A mysterious masked man who lives under a Parisian opera house is obsessed with a young opera singer.

Maybe watching this film for the first time was karma for wading through so many terrible horror sequels recently.

Phantom is a glorious experience and has so many elements (acting, direction, photography, sets, the score, the use of colour and coloured washes to name but a few) that are pinpoint perfect.

Watch out for the masked ball scene which is one of the most beautiful sequences ever committed to film. The Phantom (wearing a skull mask) knows how to make an entrance.

The unmasking scene has entered pop culture history and still shocks today. Just imagine seeing that astounding make-up in 1925.

You’ll be astounded that this film is over 100 years old.

Glorious.

4.5 out of 5 stars