Who Was the Phantom of the Opera?

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The Phantom of the Opera. The Opera Ghost. Erik. Who exactly is he? We have become familiar with certain images in popular culture such as a mask, cape, tuxedo, fedora, and disfigured face; but how much of that was in the original novel? What is the actual history and identity of the Angel of Music? Has that changed throughout the subsequent film adaptations or musicals? Take a journey through the corridors of history and we explored the enduring tropes of the Phantoms iconography and delve into his backstory.
Voiceover Narration and Audio Editing by Heidi Dion
Written and Edited by Devin Dion
Portrait of Erik according to Gaston Leroux by Devin Dion
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[@ChannelingSpirits]

Want Erik's ugly mug hanging on your wall? What about a pop art canvas print version? Check it out at: www.etsy.com/listing/1196331880/pop-art-phantom-of-the-opera-on-canvas

[@giovannalaranjeira432]

So the phantom was also a SLAVE OF FASHION 🎶

[@Mone333Williams]

How did he become the phantom?? Always lurking in the shadows desperate for love 😅

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

I read the book about two weeks ago. This is exactly how I would picture the Phantom. As a Monster. Not a heartthrob. Think about it. He is obsessed. His obsession over Christine nearly killed the patrons in the opera house

[@ThatSlayerguy]

think about it is it really his fault? he was a monster in people’s eyes just because he was deformed witch he didn’t choose to be even his freaking mother didn’t like him he is smart and had lots of talent but what people really cared about was his looks the society made him a monster and if i was in eriks possession i would do anything for love too

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

In the end, he does show that he truly does love her.

[@cha5]

@@EmilyGloeggler7984 Depends on which version, in the original 1925 movie he gives her an option of being his forever or watching her lover die.

[@snakes3425]

Think about it he's essentially had to live as a ghost because he was different for his entire life. He's isolated, alone, and hated by all because of how he looks, and by the time he meets Christine the only joy he's ever known is the fantasy world of opera and music and it turns to obsession because for the first time in his life he knows he doesn't have to be alone in a cold unforgiving world. Does it excuse his crimes, no. But like Frankenstein's Monster, he's as much a victim of a family and a society that rejected him

[@apex2000]

Erik was briefly a circus freak right?

[@theasexualvampire13]

Robert Englund plays another character with a peeling, disfigured face?! Now that I need to see.

[@VergilFan]

Englunds phantom of the opera is a guilty pleasure of mine. The music in it is beautiful.

[@drnpictures2155]

@@VergilFan That’s funny I was going to make a video called The Phantom of the opera VS Freddy Kruger

[@sebastianboydtagle0751]

Basically leather face in the 1800s 😅

[@danaingram5079]

You forgot one of the best portrayals! Charles Dance in the 1990 miniseries. It's so underappreciated!

[@KatarzynaSzarzynska]

The best portrayal of all undoubtly!!!

[@veronicavatter6436]

The most tragic one I have seen

[@debrawebster1356]

I loved that series

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

But it strays from Leroux's original work.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Erik in the book is supposed to be hideous, but in the end, he truly does prove to love Christine, and Christine's feelings towards him were more ambiguous rather than straight-forward. This story is still my favourite! ^_^

[@AliciaNyblade]

I love Erik. He is, as we all are, a being of both light and dark. When I first discovered this story through the Lloyd Webber musical when I was about 15-16 (I'm 32 as of 2020), the Phantom stood out to me as a symbol of hope. In spite of all the shit he'd been through, he still found it in himself believing in love and human connection and trying to find it. As the novel says, "He had a heart that could've held the empire of the world, but in the end, he had to content himself with a cellar." There's something very powerful in that, a man striving for his own humanity when he's constantly told, "No," for reasons beyond his control. I especially identify with that as someone who's been visually impaired since birth. Yes, my situation of growing up in the 21st century with loving family and friends is quite different to Erik's, but I think all people with disabilities/deformities will to some degree experience that sense of "otherness" as long as society continues to make us objects of curiosity in various ways. So, yes, "Phantom" quickly gained a very near and dear spot in my heart. I read the original novel and tracked down every film version I could find (basically, all the ones you showed, plus a few more). And yes, I'll admit, I started out as one of those Phans who felt the Phantom was owed someone's love because of his tragic past and saw Christine as just a shallow, selfish bitch who couldn't see past his face. But as cringe-inducing as that phase was, I'm glad I went through and grew out of it. It served as a good contrasting point for how I came to appreciate the story as I got older. Seeing just how toxic and unhealthy Erik and Christine's relationship was, and how he seemed to be more in love with the idea of her rather than her as a person, only made the story all the more fascinating. It painted a psychological picture, from both Erik and Christine's perspectives, that made the story so much more than the sappy, melodramatic love triangle it's often made into. "The Phantom of the Opera", for me, is a cautionary tale akin to "Frankenstein" about what can happen when an innocent child grows up feeling he has no other choice but to become the monster he's already assumed to be.

