The Phantom of the Opera (miniseries)

The Phantom of the Opera
Official DVD cover
Created by	Saban Entertainment
Based on	The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Written by	Arthur Kopit Gaston Leroux (novel)
Directed by	Tony Richardson
Starring	Charles Dance Teri Polo Burt Lancaster
Theme music composer	John Addison
No. of episodes	2
Production
Producer(s)	Mitch Engel (associate) Gary Hoffman (executive) Ross Milloy Haim Saban (executive) Edgar J. Scherick (executive) William W. Wilson III (co-producer)
Editor(s)	Bob Lambert
Running time	168 minutes
Production company(s)	Saban Entertainment
Distributor	Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Budget	$10 million
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	March 18 – March 19, 1990

The Phantom of the Opera is a 1990 NBC two-part drama television miniseries directed by Tony Richardson and stars Charles Dance in the title role. It is adapted from Arthur Kopit's book for his then-unproduced stage musical Phantom, which is based loosely on Gaston Leroux's novel.

The Phantom of the Opera is a disfigured musician named Erik who lives below the Opéra Garnier in Paris. He has a large part in managing each performance through his friend Gerard Carriere. The Phantom's life changes when Carriere is dismissed and the opera hires a new manager, Choleti. Choleti's wife Carlotta is a spoiled woman with a bad personality and terrible voice; The Phantom takes an instant dislike to them both. Choleti and Carlotta refuse to listen to warnings about the "ghost" who haunts the opera house, even when Joseph Buquet, Carlotta's wardrobe man, goes into the depths of the opera house and is killed.

Christine Daae comes to the Paris Opera House to receive voice lessons that Phillipe, the Comte de Chagny promised her, learning that she is not the first pretty face Phillipe brought there. Carlotta dismisses her, but upon learning that Christine has a powerful patron lets Christine work in the costume department. Christine has no home or money, but Jean-Claude, the doorman, lets her stay in a storage room in the Opera House. Christine wanders onto the stage and sings to the empty theater. The Phantom is entranced by her voice. Hiding in the orchestra pit, he tells her that her voice is miraculous but untrained, and with proper technique her singing could reach its full potential. He offers to be her teacher, but must remain anonymous; that is why he wears a mask. They begin lessons, and the Phantom falls deeper in love with her.

In retaliation for Carlotta's singing the lead in every production, Erik begins a campaign of humiliation against her, sabotaging her performances and causing Carlotta to become a laughingstock. The Comte de Chagny learns that Christine has been working in the costume department. He apologizes and invites her to the Bistro. With Erik's encouragement, Christine attends the Bistro and sings. Everyone is astonished by her voice and Choleti signs her to a singing contract. Phillipe and Christine start to bond. The Count realizes Christine was his childhood sweetheart from long ago. Erik witnesses them driving off together and stays up all night in the rehearsal room, waiting for Christine. When she returns, she finds him gone.