TrenchcoatWallflower This wasn’t his last show, though. His last performance as the Phantom was either in 1990 or 1991 in the LA production, and that’s when he changed the line to the past tense.
Michael Crawford will forever BE the Phantom for me. The absolute anguish in his voice as he sings "Christine I love you," completely tears at my heart every time. I was lucky enough to see him perform Phantom on Broadway back when I was 15 years old, and it was one of the greatest ever. I wish I could see a complete recording of him performing Phantom once again, because there is NO ONE better.
Oh, my sweet Steve Barton. I feel bad that he died so young. He was a great Raoul. I don't think I've ever heard a more epic and perfectly blended vocal cast. I've seriously cry when I hear Crawford's performance. He is the most natural actor I have ever seen. None of the other Phantom's can EVER come close. I envy those who have seen him live. He's my favorite actor of all time. I got into 'Phantom' 23 years ago b/c I LOVE listening to his voice.
I went to his last performance 1991 in London, Tickets were being exchanged at £1000 for his last night. I kept mine,amazing show.Crawford and Brightman will never be bettered in my eyes.
@Hornet46 The person I hear crying is Michael. He did at every performance and it was real. He says he really did every time during this scene, and it's known that he really became the Phantom and stayed in character the whole time, even when offstage. Dale Kristien who played Christine the longest with him says Crawford had her in tears, too. He tore her heart out, and she couldn't help it.
When I watch this scene, especially done SO wonderfully as it is by Michael and the others, I'm reminded why I believe the ALW Phantom of the Opera story should end HERE. It's over, the music of the night. The Phantom is devastated but has done the unselfish thing and let the woman he loves go. He is, at least in part, redeemed for his previous actions. The story does NOT start up again 10 years later at Coney Island.
Yes - letting Christine go is the Phantom's redeeming moment. Love Never Dies just totally destroys it. The ending to the Phantom of the Opera is beautiful and devastating and perfect, so in my mind that's where the story ends.
I don't care what others think...Micheal Crawford is still the best Phantom I've ever heard. Him and the other cast members of the Original London Cast recording of this was the reason I was hooked onto the story so much. So thanks, you have me something to live by and to connect to.
If a time machine is ever invented in my time I will go back in time and see the very first performance in London and people will be thinking I'm crazy because I'll be singing along.
Same. I despise the antiWhite musical theatre but I love the OG POTO. Also John Owen Jones with Katie Hall. The saddest thing is that John & Katie could've have been the 25th concert cast if wasn't for that mercenary scumbag cameron mackintosh and Webber's nonsense fanfiction.
Phantom: You have to live with me FOREVER Christine: *kisses him* Phantom: OK actually you can go Christine: Wasn't it good for you? Am I a bad kisser?
My entire being wishes that I could have seen Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman play Phantom and Christine live and experience all these emotions in that wonderful "Opera Populaire". :')
3:09 OMG, THAT is what gets me most of all (even though the "I love you" after it is heartbreaking, too)! Hearing him whimper, "Christine?" as he reaches to take her hand is SO SAD!!!!! He sounds like a little boy pleading for love. (Hugs Erik)
I never had the privilige of seeing Michael Crawford perform the Phantom, save for a few clips from the time. I have loved this show since it came out (and the story itself even longer), and seeing this clip almost instantly reduced me to tears. Michael Crawford is THE Phantom of the Stage. Thank you so much for posting this. :')
No but seriously This is heartbreaking I guess he was just giving Christine a choice instead of forcing her, and hoped she would stay of her own free will but she didn't
+thelouisfanclub The way i see it, Christine showing him the compassion he never got from everyone else showed him the error of his ways. It's like he realizes even as a big of a monster he was (cuz of his actions) she still pitied him. Christine calls him out on his horrible deeds are not because of his face. He had no real reason to kill Bouquet or Piangi. Also, he tried to kill Christine, other cast members and even audience members by dropping the chandelier. Christine was bowing as it fell and Raoul pulls her out of the way (usually). He also threatens war on Christine and Raoul but then believes it is all Raoul's fault. Then because he doesn't think Christine will willingly be with him, he will force her to be with him. To be honest, I think if Christine would have said yes to the Phantom he would have killed Raoul anyway (In the book Christine says she will stay with him but he lies and goes to kill Raoul and a man known as the Persian but Christine begs him to save them and he does). So Phantom (or Erik if we want to use the name in the book) wakes up and realizes... wow I am hurting someone I love and scaring her to death and basically saying, "Even after everything I did, lying, killing, threatening, physical harm (he does push Christine around a bit in the Finale) you are still are nice to me! I don't deserve your kindness." So he let's her go to be happy with Raoul. He confesses he loves her it's too late for anything to come of it. The best part though is when he disappears because it makes you wonder if maybe... MAYBE he was a spirit and the mystery makes the ending so much better.
Yes, you're right, but I think at this particular moment he seems to hope - that even though he let her go, she won't want to go.. (but of course she does. Of course. The Phantom is insane.)
