A little trivia: It might interest you to know that the mannequin actually was her. They couldn't get the wax copy to look good enough, so they just had the actress pose completely still for that shot.

As far as I'm concerned, Erik is the most tragic character in all of literature. He loves Christine, but has no idea how to convey it. He desperately wants to be a part of the world that rejected him, and hopes that Christine will be his link to that world. He never developed any social skills, and so has no outlet for his genius. When Christine chooses Raul, He tries to hate her, but can't. In the end he can't reconcile his love for Christine with his own ambitions, and he lets her go. Tragic.

It's hard to believe he had no professional singing experience before this. He's amazing.

This shows that he is more of an actor than a singer. Rather than striving for the perfect note he instead fills the song with emotion, he becomes the Phantom.

4:21 "Oh, she just fainted. No worries, happens all the time. No reason to interrupt my singing."

Gerard Butler as the Phantom is absolutely beautiful.. It melts my heart. His voice. His face. His hair. Is it just me, or is it simply wonderful in every detail? Enchanting, by all means.

Gerard should just sit in my room and sing me to sleep. So beautiful.

She was a 17-year-old high school student when the film was made; 18 when it was released. How does a 17-year-old learn facial expressions of wonder and terror as she does in this film. And sing like angel. Amazing.

And that is how you bring a woman to the dark side.

This is my favorite scene in the whole movie because I enjoy seeing the Phantom pour his soul out for Christine to see. Beautiful.

I had NO IDEA Gerard Butler could sing, until this. It's surprising. He has a BEAUTIFUL voice.

If my stalker could sing like him, I'd be down.

I don't know why Christine didn't fall in love with him right then and there

seeing how Gerard Butler young was in this movie , I still can't believe he voices Hiccup's dad in How to train your dragon and I almost didn't recognize his voice almost

He is one of the best actors they could have chosen to play the phantom un my opinion he is amazing! 3

sexiest phantom EVER!!!!! I choose him over raoul any day

Am I the only one who can watch this over and over without getting tired of it? C'mon, it can't just be me. When he hits that high note, it's like... O.O

Something is just so haunting and beautiful about Gerard's version. It's not technically good like Ramin's but Gerard's voice is like velvet. This version has something magical that none of us(the one's who love this version) can explain...the curse of music.( and i know I'm just going to get ripped for just saying that but I don't care)

I showed this to a friend of mine who'd never seen Phantom and he said he'd never look at Gerard Butler the same way again...

This cracks me up...she goes from a freshly washed face in her dressing room to this black eyeshadow look during this song... Magic!

Love him. How can someone resist that man?!? Mutated face or not, I'd take him over raoul 100%. Somehow, it seems to make him look more attractive. And that voice... ;D He's so sweet and just wants to be loved. Even though he's a killer.. and also is insane. The world's cruelty made him that way. He's just lonely and extremely insecure.

"Turn your face away from the garish light of day," Gerard is THE perfect Phantom. Get chills everytime.

how can you possibly not love someone as that ?

He's hypnotizing her :)

I don't know why people say they dislike his voice. I think it's beautiful. Just because he isn't first and foremost and opera singer doesn't mean he can't sing at all.

I love the phantom's intensity. If you watch his eyes you can see the emotions he feels and you can feel his pain and love.

I've decided the part when she closes her eyes is foreshadowing for how she regrets choosing Raul... lol

I fell in love with the phantom. :)

I bet the phantom was the only person in the world who got to see THOSE bedroom eyes. I bet even Raoul couldn't get that look out of her. ;)

Gerard Butler's voice is amazing and he is a great actor!! I like him!!

That was the most beautiful part of the movie. In my opinion I believe this was the most romantic, sensous, passionate and sweet scene I've ever seen.

I love the rawness and emotion and even vulnerability in the way Gerard Butler sings and depicts the Phantom. So moving (albeit in a slightly creepy way, which I think is the intended effect!)

I believe that this is the best song in the whole movie. Every time I listen to this specific song my eyes tear up, his voice is beautiful and smooth...

I believe being creepy was the point. But you have to love him anyway.

I knew he was talented, but I never knew he could sing like this, until I saw this movie. His voice, his acting makes your heart ache for this Phantom that he plays so well...

