Although all the familiar elements are here, this version of the classic tale comes out as a highly-charged melodrama rather than the horror tale usually seen. Indeed, the tale as told here comes out more like Beauty and the Beast. Still, Charles Dance makes a dashing Phantom and Burt Lancaster convinces as his secret mentor. Teri Polo, as the girl the Phantom falls for is a bit limp, but undeniably pretty. In many respects this film turns the tale into soap and although there is tension and drama, there's no horror. It's well scripted and absorbing, but I for one would rather have the Claude Rains version.

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