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Phantom of the Opera (The) (Blu-ray) (1925)
The greatest horror film of modern cinema!Director: Rupert Julian (Lon Chaney, Ernst Laemmle, Edward Sedgwick, Lois Weber: uncredited)
Year of Copyright: 1925
Year of Production: 1924-25
OVERALL: Draw-
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Extras:* The Film (1925 version) (1.37:1) (SD)
* The Film (1929 reissue - 20fps) (1.19:1) (1080i)
* The Film (1929 reissue - 24fps) (1.19:1) (1080p)
Audio commentary by film historian/Lon Chaney expert Dr. Jon Mirsalis (on the 1929 reissue - 20fps)
Interview with composer Gabriel Thibaudeau (10:25)
Photo slideshow (13:30) (HD)
Script slideshow (8:41) (HD)
"Souvenir Program" notes slideshow (1:34) (HD)
Theatrical trailer (3:16) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.37:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:Digital
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Frederick Hodges piano score)
1929 Reissue - 20fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Gabriel Thibaudeau orchestral score)
1929 Reissue - 24fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Alloy orchestra score)
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Gaylord Carter theater organ score) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The original 1925 version is heavily windowboxed.
The original pressing was faulty.
- Once a version of the film is selected, one cannot return to the main menu unless skipping to the end of the title
- Stereo scores are output in mono
- The Gaylord Carter score is out of sync for reel 1
- The ballet dancers in the first ballet sequence also appear to be moving in slow motion in both the 24 and 20fps versions
Later pressings corrected the issues and updated the menu screens. -
Special thanks to Rewind user Daniel_Rudolph for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE
* The Film - (1929 reissue - 24fps) (78:04)
* The Film - (1929 reissue - 20fps) (91:57)
Audio commentary by film historian/Lon Chaney expert Dr. Jon Mirsalis (on the 1929 reissue - 20fps)
DISC TWO
* The Film (1925 Version) (114:08) (SD)
Excerpts of the Sound Edition (53:55)
Original Screenplay - scrolling text (90:59)
Gabriel Thibaudeau Interview (10:30)
Burton Holmes Travel Pictures:
- "Paris from a Motor" (3:24)
- "A Trip on the Seine" (3:30)
Theatrical Trailer (3:14) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:Multi Aspect Ratio
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Picture Format:AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Frederick Hodges piano score)
1929 Reissue - 20fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Gabriel Thibaudeau orchestral score)
1929 Reissue - 24fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Alloy orchestra score)
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Gaylord Carter theater organ score) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The 1929 versions are color-tinted
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE (Blu-ray)
* The Film: 1929 Reissue in the 2003 Photoplay restoration (20fps) (1.19:1) (1080p)
* The Film: 1925 Version (1.37:1) (1080p)
Reel 5 from the lost 1929 sound reissue (11:47) (LPCM 1.0 - 48kHz / 1.19:1)
The 'Man with the Lantern' sequence (silent) (1.19:1) (1:25)
1925 Trailer (LPCM 2.0 Surround - 48kHz) (2:59)
1929 Sound Reissue Trailer (LPCM 1.0 - 48kHz) (1:23)
DISC TWO (DVD Copy)
DISC THREE (DVD)
"Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces" 2000 documentary (1.33:1) (85:15) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.37:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music LPCM 2.0 Surround (Ed Bussey score - 48kHz)
1929 Reissue:
Music DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Carl Davis score - 48kHz)
Music LPCM 2.0 Surround (Carl Davis score - 48kHz) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The DVD discs included are also region free.