Me: I shall be productive today and make all of my homework! Phantom of the opera videos: Lol, nope. *CAPE SWOOSH*

When I first saw this I was waiting for the moment he takes off his clothes and has the spartan armor on and scream ''THIS IS OPERA!!!''

He got so much criticism but had we (the people) had our chance to vote.. WE LOVE HIS VOICE and his interpretation of Erik... Gerry please keep on singing to us.. we love you,, and your voice.

No one can play 'PHANTOM ' the way gerard can...seriously.

I sure would have chosen to sing the music of the night with this gorgeous man..for life ;)

Everytime im bored studying, playing or.drawing, i always accompany it with this music. Cause it makes u feel sad yet happy mood.

Gerard Butler will always be the best Phantom in my eyes. Such feeling, such singing *.*

I think Gerry did a wonderfu job. I spent the first thirty years of my life with music.I am a retired concert violinist and I've heard many people sing this song and I can say that without a doubt, Gerry Butler did a better job than a lot of the other singers did in the same role.

I just love Gerard's Phantom. So raw yet beautiful. Ramin has a very good voice (an angel's voice) but as you can see, in the book/movie, Phantom had no formal lessons/trainings on opera, so I think Gerard's voice is more suited for Phantom! Loved Ramin and JoJ, too, btw! :)

Gerard Butler really does put so much feeling into his singing its incredible.

He was about 32 at the time and she was 16 when filming began. When they went out in public together, they had a chaperone. Emmy turned 17 during filming and was old enough to consent to the "Grope" scene, we see here...in all it's beautiful romance...and commented about having to wear those tight corsets that the real original Christine, from the 1800's had to wear. She commented that she could hardly breathe at times, after 14 hrs a day in them. Great production by Joel for 90 million pounds.

I like erik (phantom) soooo much better. Raoul is simply the lovesick puppydog of a childhood sweetheart. Erik is the tortured genius shunned and driven to madness by the cruel world for something he had no control over, the man who fell in love with a woman's voice before her, and trusted her with his heart, his music, a man willing to kill for her. Slightly twisted? yes. Slightly creepy? yes. but evil? hell no!

I listen to all types of music, from dubstep to pop to classical, but nothing moves me more than broadway music. the amount of emotion that they add to a beautiful story is truly stunning. I saw this live in New York as a young child, and I have never, and will never, forget it.

Out of everyone who's ever sang this song I've always felt that this guy did the best interpretation of it. Unlike all the other people who just sing it loudly and think they can get away with it.

*sigh...never gets old ♥

Notice that when he says, "Open up your mind! Let your fantasies unwind..." at 2:29, she looks down at his crotch. It's those little nuances that really bring these types of performances to life. It's a very sensual song.

damn he held that last note like a pro!

Gerard carried the mask better than any of the other actors that played Erik. They are good in their own way but crawford freaked me out and ramin's voice wasn't dark enough. Gerard knows how to be dark and dangerous. Plus....he's so cute!

he's not a sociopath. He's just irrevocably in love with Christine and he'll do anything to be with her. That's an admirable fact. And he's not creepy. He's just intense.

Also 3:07 OH MY GOSH.

Re-correction. Respect for a man who sang that song flawlessly in his audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber himself.

In my opinion, I think Gerard is veri underrated in this role, I personally think he did a fantastic job at it!! I can never understand why there are so many people judged him wiv so many -ve comments...I like his voice in this song as well as the Phantom!! Even if his look is not taken into account and just listen to his voice, he has one of the most passionate, sexy and beautiful voice!! How can others ALWAYS bashing about his voice and ignore all the strength he has!?:(

im learning to sing this song and surprising my fiancé with it at our wedding reception

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Yes he did. He used to play in a band with some of his mates when he was a lawyer, or before that. He had 24 extra singing lessons to get it right for this movie. ALWebber wanted his voice, a slightly rock n' roll ballad type voice and Emmy sang her part too. She was ballet and singing trained since she was 4 or 6yrs old and is the most perfect Christine ever.

i watched this movie in choir last year, and every time the Phantom sang, especially this song, i was like in a trace much like Christine appeared to be. I just stared at the screen in complete awe. I'm still in awe when ever i hear or see this movie. Gerard Butler portrayed the Phantom very well.

