The gothic element in this particular scene is the focus on the staircase as a place of encounter (26 Huckvale). The film cuts to an angled shot of the spiraling staircase to emphasize its daunting nature. Another scene in which staircases are emphasized is when Raoul pursues the Phantom to find Christine. This coincides with Hucvale’s discussion of staircases as “psychological symbols of authority and power,” (13 Huckvale). This is the first time the other characters in the film see the Phantom, which is why it is important that he appear at one of the highest points in the room to establish himself as a figure of authority. During the masquerade the Phantom interrupts the festivities when he appears at the very top of the grand staircase. Staircases are another element of the Gothic present in the film. The secret passageways of the Opera house are utilized by the Phantom in numerous scenes of distress but also are used for the subterraneous pursuit of the Phantom at the end of the film. The dim lighting and green water, incorporated with the low ceilings of the underground lair, have an eerie effect on the viewer.
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In the film, the dungeon where the Phantom lives is surrounded by water, which separates into canals and secret passageways, an element of the Gothic genre. One element of the Paris Opera house that directly relates to the portrayal of the opera house in the film is the underground lake (Hall). The grand architecture of the Opera House was influential in the mise-en-scene in the 2004 film The Phantom of the Opera. The Paris Opera House was one of the most impressive Opera Houses of its era, and soon influenced the design of opera houses around the world (Hall). The Paris Opera House, also known as the Palais Garnier, was designed by Charles Garnier and built from 1861-1875 (Haining).