+thelouisfanclub I think that's what makes it all the better and makes so many people want the Phantom to have a happy ending with Christine because it is so heartbreaking. I think if it ended differently it wouldn't be as big of an emotional impact. Also, I don't think I or a lot of other people would accept it.
"I think if it ended differently it wouldn't be as big of an emotional impact." I liked your take on it, PrincessAries. Also, what I quoted. Exactly! I never did understand the fanfiction type shipping, even as a 12 year old when I first started liking (ok, loving) this story and character. The ending IS pretty much what makes it, to me. And yes it's tragic and heartbreaking and all but, maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but that's what sublimates the story. There's no way Christine actually should have chosen/stayed with him, I mean come on lol. I didn't really think that through as a kid though, I just know the whole cathartic and redemptive arc is perfect as it is, as far as the ending goes. I always felt that was the best possible ending the character could get, at least at the stage/place in his life he was in when the story happens. (If things had ever gone better earlier, of course, perhaps it all could have and should have ended way differently). But by then, he was a kind of monster and was too "far gone"...getting that moment of closeness, compassion, love AND redemption....the chance to do the right thing, the sacrifice of it all, for the one he truly loved....that is the best note to end on. That idea might be a little more obvious in the book when he literally goes on about dying of love and God giving him all the happiness the world could offer...lol...but still, in the musical, too, the redemptive arc is essential. The sad part is, yes, he is still alone and it's sad that this kind of ending IS the best kind of ending for him. if he'd been loved and accepted and guided well and given the opportunity to be a valued member of society, he could have had so much more. The tragedy, to me, is his entire life story, not the ending. But it's still sad, obviously, for him to be left alone crying on stage while they ride off into the (sort of) sunset. But alas, alas, again, that was the right thing for him to do and the best thing for him to do, given what his life had been and what it had become, and he got that moment of "love."
I've seen several different productions live, including Broadway, and dozens of clips of different shows, and every actor after Michael overacts the part so much that a great deal of the character is lost. Every single one.
oh my gosh... this... I've always wanted to try out for Christine's part..... but no one can get this level of emotion like Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.
oh man..my aunt took me to see this back in 1988. It was so powerful to me, even as young as I was (I was 14), Now that I've lived a bit since then, and been through some stuff..it's even more powerful. I know what it's like to give up someone you love because you know that they'll be far happier without you (or with someone else). While the Phantom isn't entirely as sympathetic a character as some..I still feel for the guy. Thanks for this upload.
Thank you for posting this! I was lucky enough to see this in '88 when I was in college. Michael Crawford was amazing!!!!!!! (And R.I.P. Steve Barton, who played Raoul.)
Yes it made me cry too....this has to be one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the history of musical theatre. I wish I could have seen Michael and Sarah live, they are both magnificent and without them, this show might never have become the mega hit it now is
Michael Crawford inspired me to play the Phantom! I love Michael Crawford as the Phantom! He by far owns the role! I love how he holds out the 'night' line before he disappears!
Wow, this is great. I watched this show as a tech geek for all the effects but some of those melodies just draw you in. Michael and Sarah are amazing performers. My favourite Phantom performances are from the originals (Colm Wilkinson in the pre show workshop and Toronto, Michael Crawford in West End and Broadway). Has anyone else seen a young Michael Crawford in the 1960s film version of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with Zero Mostel and Buster Keaton? He’s been at it for a while.
I love A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, have since I was a kid! Blew me away when I found out he originated the role of the Phantom (in this musical, I mean.) Now I'm obsessed.
@highoctaneadventure: You forgot to mention - besides being in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' ( 1966, Comedy/Musical, with Zero Mostel and Buster Keaton, ) Michael Crawford was also in 'How I Won the War' [ 1967, Comedy/War, with famed The Beatles composer/singer John Lennon ( in his only non-musical acting role, ) ] as well as 'Hello, Dolly!' [ 1969 ( actually released late 1968, ) Musical/Comedy/Romance, based on the Broadway musical, with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, directed by Gene Kelly. ]
If he had a falling out with Webber, it wasn't for long. He worked in Webber's The Woman in White and The Wizard of Oz in the last few years, and ALW personally "dragged" him into the theater in NYC for the POTO passes Cats Gala when Michael saw the show for the first time. They are probably not bff, but they are on a friendly basis.
Ah how can you not start to cry when MC balls up here at the end. Andrew Lloyd Weber found buried treasure in his voice, he'll forever be the only true "Angle of Music" in my book. Of course there have been many other fantastic Phantoms over the years, but none can pull your hearts strings like MC's he was brilliant at it. I was born September 5 1986 a month before the London Phantom permitted in London and 16 months before Broadway. What I'd give to go back in time and see MC as the Phantom as I was way to young to see him when he was the Phantom. Oh well at lest I have a small taste of what I must have been like to see him as Phantom what an amazing voice. I don't think I'd go with ether Raoul or the Phantom. However the Phantom is way more interesting and fascinating then Raoul could ever hope to be and when I see the show in the theater I can't take my eyes off of him. I don't condone the murdering or crazed rage he has however I can understand where it comes from. Being an abused child just for his facial birth defect etc I can understand the deep hurt and rage of "I'm a person not an animal I have feelings just because I have a deformed face dosn't mean I can't feel" sort of mind set etc.