[@bawoman]

I love your post. I would argue however that in the end. at least in the Leroux and ALW version, we do realize that Erik truly loved Christine. Maybe he hadn't until the end, but when she sacrificed herself and kissed him, he realized he loved her, which is why let her go. Not a small sacrifice for the man who spent his whole life alone in misery and abuse who had the chance to keep the one person he loved and who showed him kindness with him forever. I think that's the utter tragedy of the book and most of it's adaptions. In the end he truly did love her but it was too late. Poor unhappy Erik.

[@AliciaNyblade]

@@bawoman Oh, I completely agree: By the end of the story, be it in the book or one of the various adaptations, Erik does realize he loves Christine for who she is as a person because she, in turn, acknowledges his individuality. But until that point, for most of the plot, he's in love with what she represents, a doll-like figure, "a wife I can love and walk with in the countryside on Sundays".

[@b.d6642]

Criminally underrated comment

[@AliciaNyblade]

@@b.d6642 Thanks.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Have you read Susan Kay’s Phantom by any chance?

[@bethhaines6340]

Poor erik,its so horrible what erik went through how could a mother not love her own son no wonder he was so messed up

[@PhantomBones101]

And then Depalma went off the rails in the best way and made Phantom of the Paradise

[@carsonsmith7314]

That's an Understatement.

[@lucasfish8748]

“My music is for Phoenix, only she can sing it, anyone else who tries, dies” fuckin love that movie, stellar soundtrack

[@2texastornado]

Loved that version too

[@plasticweapon]

the hammer version is my favorite traditional adaptation, the de palma version is my favorite adaptation EVER.

[@Snavels]

The actual hue of Chaney's make-up was likely a deep yellow only to make it appear as a different hue in black in white. I believe they intentionally went a tiny bit overboard to convey to the audience in black and white that his skin was not normal

[@ChannelingSpirits]

Do you have a source for this? I've often wondered why the Phantom was often depicted as yellow.

[@Snavels]

@@ChannelingSpirits No actual source, but working with film and black and white, this kind of technique would make sense. He definitely wouldn't have been completely green though. I've just noticed that his skin hue is different than the other actors, and detailed close ups your can see that there is intense makeup on him, I don't doubt that they would've employed a similar technique of making the color (at least on the face) different to sell the idea of him being unnatural, especially in black an white

[@Snavels]

@@ChannelingSpirits though it makes sense for the character to be depicted as yellow because that's what the book says he was "a Nasty Yellow"

[@cha5]

There was also a 1983 Phantom of the Opera TV movie that was rather well done and was interesting that had Maximillian Schell as the Phantom and Jane Seymour as Maria his love interest and Michael York was in it also. The Phantom’s mask and disfigured face are memorable as well.

[@bethhaines6340]

Lon chaney was a pure genius,no wonder he was known as the man of a thousand faces

[@jennoury249]

I thought Gerard Butler played an excellent Phantom and that the delivered such a great performance.

[@crassus300]

Same its one of my favourite movies.

[@robertminnie782]

Same here... I was surprised to see how well Leonidas could sing lmao. I see a lot of people giving the movie shit. I know it's not perfect, but it was still a wonderful experience. I loved the songs and loved Gerard Butler as the Phantom of the Opera. I think I'll be looking into the 80's musicals next. Maybe even the novel.

[@debrawebster1356]

Only problem with Gerald Butler playing Erik was he was too sexy Erik was far from sexy in the book he was mad and Gruesome to look at

[@officialtoddhoward69]

I want to make a proper film version of the musical, change some things here and there (like giving Erik a full face mask and mummy-like face), but nobody can probably do anything until Andrew Lloyd Webber passes. The dude is VERY strict with his work and he's also kind of a bad man. There, I said it. Fight me, prove me wrong.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

You're not alone. I have so many ideas of changes for Phantom of the Opera I want to share. And yes. I would like to see the Phantom with a *FULL* mask instead of a half mask. One half of his face distorted doesn't work well. And I certainly don't want to make the Phantom a sexy hunk heartthrob. Booooooo!!! He's supposed to be a monster *AND* a bad guy!! Just like in the book!!

[@nicholastosoni707]

@@jasminnemcdonald94A Worth noting that that's just the Gerard Butler one. In the actual musical, yes, he LOOKS like a heartthrob, but it's a carefully-constructed lie, for he is, true to the book, very old.

