Phantom Of The Opera: Robert Englund's Underrated Gem

The Phantom of the Opera is sometimes considered one of the Universal Monsters. I get it. From the 1925 version that gave us one of the most infamous unmasking sequences ever courtesy of the great Lon Chaney Sr., through the Hammer iteration with Herbert Lom, all the way up to the 2004 film that gave a lot of us our intro to Gerard Butler. 1989 was the beginning of its U.S. tour and we got not one but TWO Phantom movies that year. Phantom of the Mall: Erics Revenge is cheesy and may just be more well known due to our friend Joe Bob featuring it on the Last Drive In recently. Here in the Joblo Horror kitchen today we are cooking something up for you. Take one part Freddy Kruger, a dash of Cannon Films, and a heaping helping of nonsensical gory fun and you get a recipe for one of the Best Horror Movies You Never Saw.
WATCH OR OWN THE FILM HERE: shorturl.at/afjFM
Written by: Andrew Hatfield
Edited by: Paul Bookstaber
Narrated by: Kier Gomes
Produced by: John Fallon and Tyler Nichols
Executive produced by: Berge Garabedian
SERIES SYNOPSIS: Our Best Horror Movie You Never Saw series is dedicated to highlighting horror films that, for one reason or another, don't get as much love as we think they should. We know plenty of you horror hounds out there will have seen many of the movies we pick, but there will be plenty of you who have not.
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#joblohorror #besthorror #phantomoftheopera

[@wstine79]

This was a great Phantom of the Opera. Robert Englund was very charismatic and creepy.

[@jamesmorant1406]

Yes he was

[@pedrosantossinger]

I asked for ages for you guys to cover this underrated gem. I can't believe you finally did it. It's my favorite Robert Englund movie, he really gets to shine beyond Freddy in this one and show more of his dramatic and theatrical chops. All the cast is great, the kills are suberb and Misha Segal's score is a masterpiece. It's in my top five horror movies of all time.

[@JoBloHorrorOriginals]

Thanks for getting it on "the list"

[@jamesmorant1406]

Good movie Robert Englund showed he can do more than just Freddy Krueger

[@poindextertunes]

If you like Robert Englund you should watch a movie called The Mangler! I found out about it from this very channel. And Buffalo Bill(Silence Of The Lambs) is the main protagonist! Its soooo good. Like the perfect B movie tbh 🔥

[@jamesmorant1406]

@@poindextertunes I've seen it good horror movie

[@ItsaKindOfMagic86]

I always liked Roert as Willie in the 1980s V series 🦎he was the friendly one

[@jamesmorant1406]

@@ItsaKindOfMagic86 Good show

[@newhorizons1]

I bought this a few months ago. Didn't think it would be any good. Boy was i wrong!!! This was fun from start to finish. Completely mad but really well acted. The physical effects on Destlers face were amazing. I love this movie. Thanks for a great review.

[@LilTraptune]

Vintage classic saw it in art class in middle school lol 😂

[@jacobwebb2623]

I really liked this movie. It was odd but in a very cool way.

[@TheDamianvain17]

I actually never knew about this film. That's why I love this channel so much! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

[@garinsparks7041]

My ALL TIME FAVORITE Phantom. Thanks for this you guys!!!!

[@JoBloHorrorOriginals]

We got you!

[@markcoledrumteacher]

I like this one when I saw it in a theater. I was surprised it didn't catch on more. It is pretty forgotten these days.

[@wstine79]

No love for Phantom of the Paradise?

[@TheRavenHomicide]

I got to watch it with Robert in 2014. I have video somewhere him talking about filming.

[@seanryan3020]

Anybody else ever see the 1983 TV version with Maximilian Schell, Jane Seymour, and--believe it or not--Michael York!

[@codyt821]

Oh dang I didn't know about that version, Michael York???? No way lol I gotta try to find that one and check it out. Is it any good?

[@seanryan3020]

@@codyt821 I was 13 when I saw it, so I remember it as kind of meh.

[@sidnew2739]

That one was crap.

[@d.christophertatum2936]

That is the first version I ever saw.

[@MichaelS-ui1bl]

This is one of those movies that I was going to 'eventually watch', and then forgot about. Thank you for reminding me :) Already have it set up to (finally) watch this week! CHEERS!

[@jdcapone1487]

I would love if we could get an unrated version, this version might be my favorite of all the horror versions of the story

[@thelethalcreator2077]

Saw both this one, and the 2004 version, liked this version better

[@azzezino1]

I've been wanting to re-watch this movie for years. Hoping it becomes available digitally soon

[@dragonchaserkev]

Yes i had forgotten this film, been a long time since the old VHS days at the video store.

[@cynthiamhocevar5575]

I saw Robert in GodSpell on stage in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

[@mhxistenz]

I saw this in '90-91 because I was a huge Freddy fan and enjoyed it as such. I wish Robert Englund had branched out into different genres as well. I loved him in V.

