By Kanae Takagi

The movie version of the popular musical "The Phantom of the Opera" is at the center of attention. It was released in January. Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who is known as a genius composer, not only composed the music, but also produced and wrote the screenplay of this movie. He wrote the scores for the hit stage musicals "Cats," "Evita," and "The Phantom of the Opera," which he himself recognizes as his magnum opus. "The Phantom of the Opera" (1988~) is a hit stage musical, and it may exceed "Cats" (1982~2000) which has the longest run record on Broadway. Lloyd-Webber made this immortal work into a film after many years of planning.

This story starts from the scene where we go back in time from the year 1919 to the 1870s. Strange events had often taken place at the Paris Opera House in the 1870s. People thought that these events were caused by the Phantom. The opera singer Christine learns the Phantom's secret when she is taken by the Phantom to the underground labyrinth. Christine is loved by Raoul, her childhood friend and a patron of the Opera. However, her heart gradually goes out to the Phantom's solitary soul and passion. This is a story of a beautiful and sad love.

There are three unforgettable scenes in this movie. The first is in the opening scene at the Opera House of 1919, which lies in ruins and is transformed into the gorgeous Opera House of the 1870s before our eyes. This scene uses the latest special effects. Watching the black-and-white pictures turn into color is riveting.

The second scene is of the Opera "The Triumph of Don Juan" during the latter part of the story. This scene is an opera within an opera where Christine costars with the Phantom. This scene represents Christine's feelings toward the Phantom.

The third scene is the huge chandelier of the Opera falling from the ceiling. This scene is absolutely fantastic. The luxurious crystal chandelier is five meters high and four meters in width. It took four months and cost 150 million yen to make this chandelier. The chandelier falls onto the patrons who scramble in confusion.

Many songs are used in this movie. The following are examples of two of those songs:

1) "The Phantom of the Opera." This song is a duet and is used when the Phantom invites Christine to his underground hideout.

Your "My" spirit and

My "Your" voice in one combined

The phantom of the opera is there

In side your "my" mind

We get the impression that the Phantom and Christine have an affect on each other through music.

2) "The Point of No Return." This song is dramatic and is used when the Phantom, who impersonates Don Juan, tells Christine his feelings and she responds to him.

Past the point of no return

The final threshold

The bridge is crossed

So stand and watch it burn

Weﾕve passed the point of no return

We get the impression that they fall in passionate and intense love.

Lloyd-Webber and director Joel Schumacher state that they made the movie "The Phantom of the Opera" for people who can't go to the theater to appreciate it. Therefore, this movie truly represents the original musical.

"The Phantom of the Opera" has been filmed five times over the years. All of them are horror films and stress the Phantom's atrocious, uncanny character. However, this new movie describes the Phantom as a tragic hero. This is a true love story. In addition, the Phantom is very sexy and this movie describes the Phantom's personal history. Lloyd-Webber's music also has elements of modern pop and rock. Therefore, this movie also attracts people who are unfamiliar to opera. This movie is very impressive and is a film where we can indulge ourselves in a world of melancholy love.