The Phantom Of The Opera Companion (Film Companion) by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joel Schumacher Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Phantom Of The Opera Companion (Film Companion)
Book Review: Edited and New Adaptation of George Perry's Book
Summary: 4 Stars
In the late 80's, when Phantom was in it's glory--and still is--George Perry wrote and collaborated with the stars of the original cast, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and historians to create an amazing companion to the musical, it was called "The Complete Phantom of the Opera". It's practially the bible to all things Phantom that you want to know about. Most importantly what you want to know about the original cast.
It seems though they have copied pages of George Perry's Phantom book, edited/shortened them, placed them in this book with all new pictures and, of course, details on the movie.
It's a good buy if you are looking for information on the movie, or pictures--I found it lacking in the "creating" of the movie and the interviews with the cast, though. It also includes the original Screenplay from 1990 when they were going to film the movie.
Also, instead of a lot of London Cast pictures, there are now pictures from other casts, other countries around the world. They are truly beautiful.
All in all, it's a fantastic buy. But if you are looking for more information, best wait until a better book that is thicker, and chocked full of more Phantom knowledge.
Book Review: RE: The Movie and Gerard Butler's Performance
Summary: 5 Stars
First off I have to say while I have never seen any POTO performances in the past I am familiar with two song having sung them myself in a school performance All I ask of You and Music of the night.
I recently got curious about a movie or musical that I have sung about but never seen. So I recently bought and watch the DVD of it.
I have never really experience an opera before this movie does help the novice to appreciate opera easier than it would have with something usually in Italian or French. (Now back to the movie)
In the past two weeks ago I have been constantly watching this movie. While I like the songs, action, settings and actors of the movie.
The most moving is at then end after Christine kissed Erik(Phantom) even though he had given her no choice. HIS TEARS OF REMORSE were so convincing that eventually I would end up crying with him. He eventually releases Christine and Raoul from the snare that he had them in.
When Christine gave him is ring back, she did it in such a way that she actually hurt him worse than his scares and the beating he recieved from the gypsy and being rejected by his mother and Christine both. Then story told by Madame at least explained where His anger came from even though his taking of life through mischief can not be condone. It can be understood and forgiven when the circumstances of his past life is explained.
One question I have though; Who is the old man in the story is The Phantom, Raoul or Christines Son?
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Book Review: Good and Informative
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this book a few months after I bought THE COMPLETE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by George Perry. This book is very similar to Perr'y book except for the fact that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA COMPANION focuses some on the movie production. It also includes really nice photos of the cast and crew during shooting, and some photos ftom the movie. Other than that, Perry's book is probably more informative. However, if you are a big fan of the movie, then you may want to purchase the COMPANION. I am a big fan of POTO, so a bought both! Book Review: The Phantom Photographed Script/Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Joel Schumacher's sumptuous film based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical premiered in December of 2004 and was in theaters by January and February of 2005. It starred Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Gerard Butler, Miranda Richardson and Simon Callow. This book was published shortly afterward and is a companion book to the movie. It contains dozens of production photos, the entire script and pages of pages on the many variations/forms of Phantom of the Opera throughout the years. It includes the background of the original French novel Le Fantome De L'Opera by Gaston Leroux, first published in 1912. It goes on to describe the popularity of the story as it was made into films throughout the 30's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Among various actors who portrayed the Phantom include Claude Rains and Charles Dance. The book is a must have for fans of the Phantom.
The success of both the musical version, stage version and film versions lies in the powerful moving theme of unrequited love and the tragedy of a misunderstood musical genius whose only setback is his hideously disfigure face. The Phantom is not a true story, though Leroux sold the story by claiming it was a true story. The Paris Opera has been around since 1875 and there is a lake beneath it. The lower levels were used for torture of Communists in 1871. However, there is no evidence of a "ghost" or reclusive man living beneath the opera house. It is pure Gothic romance and drama. The characters in the Schumacher film are better developed than the musical. Butler provides a new take on the Phantom. No Lon Cheney is he. He is a handsome, sensitive, intelligent, romantic and talented but damaged man. He has a soul and a heart but he has become cynical because in his own words "the world did not show any compassion for him." Yes, he has his flaws. He is obscessed with Christine more than he is in love with her. He murdered a man. Christine, too, has complexities to deal with. She owes everything to her vocal coach the Phantom and loves him in an erotic way but she is in love with Raoul in the more traditional socially acceptable way. This book is a terrific buy and cheap when bought used.
Book Review: A Whole Movie In One Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book contains all of the dialogue to the movie and has beautiful, colorful pictures of each scene. And for all of you lovers of the stage version of Phantom, in the beginning of the book, it has pictures from the stage version and some info. on that. I own the soundtrack to the movie and whenever I want to sing Masquerade, I always look in the book for the words. It's useful and makes for great reading.