Thank you for this, I have to revisit it every so often. Crawford's entire play used to be here, but was forced off. The original Phantom and still the most brilliant portrayal.
***** IKR!! I'm so happy that i'm not the only one. :) The first musical was already sad enough for me!! But have you ever thought about what would have happened if Christine decided to stay with the phantom? o.o
The second one is not bad, guys. It's just different from 'Phantom', but that's because even sequels can differ from it's original source. That's not a bad thing. And honestly? I think the Australian production does it better that London. Though Ramin Karimloo totally nailed he ballad perfectly.
The second one is fine, it's just got other things than 'Phantom'. And that's not a bad thing. Regardless, 'Phantom' still remains one of the best-loved musicals ever, so don't let anything ruin it for you. ;)
By far the best Phantom of all time....this part is my favorite by far and the "i love you" part was definitely unique and very heartwrenching indeed. I would do anything for someone to love me that deeply :)
@WilliamT1964 William, I saw Michael Crawford in NYC once, and in LA 7 times. He IS the ONLY PHANTOM - there were such subtle nuances in his performance of this role. Joel Schumacher made a tragic mistake in not casting Michael Crawford in his movie. Thanks to people who have taken the time to post these videos, we have a flavor of this brilliant man!
Thank you for uploading! Thank you! I always wanted to see the original cast together live. Michael Crawford is much more passionate live than the CDs.
I saw this on Broadway...4th row, center stage. Not with Michael Crawford though. I bawled my eyes out during this scene. I love Michael and would have given anything to have seen him as the Phantom. To me, he IS the Phantom. I am thrilled that this, even with the poor quality, is with Michael and Sarah. I love Andrew Lloyd Weber and this is his crowning glory. I don't think anyone or anything else could ever top this. This is perfection.
I will always regret not taking the opportunity to see Michael on Broadway, but at least videos like this exist. He's just heart-breaking; everytime I see this, tears run down my face. I always cry when I see POTO, admittedly, but no one portrays the Phantom like Michael. It's not just a role to him - he genuinely loves the man and it shows.
I don't believe that he is unrated in the least however his fallout with Webber does make it seem so. There will never be another play like this, I was so touched as music and theater should do. The love, the loss, the grief and the pain, all so intense yet so alive as it touched me so and does till this day!
Michael I love you ! :) what an amazing performance, the one true Phantom of the Opera. Wish I could have seen him live, but this is the next best thing.
If you listen closely, or perhaps it is just me...You can hear someone crying after the Phantom says, "I love you!" all brokenly... Oh, how touching this scene is. And Michael....No one, repeat, no one, can ever match his quality, his depth, his true phantom. He IS the phantom of the opera...He breaks my heart every time, brings tears streaming down my cheeks every time, leaves me wanting to hear him sing more every time. He is pure genius.
while they were singing all i ask of you, when they were going away in the boat, and he cries "I LOVE YOU" i felt soo bad!! it made my heart break a little
Such poor quality and I can still feel a lot more than when watching a high quality performance, he's my favorite and by far!, I want to watch this in at least medium quality :'(
When I saw Phantom for the fourth time, I felt my heart swell up a bit when he says "I love you! " and then "You alone can make my song take fliiight. Its over now. The Music of the Night" I just literally cry ! I mean, Phantom's not one of the shows that can make me do that. I love this show so much. And when Phantom does 25th, they better film it cause its the worlds greatest love story. ever written.
Christine: *Gives him her ring* Phantom: "Christine, I loved you..." *Whimper* Christine: *Runs off to Raoul* Raoul: "Say you'll share with me-" Phantom: *Screaming into the dress* "COCKBLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK"
I'm pretty sure, out of all the video performances of any actor that is posted on UA-cam, and including the Phantoms I've seen, Mr. Crawford is the only Phantom to make me cry this much. I wish I could have watched his entire performance when it was posted here, but oh well. This is amazing.
Love Never Dies is based off the book Phantom of Manhattan, so I wouldn't get worked up about it. It's charming like the book and haas some nice songs.
@StripedTerror521 Me too! Omg how could she leave him like that? Especially after hearing that whimper? I would have TOTALLY been like: Raoul, he needs me more than you and then run back and been like it's ok! Here! I love you too! *smooch* But...yeah...XDDDD
First, you should never assume what you think I was thinking or doing. I know very well what I commented on. If you FIRST read the book to get a FULL grasp of the story in which the PLAY was made after, you will understand it. You also need to remember that it is just a story, NOT real life. Yes, murder is wrong...period. There may be many reasons on why the Phantom chose to kill Joseph Buquet (the stagehand).
If anyone hates the sequel, then just think of the original novel's ending as canon (technically it is) The Phantom disappears, but dies not long after giving up Christine (of a broken heart). Christine and Raoul disappear too, last seen at the shore where they first met, though Christine does return to the Opera House later and buries the Phantom's remains. No Coney Island. No prostitute Meg (she becomes a Baroness). No drunk Raoul. No dead Christine.
