Fantasma dell'opera (1998)

Country of Origin: Italy / Hungary
Year of Production: 1998
Running Times: 106 mins
Format: colour     35mm
Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Cine 2000 / Focus Film / Medusa Produzione / Reteitalia / Tele +
Executive Producer: Claudio Argento
Producers: Giuseppe Colombo
Hungarian Producer: Aron Sipos
Production Supervisor: Tommaso Calevi
Production Manager: Verena Maria Baldeo
Production Manager (Hungary): István Juhász
Unit Manager: Riccardo Folgore
1st Unit Manager (Hungary): Gábor Rajna
2nd Unit Manager (Hungary): Balázs Endrödy

SCRIPT
Script: Dario Argento, Gérard Brach
Novel: Le Fantome dell'opera by Gaston Leroux

DIRECTION
Director: Dario Argento
1st Assistant Directors: Alessandro Ingargiola, Péter Racz
2nd Assistant Directors: Enrico Tubertini, Rita Nagy
3rd Assistant Director: Tamás Mink

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Ronnie Taylor
Camera / Steadicam Operator: Marco Pieroni
2nd Camera Operator: Giuseppe Tinelli
1st Assistant Camera Operator: Claudio Zamarion
Assistant Camera Operators: Roberto Gentili, Sacha Ippoliti, Daniele Armeni
1st Unit Assistant Camera: Péter Dobrányi
2nd Assistant Cameramen: Balázs Szinte, Péter Kotschy
Gaffers: Stefano Marino, Péter Sidlň
Electricians: Fabrizio Amendola, Daniele Cafolla, Alberto Rogante, Salvatore Ruberto, Antonio D'Arienzo, Sandór (Tücsi) Novak
Generator Operator: Benvenuto Pedron
Key Grip: Claudio Diamanti, Atilla Szůcs
Grips: Luigi Orso, Maurizio Salvatori, Gianluca Ventiru, Vincenzo Mancini, Giuliano Paravano
Video Assistant: Monica Bonomi
Stills: Franco Vitale
Stills Lab: Fast Photo Service
Camera Equipment Supplied By: Panalight
Lighting Equipment: Petracca
Prints and Processing: Cinecittŕ
Colour Timing: Pasquale Cuzzupoli
Stock: Eastman

EDITING
Editor: Anna Napoli
1st Assistant Editor: Emanuela Di Giunta
2nd Assistant Editor: Maria Cristina Marra
AVID Supplied By: Todomodo

MUSIC
Music / Orchestrations / Conductor: Ennio Morricone
Music: Georges Bizet (from Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle); Léo Delibes (from Lakmé: Air des clochettes); Charles Gounod (from Faust: Overture); Maurizio Guarini, Cinzia cavalieri (Tour Keys); Clement Delibes (Intermezzo and Slow Waltz from Sylvia; Bell Song from Lakme); Frederic Chopin (Mazurka No.5 in B Flat Major - Op.7 from Vivace); Charles Gounod (Overture - Act 1 and Coro dei folletti - Act V from Faust; Act I and Duet - Act IV from Romeo e Giulietta; Finale Act II from Faust)
Music Performed By: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (directed by Odnrej Lenard); Sandor Falvay; Choeur et Orchestre du Theatre National de l'Opera de Paris (directed by Andre Cfuytens); The Orchestra of the Budapest Opera House (directed by Géza Török)
Music Supervisor and Co-Ordinator: Enrico De Melis
Assistant to Morricone: Andrea Morricone
Orchestra: Roma Sinfonietta
Choir: Corale e Coro Giovanile (S. Filippo)
Choir Director: Fabrizio Barchi
Music Consultants: Cinzia Cavalieri, István Mali
Music Producer: Claudio Messina (RTI Music)
Music Publisher: RTI Music Srl (Milan)
Copyist: Donato Salone
Music Recorded At: Forum - Music Village
Music Recording: Fabio Venturi
Singing Teacher for Asia Argento: Lilian Zafred (for Nadia Rinaldi), Stefania Magnifico
Music Consultant: Cinzia Cavalieri

