The Phantom of the Opera: 2004 Film
- The 2004 film adaptation was made by Andrew Lloyd Weber, the same creator of the 1986 musical version.
Andrew Lloyd Weber's goal in making the film was to re-create the musical in a more visually stunning way that could not be done live, while also preserving details from the novel that were skipped in the musical.
The film began production in 1989; however, the movie was re-cast and re-envisioned in 2002, and successfully mounted during this time.
The Phantom
Portrayed by Gerard Butler, the movie version of the Phantom is supposed to be more "rock and roll, and dangerous," according to an interview with Weber.
This Phantom is the least disfigured of any Phantom portrayed in media, likely to romanticise the difficult choice Christine had to make to mainstream movie audiences.
The Phantom also only wears a half-mask, and is nameless, just as in the musical.
The Phantom's genius (ventriloquism, architecture, etc.,) is downplayed, with the only focus being on his musical abilities.
This Phantom is the least disfigured of any Phantom portrayed in media, likely to romanticise the difficult choice Christine had to make to mainstream movie audiences.
The Phantom also only wears a half-mask, and is nameless, just as in the musical.
The Phantom's genius (ventriloquism, architecture, etc.,) is downplayed, with the only focus being on his musical abilities.
Differences in the Film
The infamous chandelier drop is moved to the end of the story, during the Phantom's opera (instead of Il Muto, as in the musical, or the first opera "accident" as in the novel).
Christine is portrayed as being caught in a love triangle between the Phantom and Raoul, loving both of them.
The hall of mazes makes an entrance! (the only other use being in the original novel).
Christine is portrayed as being caught in a love triangle between the Phantom and Raoul, loving both of them.
The hall of mazes makes an entrance! (the only other use being in the original novel).