As shrouded as a Phantom.
This film has one of the most disastrous post-production history's I can think for a horror film. Allegedly at one time at least 3 versions of the film existed, each with different scenes, tones and endings. However today only one version exists, luckily it is all we need.
Lon Chaney as the Phantom is astonishing. With the bare visual essentials he is able to chill, excite and entertain better than any other rendition of the character since. He brings a sympathetic weight that many would not immediately think of in reference to the story, and he offers an outlook on deformity and loneliness witch strikes a cord even today, 89 years later. It is hard to discuss the make-up, because it is so perfect and deeply integrated into the film's effect. Chaney looks like a demon, and his jerky movements transform him into a living gargoyle on screen. The film deserves it's rating for the wonderfully shocking and perfectly built up unmasking sequence.
Aside from Lon Chaney, the set design is sumptuous and highly impressive for the time. One of the better examples of a large scale period piece being attempted in the 1920's (possibly due to the adoption of some German expressionist techniques and ideas in the set design). This lavish set design is particularly prominent during the colour sequence, a dazzling and highly enjoyable barrage of Technicolour and macabre imagery. However this effect is ruined somewhat when we later see the same setting in black & white, diminishing the dreamlike and magical quality of the scene. The other actors are solid also, however Mary Philbin's stereotypical damsel in distress can become granting after a while.
Although it may be unfair to comment on the score, because it was added after the film's original release, however it is breathtaking. I would honestly declare it a masterpiece of a score and a massive part of the film's effect is derived from it flowing between daunting organ pieces, to ambient percussion, and then to iconic orchestra bombast. Although I do not wish to undersell the film overall, I will admit that 90% of the film's power comes from the following four elements alone:
1. Lon Chaney as the Phantom.
2. The musical score.
3. The colour sequence.
4. The exciting and emotional ending.
This is possibly to the film's detriment, as long stretches can drag a bit and other elements are pushed aside in one's memory after seeing the film.
Overall I loved this creepy little gem. Although much of the Phantom is lost to the mist of history, the shadow that remains is ghoulish enough to remain a classic of the silent age.
Lon Chaney as the Phantom is astonishing. With the bare visual essentials he is able to chill, excite and entertain better than any other rendition of the character since. He brings a sympathetic weight that many would not immediately think of in reference to the story, and he offers an outlook on deformity and loneliness witch strikes a cord even today, 89 years later. It is hard to discuss the make-up, because it is so perfect and deeply integrated into the film's effect. Chaney looks like a demon, and his jerky movements transform him into a living gargoyle on screen. The film deserves it's rating for the wonderfully shocking and perfectly built up unmasking sequence.
Aside from Lon Chaney, the set design is sumptuous and highly impressive for the time. One of the better examples of a large scale period piece being attempted in the 1920's (possibly due to the adoption of some German expressionist techniques and ideas in the set design). This lavish set design is particularly prominent during the colour sequence, a dazzling and highly enjoyable barrage of Technicolour and macabre imagery. However this effect is ruined somewhat when we later see the same setting in black & white, diminishing the dreamlike and magical quality of the scene. The other actors are solid also, however Mary Philbin's stereotypical damsel in distress can become granting after a while.
Although it may be unfair to comment on the score, because it was added after the film's original release, however it is breathtaking. I would honestly declare it a masterpiece of a score and a massive part of the film's effect is derived from it flowing between daunting organ pieces, to ambient percussion, and then to iconic orchestra bombast. Although I do not wish to undersell the film overall, I will admit that 90% of the film's power comes from the following four elements alone:
1. Lon Chaney as the Phantom.
2. The musical score.
3. The colour sequence.
4. The exciting and emotional ending.
This is possibly to the film's detriment, as long stretches can drag a bit and other elements are pushed aside in one's memory after seeing the film.
Overall I loved this creepy little gem. Although much of the Phantom is lost to the mist of history, the shadow that remains is ghoulish enough to remain a classic of the silent age.
Originally posted 13/10/14 on IMDB.com, as part of HALLOWEEN HORROR REVIEWS 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment