What's new

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

Founder
Owner
Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 3, 1997
Messages
66,555
Real Name
Ronald Epstein

137534_front.jpg

 

The link below will take you directly to the product on Amazon.  If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

 
 
Last edited by a moderator:

bigshot

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
2,933
Real Name
Stephen
The best version of *which* version is the question... If you want the best version of the 1925 version, that is the BFI. If you want the best version of the revised version, that is the Image (or this Kino reissue which is basically the same thing).
 

Mark-P

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Messages
6,487
Location
Camas, WA
Real Name
Mark Probst
Charles Smith said:
What makes the 1925 better on the BFI?
The BFI is in 1080p whereas the Kino (according to the press release) will be standard definition. In any case the 1925 version is in pretty sad shape compared to the fully restored 1929 version.
 

Craig Beam

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2000
Messages
2,181
Location
Pacific NW
Real Name
CraB
bigshot said:
The best version of *which* version is the question... If you want the best version of the 1925 version, that is the BFI. If you want the best version of the revised version, that is the Image (or this Kino reissue which is basically the same thing).

So I basically need both.
 

TheSteig

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
2,006
Real Name
David
Id rather support a US label's release being that Im from the USA and want to support the Kino release. I usually import when there is no USA release for a title like Brides of Dracula, Dead of Night, Curse of the Werewolf, Onibaba, The Trial etc..

Of course Ill also import when a US release is very clearly a much poorer product than a UK version... :)
 

Craig Beam

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2000
Messages
2,181
Location
Pacific NW
Real Name
CraB
David Steigman said:
Id rather support a US label's release being that Im from the USA and want to support the Kino release. I usually import when there is no USA release for a title like Brides of Dracula, Dead of Night, Curse of the Werewolf, Onibaba, The Trial etc..

Of course Ill also import when a US release is very clearly a much poorer product than a UK version... :)

Well... I already have the BFI edition, but I'll probably end up getting the Kino edition too.
 

Ronald Epstein

Founder
Owner
Moderator
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 3, 1997
Messages
66,555
Real Name
Ronald Epstein
cd9b2996-4ce6-42b0-960d-c11bca284d9d.gif








Kino Lorber Releases the Original Silent Horror Classic
The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney

Available on Blu-ray and DVD October 13th

Digitally restored two-disc collection includes both the 1929 theatrical version, restored from 35mm archival elements, and the original 1925 theatrical cut, packed with bonus features including choice of alternate music scores and lengthy excerpts of the 1930 sound re-issue



e78e5f99-739d-4c22-bcdf-8808307cc450.jpg






















NEW YORK, NY -- SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 -- Kino Lorber proudly announces the definitive Blu-ray and DVD release of the silent horror classic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, starring Lon Chaney, the original film version of the celebrated Gaston Leroux story about a mysterious phantom who haunts the chambers and catacombs deep beneath the Paris Opera House, which has inspired countless remakes and adaptations over the years. Lavishly produced by Universal (including the unprecedented, meticulous re-creation of the Paris Opera House on the studio backlot), and long considered one of the essential films of the silent era, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has lost none of its power to frighten and entertain audiences since its release 90 years ago, thanks to the iconic performance of Lon Chaney in the title role.

9486767f-f635-46a0-ac0f-4164564c47d4.jpg
Set to street on October 13th, just in time for Halloween, this digitally-restored, two-disc collection gives audiences the chance to see two versions of the film: the 1929 theatrical version, presented at two historically-accurate projection speeds and restored from 35mm elements by Film Preservation Associates (including the Technicolor Bal Masqué sequence and hand-colored scenes that replicate the original Handschiegl Color Process), and the original 1925 cut (which contains scenes cut from the 1929 release version). Also included are rare, lengthy excerpts of the partially-lost 1930 sound re-issue version.

Disc one includes the 1929 theatrical version, with a choice of three scores: one composed and performed by the Alloy Orchestra, a theatre organ score arranged and performed by Gaylord Carter, and a musical setting composed by Gabriel Thibaudeau. It also features an audio commentary by film historian Jon C. Mirsalis.

Disc two includes the alternate 1925 release version, featuring a musical setting arranged and performed by Frederick Hodges. It also includes the excerpts from the 1930 sound re-issue, the original screenplay, the original theatrical trailer, an interview with composer Gabriel Thibaudeau, and two travel films capturing Paris in 1925: "Paris From a Motor" and "A Trip on the Seine".

