The Phantom of the Opera
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Calling all Phans!! Book, movie, or stage?
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Kallie~ Can'tLive-WithOrWithoutYou
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Apr 05, 2013 05:03PM
Okay, so which version of the story do you all like the most? Movie (any version) stage- (which Phantom/Christine pair) or the classic book?
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For me it's a toss up between the 1925 film or the book.Admittedly, I haven't actually liked any of the other versions I've seen.
I HATED the book. I don't usually give books away after I read them cause I always re-read them but I gave this one away. Sadly I have seen no stage version but I loved the Gerard Butler movie.
Since the 2004 movie was my 'first time' phantom, I thought it was AMAZING, although GB is really a garage band singer... now I just enjoy it for the fact that the sets were so cool. Emmy wasn't bad either.However, Ramin Karimloo WILL ALWAYS be my favorite Phantom and one of my overall favorite singers. If y'all haven't seen 'POTO 25th' yet I HIGHLY recommend it. Though Sierra Boggess who plays Christine isn't my ideal choice... John Cudia (SP?) was very good as well. And for some reason I liked Peter Jobach very much too..he's voice is just so different than what the usual Erik sounds like.
The book was okay (for me, it was also one of the rare books that I wasn't interested in rereading), the film version with Gerard Butler was absolutely fantastic (Patrick Wilson and Emmy Rossum were great, too), and plan to watch the 2011 Albert Hall version tonight on Netflix - thanks for the heads up Kallie!
I actually liked both the 2004 movie and the book, for different reasons. The movie emphazied more on the love story between Raoul and Christine than the original book that is more a thriller. So even though both are very different, I loved them!And the songs are just incredible!
The older movie version, though, was not as good. It felt very old-ish. It's the kind of movie that do not grow old very well.
My first exposure to The Phantom of the Opera was the original cast recording with Michael Crawford. I've also seen it on Broadway twice, though I couldn't tell you who played the Phantom or Christine.I also love the book, I've read it at least 3 times.
As for movies, I really didn't like the 1989 Robert Englund version, and I haven't seen the 2004. I would like to watch the Lon Chaney version though.
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Kallie~ Can'tLive-WithOrWithoutYou
(last edited Apr 10, 2013 02:21PM)
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Kallie wrote: "Since the 2004 movie was my 'first time' phantom, I thought it was AMAZING, although GB is really a garage band singer... now I just enjoy it for the fact that the sets were so cool. Emmy wasn't ba..."No problem! Let me know what ya think of it!
STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE....oh the book was cool too!
I haven't seen it on stage. I've seen the 1925 film once or twice, the 1990 twice, and the 2004 version lots of times. I also read the book.The 1925 film was really close to the book until the end, which bothered me because it was so close to the book up to that point. However, I did like it; the end just bugs me and I don't like this Christine as much. I also don't like that they changed Raoul's name to Phillipe, which is his brother's name in the book. Mom doesn't get how I can enjoy a silent black and white film (she also didn't get it when I was watching Nosferatu).
The 1990 movie was very different from the book, but I still liked it because it was sweet and I like Charles Dance.
2004 is a lot closer to the book than the 1990 movie and out of the three films I've seen its ending was closest. Gerard's voice could use some training, but he was still good. Gerry's a bit to handsome to be Erik, even without the mask covering the bad side (somehow I think Gerard looks even sexier with a mask; same goes for Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride and Antonio Banderas as Zorro). I'm not complaining! This is my favorite by far and it's how I got introduced to Phantom of the Opera. I always sing along. :)
I've got the book sitting on my desk and I'll be writing a college paper on it. I liked it, but I admit to preferring the movies. I'll probably reread it this weekend since I have to write that paper.
I hope to see the Broadway production someday, but Gerard will always be my favorite Phantom.
Saw for the first time on Broadway when I was eleven years old. It was amazing; the theater was beautiful, I fell in love with the story and characters. My favorite scene is "masquerade". I don't remember who was starring then, but I did buy a cassette tape (yes, that long ago) with Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. I sang along so many times, my family hated it! The movie was a fair rendition. The book is the original and will always be good.
The book always come first for me! But all of them are brilliant! I love JOJ as The Phantom and Gina Beck as Christine (and Michael Ball will always be my Raoul, by the way). I kind of think Marcus Lovett is amazing too (that's probably because he was the last phantom I saw).The 2004 film was great! Gerard Butler might never make it as an opera singer but I quite like him nevertheless. The only problem was that he was way too good-looking, with or without the mask, which makes the story lost it weight (well, I've seen loads of people who are uglier (myself, to start with) and still live happily). But overall it was beautiful!
(Anyone has seen the international cast? It's (at last) coming to my country! Going to see it next month. So excited!)
Have seen the stage version three times, all twenty years ago, in San Francisco. Def. my favorite. The movies have been okay, enjoyed the book.