I get why people got emotional to this video but it didn't do anything for me. Maybe that's because I'm not familiar with the story. I don't know! 🤷♂️
Please don't make the same mistake I did. I was born and raised on the original London cast. After I saw one of Crawford's last performances in L.A. (I was around 9), I swore I'd never see another Phantom, because he was always THE Phantom. Over 20 years later, I finally quite being a stubborn ass and watched clips of other Phantoms. Some weren't great, but most were really amazing. I especially love Hugh Panaro. He reminds me a lot of Crawford, but still very unique. I'm so very sad I missed out on his run. Please, get out there and see it live. There's nothing like seeing a musical up close and personal. It's amazing. :)
Apparently the majority of the theater going public and POTO lovers share that sentiment, as do I. LND hasn't really fared all that well, since it closed last August in London. They kept trying to rewrite and make changes, but it wasn't enough to save the show. It can't compare well to the original POTO which had the definitive ending. LND just seems a travesty, despite a couple of good songs.
You must have thought you were on another site. No one on here is talking about the book. These are posts related to a particular scene contained in the PLAY. Regardless of the context, murder is wrong, period. Since you are so literate with regard to the Phantom, tell me; did either of the people he murdered in the play abuse him?
In fact, in the original book by Gaston Leroux, the phantom dies after letting go Christine, and I always liked to see this ending (the musical ending) as a metaphor of the Phantom's death. He vanishes from this world...Love Never Dies is not only an insult to Leroux's beautiful love story, is the perfect way of ruining the musical ending.
Ive now seen 3 different videos claiming to be his last performance but him screaming i love you into the veil is different each time so idk what to believe lol
Michael Sarah and the wonderful Steve Barton were just perfect! John Owen-Jones and Katie Hall were closest match to them and they should have been the 25th anniversary. I despise ALW for what he did.
Notice Crawford's changing of the words to " Christine, I loved you."
I am literally in tears.
I don't think so, I'm pretty sure it's "I love you" present tense.
Crawford changed the line for his final performance.
Google User It was his final performance; that was why he changed the line. To conclude it.
TrenchcoatWallflower This wasn’t his last show, though. His last performance as the Phantom was either in 1990 or 1991 in the LA production, and that’s when he changed the line to the past tense.
Yeah no that was what he did in his last performance forever, not in this one
Michael Crawford will forever BE the Phantom for me. The absolute anguish in his voice as he sings "Christine I love you," completely tears at my heart every time. I was lucky enough to see him perform Phantom on Broadway back when I was 15 years old, and it was one of the greatest ever. I wish I could see a complete recording of him performing Phantom once again, because there is NO ONE better.
I saw in him in L.A. in 1990.
Oh, my sweet Steve Barton. I feel bad that he died so young. He was a great Raoul. I don't think I've ever heard a more epic and perfectly blended vocal cast. I've seriously cry when I hear Crawford's performance. He is the most natural actor I have ever seen. None of the other Phantom's can EVER come close. I envy those who have seen him live. He's my favorite actor of all time. I got into 'Phantom' 23 years ago b/c I LOVE listening to his voice.
I knew Steve Barton. He was a good man!
Jason Voorhees He seems so cute and adorable and cuddly. :-) His voice is so soothing. I felt really bad when I learned what happened.
Psybur go look at his versions of the Phantom. He sound WAY DIFFERENT
Jason Voorhees He played the Phantom sometimes?!
Psybur oh yeah! He was The Phantom for some time
Dear god, no other phantom I've seen has made me cry like that. The "I love you!' when Christine and Raoul were singing was just heartbreaking!
The ending of this musical is so perfect.
One of the few musicals that has never needed changes, it's perfectly written, story and music. Epic and beautiful!!!
His last little "I love you" muffled by the veil and his voice cracking....
*I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING*
The sadness in his voice...
Yes I am--and so are you.
Michael Crawford will always be the best Phantom.
I went to his last performance 1991 in London, Tickets were being exchanged at £1000 for his last night. I kept mine,amazing show.Crawford and Brightman will never be bettered in my eyes.
Crawford wasn't in London in 1991....he was more than likely in LA.
@Hornet46 The person I hear crying is Michael. He did at every performance and it was real. He says he really did every time during this scene, and it's known that he really became the Phantom and stayed in character the whole time, even when offstage. Dale Kristien who played Christine the longest with him says Crawford had her in tears, too. He tore her heart out, and she couldn't help it.
When I watch this scene, especially done SO wonderfully as it is by Michael and the others, I'm reminded why I believe the ALW Phantom of the Opera story should end HERE. It's over, the music of the night. The Phantom is devastated but has done the unselfish thing and let the woman he loves go. He is, at least in part, redeemed for his previous actions.
The story does NOT start up again 10 years later at Coney Island.
Yes - letting Christine go is the Phantom's redeeming moment. Love Never Dies just totally destroys it. The ending to the Phantom of the Opera is beautiful and devastating and perfect, so in my mind that's where the story ends.
