The Phantom of the Opera (1989) - Quotes

Taglines: Robert Englund Was "Freddy." Now he's the... Phantom of the Opera An all new nightmare!

Christine Day: [on realizing who Mister Foster actually is] You're him, aren't you?

Erik Destler: [gives a sarcastic gasp; Christine rips off his mask as he screams in a mixture of pain and rage; coughing due to the smoke inhalation he got in a fire a century before; barks as he seethes in discomfort; leering] Had you expected someone else? Christine, you have always been my inspiration. You. And now, it's only a question of what you want: Love or music. I have waited a very long time for you to come back to me my dear. We had a bargain you and I...'FOREVER! Forever.

Christine Day: [snatches up one of his surgical tools; stabs him with it] NOT... FOREVER!

Christine Day: Are you going to kill me now, too?

Erik Destler: Everyone dies... I only choose the time and place for a few.

Christine Day: When do you choose for me?

Erik Destler: [as he sits at an organ] This is either a wedding march or a funeral mass. You decide which.

Erik Destler: You love the music. I am the music. Now you are married to the music. You cannot serve two masters. Do not see another.

Christine Day: I promise.

Erik Destler: Tonight, you shall be my bride.

Erik Destler: Could it be that I saw you at the opera last night?

Harrison: It's possible, I am the opera critic of the Gazette.

Erik Destler: Indeed, I found your account of Christine Day's performance, some what troubling. Could it be that we saw different shows?

Harrison: Ah Ms. Day, I was sorry for her, embarrassed really, the role was beyond her!

Erik Destler: Then perhaps you weren't afforded a seat befitting your status and your knowledge of the arts. The acoustics are somewhat inconsistent. Should you reconsider your evaluation, I could provide you with a private box.

Harrison: Sir, you flatter me. But in all truthfulness, I think I would rather die than to listen to that shrieking child for another evening!

Erik Destler: [attacks and kills Harrison by wrapping a wet towel round Harrison's head and squeezing hard before slamming him into a wall] As you wish!

Christine Day: [as Erik escorts her deep into the sewers] Where are we going?

Erik Destler: Home. No one can hurt you here.

La Carlotta: [about to take off Erik's mask] What will I think when I see?

Erik Destler: You'll just... die!

Martin Barton: Don't test me, Carlotta. I could drown you too easily.

La Carlotta: Better to be submerged in bath water than mediocrity. Wouldn't you agree?

Insp. Hawkins: Do you believe in God, Mr. Dutton?

Richard Dutton: Yes.

Insp. Hawkins: Good. Because it's going to take a leap of faith for you to understand what I'm about to tell you. The Phantom is real. It has a name. Erik Destler.

Richard Dutton: But that's just a story.

Insp. Hawkins: [as they are discussing this subject we cut to Erik painfully start removing the now putrefying replacement flesh on his face] I know the legend as well as you. He sold his soul to the devil so the world would love him for his talent. But the devil had a price. He mutilated his face so terribly, that no one could stand to love him ever again.

Richard Dutton: [Erik is seen shivering in agony and gives a low moan as he continues severing his stitches] And it's said the only way to kill the Phantom is to destroy his music.

Insp. Hawkins: [Erik yelps as he rips away the decomposing skin...before mournfully peering at his now disfigured reflection gazing back at him] I don't believe in phantoms or legends, Mr. Dutton, but I do believe in facts. And the fact is, this man, this creature, is still alive. Still alive and living under your opera.

The Devil: [as he burns Erik's face with a magic touch] People will love you for your music. But that is all that they will love you for.

Erik Destler: [to Christine] Your father has sent me. I am your angel. All of your lessons have led to this moment. We will make music that the world will love forever. Take the last step to me. To your destiny. To immortality.

Erik Destler: I like it better in the dark. The night is far too short as it is.

Erik Destler: Only love and music are forever.

Erik Destler: Up there, those are the actors and the costumes and the scenery. They don't know the soul of the opera. In your dressing room, I could only teach you the words, the notes. But here... here I can teach you the meaning.