Comes with a 32-page liner notes booklet "The Phantom of the Opera" by Kevin Brownlow, "The Phantom's Many Faces" by Patrick Stanbury, "The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Reviewed" by Geoff Brown. Also contains cast and crew information, restoration credits, information on the special features, informaton / cast / crew on "Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces", information about the transfers and acknowledgements. -
Special thanks to Rewind user Rick_Curz for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:Photo slideshow (HD) (13:30)
"Photo reconstruction of San Francisco Premiere" photo slideshow (2:31)
"Photo reconstruction of Los Angeles Premiere" photo slideshow (21:38)
Theatrical trailer (1:35)
Bonus trailers:
- "The Tempest" (2:18)
- "Amazing Grace" (2:31)
- "Die Hexen von Oz" (2:42) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles, German Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.18:1
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Picture Format:1080i AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Music DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE (DVD)
* The Film (1925 version) (1.37:1)
Interview with composer Gabriel Thibaudeau (10:27)
Theatrical trailer (3:13)
DVD-ROM content: "Souvenir Program" notes, movie script
DISC TWO (Blu-ray)
* The Film (1929 reissue - 20fps) (1.19:1) (1080i)
* The Film (1929 reissue - 24fps) (1.19:1) (1080p)
Audio commentary by film historian/Lon Chaney expert Dr. Jon Mirsalis (on the 20fps version)
Photo slideshow (13:31) (HD) -
Subtitles:English Intertitles
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Aspect Ratio:1.19:1 / 1.37:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:Digital
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Soundtrack(s):1925 Version:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Frederick Hodges piano score)
1929 Reissue - 20fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 Stereo (Gabriel Thibaudeau orchestral score)
1929 Reissue - 24fps:
Music LPCM 2.0 stereo (Alloy orchestra score)
Music LPCM 2.0 stereo (Gaylord Carter theater organ score) -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Disc one is NTSC.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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OVERALL: Draw
The US Kino Lorber release has three versions of the film and lengthy extras, including some exclusives. Note the 1925 version is in standard definition.
The UK BFI release has two versions of the film including exclusively the Photoplay restoration of the 1929 version, plus a lengthy documentary. Note the 1925 version is also exclusively in high definition 1080p.
Also note the German release has a few exclusive extras.
The following versions of the movie are known:
(1.) The original theatrical silent 1925 version, which is so far available in low quality reconstructed from 16mm elements.
(2.) A shorter, reworked silent version released in 1929, of which two main variants are known:
-- The "Blackhawk" version, originally released on DVD by Image in 2001, and featuring an opening scene with a "lantern man" saying something to the audience in the sewers,
-- The "Restored Photoplay" version (1996 restoration), originally released on DVD by Milestone in 2003, in which the previous scene is missing, but that also offers more shots in Technicolor during the Bal Masque scene - this version is said to have the best picture quality. This is actually the 1930 version.
(3.) The 1929 talkie re-release. A hybrid of the 1925 silent version with some scenes reshot with actors reprising their roles with synchronized sound, added voice over narration and newly added scenes.
The complete film is lost and all versions are most likely cut in some way.
For additional information on the differing versions of the film and technical details of discs, see Nerdly Pleasures' "Versions and Sources of the Phantom of the Opera" blog entry.
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CUTS:
- Blu-ray A America- Image Entertainment - Includes the 1925 version (114:24), the 1929 reissue (Blackhawk version) at 20fps (91:51) and 24fps (78:21).
- Blu-ray A America- Kino Lorber - Includes the 1925 version (114:08), the 1929 reissue (Blackhawk version) at 20fps (91:57) and 24fps (78:04).
- Blu-ray ALL 3-Disc Dual Format Edition United Kingdom- British Film Institute - Includes the 1925 version (103:12) and the 1929 reissue (Photoplay restoration) (90:43).
- Blu-ray B Germany- Great Movies - No cuts - Presumably the 1929 reissue at 20fps, either with German intertitles (91:15) or with English ones (91:37). The latter is slightly longer due to extended credits
- Blu-ray B 2-Disc Ultimate Editon United Kingdom- Park Circus - No cuts - Includes the 1925 version (114:11 NTSC), the 1929 reissue (Blackhawk version) at 20fps (91:35) and 24fps (78:01)
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Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!
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Comparison added by Vincent_Bouche on 03/12/13
Comparison last updated by Rick_Curzon on 27/03/22UPDATE LOG:
03/12/13: Initial entry.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
07/12/13: Addition of German edition.
02/01/14: Addition of notes regarding the different versions of the movie.
13/02/14: BFI release added.
30/09/15: Added Kino release.
01/02/17: Fixed typo.
04/03/18: Updated info on 1929 talkie, DVDBeaver link, winner notes.
07/07/19: Blog link.
06/03/22: Added detail to the 3-disc BFI.
07/03/22: Typo.
27/03/22: Added additional uncredited director.
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