For Halloween, I decided to pick up The Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition, which I got for $15 or so from my local mass retailer. This is actually a 2 DVD set, which includes two versions of the film: the longer 1925 release version, as well as the re-release 1929 version.

I must admit, I’ve only watched the 1929 version, and have not absorbed the audio commentary or extras on the disks, but the high quality of the 1929 version alone merits purchase of this DVD. It is a beautiful restoration. From their blurb:

This deluxe 2-DVD package features both versions of the spine-tingling Chaney horror masterpiece: the longer 1925 original release (rarely available due to print quality issues) and the 1929 re-release, mastered from gorgeous original 35mm materials including the film’s famed Technicolor sequences. The 1925 version boasts a splendid score by composer Jon Mirsalis. The 1929 Phantom has a full orchestral score by the legendary Carl Davis as well as an alternate track with the never-before-available original Vitaphone soundtrack!

The print is just about as beautiful as you can imagine. Obviously they have worked hard to stabilize the image: there is no sprocket weave as is seen on many cheap transfers from old film. Tears, pops and other problems have been removed, and it just looks gorgeous. In particular, the Bal Masque and the scene atop the Paris Opera house are gorgeous uses of Technicolor. Amazing stuff from an early film.

Don’t settle for cheap public domain substitutes. Go spend your bucks. Worth it.

Addendum: IMDB has some additional commentary on the color processes used in early prints. Apparently the Bal Masque and Apollo’s Lyre sequences were filmed in an early two-color version of Technicolor. There were other prints in different early color processes. Good stuff.