- Actors: Anthony Perkins, Cyril Cusack, Claude Dauphin, John Gilegud, Ian Holm
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: 4Front Video
- VHS Release Date: 28 Feb 2000
- Run Time: 131 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004RVG3
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 15,796 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The 10th anniversary concert video of the international musical sensation Les Misérables might be the best thing to appease fans until a full-fledged movie comes along. Or it might be even better, as feature films are often subject to extra-musical casting considerations and this 1995 dream cast is superb. Reprising their roles from the original London company are Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Michael Ball (Marius) and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). From Broadway come Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine) and Michael Maguire (Enjolras); from a later London production comes Ruthie Henshall (Fantine); and from Australia comes Philip Quast (Javert).
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score vividly captures the passion of Victor Hugo's epic tale of pre-Revolutionary France, combining tear-jerking ballads ("I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring Him Home") and rousing anthems ("Do You Hear the People Sing"). The format of this concert is closer to that of a dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production; the singers stand at their microphone with an orchestra and chorus behind them, but they do wear costumes and participate in some movement. At certain points such as the climax of the barricade scene, the video switches to action from a stage production. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sounds great and it can be thrilling when 200 choristers (dressed in logo T-shirts) rise to their feet for a full-company number such as "One Day More." Also, subtitles provide date and scene information and help move the story along.
The 147-minute video contains footage not seen when Les Mis was a PBS pledge-drive staple, most notably the encore in which a progression of 17 actors who have played Valjean around the world share "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Each sings a line in his native language, a testament to the enduring power of this show to audiences everywhere. --David Horiuchi
Additional features The two-sided DVD comes with a plot synopsis, performer bios, and an option to turn on English-language subtitled lyrics. Sound and picture quality are unexceptional.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Sure, it leaves out stuff that was in the book - but a movie would have to be 7 hours long to include EVERY single character and description. For those not keen on musicals, this is a perfect oportunity to understand the plot of 'Les Miserables' without having to endure the millions of songs in the stage show. The dark atmosphere and excellent acting add an impression of pace not found in the book or the stage show. The way the characters Valjean (escaped and reformed convict), and Javert (policeman who tries to catch Valjean at all costs) interact is done just right - Javert's obsessive nature countering Valjean's reformed nature, perfectly. A dark movie, but ultimately very watchable, as long as you don't expect to get the whole of the book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This film is truly awful. It is hard to do Les Mis justice on film, but this is one of the worst versions I have seen. Key characters are missing or altered. Key scenes are either left out or drastically watered down. I think it must be based on a children's or abridged version of Hugo's masterpiece
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Did anyone on this project actually read Victor Hugo's novel? I doubt it- the interpretation is flawed in character representation, mood and theme. There was little evidence of the mental turmoil Javert is plagued by in the time before his suicide and the character of Eponine is completely omitted. This film reduces the plot to a simple one of "good v. evil" and anyone even skimming the novel would know that the book's themes run much deeper than that. My advice? Read the book- or, for simple pleasure and a far better interpretation of character, buy the Albert Hall Concert video of the musical. You may not get the big names but there is far more talent in evidence and it's a damn sight more entertaining than this drivel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic musical starring exceptionally talented performers
Les Miserables is one of the best musicals ever written. This anniversary concert features the dream cast - performers who take your breath away with their outstanding talent. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2000
Quite good actually.
Well, I think this was a good movie. It is a bit depressing in the begining but it shows some facts of what life was like then, in the French Revolution. Read more
Published on 21 April 2000
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