothic tale of bloody revenge and unrequited love is given a stylish and bloody re-working by Dario Argento, the Italian maestro of horror and suspense. Abandoned as a baby and raised by the rats that dwell in the winding sewers beneath the bustling Paris streets, the shadowy figure of The Phantom (Julian Sands) stays hidden from view.
Taking the lives of those who threaten the peaceful existence of his adopted subterranean family, The Phantom haunts the Paris Opera House, leaving a bloody trail of bodies in the cavernous depths beneath the majestic building. However, when he glimpses a beautiful young woman (Asia Argento) who dreams of becoming a great opera singer, The Phantom is infatuated. Intent on luring her into his underground lair, he sets out to seduce her. But will his unusual existence and the legacy of brutal killings scare her away?
3.
Italian horror maestro Dario Argento tackles Gaston Leroux's tale of love and revenge set in a Paris Opera House, which comes complete with its very own phantom (Julian Sands)--a tortured man who was abandoned as a child and raised by the house's resident rodents. With his usual visual flair, moody atmosphere, and penchant for blood and gore, the director presents a very different twist on this timeless story. His daughter, the beautiful Asia Argento (XXX, TRAUMA), stars as the phantom's love interest and aspiring opera star.
4.
Unrated Director's Cut
Mysteriously, a series of terrifying accidents and brutal murders leaves a bloody body trail in the subterranean caverns of an opera house basement. Born into the murky sewer waters below the theater stalks a man / monster raised by creatures of the underworld. This Phantom's dark and grotesque life is shattered when he becomes obsessed with a beautiful young singer, seducing her with his chilliing but erotic presence. The blood-curdling terror and disturbing eroticism of this classic story make this horror film one that will haunt your dreams forever.
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