Phantom of the Opera

1943, Horror, 1h 32m

21 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Though it lives beneath the 1925 version, Claude Rains plays title character well in this landmark color version of the classic tragedy. Read critic reviews

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Phantom of the Opera Photos

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Movie Info

Talented Christine (Susanna Foster) is unaware that her singing lessons are being funded by a secret admirer, Enrique (Claude Rains), a mysterious violinist with a disfigured face. Christine's colleagues become suspicious when mysterious accidents start occurring at the Paris Opera House, as the deaths coincide with her meteoric rise to stardom. Christine's suitors, Raoul (Edgar Barrier) and Anatole (Nelson Eddy), brave the dark recesses of the opera house to find the true culprit.
  • Genre:
    Horror
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Arthur Lubin
  • Producer:
    George Waggner
  • Writer:
    Samuel Hoffenstein, John Jacoby, Gaston Leroux, Eric Taylor
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Home Video, MCA
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Academy (1.33:1)

Cast & Crew

Claude Rains
Enrique Claudin
Nelson Eddy
Anatole Garron
Susanna Foster
Christine Dubois
Edgar Barrier
Raoul D'Aubert
Jane Farrar
Biancarolli
Barbara Everest
The Aunt
Steven Geray
Vereheres
Frank Puglia
Villeneuve
Hans Herbert
Marcel
Fritz Feld
Lecours
J. Edward Bromberg
Amiot
Hume Cronyn
Gerard
Gladys Blake
Jeanne
Elvira Curci
Biancarolli's maid
Fritz Leiber
Franz Liszt
Arthur Lubin
Director
Samuel Hoffenstein
Screenwriter
John Jacoby
Writer
Gaston Leroux
Writer
Eric Taylor
Screenwriter
George Waggner
Producer
Edward Ward
Original Music
W. Howard Greene
Cinematographer
Hal Mohr
Cinematographer
Russell F. Schoengarth
Film Editing
Alexander Golitzen
Art Director
John B. Goodman
Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Ira Webb
Set Decoration
Vera West
Costume Design
Tim Baar
Special Effects
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Critic Reviews for Phantom of the Opera

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (5)
Full Review… Christy Lemire Journal News (Westchester, NY) Full Review… Alan French 1428 Elm Full Review… Dan Jardine All Movie Guide Full Review… Paul Chambers Movie Chambers Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers Full Review… Alan Simpson Sex Gore Mutants Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Rebecca Murray About.com Full Review… Ethan Alter NYC Film Critic Full Review… Eric Lurio Greenwich Village Gazette Full Review… Susan Granger Modamag.com
View All Critic Reviews (21)

Audience Reviews for Phantom of the Opera

  • Sep 05, 2010
    I liked Claude Rains, but I didn't care too much for the movie. I'm sure there's a better film of the Phantom of the Opera.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2010
    Universal's color production of Phantom of the Opera is a wonderful spectacle to behold. Rains makes for a brilliant pre-Phantom, but only his shadow is present for the remainder. His slip into madness is also quite sudden. It would have been nice for the main plot to take place 10 years after the scarring. It's typical Hollywood cinema of the 40's, catering to the widest market. It helps that each of Christine's suiters is given enough time to develop, and none of them are unlikable. We even get a hilariously misjudged comedic scene where two men keep saying the exact same thing AND get stuck in a doorway. The musical productions are also very detailed, with the sets being impressive in both scale and design.
    Luke B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 09, 2009
    For its time it is quite impressive, but it suffers from a weak plot that doesn't exactly translate from its play form. The suspense is dull until about the last 30 minutes, which is by far the best part of the film. Claude Rains played a really great kooky Phantom, he made the movie worthwhile. The visuals are good, but it's not spectacular.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
  • Nov 03, 2007
    Very good adaptation with a star turn by Rains.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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