Reflecting on 100 Years of a Classic, Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Ryan Gillott | Writer

Photo Credit: Universal

In 1925, Universal published a cult classic that left people so horrified that some even fainted. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (PotO), starring the legendary “Man of a Thousand Faces”, Lon Chaney. He received this name due to his extraordinary makeup techniques that made him indistinguishable from role to role. PotO left such an impression that it became one of his best works.

As a TV/Film Major, I realized silent films are a huge blind spot in my watched list. I decided PotO was a necessity, especially since the famed Lon Chaney had a starring role. The version I watched is on YouTube by a channel called “silentmoviefan” entitled The Phantom of the Opera (reconstructed 1925 version with original score) (HD) Published March 1, 2023. The movie is in the public domain.

When I watched the movie for the first time, I was blown away with how technically brilliant the film was for its time. Elaborate sets, the practical props and effects, along with the score made the movie a must watch in my opinion. 

Scenes like the red masquerade, the chandelier scene (which Chucky season 3 parodies fantastically), and the unmasking scene prove that even a silent film from 100 years ago can create feelings of anxiety and horror.

So, whether you are a fellow developing movie buff like me or want to use a silent movie to lengthen our shortening attention spans from short social media clips, watching PotO for its 100th anniversary will satisfy your needs.