[@cutiepartyyt7271]

I heard erik destler is alive still, I heard He was immortal and he haunts opera but not as a ghost but physically

[@Nightcore-336]

The ver of Erik from the musical and 2004 movie is nowdays the most iconic

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I used to have an abridged novelization when I was a kid (early 90s) that had some really weird illustrations. It almost reminded me of the Scary Stories books, although I know it wasn't the same illustrator.

[@michaelhughes432]

Altho I liked the 1925, 1943, 1962 & Charles Dance MFTV versions as well as the Broadway Musical, I like it better when he is portrayed as being born with his deformity, as he was in the Leroux Novel. That's the way Gaston Leroux intended it! As he was in the 1925 version, The Made For TV Version w/ Charles Dance, & The Broadway Musical. Also, Alicia, I found your comments very insightful!

[@Azerod]

This is fantastic video. Full of information I never knew, Heidi has such a nice narration voice.

[@atticbear5098]

The Phantom was just Darkman going through a phase.

[@ellendallanora7404]

You. I like you.

[@Socasmx]

Very detailed! Thank you, this is amazing

[@DocDread]

Thank you for researching and creating an amazing video!!! You have gained a subscriber.

[@acarguycandreamright634]

I’m really excited about this episode. My favorite was the haunted house episode, I think about it quite often.

[@GreenGimmick]

Sailor Moon reference is enough for me

[@ChannelingSpirits]

You mean, not enough?

[@GreenGimmick]

Is there every really enough Sailor Moon?

[@bethhaines6340]

That was brilliant wow it was so interesting

[@russellgruner652]

Love YOUR Channel, Keep it UP!!!

[@ChannelingSpirits]

Thank you, truly. We work hard on these videos and appreciate you enjoying them.

[@russellgruner652]

@@ChannelingSpirits I try to Support, thanks for the Content!!

[@glenhayman8722]

amazingly well done

[@chanteuse-ro3kf]

This is one of my favorite stories

[@lifeofbekahh]

Phantom of Opera is my favorite musical, I’m currently reading the book 😊

[@2texastornado]

I enjoyed Claude Rains and Robert Englund. Of course love Lon Channey Sr. Too.

[@Fyre_Blake]

This is very professional video, tons of great clips and content. You even quote the novel! I subscribed to your channel! 🎉

[@DrexelGregory]

Thanks. I’m a longtime fan of the musical. I wondered what was in the book but never felt like reading it.

[@karenknicely1788]

Hearing the opening rift of Toccata and Fugue D Minor, still gives me chills! And for those who doesn't know, that is the Phantom Of The Opera!

[@jackdough8164]

Am I the only one who sees Claude rains mask as a more washed out blue rather than white? Lol

[@candlelit33]

thank you for this, saved my drama grade

[@ChannelingSpirits]

Hopefully you aced it!

[@heididion8577]

I cracked up at the gremlins part. 😂

[@funeralman04]

I love your videos. If you ever have funeral related questions, feel free to reach out.

[@nb_cash]

Thank you for not using the Gerard Butler version! I'm glad you went with the 25th anniversary show instead. Great video!! 🖤

[@ludovico6890]

My favourite version remains the original novel.

[@Matts_Colorful_Chaos]

To jasminnemcdonald94A, if I may make one small point. I have read the book multiple times and while you are correct about the phantoms obsession, several of the events that occurred in the theater were accidents. The phantom simply took credit for them. Like the chandelier. That was an accident. And Joseph buqet was not killed by the phantom but the ohantom hung his lifeless corpse and allowed everyone to believe he was responsible

[@TheMelloyMan]

Bruh i love the "have any castles" clips

[@ChannelingSpirits]

Major points for knowing an obscure cartoon. We had to include it!

[@TheMelloyMan]

@@ChannelingSpirits I had it on vhs! I actually did a redraw of it back in high school LMAO

[@hailmammonmoments7568]

Thanks for reminding me to see the severed flesh mask version

[@jezebelEmoringstar]

0:39 and owns an amusement park 😅NGL when i was 5 and first seen the 25th anniversary one, i fell in love ❤️ both with Erik and the whole franchise and fandom.

[@phantomarchitech]

killed it

[@jacobkeppler1984]

They should re make phantom opera Gaston Leroux novel as movie

[@debrawebster1356]

And have the phantom very similar to Lon Chaney look

[@cinnamonpumpkin7655]

If I remember correctly. In french, Érik's eyes are described as "So dark that you can only see them in pitch black darkness."