SOUND
Production Sound Mixers: Roberto Alberghini, Umberto Montesanti, Gilberto Martinelli, Jószef Kardos
Boom Operators: Alfredo Petti, Marco Lazzaro, Csaba Erös
Assistant Sound: Damiano Antinori
Final Sound Mix: Fausto Ancillai
Studio Sound Mixers: Angelo Raguseo, Danilo Sterbini
Production Sound Editing: Sound On Line Srl
Sound Effects Editors: Tullio Arcangeli, Roberto Sterbini, Paolo Pucci, Saverio Lancia for Space Sound
Italian Version Sound Dubbing: CDL Doppiaggio Edizione srl
Dubbing Director: Rodolfo Bianchi
Assistant Dubbing: Viviana Barbetta
Dubbing Recordist: Roberto Cappannelli
English Language ADR Supervisor: Nick Alexander
English Language Adaption: Georgina Caspari
Dolby Consultant: Federico Savina

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Key Make Up: Alessandro Bertolazzi
Make Up: Paola Gattabrusi, Ágnes Petrovics
Assistant Make Up: Balázs Novák
Key Hair: Massimo Gattabrusi
Hair: István Szücs
Wigs: Rocchetti e Rocchetti
Costume Designer: Ágnes Gyarmathy
1st Assistant Costume Designer: Ágnes Endres
2nd Assistant Costume Designer: Richárd Basa
Key Seamstress: György Homonnay
Seamstresses: Bertilla Silvestrin, Gábor Szabó, Gyula Zambó, Maro Balázs, Dóra Riesz, Andrea Nárai
Jewelry and Accessories: L.A.B.A.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Visual Effects: Sergio Stivaletti
Live Action Special Effects: Danilo Bollettini, Gastone Callori, Massimo Cristofanelli, Ercole Quaglietti for Corr, G & A Cinematografica Srl
Special Effects: Péter Szilágyi, Iván Pohárnok
Standby Special Effects: Attila Halász, István Vanek
Laboratorio Stivaletti Crew Realization Supervisor (Supervising Producer): Barbara Morosetti
Animated Creatures Mechanisms: David Bracci
Animated Creatures Finishing: Enrico Corradino
Rat-Hunting Machine Mechanism: Simon Blades
Models: Arianna Pascazi
Special Plastic Materials: Fabrizio Capponi
Digital Effects: Apocalypse di S. Stivaletti
Digital Compositing Operator: Gaetano Polizzi
3D Operators (Animators): Ugo Frigerio, Gabriele Zuppardo
Computer Optimization: Antonio Rossi
Software: Alias / Wavefront; AVID
Computer Stations: Silicon Graphics
Titles and Opticals: Penta Studio

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Antonello Geleng, Csaba Stork
Art Director: Csaba Stork
Assistant Art Directors: János Rauschenberger, Dóra Szentirmai
Set Dressers: Paola Riviello, Ferenc Schöffer, Mihály Sütň, Tamás Breier
Props: Salvatore Manca, Péter Ujváry, Zoltán Szabo, Zoltán Schöffer
Construction Co-Ordinator: Giuseppe Cancellara
Set Construction: István Galambros, Andrea Tóth, Lajos E. Szabo
Set Painter: Santo Spalla
Carpenter: Fabrizio Carletti
Chief Sculptor: Francesca Romana Di Nunzio
Sculptors: Carlo Diamantini, Carolina Sorrano