I don't care what others think...Micheal Crawford is still the best Phantom I've ever heard. Him and the other cast members of the Original London Cast recording of this was the reason I was hooked onto the story so much. So thanks, you have me something to live by and to connect to.
If a time machine is ever invented in my time I will go back in time and see the very first performance in London and people will be thinking I'm crazy because I'll be singing along.
Claire same here i know all the songs to this so it will annoy everyone
C totally agree !!!
Same. I despise the antiWhite musical theatre but I love the OG POTO. Also John Owen Jones with Katie Hall. The saddest thing is that John & Katie could've have been the 25th concert cast if wasn't for that mercenary scumbag cameron mackintosh and Webber's nonsense fanfiction.
Phantom: You have to live with me FOREVER
Christine: *kisses him*
Phantom: OK actually you can go
Christine: Wasn't it good for you? Am I a bad kisser?
Phantom: "No, I just wanted to suck your soul out of your head".
Erik: The secret dementer
+Don Carlson WTF?!
They're called tictaks, Christine
My entire being wishes that I could have seen Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman play Phantom and Christine live and experience all these emotions in that wonderful "Opera Populaire". :')
3:09 OMG, THAT is what gets me most of all (even though the "I love you" after it is heartbreaking, too)! Hearing him whimper, "Christine?" as he reaches to take her hand is SO SAD!!!!! He sounds like a little boy pleading for love. (Hugs Erik)
Sarah's voice is so beautiful here, like a diamond. It is almost bell-like. Such an interesting and appealing vocal quality.
Sim, maravilhosa!🎶
I never had the privilige of seeing Michael Crawford perform the Phantom, save for a few clips from the time. I have loved this show since it came out (and the story itself even longer), and seeing this clip almost instantly reduced me to tears. Michael Crawford is THE Phantom of the Stage. Thank you so much for posting this. :')
No but seriously
This is heartbreaking
I guess he was just giving Christine a choice instead of forcing her, and hoped she would stay of her own free will
but she didn't
+thelouisfanclub The way i see it, Christine showing him the compassion he never got from everyone else showed him the error of his ways. It's like he realizes even as a big of a monster he was (cuz of his actions) she still pitied him. Christine calls him out on his horrible deeds are not because of his face. He had no real reason to kill Bouquet or Piangi. Also, he tried to kill Christine, other cast members and even audience members by dropping the chandelier. Christine was bowing as it fell and Raoul pulls her out of the way (usually). He also threatens war on Christine and Raoul but then believes it is all Raoul's fault. Then because he doesn't think Christine will willingly be with him, he will force her to be with him. To be honest, I think if Christine would have said yes to the Phantom he would have killed Raoul anyway (In the book Christine says she will stay with him but he lies and goes to kill Raoul and a man known as the Persian but Christine begs him to save them and he does). So Phantom (or Erik if we want to use the name in the book) wakes up and realizes... wow I am hurting someone I love and scaring her to death and basically saying, "Even after everything I did, lying, killing, threatening, physical harm (he does push Christine around a bit in the Finale) you are still are nice to me! I don't deserve your kindness." So he let's her go to be happy with Raoul. He confesses he loves her it's too late for anything to come of it. The best part though is when he disappears because it makes you wonder if maybe... MAYBE he was a spirit and the mystery makes the ending so much better.
Yes, you're right, but I think at this particular moment he seems to hope - that even though he let her go, she won't want to go.. (but of course she does. Of course. The Phantom is insane.)
+thelouisfanclub I think that's what makes it all the better and makes so many people want the Phantom to have a happy ending with Christine because it is so heartbreaking. I think if it ended differently it wouldn't be as big of an emotional impact. Also, I don't think I or a lot of other people would accept it.
"I think if it ended differently it wouldn't be as big of an emotional impact."
I liked your take on it, PrincessAries. Also, what I quoted. Exactly! I never did understand the fanfiction type shipping, even as a 12 year old when I first started liking (ok, loving) this story and character. The ending IS pretty much what makes it, to me. And yes it's tragic and heartbreaking and all but, maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but that's what sublimates the story. There's no way Christine actually should have chosen/stayed with him, I mean come on lol. I didn't really think that through as a kid though, I just know the whole cathartic and redemptive arc is perfect as it is, as far as the ending goes. I always felt that was the best possible ending the character could get, at least at the stage/place in his life he was in when the story happens. (If things had ever gone better earlier, of course, perhaps it all could have and should have ended way differently). But by then, he was a kind of monster and was too "far gone"...getting that moment of closeness, compassion, love AND redemption....the chance to do the right thing, the sacrifice of it all, for the one he truly loved....that is the best note to end on. That idea might be a little more obvious in the book when he literally goes on about dying of love and God giving him all the happiness the world could offer...lol...but still, in the musical, too, the redemptive arc is essential. The sad part is, yes, he is still alone and it's sad that this kind of ending IS the best kind of ending for him. if he'd been loved and accepted and guided well and given the opportunity to be a valued member of society, he could have had so much more. The tragedy, to me, is his entire life story, not the ending. But it's still sad, obviously, for him to be left alone crying on stage while they ride off into the (sort of) sunset. But alas, alas, again, that was the right thing for him to do and the best thing for him to do, given what his life had been and what it had become, and he got that moment of "love."