I was mesmerized by Eric and his voice to begin with. Then when I found out it was Gerard Butler...BOOM! When a good looking man can sing with such beauty.

I've always pitied the Phantom and favored him. I dont know why but he attracts me:)

This just gives me shivers everytime I watch it; the play version is okay, and I know that's where it came from, but since this was the first version I ever saw, it really touches me differently. :) :,)

for not being a trained singer, Gerard does admirably. I love how his voice is soft and flows over the words. But Ramin has more power and i love his look more then Gerard's. Nothing about his appearance is frightening or off putting. He looks like a gorgeous man in a mask.

love this movie, Gerard was the best. So crazy seductive and sexy and the strength in his voice is amazing. Gives me chills every time.

Ok. wow. he can definitely cure the random insomnia I get at times

SPOILERS IF U HAVE NOT SEEN LOVE NEVER DIES:..Christine didn't choose Raoul, she chose the Phantom. Watch Love Never Dies. Christine is amazing. Her and the Phantom end up having a child. The Phantom is in love with her, wants to give her everything she needs, while Raoul doesn't care. He wants it his way. It's so obvious Christine and the Phantom were meant to be. Even the Little Lotte scene, Raoul doesn't give her freedom. Then the Phantom helps her. (Love you, Gerard and Ben!)

This song has an inexplicable effect on me. It makes my heart swell and my blood slow in anticipation of each note, each word. It's beautiful in every sense of the word, and it possesses my very soul every time I listen to it.

Respect the man who can hit that high note

Gerard will always be remembered for this movie and song.

the lyrics of this song are so seductive

Sometimes I fall asleep to it because it's so beautiful!!! And Gerard Butler is an amazing phantom!!

Thank you for this beautiful post. It really inspired me to sing this and also some more show songs. Gerard Butler was awesome as the phantom in this clip. My very best regards.

Around 3:30 - did he cop a feel? Phantom/Gerard Butler... My heart always bleeds for him, the character...one of my all-time favorite love stories!

every woman deserves to be serenaded like this :)

He moves like a cat--all wound up with desire, but holding it in check, just barely. Rowrrrrr!

She had such a beautiful & soulful connection to him. I would have been more interested in what this relationship turned out to be, more than Christine & Raoul's.

i love this version mainly because Gerard Butler can sing like a champ

some women secretly desire to be possesed, even if only in theory. and if that man looks like Gerard Butler..oh, well! sorry Raoul ;)

Gerard Butler, your voice is very surprisingly magnificent. Lovely.

Christine looks like she's smitten completely

Same here!! They picked the right people to be in this movie!! :)

his voice, it freaking touches my heart each time

to me this powerful song tells about the beauty and greatness of darkness

I was holding my breath watching this for some reason :P

God he makes an amazing Phantom. His voice is beautiful 3

This song and scene gives me chills! I love Gerard Butler even more that I know he can sing!

Gerald Butler was an amazing Phantom. thats all i have to say

I have been singing this since I was a very little girl. I saw the show live when I was about six, and was in love with it ever since. Only shows, the darkness is not something to fear, but to embrace and let it betroth you. What I thought was beautiful in the light, turned to be foolish and cross. The dark reveals the true beauty you cannot see with your eyes. 3

did anyone realize that raoul didnt notice christine until he heard and saw as the star of the show. but notice how the phantom make an appearance in her dressing room i think he got jealous of the fact that the phantom had such a powerful hold on her that he created the idea that the phantom was dangerous sort of like gaston in beauty and the beast but in the phantom raoul was weak

I love the part when he said "me!" in a powerful voice.

Words cant express how relaxing this song is.

1:48... Oh lord have mercy...

his voice actually makes me melt

I have never seen this movie, but I am going to read the book. This song really makes me shiver. Plus the phantom's high note was really great! Love Opera!

Ramin is my favorite Phantom, but I will always love Gerard Butler in this movie. He was my first Phantom and I think he did a great job.

Love this song and Gerard's singing

Yes. there is something to be said to be with a man who needs you as much as he wants you. There's just something undeniably romantic about a man who thinks a woman is his everything.

Gerard Butler can be my phantom any day.