The Phantom of the Opera *** (1990, Charles Dance, Burt Lancaster, Teri Polo, Ian Richardson, Andréa Ferréol) – Classic Movie Review 5104

As the Phantom of the Opera, Charles Dance is a splendidly chilling charmer, in director Tony Richardson’s rich, lavish and enjoyable 1990 film TV mini-series version of the much-filmed 1911 story by Gaston Leroux, Le Fantöme de l’Opera. It is based on a 1983 stage musical by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston but, after Andrew Lloyd Webber produced his new musical version of the Phantom story, it became this re-imagined TV movie drama using real operatic sequences.

Teri Polo is ideal playing young Christine Daeé, the ex-ballerina who touches the Phantom’s heart, but many eyes will be on a scene-stealing Burt Lancaster as the Paris Opéra manager Gérard Carrière, a role specially created for him by playwright Arthur Kopit, adapting his 1983 stage production for the screen.

Count Philippe de Chagny (Adam Storke) discovers singer Christine and sends her to his friend Carrière, whose high-handed successor as director of the Paris Opéra, Cholet (Ian Richardson), employs Christine as dresser for his opera diva wife La Carlotta (Andréa Ferréol).

The Phantom, who has lived for many years in the catacombs below the Opéra and was granted privileges by Carrière, finds he now has to defend himself against Cholet and Count de Chagny while helping Christine in her career.

Also in the cast are Jean-Pierre Cassel as Inspector Ledoux, Jean Rougerie, Marie-Thérèse Orain and André Chaumeau. It is the fine cast, splendid production and the 168 minute running time that gives the story room to breathe and grow that really count here.

It is shot by Steve Yaconelli, produced by Edgar J Scherick and Ross Milloy, and scored by John Addison.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5104

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