IamErik771

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Lotte

I love the book and like the way the phantom is portrayed in it as an actual 'phantom' and mysterious figure. I don't like him being a 'man' in the movie as it takes away that mystery and magic that the phantom holds, however I'm not saying I don't like the movie. The musical is something completely spell binding and touching though and I love the music involved in the ALW show. Theres nothing that compares to seeing it live.
If I really had to choose though, I'd probably say the stage version is my fave :)

Samantha

I love ALW's movie version more than any other. I must watch it again soon.
When I first saw it, I watched it every night for 2 weeks.

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My name is Samantha. I'm the author of Life After Phantom: Opera Erotica, a thrilling novel. Details at www.LifeAfterPhantom.com

XxLe FantomexX

My Favorite, would probably be the ALW Musical...I've seen it twice, and, I tought it was AMAZING!! :)

coming in Second would be a close tie between the Leroux and Kay novels...

then third would be the 1925 with lon chaney...plus the 1990 miniseries, with Charles Dance...


my least favorite would be the 2004 movie...and the Dario Argento one...ugh!!!! >:(

I know...not much said...but I think I will look into some phan phic...hmmm.. :)

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Official Member of the M.C.I.F.A.
Michael Crawford International Fan Association One, Two, Freddy's coming for YOU!

Colonel Landa

I'm going to have to go with ALW's stage version as my favorite adaptation. The Chaney version definitely has its silent movie charms and I haven't really enjoyed any of the other movie versions, except maybe the 2004 version because it is the one that introduced me to the phandom. (Run-on sentence, hm?)

The music is enchanting and the mystery that is The Phantom simply excited the Romantic within me. Although flawed, it is a musical masterpiece. However, my hands down favorite Erik is the original Leroux!Erik. 1) He's, well, the original. 2) His insanity is amazing.

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KChan88

I'd have to say that the stage musical is my overall favorite. I've seen it twice; one of those two times was at Her Majesty's in London while I was there last summer, and I was astounded at what a wonderful production it was, even better than the US tour production I saw a few years ago, which I hadn't thought possible. I was first introduced to Phantom as a little girl when my friend made me listen to her parents' Original London Cast CD, so I imagine it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tied for second would be the original Leroux novel and the 2004 movie. I adore Leroux for coming up with the original story, and enjoy reading the novel over and over again. I also love the 2004 movie, despite it's faults (Erik's deformity in this one really bugs me) because I can watch it anytime I like, since I can't go see the stage musical anytime I like. I thought overall the film was very well done, and I can watch it over and over.

I've watched a few other Phantom films, but these three versions are by far my favs.

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"In this way, Raoul learned to love the same airs that had charmed Christine's childhood. They also both had the same calm and dreamy little cast of mind. They delighted in stories, in old Breton legends; and their favourite sport was to go and ask for them at the cottage-doors, like beggars."

Samantha

It's all a matter of individual taste. When I was little, I watched the 1925 Lon Chaney version on TV....It was scary to me, and I hated it.
That version stopped me from watching anything Phantom until 2005. When I finally watched the ALW movie with Gerard Butler, I was totally hooked.

Since then I've seen/read several variations. I saw the stage version in Las Vegas, but didn't like it at all,
because the Phantom was played by a guy that reminded me of the geeky 'Riddler' (Frank Gorshinin)
in the original Batman series starring Adam West. That was a BIG disappointment, but I still loved POTO.

I hated the movie version with Robert Englund, but I really liked the TV mini-series starring, Charles Dance and Burt Lancaster.
I've read a pile of Phantom novels and variations...including, of course, the original by Gaston Leroux, and Susan Kay's, which I love!

My favorite movie/stage version is still ALW's with Gerard Butler, but I want nothing to do with Love Never Dies,
because of the character assasinations and inconsistencies in the storyline.

My favorite novel version is my own, Life After Phantom: Opera Erotica. I hope someday it's made into a movie.

~Samantha~

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My name is Samantha. I'm the author of Life After Phantom: Opera Erotica, a thrilling novel. Details at www.LifeAfterPhantom.com

WanderingChild80

The movie with Gerry Butler

Nightingale

Favorite by far is Susan Kay's Phantom. For me I liked the storytelling through various POV and that went through his whole life. I was wrenched by that journey.

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"The only way to ensure a dream withstands the torrents of time is to lay the foundation in hard work and skills. Anything less and the accomplishment is not worth recognition."-Erik- from my novel ~Nightingale's Strain~
Follow the series Nightingale's Odyssey

ErikPhan

For me it's the Leroux novel and the 1925 silent version with Lon Chaney.
I'd like to hear the BBC radio adaptation, because from what I know via Phantom Reviews it's a good version, too :)