For ever the best Phantom and the best Christine ♥
I've seen several different productions live, including Broadway, and dozens of clips of different shows, and every actor after Michael overacts the part so much that a great deal of the character is lost. Every single one.
yeah they make it so hammy and stupid like every other musical
michael is a real actor who can sing well, a gem for a complex character like this
Lancer525 I agree, the other performances are over the be top, caricatures of what should be a nuanced Phantom.
What about Ramin
oh my gosh... this... I've always wanted to try out for Christine's part..... but no one can get this level of emotion like Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.
I am so happy I saw Michael perform in person. The most underrated performer of all time!
oh man..my aunt took me to see this back in 1988. It was so powerful to me, even as young as I was (I was 14), Now that I've lived a bit since then, and been through some stuff..it's even more powerful. I know what it's like to give up someone you love because you know that they'll be far happier without you (or with someone else). While the Phantom isn't entirely as sympathetic a character as some..I still feel for the guy. Thanks for this upload.
Thank you for posting this! I was lucky enough to see this in '88 when I was in college. Michael Crawford was amazing!!!!!!!
(And R.I.P. Steve Barton, who played Raoul.)
I was fortunate to see Phantom twice with Michael Crawford in L.A. I was a blubbering idiot both times during this scene.
Yes it made me cry too....this has to be one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the history of musical theatre. I wish I could have seen Michael and Sarah live, they are both magnificent and without them, this show might never have become the mega hit it now is
Michael Crawford inspired me to play the Phantom! I love Michael Crawford as the Phantom! He by far owns the role! I love how he holds out the 'night' line before he disappears!
Oh too perfect!! How he holds the veil... Too beautiful! A million thanks for posting this! We Phans can't get enough!
Wow, this is great. I watched this show as a tech geek for all the effects but some of those melodies just draw you in. Michael and Sarah are amazing performers. My favourite Phantom performances are from the originals (Colm Wilkinson in the pre show workshop and Toronto, Michael Crawford in West End and Broadway).
Has anyone else seen a young Michael Crawford in the 1960s film version of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with Zero Mostel and Buster Keaton? He’s been at it for a while.
I love A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, have since I was a kid! Blew me away when I found out he originated the role of the Phantom (in this musical, I mean.) Now I'm obsessed.
@highoctaneadventure: You forgot to mention - besides being in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' ( 1966, Comedy/Musical, with Zero Mostel and Buster Keaton, ) Michael Crawford was also in 'How I Won the War' [ 1967, Comedy/War, with famed The Beatles composer/singer John Lennon ( in his only non-musical acting role, ) ] as well as 'Hello, Dolly!' [ 1969 ( actually released late 1968, ) Musical/Comedy/Romance, based on the Broadway musical, with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, directed by Gene Kelly. ]
If he had a falling out with Webber, it wasn't for long. He worked in Webber's The Woman in White and The Wizard of Oz in the last few years, and ALW personally "dragged" him into the theater in NYC for the POTO passes Cats Gala when Michael saw the show for the first time.
They are probably not bff, but they are on a friendly basis.
Wow! That last "I Love You" has me in tears. MC is and always will be my favorite Phantom! =)
Katzenland, thank you so very much for uploading this!
The best phantom ever. (In the musical sense imho)
Ah how can you not start to cry when MC balls up here at the end. Andrew Lloyd Weber found buried treasure in his voice, he'll forever be the only true "Angle of Music" in my book. Of course there have been many other fantastic Phantoms over the years, but none can pull your hearts strings like MC's he was brilliant at it. I was born September 5 1986 a month before the London Phantom permitted in London and 16 months before Broadway. What I'd give to go back in time and see MC as the Phantom as I was way to young to see him when he was the Phantom. Oh well at lest I have a small taste of what I must have been like to see him as Phantom what an amazing voice. I don't think I'd go with ether Raoul or the Phantom. However the Phantom is way more interesting and fascinating then Raoul could ever hope to be and when I see the show in the theater I can't take my eyes off of him. I don't condone the murdering or crazed rage he has however I can understand where it comes from. Being an abused child just for his facial birth defect etc I can understand the deep hurt and rage of "I'm a person not an animal I have feelings just because I have a deformed face dosn't mean I can't feel" sort of mind set etc.
That's deep.
Oh dear lord, the way he clings to that veil
This is a jewel, thank you for sharing. Crawford's performance is absolutely touching!!!! You can really feel his suffering.
Thank you for this, I have to revisit it every so often. Crawford's entire play used to be here, but was forced off. The original Phantom and still the most brilliant portrayal.
Wow, you can even hear the audience crying. Correct me if I wrong... Such a touching scene...