MISCELLANEOUS
Script Supervisor: Paola Mengoni
Production Secretaries: Carla Alonzo, Michela De Porzi
Dialogue Coach: John Fonseca
Production Accountant: Marcello Lanza
Assistant Production Accountant / Paymaster: Carla Menicocci
Production Drivers: Marcello Colaciello, Domenico Di Pietro, Luciano Scrocca, Luigi D'Ettore, Paolo Racalbuto, Andrea Regoli
Post Production Shots Assistants: Gabriele Magri, Vittorio Magri
Financial Administration: Anna Morosetti
Animals Supplied By: Maurizio Garrone
Animal Consultants: Zoo Grunwald di Pasquale Martino
Animal Trainer: Péter Huszák
Publicity: Studio Nobile - Scarafoni
Insurance: Cinesicurtŕ Srl
Completion Bond: Film Finances Italia SpA
Transport: Cinetecnica Srl
Van Driver: Zoltŕn Makra
Production Drivers: János Gönczi, Láslo Szamel (Cofi), Tibor Nyári
Minibus Driver: Tibor Wallner
Forwarders: Transor International Srl
Travel Agency: Islet Viaggi e Turismo
Production Services in Budapest: Focus Film
Production Assistant (Hungary): Regina Darányi
Runners: Imre Csik, Balázs Kovács
Interpreters: Ildikó Belsň
Production Accountant: Rita Manyai
Fight Master: Gyula Langer
Consulting Speliologist: Péter Adamkó
Catering: György Herz

LOCATIONS
Locations: Budapest Opera House, Budapest, Hungary; Pertosa, Salerno, Southern Italy; Paris, France; Mafilm Facility, Mariassay Studio, Budapest, Hungary

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks To: The management and staff of The Budapest Opera House; the management of the Grotte Di Pertosa, Salerno

STUNTS
Stunt Co-Ordinator: Riccardo Mioni
Stunts: Gábor Piroch (the Phantom); Giovanni Cianfriglia, Domenico Cianfriglia, Alessandro Novelli, Mario Novelli, Rocco Russo, Massimo Vanni, Omero Capanna
Hungarian Crew Double: György Kivé

CASTING
Casting: Mirta Guarnaschelli, Emma Style
Cast Co-Ordinators: Zoltán Baráth, Mari Makó
Extras Co-Ordinator: Sándor Dénes

CAST
Julian Sands (The Phantom)
Asia Argento (Christine Daaé)
Raffaella Milanesi (Christne - singing double)
Andrea Di Stefano (Baron Raoul De Chagny)
Nadia Rinaldi (Carlotta Altieri)
Coralina Cataldi Tassoni (Honorine)
István Bubik (Ignace)
Zoltán Barabás (Poligny)
Lucia Guzzardi (Madame Giry)
Aldo Massasso (Pourdieu)
Gianni Franco (Montluc)
David D'Ingeo (Alfred)
Kitty Kéri (Paulette)
John Pedeferri (Dr Princard)
Leonardo Treviglio (Jérôme De Chagny)
Massimo Sarchielli (Buquet)
Luis Molteni (Nicolaud)
Enzo Cardogna (Marcel)
Domenico Coppolino (Carlotta's mother)

ALTERNATIVE CAST (ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION)
Itala Békés (Carlotta's Mother)
Claudia Kemenes (Hermine)
Csilla Wend (Liza)
Réka Pozsgay (Marthe)
Ferenc Deák B (Edgar Degas)
Rezsň Ludvigh (Charles Gounod)
David Drucker (Kiki)
Gábor Harsai (Marc)
Balázs Tardy (Longuet)
Dénes Újlaky (Papin)
Sándor Bese (Dwarf)
Iván Dengyel (Martin)
György Szakály (Ballet Master)
Ferenc Rátkai (Polidori)
Podporina Ilona (Rose)
Frigyes Hollósi (Friend)
István Szöczey (Faust)
Szabó Benke Róbert (poet 1)
Zoltán Rajkai (Poet 2)
Tania Nagel (Mother)
Crespo Rodrigo (Father)
Zsolt Anger (Waiter)
Zsolt Derecskei (Romeo)
Tibor Nemes (Mephisto)
Lásló Petň, Daniel Zdroba, Béla Nemeth (pianists)

PLOT SUMMARY

An unwanted orphan is abandoned to the sewers beneath Paris and is adopted by a pack of rats. Grown to manhood, he becomes the infamous phantom stalking the Paris Opera House, killing anyone who tries to harm his extended family of rats. In the meantime, he falls in love with the young Christine.

