Stage vs Movie

[Phantom_warlow]

Hi
im just wondering what are the differences between the stage version and the movie version.

and if this is a thread already i apologise, and if so can i have the link for the thread

[F-warp]

The stage version does what it sets out to do competently and the movie is the cinematic equivalent of a harlequin romance novel which therefore leads it to become an emotionless and shallow excuse for a jewelry commercial with an overblown soundtrack.

Yeah, I know it's a cheap shot...but I'm taking it anyway.

[Mrs Nadir Khan]

*cough* Perhaps someone who likes the Andrew Lloyd Webber version would be better to illuminate this for you, Andrew. Sorry, F-warp, but I do think everyone on the board knows how you feel about the 2004 film.

The stage version is longer and includes more songs. The costumes are also more accurate and the singing is better trained. Only Patrick Wilson and the woman who dubbed (yes, dubbed) Carlotta had the necessary training for their parts. The film version sets out to hold the attention of young women, especially teenagers. When I first saw it, it was one of those moments where I wished I was Christine Daae. But, after viewing it say... three or four more times, I started nit picking at it. By that point, I'd read the Leroux book, begun Susan Kay's "Phantom" and could pin point a thousand historical, factual, and technical issues with the film. I became disillusioned with the film.

Now I can watch it without nit picking and take it for what it is. It's an ALW musical, but a Joel Schumacher film. Schumacher seems to go for theatrical things and I'm sorry to say ALW got walked all over in this deal, screwing his masterpiece and his fans in the process. Still, it's an okay movie. The camera doesn't shake; the dialouge isn't horribly timed; the instrumentals are wonderful; Patrick Wilson is a good singer. It has its fallacies, but it's not the worst film I've ever seen.

And to answer your other question, there's a "which do you prefer" thread, but not one actually asking for the difference.

[ChristineJ16]

The stage version does what it sets out to do competently and the movie is the cinematic equivalent of a harlequin romance novel which therefore leads it to become an emotionless and shallow excuse for a jewelry commercial with an overblown soundtrack.

Yeah, I know it's a cheap shot...but I'm taking it anyway.

LOL!!!!! I totally agree on how the 2004 movie was a lot like some trashy harlequin novel. I myself had actually compared it to that before as well. Too funny that there are others who think the same way, lol!

[MllePaula]

Count me as another one who thinks the movie...as compared to the musical...is a gaudy, gilded, bodice-ripping drugstore romance novel.

[Phantom_warlow]

ok little bit different to what i meant. i was after the details of what was different.

i know the notes 2 wasnt in the movie and the graveyard scene was different, any other little bits different (and yes i am aware of the chandelier difference)

[MllePaula]

Off the top of my head...and it's been a long time since I've watched the movie...

The Overture was extended by several minutes

Raoul is introduced during the "Hannibal" rehearsal instead of first appearing during "Think of Me."

A brief flashback to the deathbed of Christine's father during "Angel of Music."

The cutting of an entire verse of the title song

The addition of the "Devil's Child" back-story for the Phantom during Madame Giry's tale

[IamErik771]

These are also just off the top of my head . . . and keep in mind that I loved the film, even though I admit it wasn't nearly as good as it could have been, and I don't think it can be favorably compared with the stage show. So here are some of the differences I could think of that haven't already been mentioned:

***

- Christine and the Phantom were made far younger in the film than in the stage show.

- The Phantom had a 'mirror room' under the trap-door he disappears into after the "Masquerade" scene in the film.

- Most (if not all) of the costumes were drastically changed -- particularly the Phantom's fedora, or in the case of the film, a severe lack thereof. Also, the Phantom wears a black Zorro mask in "Point of No Return," whereas in the stage show, he sticks with his trademark white half-mask for that scene.

- The 'red scarf' bit before "Little Lotte" was omitted completely in the film.

- Joseph Buquet was a far nastier character in the movie, and they didn't actually show his death in the stage version.

- A verse was trimmed from the "Hannibal Rehearsal" scene -- it was a duet section between Piangi and Carlotta.

- Christine's "Think of Me" was kept in the same key as in the original London recording; in most actual performances, the key is raised so she has to hit a high C (rather than B-flat) during the cadenza at the end of the song.

- The title song featured an electric guitar solo during the cadenza, much like the one used in the original promo music video for the song (featuring Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley), and also in the Las Vegas production.

***

If I can think of more, I shall be sure to post again, or edit this one. ^_^

[Hidden Away]

If you saw the movie time after time after time after time after time (etc.) it would be great!

But the Musical (espeically Vegas!) Blows you outta your seat the first moment you hear the overture to the ending when Brett was on his hands and knees 'crying' which made everyone cry! (I'm serious! Every woman I pasted in the bathroom was with running eyeliner or whatever make-up women use these days!) and well most guys tried to cover it up with a manly cough, but still there was no doubt about it!

So in the movie verison and to movie standards it's wonderfully almost perfect. Musical version has the pinpointing targeted right at your heartstings! (get out your tissues girls! an guys try harder to hid it all!)

Difference: theme song: I have no idea why they cut out the last verse (I can imagine Gerry singing it! awesome!) but did it have to do with the Operatic vocalizations that Emmy did?

Hani: What's Raoul doing there?

theme song: Horse? odd but interesting!

Music of the night: In the play wasn't the dummy behind a mirror? or something like that? They omitted that small part of Don Juan's drafting

ummmm

All I Ask of You: I honestly am not favorable for Patrick's voice. He may be born in my state, but (okay that was random!) but he wasn't all that! I think that his voice wasn't really good...very young (a bit too young) and airy! odd! Barton's is so much better to me!

Reprise: Gerry did do an evil laugh! (I personally couldn't imagine that! odd!)

Masquerade: Lyrics are the same as the Vegas (the same chandelier crashing time...oh yeah!)
the mirror torture room under the ballroom...odd--once again!

I do believe that the orgin musical did have a part where Madame Giry speaks about Erik...right? not so clam and flashybackie like the movie though

The swordfight, opposed to fireballs (that would have been more interest! but it was cool when the swords got stuck!)

Twisted every way: was in a different time segement

Wasn't Don Juan extended in the movie? Or was it just me?

We all know the costume in the Point of No Return, but considering Joel's goal of a sexy Phantom he hit the full trottle!

they changed the words for the Phantom to say after the kiss. ummm

of course all the flashbacks in the movie wheren't in the musical....so antyhing else to be pointed out?

will edit soon!

[sugar glider mask]

instead of Gerry SINGING "go now! go now and leave me!" he should have SCREAMED IT!
chandilier falls in All I ask of you Reprise.
Notes 2 is GONE!!!:(

[angelgirl]

I remember seeing the movie before I went to see the stage show, and the whole time, (even though I'd listened to the musical soundtrack a million times,) I kept pointing out the differences. But now I can sort of understand why they changed what they changed.

I wish they had kept the part where right before Don Juan, the Phantom plays a trick on Raoul and the marksman by going, "I'm here, the Phantom of the Opera," using his ventriloquism. That would've been fun to see!

Oh, and the maniacal laugh!
A.G.