[@jamierozelle9334]

This is one of my favorite movies. Robert is amazing in it. The whole story is way better than the original, to me

[@poindextertunes]

I remember always being fascinated by the blockbuster VHS cover art of this movie but never pulled the trigger when I was a kid. Why watch something new when I can watch Clockwork Orange for the umpteenth time 😂

[@a.j9913]

I saw this at the cinema. I was one of three people. I really enjoyed it. But it is so close to being Freddy playing the phantom. The horror and the burnt face.

[@geeshep4836]

I've Seen The Lon Chaney Version But How Come I Never Heard Of This One Before.

[@kriitikko]

Thank to the popular ALW musical most people view the Phantom of the Opera as a gothic romance, often forgetting how twisted and quick to kill the Phantom is in the original book. Lon Chaney and Robert Englund are really the only ones to play the part in the spirit of the book; as a highly melodramatic stalker/murderer.

[@darkknite2k11]

I remember renting it on VHS

[@Bluboy30]

This is one of those horror films that I never rented back in the days of video stores. I remember seeing the cool VHS cover but never had the urge to rent it. I may have to watch it soon.

[@MrDrivingGloves]

I’m not the only person that loves this movie. Hello my people 🎉

[@BennyFromFalloutNewVegas]

Yes, you are literally the only person on this planet. So unique and special.

[@dominicsedillo1980]

I LOVE "Popcorn"---which is also basically "Phantom of the Opera". THIS movie is excellent! Englund is SO creepy in his "normal" makeup. Plus: a head in a soup!

[@spiceupyourafterlife]

As a horror fan and a lover of all things Phantom (yes, even the 2004 movie, don't judge me), thank you for reminding me that I need to rewatch this movie.

[@chadkimmel8957]

I remember the tv spots for this from when I was a kid. I remember watching it on a Saturday afternoon I believe on the Big Chuck and Lil John show in the early to mid 90s. The only scene I remember was him sowing his face back together.

[@Kurtsg10]

The Scream Factory blu ray is awesome!

[@jekw23]

I somehow hit hold of a horror movie review magazine (forget the name) around 1990 and felt super daring seeing stills from movies I knew I wouldn’t be able to see. This movie had a full page ad for it in that magazine and looked awesome. I knew one day I would watch it but it would take years. Fast forward 34 years and I completely forgot about it until I saw this 5 minutes ago. I now have the money and am old enough to get this anytime I like but have a funny feeling I’m going to forget about this the moment I finish this sentence. Maybe in another 34 years.

[@user-fu6bi1jv4g]

When I first saw this film in 1990 on HBO, I was more impressed than I expected it to be. I’m a huge fan of the original Chaney masterpiece, somewhat admire the Claude Rains version and got a kick out of the Herbert Lom Hammer film. Argento’s Julian Sands version was a pointless distraction, and I’ve yet to see his OPERA. There was a two-part BBC version that never showed the Phantom’s face, that was most disappointingly frustrating! I saw PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE at the theatre in the ‘70s when it was first released, and I’m still a huge fan to this day. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical never interested me much. The Robert England film was a breath of fresh air, a unique take on the oft-told story that didn’t hesitate to take chances. The makeup, lighting and cinematography are stunning. I truly sensed the Phantom’s malevolence, much as described in the Gaston Larou novel. The novel, by the way, is the best version!

[@danielherrin]

Saw this on HBO back in the day.

[@mikeyfn-a6684]

Finally getting round to this, right after I left a comment on the Underworld video released just before this..which is cool not knowing Bill Nye was already in this. Fantastic actor. 👌

[@gregoriocruz4530]

I saw this as a kid. I actually have it on both DVD and Blu-ray.

[@J.R.Valentine]

2:20 that gut worked on the Infamous game Night Trap? 😮

[@JoKiR90]

The original cover and the fact that Robert Englund was the Phantom is what made me rent this movie back in the 90’s. I hated it tbh (I was like 5) but after watching the review…I’m gonna have to rewatch it.

[@boogiedaddy3434]

I've been a life-long horror fan, but I've never seen any version of Phantom at the Opera. I recall having this version at the video store I worked at, but I never bothered to check it out. Maybe I should go ahead and give it a shot.

[@theasinclaire52]

I saw this! It was great. I also thought the Christine was pretty good too.

[@michaelvau4818]

Should see the European VHS cover for it

[@r4umediaentertainment831]

I fuckin’ love this movie and have loved it since I was about five or six years old. Legitimately my favorite Phantom adaptation. Side note: I always figured Christine wasn’t transported back through time, but rather, was just briefly knocked out and dreamt about the events she lived through in a previous life, and woke up around the time we-the audience-are caught up with said events from the past. Side note, part 2: It’s a damn shame that sequel never came out, as this film is masterfully crafted and deserved a good sequel.

[@danielross5292]

Oh I saw this Fun Horror movie year's ago on Video and I really enjoyed it a lot Too Man!😉☮️

[@titustheun]

I absolutely love this one

[@helanordela8068]

Still a good movie

[@dereksmith6033]

it's still Amazing to Me that ROBERT ENGLUND even had Time to make this Movie with him being so Busy & in demand at the Time with The NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET Sequels & the TV Series FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES,,,plus he directed the 1988 HORROR Film "976-EVIL",,,,so the Fact that he even had Time to star in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is absolutely insane & it's obvious the Guy was running on Pure unlimited Stamina & Energy

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

I have this movie on DVD because of Englund 😉

[@phillee8262]

This movie should be on 4k

[@michaelcarey8388]

Loved it!

[@LaraRoxx1980]

I recently bought this movie 🍿 😂

[@caged-melody]

I saw this film at the universal cineplex Odeon when I was 10yrs old. My dad took my twin brother and I. He enjoyed the movie. He disliked my brother and I watching slasher movies. Earlier in the summer. My cousin who was 11 yrs old gave five bucks to a homeless person to purchase our tickets for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 at the Hollywood theater.

[@TheAvenidas]

oh i saw it, many years ago, had a great potential but lost me with that wierd ending.

[@thelethalcreator2077]

It sucks this movie didn't do better, it was really good and different. I put it on par with 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula as a really good movie.

[@ZootLives]

If IMDb is right, then one can credit Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera to Brian de Palma's cult classic Phantom of the Paradise, one of my FAVE films. Apparently Jim Sharman, who previously collaborated with ALW on the stage adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar, approached the future Evita creator with hopes of adapting Phantom of the Paradise to the stage. And for those know didn't know, Halloween 2024 serves as Phantom of the Paradise's 50th anniversary, with Phantom of the Opera '89 celebrating its 35th only three days later.

[@jeffr23817]

And now Bill Nighy is in The First Omen!

[@sandmanbiden9301]

2:36 that is Patrick Fabian

[@Emulous79]

Jill Schoelen is soooo cute.

[@cynthiamhocevar5575]

You forgot Claude Rains

[@mattresbert]

Going to have to give it a twirl ❤

[@MrKris3333]

Why did the narrator start off saying Robert England’s character name properly and then suddenly add an “r” into the name 😂

[@BennyFromFalloutNewVegas]

Why is there a picture of Patrick Fabian when you mention Duke Sandefur?

[@petermulder7480]

I always thought that it was a realy bad movie trying with freddys face on the cover behind the mask you to rent the film.

[@Tere999]

This movie seems like a Jack the Ripper type of movie.

[@MrBooone]

lmao why do you have an image of Patrick Fabian from Better Call Saul when you mention Duke Sandefur?

[@ECKohns]

This came out while the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera were massively popular. And this movie basically rips off both.

[@constanceway45]

Jokes on you, i saw it as a kid thanks to my dad

[@arthurj.downeyjr_2013]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Formakiwi]

This should've been much better: a straightforward gothic horror reading of the classic novella for the late 80s, starring one the genre's great icons of the era would seem like a cant-miss slam dunk. However, the camp tone, unnecessary time-travel gimmick and irritating presence of Jill Schoelen, who portrays possibly the least compelling Christine ever committed to celluloid, doom to mere curio status despite a few effective elements, namely Englund's performance and the atmospheric Budapest locations.

[@SugarJRay]

I finally found the dvd after searching for the last decade and.. it was damn boring! My girlfriend and I enjoyed Dario Argento's Phantom much more

[@rockys201]

I liked this film as a kid

[@jeffgreiner4007]

say what you'd like about this film, it's one of my favorite guilty pleasures; a movie that by all accounts should be an absolute flop, but, due to it hitting very specific chords, it is an absolute awesome experience! if you've never seen this, WATCH IT TONIGHT!!!

[@maskranger38]

So she got hit by a sand bag and she went back in time 🤨

[@eugenemoreno6206]

I was 8 when this came out, I remember watching some of it but because I was 8 I definitely didn't pay much attention! And I didn't know scream factory made a blu ray of this movie which let me tell you I paid a handsome $60+ price for but I had to gave it, I was remembering it so fondly and wanted to really watch it, worth it! Cause I really did enjoy it I loved Jill schoelen was the lead girl , I loved Robert England he really went all out for it! It showed in his performance! The special effects and set designs especially the underground sewer hideout were so elaborate designed, that it had a life of it's own! I'm sad it didn't make box office money, it should of but I don't think anyone wanted to give it a chance then. It deserves recognition for trying to be different and recognize England's contributions and acting, cause this should of been a new franchise for him especially with Freddy's dead coming soon that time and then new nightmare that was it for Freddy til fvj. Idk what other praises I could give except it was an excellent movie and should be in horror fan collections 🎉