In the grand Paris Opera House, rumors swirl about a mysterious figure haunting the underground chambers—a disfigured and reclusive man known as the Phantom of the Opera. His real name is Erik, a brilliant but tormented musician who lives in the shadows, striking fear into the staff with sudden appearances and ominous warnings.
Erik becomes obsessed with the young soprano Christine Daaé, believing her to be his artistic muse. He secretly mentors her rise to fame, manipulating events from behind the scenes. However, Christine is in love with Viscount Raoul de Chagny, and their romance ignites Erik’s jealousy.
When Christine rejects him, Erik abducts her and takes her to his hidden lair beneath the opera house, where he reveals his grotesque face and professes his love. Christine is torn between compassion for Erik and her devotion to Raoul. As chaos erupts above and a rescue mission unfolds, the story builds to a dramatic climax of passion, vengeance, and tragic humanity.
Directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney in a legendary performance, the film is a landmark of silent cinema and horror history, renowned for its haunting visuals and emotional depth.
Rupert Julian, born Thomas Percival Hayes on January 25, 1879, in Whangaroa, New Zealand, was a pioneering figure in silent cinema. After early work in theatre and film across New Zealand and Australia, he emigrated to the United States in 1911 and began acting for Universal Pictures.
In 1915, he transitioned to directing, producing a series of short films and dramas. Though initially seen as a routine director, he gained recognition in 1923 when he replaced Erich von Stroheim on Merry-Go-Round. In 1924, he directed Lon Chaney in the iconic The Phantom of the Opera, a landmark horror film that defined his legacy.
Julian was married to actress and director Elsie Jane Wilson, with whom he collaborated on several projects. With the arrival of sound cinema, his career declined sharply; after directing two sound films in 1930, he retired from filmmaking.
He passed away on December 27, 1943, in Hollywood, aged 64, and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California