The SRP for the Blu-ray edition is $39.95, and the SRP for the DVD is $29.95.

When it released THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on VHS in 1989, Kino Lorber was one of the first U.S. distributors to bring silent films to home video, and we are especially proud to bring back into release one of the cornerstone titles of its classic film library.


9396cf0f-34bf-45ea-8ec7-14117014be22.jpg

Synopsis:
A forerunner of the American horror film, and one of the most lavish spectacles of the silent era, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has inspired countless remakes and imitations. But none can rival the romance and mystery that haunt every frame of the Lon Chaney original. This definitive edition presents the 1929 theatrical version, restored from archival 35mm elements by Film Preservation Associates, highlighted by the Technicolor Bal Masqué sequence (in which the Phantom interrupts the revelry in the scarlet robes of the Red Death), as well as meticulously hand-colored sequences, replicating the Handschiegl Color Process.

The film is presented at two historically-accurate projection speeds (each with two different soundtrack options). Bonus content includes the 1925 theatrical cut (which contains scenes that were removed from the 1929 release version) and lengthy excerpts of the 1930 sound version (which no longer survives intact).

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Blu-ray and DVD Street Date: October 13, 2015
Blu-ray SRP: $39.95
DVD SRP: $29.95
Starring Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Snitz Edwards, Cesare Gravina, Gibson Gowland, Arthur Edmund Carewe​
Directed by Rupert Julian​
Produced by Carl Laemmle​
Screenplay by Elliott J. Clawson and Raymond L. Schrock​
Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux​
Blu-ray produced by David Shepard, Bret Hampton and Bret Wood

Technical Specs:
U.S. | 1925/1929 | 78/92/114 Min. | B&W/Color | 1920x1080p (1.33:1) | 2.0 Stereo
Special Features:​
Disc 1​
Music composed and performed by Alloy Orchestra (2.0 stereo)​
Theatre organ score arranged and performed by Gaylord Carter (2.0 stereo)​
Musical setting composed by Gabriel Thibaudeau (2.0 stereo)​
Audio Commentary by film historian Jon C. Mirsalis
Disc 2​
Alternate 1925 release version,
featuring a musical setting arranged and performed by Frederick Hodges (2.0 stereo)​
Lengthy excerpts of the 1930 sound re-issue version (mono)​
Original Screenplay​
Original Trailer​
Interview with Composer Gabriel Thibaudeau​
Two travel films capturing Paris in 1925: "Paris From a Motor" and "A Trip on the Seine"​
 

warnerbro

Supporting Actor
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
971
Location
Burbank, California
Real Name
Darrell
Love this film. I'm so thankful they have preserved it even in this 1929/30 version. It is sharp and quite detailed. Anyone out there correct me if I'm wrong on the history of this: Universal destroyed all copies of this film when they converted their studio to sound. This was their habit in order to extract the silver out of the silent films they considered worthless now that the public only wanted sound. A 16mm copy of the 1925 version had gone out to private home viewers and this is all we have of the 1925 version. In 1929 Universal made a new sound release of Phantom of the Opera where sound and some dialogue was added and a few new scenes. The Phantom character however had no dialogue added per Chaney's contract and non-involvement. Apparently no one is completely sure, but It is believed that the beautiful 35mm print we now have is some version of this 1929/30 version that might have been used for a basis for a silent overseas printing with title cards. The masked ball sequence Technicolor negative has somehow survived and has been inserted into this version. The second half of this sequence where the lovers head up to the roof and come down and see the Phantom in the hall has been computer colorized to replicate the complete version of this sequence which no longer exists. The ballet sequence at the beginning is a new scene filmed in 1929 and added. The original 1925 Technicolor ballet sequence has been lost. Apparently the original 1925 version was very long and considered boring when previewed in San Francisco. Universal rushed back into the studio, refilmed many sequences, recut the film and refilmed the ending with a more exciting chase-type sequence. The original ending where the Phantom was found dead at his organ was cut and is now lost. There is a photo of this scene that still exists. Anyone with knowledge please correct me if I am in error on any point and feel free to add your knowledge to the discussion. I am fascinated by the mysterious history of this outstanding film.
tumblr_mvipldpoTo1rdfgw4o1_r1_400.gif




phan-19-firstending-promo-600px.jpg
2-phantom-of-the-opera-1925-granger.jpg
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,813
Messages
5,123,611
Members
144,184
Latest member
H-508
Recent bookmarks
0
Top