I agree with other posters, I like the book but I think the stage/film adaptations are better.The 2004 movie with Gerard Butler was my introduction to Phantom, but I do think the 25th anniversary special with Ramin Karimloo does beat the 2004 movie.
In terms of my favourite Phantom portrayal - GB gets the handsome vote, RK gets the tortured soul vote.
Yeah, my (main) problem with Gerard, was that when I saw it for the first time, I was expecting a horrible, make-you-want-to-gouge-out-your-eyeballs disfigurement, what with all the leading up to it and everything, but when the mask came off I was like "AHHH!! OH MY- Oh wait, that SUCKS! Calm down people it's only a sunburn!" Then I watched a TON of stage productions, and got the feel for it better. And of course, once you read the book you can get the general idea of how bad it is.GB (IMO) was great with the whole 'sulking smoldering sexy' thing,(thank you Hollywood) but I just never felt the emotional tug at the end like I do with Ramin for example. I think GB seemed to have trouble switching from seductive to insane lol.
Ramin was SO great at portraying all of Erik's sides- loving, pitiful, scary, and just plain crazy.
I just read the book for like the 3rd time on my iPod, and ever time I read it, I learn a little more, and enjoy it a little more! (aside from Raoul lol)
Stage. As wonderful as the movie was, the stage was so much better! :3
I am sorry but really ? people LIKE the film version with Gerard Butler????...I like him as an actor-he is very talented- but he is NOT phantom. For me the stage version wins overall but the book is a close second. i think my favourite Phantom will always be my first Phantom which is John-Owen Jones. However i also really really really enjoy Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom. I cannot compare the two because the ways they perform as the Phantom are both so intrinsicaly different. My favourite Christine is probably Sierra at the moment, mainly because I haven't seen as many Christines...and i can't stand Sarah Brightman (i know shoot me)...so that is my opinion and you are all entitled to yours.
The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall is on Netflix and I enjoyed both it and Gerard Butler's version. I am also going to watch the silent version with Lon Chaney, which is also on Netflix. I also found the book intriguing!!!
Emma-sophia wrote: "I am sorry but really ? people LIKE the film version with Gerard Butler????...I like him as an actor-he is very talented- but he is NOT phantom. For me the stage version wins overall but the book..."
Actually my first exposure to the Phantom was Ben Lewis's portrayal in Love Never Dies, which made me want to see Phantom of the Opera!!!
Ooh, if you liked LND, you should read "The Phantom of Manhatten" the book it's based on. It was surprisingly good and a fairly quick read. The first Phantom 'fanfic' sort of thing I've read.
Kallie wrote: "Ooh, if you liked LND, you should read "The Phantom of Manhatten" the book it's based on. It was surprisingly good and a fairly quick read. The first Phantom 'fanfic' sort of thing I've read."I did read it, it was ok but I preferred Susan Kay's book Phantom
Oh my gosh I cannot WAIT to read that! But I haven't found it at my library. Where I live is SUCH a small town we have no bookstore! Did you like Susan Kay's version? So many people seem to go to extremes with it, either 'It was amazing/best book ever!' or 'terrible/awful hate it'. If I have to end up buying it I'd really like to know if it's worth it lol
Kallie wrote: "Oh my gosh I cannot WAIT to read that! But I haven't found it at my library. Where I live is SUCH a small town we have no bookstore! Did you like Susan Kay's version? So many people seem to go to e..."I liked it as it provided back story on Erik. I saw it on amazon.com
Trish wrote: "The book was okay (for me, it was also one of the rare books that I wasn't interested in rereading), the film version with Gerard Butler was absolutely fantastic (Patrick Wilson and Emmy Rossum wer..."You were right, Kallie! Ramin Karimloo was absolutely fantastic as the Phantom . . . his gorgeous voice and emotion-filled portrayal were amazing!
Jacquelyn wrote: "Stage. As wonderful as the movie was, the stage was so much better! :3"I agree! I don't know what it is, but the whole "Angel of Music" thing seems so much more real when you hear their voices on the stage; no fixing the voices or editing involved.
I also love the book! I got it a few years ago, and my version's falling apart from so much handling.
The movie was good too, though. It was the first version I saw of it, and the sets and costumes were wonderful! The cast was great too--I loved Minnie Driver!
The book was good but I found the Gerard Butler film appalling!
My favourite will always be the stage show with the 25th Anniversary cast of Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and Hadley Fraser. British acting/singing talent at its very best :)
My favourite will always be the stage show with the 25th Anniversary cast of Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and Hadley Fraser. British acting/singing talent at its very best :)
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Kallie~ Can'tLive-WithOrWithoutYou
(last edited May 28, 2013 09:31AM)
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@Trish, glad you liked it! I don't have Netflix anymore and I'm going through serious Phantom withdrawl! But I have his CD so I'm coping lol!@Lydia, lol! I think Hadley is my favorite Raoul! He's not too over the top foppish. Strangely enough, out of those three, none of them were British! Ramin's actually Persian/Canadian!
