Day 13: Phantom of the Paradise
As you may guess this 1974 film is based on 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Set in America in the 70s (the exact location is never revealed) the Phantom of the Paradise is a dark 'rock musical horror comedy' film. The main plot is a disfigured composer writes music for a woman he loves so that she will sing it. However, a record producer betrays him and steals his music to open his rock place. The composer dons a new appearance and exacts his revenge.
In a little more detail it follows the characters Winslow Leach (The Phantom), Swan and Phoenix. Winslow is a composer who has his music stolen by producer Swan. Swan wants to use Winslow's compositions to open his new concert hall, 'The Paradise'. In a series of events, Winslow falls for Phoenix, is screwed over by Swan, and becomes the Phantom. A less predictable story than others, it is not for those easily scared, it has dark themes it isn't afraid to explore as far as a nineteen-seventies film can. It is rated with a certificate 15 in the UK and between a 12 and 18 worldwide. While I personally think it's unsuitable for anyone under sixteen due to it's violence, it also involves drug references and an explicit reference to couch casting.
Despite the title it only takes elements of The Phantom of the Opera and drops them into a different narrative. The character of the Phantom is only called that by those who don't know who he is, his situation is forced upon him rather than self-inflicted and, although it has been an explanation in previous and post adaptations, he is not born disfigured, an event within the films narrative causes it.
While The Phantom of the Opera itself seems to be based on both Beauty and the Beast and Faust, this version seems to be based on Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray. It has the supernatural angle, an encounter with the devil, contracts signed in blood and the seduction of an innocent and beautiful young woman. The fame, fortune and lust themes dominate the characters as they are seduced into the dark world that rock so often emulates.
When the film was first released it was a box office failure that was negatively reviewed, however it's music was praised and the film was nominated for and Academy Award for Original Song Score and Adaptation and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score - Motion Picture. Since then the film has received a cult following as many horror films do.
Overall it seems to have become a forgotten film at least for mainstream film buffs and is dated due to it's subject matter and setting, but is still worth a watch for many. I have seen it but it is not a film I would watch again. That being said I am glad I watched it. By all means give it a look, it does have a feel of midnight cable channel viewing to it but sometimes that's really the kind of film you're in the mood for. A good one for a late night Halloween viewing as long as you don't take it too seriously. It is one of the darkest adaptations of Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. If you really hate rock then you should probably skip it as that is a hug part of the film and it's music otherwise by all means give it a look. You'll either end up thinking 'well there's 91 minutes I'll never get back' or 'that was okay'. Perhaps you may become part of the cult following that loves it I really couldn't say. I thought it was okay but like I said I probably wouldn't watch it again. Maybe in the background with friends, when you watch a movie you kind of expect to be bad and talk through it while still watching it.
This is one of many adaptations of the Phantom of the Opera so if you're looking to see as many as possible (that's the reason I watched it) go for it. If you're familiar with Faust and/or The Picture of Dorian Gray you will definitely notice the similarities. This really is little more than a cult 1970s film, so sit back with the junk food, some friends, cake yourself in halloween make-up, eat too much chocolate and enjoy!
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