Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition

Director: Rupert Julian, Edward Sedgewick, Ernst Laemmle
USA/England. 1929.
98 minutes. Tinted, 2 Color, Handschiegl.

Cast:

With Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry. Producer: Universal Pictures. Directors: Rupert Julian, Edward Sedgewick & Ernst Laemmle. Adapted for the Screen by Elliot Clawson & Raymond Schrock, from the novel by Gaston Leroux. Music composed and conducted by: Carl Davis. Performed by City of Prague Philharmonic. Special Color Restoration: CST Entertainment and EFILM. Produced by David Gill, Kevin Brownlow & Patrick Stanbury. Additional video restoration by Scott MacQueen.

One of the most famous horror films of all time — The Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition, stars "the man with a thousand faces," film great Lon Chaney. Produced by Photoplay Productions, Milestone and film archivist/historian Scott MacQueen, The Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition is the most elaborate and comprehensive documentation of a silent film ever presented on DVD!

This deluxe 2-DVD package features both versions of the spine-tingling Chaney horror masterpiece: the longer 1925 original release (rarely available due to print quality issues) and the 1929 re-release, mastered from gorgeous original 35mm materials including the film's famed Technicolor sequences. The 1925 version boasts a splendid score by composer Jon Mirsalis. The 1929 Phantom has a full orchestral score by the legendary Carl Davis as well as an alternate track with the never-before-available original Vitaphone soundtrack!

The Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition also includes: detailed commentary by MacQueen; an elaborate Stills Gallery featuring scenes cut from the original production after the 1925 premiere as well as rare behind-the-scenes shots; a seven-minute video documentary by David Skal interviewing Carla (Rebecca) Laemmle, who appeared in Phantom and was the niece of the Universal founder; two original trailers; an audio interview with cinematographer Charles Van Enger; a five-minute excerpt of the "Faust" sequence from the 1929 feature Midstream; and additional audio outtakes from the original Vitaphone disks.

Beneath the splendid riches of the Paris Opera House lie ancient catacombs with a dark and forbidden secret. These vast underground rooms and hidden passages were once used as torture chambers to satisfy the blood lust of a crazed population. Rumors abound that the Opera Ghost lives there still, vowing vengeance on the human race.

When film director Rupert Julian was presented with the script for The Phantom of the Opera, he declared simply: "Lon Chaney, or it can't be done!" For the film, "the man of a thousand faces" transformed himself into his most recognizable character. Using chemicals to dilate his pupils, cotton and celluloid discs to heighten his cheekbones, fanged teeth to create a horrific grin and wires to pull his nose upwards, Chaney became the menacing Phantom who lurks in Box 5 of the Opera - and in the dark cellars below.

This spine-tingling, macabre masterpiece can now be viewed in all its grand guignol glory. Using the finest restored 35mm print of the 1929 reissue, and materials from archives around the world, and employing the latest in digital technology, Photoplay Productions created a stunning video master featuring a magnificent orchestral score by composer Carl Davis (Napoleon). The Photoplay team was also able to restore the stunning Technicolor bal masque sequence and has painstakingly re-created the Handschiegl color process used in the famous "Apollo's Lyre" scene on the roof of the Opera.

Bonus Features

VHS includes: Restored 1929 version; original trailers from 1925 and 1929, and Faust(opera extract) from the 1929 Tiffany sound feature. Midstream.
2-Disc DVD package includes: 1929 Version (98 minutes) restored by Photoplay Productions with original two-color Technicolor, Tints and "Handschiegl" color process.
First Soundtrack: Carl Davis stereo orchestral score.
Second Soundtrack - Original 1930 soundtrack edited to fit picture.
Third Soundtrack: Audio commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen.

Also included: 1925 original feature version with a score by Jon Mirsalis (110 minutes)
"Carla Laemmle Remembers" a 7-minute video interview with David Skal The Phantom of the Opera - 1925 and 1930 reissue trailers (approximately 7 minutes).
Faust (opera extract) from the 1929 Tiffany sound feature, Midstream (approximately 5 minutes).
Stills Galleries featuring deleted and missing scenes.
Audio only The Phantom of the Opera - 1930 Sound Reissue. Nine (9) chapter selections of Dialogue sequences from the 1930 version not found in the restored version.
Audio Only Track: Phantom cinematographer Charles Van Enger's interview with historian Richard Koszarski.