[@JeremiahsFiles]

I’ve watched all the film versions of The Phantom Of The Opera & the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical & its sequel Love Never Dies. What did Christine Daae’s voice sound like? I’ve heard Susanna Foster, Heather Sears, Teri Polo & other women who played Christine sing in the film versions, but Sarah Brightman’s portrayal of Christine in the Lloyd Webber musical is my favorite.

[@veronicavatter6436]

There is a cartoon version on yt that has a pretty good image of what Laroux wrote.

[@davidantoniocamposbarros7528]

I have seen the 1962 version,and i quite like it

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

It's time for Monstermaniacs And they're creepy to the Max So just sit back and relax You'll scream till you collapse For Monstermaniacs!!

[@aprilyoru8673]

6:20 when you didn’t freak out the phantom but freak out the sailor moon upcoming “I didn’t see that coming....”

[@pr9039]

Nice job going to the original text. It's rare to find a channel that gets a chick who sounds like every word is cut-and-pasted but still has a good video.

[@Luka1180]

Leroux should’ve kept Garnier’s real first name, Charles.

[@clownchan]

There game call mazm: the phantom of the opera is back in 2018 but when Christine kidnapped by Erik there girl name melek who is trukey and blind woman she is erik blind servant because he kidnapped her after refused to marry him melek try escape but he alway caught her melek abandoned idea plan to escape she was be take to Christine adopt mom home her family do not worries her she now live happy life with her cat

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I prefer the Phantom with the mask covering half of his face.

[@tayloredwards4968]

The best version of the phantom in my opinion definitely has to be the musical.

[@debrawebster1356]

Best phantom was lon Chaney he was a thing of horror

[@TheNicolevertone]

Another issue issue with going so far into the past is what was considered luxury would not necessarily compare with the current day. There would be wealth and grandeur, but also filth and squalor. Medical treatment would be worse, and human rights were mostly worse. Technology was worse, sanitation, science, and so much else.

[@johnbaxter5766]

Have just re painted an Aurora model kit i put together as a 12 -year -old. Am now 58. Phantom rules ok

[@mhicorivera7802]

well it can make good assasin servamt in fate series or smt/ persona

[@triplec1807]

At 2:10, what was that cartoon from? I remember seeing it on some DVD a long time ago and can’t remember what it was.

[@ChannelingSpirits]

The cartoon where several literary monsters step out of their books is from "Have You Got Any Castles?" (1938).

[@levelup7894]

You really dislike the 2004 movie version, don't you ?

[@toxicpunkette]

funfact: they change the mask because the actors could not sing wth the full mask.

[@LaceandArmour]

Lon Chaney

[@M.A.C.01]

2:09 who’s the yellow guy?

[@missvida6251]

Damn. He was hideous. Lmao. They made him sexy in later years.

[@debrawebster1356]

He was hideous in the book too

[@shelleyrightmyer6421]

Ilove you somuch miss

[@franziskajunker5558]

I made a wood painting (I burnt it in the wood) and in my painting the phantom is a skeleton with the clothing and a hat on and nothing more

[@erickellogg8532]

I was told he died in the opera house fire

[@Demolitiondude]

Interesting criminal profile.

[@wolfmechace1338]

what was the opening clip

[@ChannelingSpirits]

As in what episode of Family Guy is that from or something else?

[@anthonyfrias5533]

Do zombies

[@dezereahunter6916]

What if we took Raul out of Phantom of the Opera and put just Christine Justice Phantom just Meg and Madame Jerry and Gustave and this is set in Coney Island 1988

[@BlackPineNJ]

It wouldn’t be phantom of the opera.

[@padraigpearse1551]

Lon chaneys phantom was the best. Such a shame that nobody knows about it because of that shitty andrew lloyd webber musical and its "hunky" phantom. He should be grotesque not a lil bit burned on one side of his face

[@donovandelaney3171]

They never explain the Phantom's powers.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

What were the Phantom's powers?

[@sikujacob4556]

So the phantom was the first ever Leatherface?

[@nicholastosoni707]

I have an idea for a movie about a war between the Classic Monsters and the modern slasher movie guys; it's revealed that the Phantom and Jigsaw are playing both sides for fools.

[@sikujacob4556]

@@nicholastosoni707 I'd watch that

[@AlexBrown-do7rx]

the movie

[@pepepecaspicapapas4726]

Andrew Lloyd Webber also ripped off the main theme of his opera from Pink Floyd's Echoes

[@bethhaines6340]

The phantom did exist,i know he did because god created him just like he created aliens and werewolves and vampires and ghosts and witches so therefore he created the phantom of the opera

[@amyclarke41]

ok

[@onoskelis8462]

Excuse me? 15:14 is hottt