The Phantom of the Opera - 4K Blu-Ray [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]

Winner of two Academy Awards, this lavish Technicolor retelling of the horror classic stars Claude Rains as Enrique Claudin, a violinist whose face is scarred by acid during a dispute with a music over a concerto he composed. From beneath the Paris Opera House, the disfigured Claudin becomes consumed by his obsession with Christine Dubois (Susanna Foster), a beautiful and gifted singer. Nelson Eddy, Hume Cronyn, Leo Carrillo also star. 93 min. Standard; Soundtrack English; featurette. Two-disc set.

A forerunner of the American horror film, and one of the most lavish productions of the silent cinema, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has inspired countless remakes and imitations. But none of it's successors can rival the mesmerizing blend of romance and mystery that haunts every frame of the Lon Chaney original. This edition presents the 1929 theatrical version, restored from archival 35mm elements by Film Preservation Associates. It is highlighted by the Technicolor Bal Masque sequence (in which the Phantom interrupts the revelry wearing the scarlet robes of the Red Death), as well as meticulously hand-colored sequences (replicating the Handschiegl Color Process). The film is presented at two different historically-accurate projection speeds, each with two different soundtrack options. Also included is the 1925 theatrical version, which survives only in poor-quality prints, but contains scenes that were removed from the 1929 version.

Hammer Films delivered another stylish take on an iconic horror film property with this impressive adaptation of the Gaston Leroux chiller. Here, it's the London Opera House in 1900 that's tormented by a baleful, masked predator (Herbert Lom) seeking to claim a lovely young soprano (Heather Sears) as his protégé and his prize. Michael Gough, Edward de Souza, Patrick Troughton also star; directed by Terence Fisher. 85 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack English; Subtitles English.