Reviews: Les Miserables' Musical, Movie, & Soundtrack

Inspired by the Victor Hugo’s epic tale that was then inspired by his encounter of a woman who was beaten to death because she was so poor, that she couldn’t afford food and much more the rent to pay during the revolution period in France; Cameron Mackintosh directed Les Miserables the musical of which London Reviews in 2000 described that it could no longer be called a musical, but had rather became an institution and a tourist attraction, just like the Parliament House and The Dome.

The production had just ended on West End and Broadway a couple of years back. Too bad I didn’t get the chance to watch this production back when I was a student. All I went for were Phantom of The Opera, Guys and Dolls, and Carmen (Laser Disc show at the Music Appreciation class). Few months back I bought the DVD that commemorate the original cast; Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, Patti LuPone, David Burt, Lea Salonga, Phillip Quast, and Alan Armstrong. Too bad it was performed as a concert, rather than a full production. Nevertheless, the original cast performers put up a splendid show.

In 1995, Bille August directed the movie of the same title [(1935, film, Richard Boleslawski)(1952, film, Lewis Milestone)(1978, TV, Glenn Jordan)(1909, B&W silent movie,  J. Stuart Blackton)] in an ensemble cast of Liam Nesson (Jean Valjean; convict on the run, mayor of Vigau), Geoffrey Rush (Javert; policeman who hunts Valjean), Uma Thurman (Fantine; Valjean is devoted to her), Claire Danes (Cossette; Fantine's daughter whom Valjean raises), and Hans Matheson (Marius; militant student, love interest with Cosette). I have watched this movie for like seven times!

What enchanted me of Les Miserables despite the fact that it is the most successful novel of all time is the music that was written for it. Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil teamed up to write the musicals that when the production made its debut in Paris in 1980, it became phenomenal success. The Broadway production of Les Miserables won them two Tony Awards in 1987 for Best Score and Best Book and a Grammy in 1988 for Best Original Broadway Cast Recording (Lee, 2001).

Basil Poledouris wrote the soundtrack for the 1995 movie that has always mesmerizes me whenever I put the CD on. It builds and blends perfectly with the story of Jean Valjean life’s around the Bishop, Javert, Fantine, Cossette, Marius, and the revolutionist. It captures the cold and mean winter when Valjean first met Fantine. It tells the Polish great architecture (was filmed in Poland) where young love birds Cossette and Marius secretly met up in alleys and parks for love and revolution cause. And at its climax, it peak perfectly with Javert suicide scene by the river when he finally confronted Jean Valjean.

I have few favorite tunes from the musicals, such as Colm Wilkinson’s Bring Him Home, Michael Ball’s Empty Chair at Empty Table, and the ever famous chorus of Do You Hear The People Sing. I like the piece I Dreamed A Dream as well.

What's your favorite?

Comments

[sonny davis]

With producers making movies of other broadway shows what is holding up someone from making a movie of "LES MIS, THE MUSICAL".They seem to be making remakes of old movies.Don't they have any new imagination?

[vithashini]

please.........anybody can send? i want to do folio. pleaselah..... help me.

[vithashini]

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[Gordon Bennett]

Are they ever going to make a film version of the "Les Miserables" Musical?

[smaual]

YOUR GAY

[shahjay]

It's a universal story that people just love. It's hard to describe watching it live, and seriously people kept crying after certain songs or better yet, silently mouthing along the words. Colm Wilkinson will always be the prime #24601.

[kew]

My favourite Musical for all time. Had the cD and the DVD... would love to watch a live musical one more time... hope they do come to Malaysia...