Argento had been disappointing his fans for the better part of a decade before he reached a new low with this tired and pointless re-run of a story that had already been done to death elsewhere. It's a sad day when the words Argento and boring can be used together - but that day dawned when this tedious waste of time was released. A tragedy.

France
Theatrical Distributor: Les Films de l'Astre

Germany
DVD Distributor: Sunfilm

Portugal
Theatrical Distributor: Lusomundo

Italy
Theatrical Distributor: Medusa Distribuzione

USA
Theatrical Distributor: A-pix Entertainment, Inc.

Finland
Rating: K-16

France
Rating: -12

Germany
Rating: 18

Italy
Rating: 14

Portugal
Rating: M/16

USA
Rating: R (for violence/gore and sexuality)

TIMELINE

1998
January
19: Shooting begins

April
17: Shooting ends

November
20: Italy - theatrical release (in Rome and Milan)

1999
February
3: France - theatrical release

July
30: Finland - theatrical release

August
26: Singapore - theatrical release

November
9: USA - video release
18: Sweden - shown at the Stockholm Film Festival
19: Portugal - theatrical release

Phantom of the Opera - USA title
Das Phantom der Oper - German title
Le fântome de l'opera - French title

LINKS

SEE ALSO
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The Phantom of the Opera (1943)
The Phantom of the Opera (1962)
The Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
The Phantom of the Opera (1983)
The Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge (1989)
The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
The Phantom of the Opera (1990)
The Phantom of the Opera (1990)
Batman Returns (1992)

MAGAZINES

Cinefantastique v31 n1/2 (February 1999) (USA)
illustrated production report (by Alan Jones)

Cineforum n379 (November 1998) pp.41-42 (Italy)
credits, review

Cinema d'oggi v32 n1 (15 January 1998) p.3 (Italy)
production details

Cinema d'oggi v32 n20/21 (20 November 1998) p.21 (Italy)
illustrated synopsis (by Franco Mariotti), credits

Cinema d'oggi v33 n11/12 (30 June 1999) p.10 (Italy)
illustrated short article about funding (Programma Media: sostegni alla produzione e distribuzione by anonymous)

Diário de Notícias 19 November 1999
review (Eurico De Barros)

Fangoria n191 (April 2000) p.36 (USA)
illustrated video review by 'Dr Cyclops'

Film no.4 (April 1999) p.44 (USA)
illustrated review (by Frank Arnold)

Film-Dienst v52 n4 (16 February 1999) pp.23-24 (Germany)
illustrated review (by Daniel Kothenschulte)

Film Tutti i Film della Stagione v5 n37 (January / February 1999) pp.53-54 (Italy)
illustrated credits, synopsis, review (by Domenico Gigante)

Premiere n264 (March 1999) p.42 (France)
illustrated review (by 'CC')

Screen International n1148 (6 March 1998) p.28 (UK)
production details

Screen International n1185 (27 November 1998) p.14 (UK)
illustrated review (by Lee Marshall)

Segnocinema v19 n95 (January / February 1999) pp.33-34 (Italy)
illustrated review (Schede segnofilm by Flavio de Bernardinis), credits

Segnocinema v19 n99 (September / October 1999) p.25 (Italy)
credits, synopsis

Starburst no.277 (September 2001) p.69 (UK)
illustrated video review

Telerama n2560 (6 February 1999) p.34 (Italy)
review (by Aurelien Ferenczi)

Variety 30 November 1998 pp.64-65 (USA)
credits, synopsis, review (by David Rooney)

BOOKS

Art of Darkness pp.237-241; 283-284
illustrated review (by Chris Gallant); credits

books-into-film; remakes; rats; opera; babies; phantom-of-the-opera