Product Details

• Actors: James Baldwin, Darin De Paul, Alexandra Kinter, Richard Kinter, Joey Leone
• Directors: Darwin Knight
• Writers: Bruce Falstein, Gaston Leroux
• Producers: Darwin Knight, Abe Hirschfeld, Karen Poindexter, Linda Bryant, Samantha Klein
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Water Bearer Films
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302940591
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,895 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Additional Features

This is not Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of The Phantom of the Opera. The music and lyrics are by Lawrence Rosen and Paul Schierhorn.

Product Description

This production, starring David Staller and Elizabeth Walsh, is not the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Phantom of the Opera combines a romantically enticing book, which follows closely to the original novel, plus a bright musical score by Lawrence Rosen and Paul Schierhorn that ranges from pop to traditional musical-comedy styling. Thus, the Hirshfield Theater has created a dramatically new musical comedy. From the opening dream ballet depicting the young heroine, Christine, to her susceptibility to the mad Victorian Phantom (who oozes a sinister charm), Ken Kurtz's settings evoke all the mystery and color of this classic story of love and terror. From the Paris Opera House to the catacombs of the Phantom's Lair, "The Phantom of the Opera," filmed before a live audience, brings to life Gaston Leroux's 1911 classic novel like no other musical production in the history of stage and screen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best interpretation I've seen in a long time!, April 3, 2001

By 

April French (Albany, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phantom of the Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Not bad at all, though it can't compare to Lloyd Webber. There seems to be a syndrome among Phantom movies, that causes the drastic changing of dates--this one took place in 1911, twenty years after the events in the novel, as opposed to Webber's, which took place twenty years BEFORE. But that's minor. I liked the portrayal of Raoul as sweet, innocent (more so than Christine!) and deferential to Christine's career. Carlotta was a laugh riot (it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings!) as was Joseph Buquet, and the scene with the managers and the Phantom singing together was hysterical. The masqued ball in this film is pretty plain when compared to other versions, but it suffices. Staller's performance as the Phantom was surprisingly good, however. His voice echoed whenever he spoke, and is he's nowhere near Crowford in singing, he still manages to hold his own ("Perfect Music" was the best song in the piece). I loved the silver mask, the makeup was flawless, and Staller can really act! You could see the anguish in every expression, and his hand gestures reminded me a bit of Lon Chaney in this same role. I was glad they included the Persian 'Daroga' in this version, though I was disappointed with his background (the Phantom and the Persian are not friends in this film, only antagonists). My only real problem was at the ending. There was no kiss!!!!! I wasn't as upset by the Phantom going on to another girl, though. He seems younger in this play, and much more resilient than his fifty-year-old counterparts. All in all, worth the money and repeated viewings.

55 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It was an ok movie, June 19, 2000

By 

nancy (Mesa, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phantom of the Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Well if you are an Andrew Lloyd Webber version of the Phantom phan, this movie would be an OK movie to you. The music wasn't as good as A.L.W.'s, and the voices of the characters were OK. But Sarah Brightman's voice over-ruled Elizabeth Walsh's voice, and David Staller's voice is not competition for Michael Crawford's amazing voice! The ending showed Erik as a undevoted lover to Christine. As it shows him going on to the next girl after Christine runs away with Raoul, but not in voice but in dance. OK, that was not anything like the original book by Gaston Leroux, as it is said to be on the back of the video cover! I give the 2 stars for the phantom's make-up. It's the best I've seen! Other than that, if you are an Andrew Lloyd Webber version phan dont get this video! It's a big disapointment! :)

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More feeling than Webber, March 20, 2002

By 

Alicia Matheson (Anaheim, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Phantom of the Opera (DVD)

This version of "Phantom" is by far my favorite. Although the time frame is a little messed up, the music makes up for it completely. While Lloyd Webber is fine, his version holds none of the humor and deapth of emotion David Staller gives this performance. If what the Phantom does to Carlotta at the masque doesn't tickle you, get it simply for the ending. That ending had me standing up applauding Erik. This performance was worth every cent I paid for it and then some, and I've been collecting Phantom things for some time now. I've seen every version of Phantom, including the clip from the Tony's, the Charles Dance version (which is my second favorite), the Meatloaf music video, Paul Stanley (whom I respect because he is a phan, even if he isn't the best Phantom), ect ect... and this one is still my favorite. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Raoul: "I could have been killed! What's wrong with you??"
Persian: "Oh, I am feeling fine, thank you very much."