The Phantom of the Opera is the 2004 Warner Bros. film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart's international stage success. It is directed by Joel Schumacher, with a screenplay by Lloyd Webber and Schumacher. However, there were minor changes, some scenes were changed, some added in, and there was also a change in the Phantom's personality.

Based on the original novel by Gaston Leroux, the plot centers on a disfigured musical genius, tormented by his scarred face, who lives in a watery cavern beneath the Opera House in Paris. Obsessed with the voice of a beautiful young soprano, he plots to place her center stage and hopes to win her heart with his efforts to make her a star.

The cast includes Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine (who was only 17 at the time of filming), Patrick Wilson as Raoul, Miranda Richardson as Madame Giry, Jennifer Ellison as Meg, and Minnie Driver (whose vocals have been dubbed by Margaret Preece, a professional opera singer) as Carlotta.

Driver herself does lend her actual singing voice to the film's end title song, "Learn To Be Lonely", written by Lloyd Webber and Hart expressly for the film.

Prior to its official release, the film garnered three Golden Globe nominations in the Musical or Comedy categories: Best Picture, Best Actress (Rossum), and Best Song ("Learn to Be Lonely"). It won none.

After its release the film was met with mixed reviews by critics; however it was always assured an audience of those who had seen the original productions. Much of the criticism was of Butler; however, Rossum gained acclaim in the role of Christine. Popular response was similarly mixed, with the movie maintaining a spot in the top ten grossing movies of the week, for a month, even in limited release.

Trafalgar Square Publishing has issued The Phantom of the Opera Companion, a definitive account of the tale, tracing the legend from its origins, and through all its artistic incarnations, to the contemporary theater production and film. It includes the complete screenplay and more than 150 photographs from both the film and theater productions worldwide.

The soundtrack has been released on CD.

It has been nominated for three 2005 Academy Awards (achievement in art direction, achievement in cinematography, and achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song))

See also

• The Phantom of the Opera
• The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)

External links

• The Phantom of the Opera official home page