One of Hammer's more disappointing attempts to revive and reinterpret the classic Universal monsters.

And when you sing, Christine, you will be singing only for me. The Phantom of the Opera is out of Hammer Film Productions and directed by Terence Fisher. Based on the Gaston Leroux novel, the screenplay is written by John Elder and it stars Herbert Lom, Heather Sears, Edward de Souza and Michael Gough. Filmed in Eastman Color, cinematography is by Arthur Grant and music by Edwin Astley. The latest opera production of Joan of Arc is beset with problems, prompting many to believe it's the work of a mysterious phantom who haunts those involved with the show. It has been the basis for a number of adaptations, the Leroux novel's core story proving to be fascinating enough to prompt writers, film makers and musical directors to produce their take on it. Of the film versions, it's still the Lon Chaney silent of 1925 that carries the highest horror value, but for style and substance I feel Hammer's version is the best of the bunch. Fisher's film is played wonderfully straight, the production is given much care and consideration, but in the main the makers let the story sell itself. The characters remain interesting and in the case of the phantom himself, he smartly gets a back story shown late in the day amid off-kilter camera angles. This really gives the film a dramatic thrust as it heads into the finale, where the pay off is exciting and emotionally tight (one of the finest tea…

Entertaining rendition with nice performances from Herbert Lom and to some extent Heather Sears, plus seeing Michael Gough playing such a scoundrel was new to me as only really knew him as Alfred... The music is fine and all in all, was a solid film, nothing terribly memorable however. **3.5/5**

This Hammer adaptation of the Gaston Leroux standard is much less a horror film; more just a story about love and betrayal. Aside from Michael Gough as the devious and loathsome "Lord Ambrose d'Arcy" the casting isn't up to very much, even Herbert Lom doesn't really seem to get into the swing of it. What is does have to distinguish it from other versions is it's own score to "Joan of Arc" and some lovely arias from Patricia Clark. The ending is rather better, too.