Decades before the famous musical, is this early silent movie adaptation of the story of the disfigured opera lover who yearns for young love. The Phantom (
Lon Chaney) is said to haunt the Paris Opera House. However, he is no ghost but a man who lives below the opera house. He forces the famous singer Carlotta (
Virginia Pearson) to give up her starring role in the opera in favour of understudy Christine (
Mary Philbin) whom the Phantom tutors (and loves). At first Christine is quite happy with her benefactor, despite the fact he lives in an underground dungeon. However when his mask is removed...
Christine is told by Erik (The Phantom) to devote her life to her art and to forget her fiance Raoul (
Norman Kerry). However when Christine continues seeing Raoul, The Phantom finds out and makes her his prisoner...
This is a spectacular film, Lon Chaney stealing the show (literally) with his portrayal of the Phantom, a genius but trapped with his disfigurements and loneliness. Though any sympathy must be tempered with the murder and mayhem he unleashes on the opera house including some rather intriguing and gruesome death chambers.
