The Phantom's End: Exploring Various Conclusions in Adaptations

The tale of The Phantom of the Opera has captivated audiences for decades across various media, from stage to screen. Each adaptation brings its own unique perspective and interpretation of the Phantom's fate, particularly at the end. Here, we delve into the different versions to understand how the story concludes in each.

Pre-2000 Versions

The popular story of The Phantom of the Opera has many iterations. One fascinating version is the 1925 film directed by Robert Florey and starring Lon Chaney. In this adaptation, the Phantom attempts to escape with Christine in a horse-drawn carriage. Trapped and pursued, he lies to the mob, telling them he has a bomb. When they beat him to death, his body is tossed into the Seine river.

1943 Version and Beyond

A different ending is seen in the 1943 film starring Claude Rains. In this version, the Phantom dies in the underground catacombs of the Paris Opera House when falling debris kills him. Another adaptation, the 1962 film with Herbert Lom, has the Phantom trying to protect Christine from a falling chandelier.

The 1998 and 2004 Versions

Two more recent adaptations touch on different scenarios. The 1998 version directed by Dario Argento, with Julian Sands as the Phantom, has an intense end where the Phantom is shot, stabbed, and falls into a lake, drowning. The 2004 movie version, with Gerard Butler as the Phantom, has a much quieter closing: Christine marries Raoul and they are happy. After her death, the Phantom places a flower on her grave, and the film ends.

The Stage Play Adaptation

The stage version of The Phantom of the Opera provides a stark conclusion. At the end of Act 2, the Phantom's heart is shattered because Christine has chosen Raoul as her true love, not because of his looks. He allows the lovers to leave and disappear into thin air while her mother approaches. His mask remains, suggesting a different outcome for him. A tragedy indeed.

The Original Book and Its Conclusions

For those familiar with the original book by Gaston Leroux, the Phantom meets his end in a romantic, if tragic, death. However, the film versions add their own twists, such as the 2004 movie hinting that the Phantom may still be alive as an old man. Other works, like the 1995 sequel "The Phantom of Manhattan" by another author, have their own conclusions. Though I haven't delved into the novel, I've read about the musical adaptation "Love Never Dies" by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which isn't the original writer's work.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Each version of The Phantom of the Opera offers a unique perspective on the Phantom's end. From drowning to disappearing, these endings keep the story compelling and revisitable. The stage and film adaptations, particularly Above All and Love Never Dies, provide endless fascination with what could have been and what might still come to be. The Phantom's story is not just about the love for Christine but also about the lasting power of a tragic, intense, and haunting persona that captivates and continues to captivate audiences.