The Universal Church of Erik recognizes many forms of the story ranging from novels to films. This section is here to give you a bit of info on some of the more commonly discussed. For more information on finding the listed book just click on the title. Please keep in mind that there are many more POTO and Erik-related novels and movies to be found, but this page would continue forever if I were to list them all. A search on Ebay for "Phantom of the Opera" can often turn up some wonderful out-of-print and otherwise hard to find pieces of POTO memorabilia.

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux
Published in France in 1910 and in the States in 1911, this is the definitive Phantom story. The UCoE considers Leroux's story to be the basis of our existence, and we hold Leroux's version to be the only true "canon" of POTO.

Phantom, by Susan Kay
This version of Erik's story takes us on a journey that begins before Erik's birth and continues on past his death. Kay's story is much beloved by many who love Erik, and you'll often find people speaking of it on a very similar par to that of Leroux. She added flesh, so to speak, to the mysterious life of Erik.

The Phantom of the Opera, stage version with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Stilgoe/Hart
This is the musical which many of us credit as our first exposure to The Phantom of the Opera and Erik. While the story has been vastly changed from that of Leroux, there is still much to be loved and enjoyed through this musical.

Phantom, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit
This musical's story also differs very much from that of Leroux, though still offers a lovely and enjoyable story, and a classic Broadway sound.

The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as Erik
This 1925 silent film stars the man of a thousand faces as Erik, the phantom of the opera. This film, based on the Leroux novel, follows the original story very closely and is widely considered to be among the best in regard to Leroux and Erik.

The Phantom of the Opera, starring Charles Dance
This 1991 made-for-TV miniseries (starring Charles Dance as Erik and Teri Polo as Christine) is based from the Yeston/Kopit stage musical.

The Phantom of Manhatten, by Frederick Forsyth
This novel is a complete and utter travesty of the story of Erik and was lauded by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Starting with the introduction of this "sequel" we are forced to read about the "mistakes" that Leroux made in his version of the story and then to hear about what happened to Erik after his stage disappearance. Stay away from this book at all costs unless you want to be infuriated--and do not bother wasting your money on it. This book is what libraries are made for. If you can call this novel anything more than horrific you do not belong in the Church of Erik.

The Phantom of the Opera, 2004 movie
Another travesty of the original story and original stage show. While Phantom of Manhatten hinted that Lord Froggy had lost his mind, this movie proved it beyond any shadow of a doubt. Horrible casting, horrible rewrites, atrocious singing and astoundingly terrible acting all work to make this, along with Manhatten, the worst piece of Phantom-related garbage currently available on the market. This version is worthwhile only for the lovely cinematography.