Just saw this last month, and was struck by the resemblence of their "Opera Populaire" to the Opera Garnier in Paris (which was quite possibly my favorite building during the time that I spent there). Today I decided to look up where they filmed it, and discovered that it was a set that they built just for the movie, inspired by the Opera Garnier. It's incredible how the captured the feel of the Opera Garnier - Joel Shumacher's cinematography is incredible. It makes me want to back to Paris... but then just about anything does... sigh.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's work was inspired by the novel by Gaston Leroux. Leroux had taken an underground tour of the Opera Garnier and discovered it had a lake. Inspired by the romantic imagery, he incorporated both that and an actual incident from 1896 (in which a counterweight failed and a chandelier crashed into the audience with tragic consequences) into the book "The Phantom of The Opera". This book in turn, has inspired various films and then Sir Lloyd Weber's opus, and of course the musical film upon which that is based.

BC

I gotta tell you - that was maybe the most boring movie I ever saw. I hope my lovely wife appreciates my taking her to it. Definitely a Chick Flick!!!

In the movie, poor Christine had my sympathy - having to choose between a masked murderer and a doltish Vicompte.
I would have chosen Plan C.

The artwork and photography was beautiful though.

Aeus: That is so amazing. Aren't people wonderful? My husband and I have seen the play three times and the movie once. We thought it was the most incredible movie we had ever seen. Joel S. is a genius. We couldn't believe it wouldn't sweep the academy awards. Yes, we have seen Aviator. Now, we thought that was a boring movie!

the music is very catchy. after i saw the movie i cant stop humming the tune.

My favorite part was near the end when the entire opera house was in flames and falling down all around them, with people running for their lives. The daughter of the ballet mistress asked her mother if they should go with them (into the sewers) and she seriously replied, "no, you stay here." I was in hysterics.

Patrick, that is funny I remember that scene too. Another part where I laughed out loud but shouldn't have was in the flashback when The Phantom was but a mere child leaping around with a grain bag on his head and my friend leaned over and said "It's the Elephant Man!".


Oh, and...photography and artwork WERE.....

Bookchick, thanks for the background. If you'll pardon a bit of pedantry, though, it's "Sir Andrew". His wife (if he has one) would be "Lady Lloyd Webber", though, just to make it all crystal clear.

There seems to be a protocol as to when titles are used - for example, they're never used when a knighted actor appears in movie credits - but I'm not sure what the rules are. In general it seems that the British are less impressed with titles than Americans are, maybe because they're a dime (or tenpence) a dozen.

Zeus - you're right about it being a chick flick - my friend and I absolutely loved it, and my boyfriend was happy that I'd found someone else to see it with!

My husband and I and another couple saw the movie 2 weeks ago. I loved it. I thought the casting was great. We all thought that many things that were unclear in the play were revealed in the movie. The Phantom was a hottie!
2 Thumbs Up!

My husband and I saw it too...and loved it. There were parts that were better than the stage version as they filled in the plot. It was more exciting in lots of ways. The problem is too many people had seen the original and I think they wanted it transferred as such to the big screen.

I think the critics were cruel..this is a stage play and a difficult one to put on the big screen. They succeeded.

All I can say is I'd sure like a piece of the candle action for the Batcave.

My husband liked the movie, but he's always been a Phantom fan. We have seen the musical several times and were not sure a movie could be as good. When you're at a live performance, there's a certain amount of energy in the air, and that's lost on screen. But we enjoyed it anyway, and we especially loved Minnie Driver's performance.

Neil_Oz, no offense taken, thank you for the information. (BTW, my family is actually Canadian, not American.)

BC

My husband and I loved "Phantom of the Opera!" I'll definitely be buying the movie when it comes out. One of my favorite scenes was the one when they danced on the steps, and were wearing masks... I think the number was called "Masquerade."

Sandy

I'm a true girly-girl - my favorite scene was the song on top of the roof with the snow falling. Sigh...

I never saw the musical, and haven't had any urge to see the movie either... until now.
Now just have to find someone to go with!

Saw Phantom with my daughter and we both loved it. I've seen it on stage twice--once in London last May--and have seen all the old bl & wh movie versions. They did a great job with the sets---at the end on the credits it said it was filmed in Surrey, England. The cemetary looked very much like one in Paris.

Katie - I've never seen the musical either, but I loved the movie. It's a strange story - so if you don't know much about it, you might want to ask someone to tell you what its about (but not how it ends!) before you go - otherwise you might be a bit confused.