You he does it right when the whole audience goes "awww!:'(". Also RIP Steve Barton
Awesome, beautiful, sad, Michael Crawford is brilliant!!!!! Thanks for posting this wonderful clip.
Michael Crawford will forever be the greatest Phantom. Absolute legend ❤
I hated how they made the second musical. :(
Yumi Carrington its not even a good sequel its horrible
@nolan davisn
Ikr!! It made me so sad.
***** IKR!! I'm so happy that i'm not the only one. :) The first musical was already sad enough for me!! But have you ever thought about what would have happened if Christine decided to stay with the phantom? o.o
The second one is not bad, guys. It's just different from 'Phantom', but that's because even sequels can differ from it's original source. That's not a bad thing. And honestly? I think the Australian production does it better that London. Though Ramin Karimloo totally nailed he ballad perfectly.
The second one is fine, it's just got other things than 'Phantom'. And that's not a bad thing. Regardless, 'Phantom' still remains one of the best-loved musicals ever, so don't let anything ruin it for you. ;)
By far the best Phantom of all time....this part is my favorite by far and the "i love you" part was definitely unique and very heartwrenching indeed. I would do anything for someone to love me that deeply :)
@WilliamT1964 William, I saw Michael Crawford in NYC once, and in LA 7 times. He IS the ONLY PHANTOM - there were such subtle nuances in his performance of this role. Joel Schumacher made a tragic mistake in not casting Michael Crawford in his movie. Thanks to people who have taken the time to post these videos, we have a flavor of this brilliant man!
halfpintdynamite i would have liked to see him reprise he role in the 2004 movie
Michael's Phantom is literally the only time I've ever ended up with tears in my eyes. He's such an amazing actor.
Thank you for uploading! Thank you! I always wanted to see the original cast together live. Michael Crawford is much more passionate live than the CDs.
I saw this on Broadway...4th row, center stage. Not with Michael Crawford though. I bawled my eyes out during this scene. I love Michael and would have given anything to have seen him as the Phantom. To me, he IS the Phantom. I am thrilled that this, even with the poor quality, is with Michael and Sarah. I love Andrew Lloyd Weber and this is his crowning glory. I don't think anyone or anything else could ever top this. This is perfection.
No matter how many times I watch this scene, I literally stop breathing.
My first and favorite Phantom and Raoul. Others are great but no one touches my soul like these two.
The fact that the gut-wrenching climax of this extremely elaborate show is a simple kiss amazes me.
I cried when Erik started to cry...what an amazingly emotional performance...Michael Crawford MAKES the Phantom real.
Micheal Crawford is the Phantom of the Opera He is the best..
I will always regret not taking the opportunity to see Michael on Broadway, but at least videos like this exist. He's just heart-breaking; everytime I see this, tears run down my face. I always cry when I see POTO, admittedly, but no one portrays the Phantom like Michael. It's not just a role to him - he genuinely loves the man and it shows.
I don't believe that he is unrated in the least however his fallout with Webber does make it seem so. There will never be another play like this, I was so touched as music and theater should do. The love, the loss, the grief and the pain, all so intense yet so alive as it touched me so and does till this day!
Ok...I never cry. Like I'll want to and stuff but I just can't...but Michael Crawford's performance makes me cry! He's sooo good!
Michael I love you ! :) what an amazing performance, the one true Phantom of the Opera. Wish I could have seen him live, but this is the next best thing.
If you listen closely, or perhaps it is just me...You can hear someone crying after the Phantom says, "I love you!" all brokenly... Oh, how touching this scene is. And Michael....No one, repeat, no one, can ever match his quality, his depth, his true phantom. He IS the phantom of the opera...He breaks my heart every time, brings tears streaming down my cheeks every time, leaves me wanting to hear him sing more every time. He is pure genius.
Thank you sooo much! That was so beautiful! Where did you manage to find it?..
I didn't know Edison was still making recordings.
while they were singing all i ask of you, when they were going away in the boat, and he cries "I LOVE YOU" i felt soo bad!! it made my heart break a little
Thanks so much for sharing!
MC IS THE MASTER, THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!! he does it just right, he never overacts it and he never underacts! AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!
Such poor quality and I can still feel a lot more than when watching a high quality performance, he's my favorite and by far!, I want to watch this in at least medium quality :'(
When he adds that bit at 4:02 just completely shatters my heart. :'''(
When I saw Phantom for the fourth time, I felt my heart swell up a bit when he says "I love you! " and then "You alone can make my song take fliiight. Its over now. The Music of the Night" I just literally cry ! I mean, Phantom's not one of the shows that can make me do that. I love this show so much. And when Phantom does 25th, they better film it cause its the worlds greatest love story. ever written.
Christine: *Gives him her ring*
Phantom: "Christine, I loved you..." *Whimper*
Christine: *Runs off to Raoul*
Raoul: "Say you'll share with me-"
Phantom: *Screaming into the dress* "COCKBLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK"
xylonisawesome it was actually a veil
I see your point , a perfect ending. Having said that I still love LND, its like an alternative ending, and the music is beautiful.
