THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925/1929) - Kino Classics - October 13, 2015

[oddbox83]

Bit of a shame to US fans that the found sound reel and the 1925 cut in HD still remain exclusive to the BFI edition.

[evilive]

This is good news...... very, very good news.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Bit of a shame to US fans that the found sound reel and the 1925 cut in HD still remain exclusive to the BFI edition.

The BFI is region free, though. Easily worth an import.

[EddieLarkin]

The 1929 cut of this film, which has unjustifiably become the de facto primary version, is such a devastatingly crap botch edit of the original cut that I find it impossible to watch now. The 1925 cut is a vastly superior film and can only be experienced in any sort of watchable form via the region free BFI disc.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

The 1929 cut of this film, which has unjustifiably become the de facto primary version, is such a devastatingly crap botch edit of the original cut that I find it impossible to watch now. The 1925 cut is a vastly superior film and can only be experienced in any sort of watchable form via the region free BFI disc.

I like both, though the '29 cut remains an oddity regardless since it isn't just the talkie reissue without the sound even though it does use a little of the 1929 shot footage and no one has quite worked out why and what for it was made.

The existing 1925 cut isn't the original cut either. The first cut is sadly lost and I'd love to see it. I mourn the loss of the talkie reissue the most though - the reel on the BFI disc is a tantalising glimpse of what they did with the movie and newly shot footage. Even if it turned out to be appallingly awful, it would still be utterly fascinating which is why it's one of my personal lost movie holy grails.

I think it's clear that I simply love this movie in all it's forms. The more I dug into it's history, the more fascinated with it I've become.

Just to finish my post off, I think Kino have made a superb choice of cover art. I know the Phantom unmasked isn't exactly a spoiler these days since it's so famous, but having it slapped huge over a Photoshop job on the Image disc was ensuring no one new to the film getting the Blu-ray by reputation would ever get the chance to have a shock at his unmasking, the make-up still stands up today.

[Professor Echo]

I also picked up the BFI edition and kept my 2-disc Milestone DVD for the extras that aren't on the UK Blu.

The cover on the latter was excellent artwork and also discouraged me from giving up the set. I used custom art of an original poster for the Image Blu before I gave that release away and I think that was my favorite. It was very subtle compared to most of the spectacular graphics this film had attached to it and was adapted by a very talented custom cover artist who posts a lot on HTF. He was kind enough to share it with me after the person who commissioned him for the art said it was ok. After I picked up the BFI version I decided not to sell the Image one and gave it to my brother since he loved the custom art as much as I did. I decided to stick with the BFI cover as it too is tremendous. You can't go wrong with any of the original advertising designs for this movie, which only makes Image's decision to photoshop a cliche monster close up even more embarrassingly ridiculous.

[RandyK]

Like others, I'm happy with the BFI disc. Anyone who hasn't seen the movie in any form should definitely pick up that disc or this one. The movie is a classic.

It's also the basis for one of my all time favorite songs (skip to 2:43):

Iron Maiden - Phantom of The Opera - Live Sweden (2005) - YouTube

[DVD Phreak]

Note to all: the 1929 version comes into two forms, the Blackhawk edition and the Photoplay edition, each done by different people and resulted in different shots, different picture quality, different scores, and some color shots in one edition and not in others. In other words, two different cuts. Serious collectors should consider getting both the Blackhawk and Photoplay editions.

Blackhawk editions:
1997 Image DVD (2011 reissue cover)
2011 Image Blu-ray
2015 Kino Blu-ray

Photoplay editions:
2003 Milestone DVD
2013 BFI Blu-ray

[vortexx]

Originally Posted by RandyK

Like others, I'm happy with the BFI disc. Anyone who hasn't seen the movie in any form should definitely pick up that disc or this one. The movie is a classic.

It's also the basis for one of my all time favorite songs (skip to 2:43):

Iron Maiden - Phantom of The Opera - Live Sweden (2005) - YouTube

My favorite of their albums were the first 2. I almost saw the Killers tour but I couldn't get enough money together ($14. I think).

[Boob-Ray]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Just to finish my post off, I think Kino have made a superb choice of cover art. I know the Phantom unmasked isn't exactly a spoiler these days since it's so famous, but having it slapped huge over a Photoshop job on the Image disc was ensuring no one new to the film getting the Blu-ray by reputation would ever get the chance to have a shock at his unmasking, the make-up still stands up today.

As others have mentioned, the original artwork that dates from this film's various releases and promotions, is astounding and appears to be in abundance. So the Image release with Erik unmasked on the front is not only aesthetically horrendous, but also tacky. It would be like plastering Darth Vader is Luke's Father!! on the cover of a Star Wars blu-ray.

Glad to see that the Kino, in effect, replaces it. Plus, the Image release had a confusing menu-ing setup.

[human_machinery]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Bit of a shame to US fans that the found sound reel and the 1925 cut in HD still remain exclusive to the BFI edition.

That's a shame. I'm watching the BFI version now, and while I love the 1925 version, I'm wondering if any better print exists of this. I'm assuming that OCN has been lost to vault purges or nitrate fires?

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by human_machinery

I'm wondering if any better print exists of this. I'm assuming that OCN has been lost to vault purges or nitrate fires?

Same as with Hunchback, all that survives are show at home 16mm prints in poor condition.

Given how Hunchback now looks restored, Phantoms 1925 cut deserves the same restoration lavished upon it.

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Same as with Hunchback, all that survives are show at home 16mm prints in poor condition.

Given how Hunchback now looks restored, Phantoms 1925 cut deserves the same restoration lavished upon it.

Is anyone else following the latest restoration attempt?
This Kickstarter page has more details:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...4k-restoration