Synopsis

In 19th-century Paris, a mysterious masked composer haunts the grand Opera Populaire and secretly mentors Christine, a gifted young soprano. As her career rises, Christine becomes caught between the Phantom's obsessive devotion and her rekindled love for Raoul, a childhood friend. Their rivalry intensifies after the Phantom's demands threaten the opera house and everyone within it.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was announced in 1989, but production was delayed for years by Andrew Lloyd Webber's divorce and the busy schedules of the filmmakers.

• Principal photography took place entirely at Pinewood Studios in England, using eight sound stages. The production combined large practical sets with miniatures and computer-generated imagery to create the opera house and its underground world.

• The main chandelier weighed approximately 2.2 tons, contained about 20,000 Swarovski crystal pendants, and had a separate stunt version for the crash sequence.

• An audience at a London stage performance was asked to remain after the show and record sound effects used for the film's chandelier crash.

• The Phantom was written as a largely singing role. According to production trivia, he speaks only fourteen lines in the finished film.

• The opera singing for Carlotta was dubbed by soprano Margaret Preece, who had previously played the role onstage. The actress portraying Carlotta did sing "Learn to Be Lonely" over the end credits.

• "Learn to Be Lonely," written specifically for the film, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

• The film received three Academy Award nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song.