Sarah Brightman, the real Angel of Music!
经典！向最初的创作者，工作人员，演员致敬！
I'm pretty sure, out of all the video performances of any actor that is posted on UA-cam, and including the Phantoms I've seen, Mr. Crawford is the only Phantom to make me cry this much. I wish I could have watched his entire performance when it was posted here, but oh well. This is amazing.
Why did she choose Raoul Why??????????? I'm crying like a baby right now =*( My poor Phantom! Michael Crawford=WOW!!!
Fucking shit! If there is a G-d, please, please, PLEASE let me hug him and comfort him!
I relate to your comment more than you could even imagine lol
Why did you censor "God"? Who censors "God"? 😂
GOD.. that 'I love you' in the end..always gets me. always makes my chest hurts
I cry every single time I watch this peice, now thats talent!!!
I wish I could have been born early enough to have been able to see Crawford perform as the Phantom :(
@samanthapaw185 I agree with Hugh as a better singer, but Micheal WAS the phantom. The phantom is about spirit, and Micheal had that.
Love Never Dies is based off the book Phantom of Manhattan, so I wouldn't get worked up about it. It's charming like the book and haas some nice songs.
@StripedTerror521 Me too! Omg how could she leave him like that? Especially after hearing that whimper? I would have TOTALLY been like: Raoul, he needs me more than you and then run back and been like it's ok! Here! I love you too! *smooch* But...yeah...XDDDD
First, you should never assume what you think I was thinking or doing. I know very well what I commented on. If you FIRST read the book to get a FULL grasp of the story in which the PLAY was made after, you will understand it. You also need to remember that it is just a story, NOT real life. Yes, murder is wrong...period.
There may be many reasons on why the Phantom chose to kill Joseph Buquet (the stagehand).
Phantom never ceases to amaze me!!!
Thank you Michael.
It's over now, the music of the night. :-(
Thanks...I never saw it, but watched a lot of the videos on youtube. :)
If anyone hates the sequel, then just think of the original novel's ending as canon (technically it is) The Phantom disappears, but dies not long after giving up Christine (of a broken heart). Christine and Raoul disappear too, last seen at the shore where they first met, though Christine does return to the Opera House later and buries the Phantom's remains. No Coney Island. No prostitute Meg (she becomes a Baroness). No drunk Raoul. No dead Christine.
I get why people got emotional to this video but it didn't do anything for me. Maybe that's because I'm not familiar with the story. I don't know! 🤷♂️
Who doesn't cry!???? esp the second time he said I love you!
omg... i.. i cant described how i felt when i saw it.. espacially when MC said "I Love You"... it broked my heart TwT...
i cry when michael sings just lovely and amazing voice I miss him as the phantom RIP steve barton we miss you
It's somewhere on youtube, try searching for phrase "POTO original cast".
Simply breathtaking!
I love the movie but i must say this is WWWAAAAYYYYBetter than the movie!
How on earth did you get this?!
Thank you for this! I'll never see the movie or the show, because I missed Michael. He's the only REAL Phantom.
Please don't make the same mistake I did. I was born and raised on the original London cast. After I saw one of Crawford's last performances in L.A. (I was around 9), I swore I'd never see another Phantom, because he was always THE Phantom. Over 20 years later, I finally quite being a stubborn ass and watched clips of other Phantoms. Some weren't great, but most were really amazing. I especially love Hugh Panaro. He reminds me a lot of Crawford, but still very unique. I'm so very sad I missed out on his run. Please, get out there and see it live. There's nothing like seeing a musical up close and personal. It's amazing. :)
Cuando MC dice te amo, se me eriza la piel de tanto sentimiento que pone en la frese, por eso eres el mejor Fantasma.
Apparently the majority of the theater going public and POTO lovers share that sentiment, as do I. LND hasn't really fared all that well, since it closed last August in London. They kept trying to rewrite and make changes, but it wasn't enough to save the show. It can't compare well to the original POTO which had the definitive ending. LND just seems a travesty, despite a couple of good songs.
You must have thought you were on another site. No one on here is talking about the book. These are posts related to a particular scene contained in the PLAY. Regardless of the context, murder is wrong, period. Since you are so literate with regard to the Phantom, tell me; did either of the people he murdered in the play abuse him?
In fact, in the original book by Gaston Leroux, the phantom dies after letting go Christine, and I always liked to see this ending (the musical ending) as a metaphor of the Phantom's death. He vanishes from this world...Love Never Dies is not only an insult to Leroux's beautiful love story, is the perfect way of ruining the musical ending.
Ive now seen 3 different videos claiming to be his last performance but him screaming i love you into the veil is different each time so idk what to believe lol
Michael Sarah and the wonderful Steve Barton were just perfect! John Owen-Jones and Katie Hall were closest match to them and they should have been the 25th anniversary. I despise ALW for what he did.
Michael Crawford should have been the only actor to ever play this part.
Thank you... I don't understand why people want it to end any differently. It was perfect this way. He didn't hook up with Christine in the book...
4:02 My heart just breaks when he says, "I love you."