I really like the book but I prefer the stage version, the 25th anniversary cast is my favorite, I love Ramin Karimloo as the phantom, he's my angel of music!
I've listened to the Broadway cast recording, and I prefer that to the movie's soundtrack (the most recent one). However, I've only seen the movie, and I enjoyed it. The book, I feel bad saying this, is pretty bad though. This a rare instance where the movie is better than the book.
ahhh...Ramin... ;P Love him. lol
In my opinion I loved the book. It was given to me as a gift and I couldn't stop reading it. I've only seen the film with Gerald Butler in it and thought is was great.
I only read the book, which was beautifully written. But I had never seen the movie. I really want to watch the movie and more importantly, I want to see the play on stage!
Stage- an absolutely amazing experience. As much as I loved the book, watching it on stage was remarkable.
Stage. I wasn't a fan of the book but the stage show looks incredible. The movie is also very good but i would much rather see it on stage.
I have loved PTO since I was in the 8th grade. I've read several versions from the original to several knock offs. Love most everything to do with it. The best was when I saw it at The Kennedy Center in high school. The movie was okay, but it's best seen live.
I love all of them but if I HAD to choose.....1.Stage
2.Movie
3.Book
I did everything in reverse. The first version I saw was the 2004 version, which I loved. Then, I saw the silent version, which is pretty good, before I finally got around to reading the actual book, which I loved. Out of the three though, I have to admit that my favorite is the 2004 film because I loved Emmy Rossum's singing and I liked Gerard Butler. I know he wasn't the ideal Phantom, but I felt he did very well.
Book, most definitely. It was my initial exposure to the Phantom (it was only after that I watched the film and then the musical), and I love the complexity of Erik as a character in the novel. He had many nuances and layers of depth, and even though you could sympathize with him, you couldn't really call him a "good guy" (I also loved The Persian. He was badass.).
I loved the book. I heard some people saying on another thread that the book could only be so popular because of the success of the musical and perhaps did not belong on a classics list. I disagree. I have seen the movie and the musical and while very entertaining, I enjoyed the book on a different level. There is nothing outstanding about the writing style but the story telling is magnificent and reading it made me want to see the Paris Opera house. I thought he was brilliant at leading the reader to a "is it fact or is it fiction" place. What is real, what is based on fact, what never really happened? If those lines are blurred and they were for me, I think the author did an admirable job of writing. I am definitely a Phan of the book.
The 25th Anniversary cast with Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess! The character development was perfect, and at the end you could tell that Christine really loved the Phantom but knew she couldn't stay with him (he is, after all, a murderer).I also love the Phantom of the Opera TV miniseries with Charles Dance. It's very loosely based on the book, but I love its take on the story and I find Dance's Phantom to be the most realistic. The Christine is also wonderful and it's clear that she has feelings for both the Phantom and Raoul, however her feelings for each are very different.
Stage. Hated the book and the old horror movie. To me there has always been ALW's version
1st film
2nd stage
100th book :/
2nd stage
100th book :/
I said before that my favorite version is the book, and that's still true. If I was to pick a second favorite, however, it would be the stage version performed at the Royal Albert Hall. While ALW greatly simplified the story and characters with his adaptation, the fantastic sets, costumes, and beautiful music make up for it.Still prefer Leroux's badass skull-faced Phantom to ALW's sunburnt pretty-boy Phantom.
Stage stage stage!!! :D I've been lucky enough to see Phantom twice on stage and both times I've came away wanting to watch it all over again!
My dream pairing is John Owen-Jones (JoJ) as Phantom and Katie Hall as Christine, as the casting was for the tour last year :)
Stage! But not the sequel, "Love Never Dies".
Stage or book! I've never seen a movie version I liked... The Gerard Butler version made me want Christine to end up with the Phantom because Raoul was a pansy and the Phantom just had a sad childhood?? Ridiculous!! Also, I think the actor who played Raoul looked like the live version of when the Beast becomes human in Disney's Beauty and the Beast! ha
THE BOOK!!!!!!!! leroux just made me feel like... should we pity him or curse him, i cant decide. But i just love the songs and the 2004 movie so... it doesnt really matter. The fact is that i want the phantom to be MY ANGEL OF MUSIc!!!!!!!!!!! So bad
Both the book and stage!!!!
My favorite version, since it was my introduction to Phantom, will always be the 2004 movie.Stage: Probably a toss-up between Ramin and Sierra and Richard Todd Adams and Kelly Jean Grant, a former touring Phantom and Christine
Book: Love it.
My second fave version: Probably the 1990 miniseries. I love how sweet Erik is to Christine.
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