I slogged through the thirty pages describing the sewer system of Paris, and didn't skip a word. It was harder going for me than John Galt's 70-page speech in Atlas Shrugged, but by God, I did it. >.>
Yeah, it was. I was being stubborn about reading it in the "original" (or as least as close as I could get without reading French). My Kindle was hugely helpful, though: I found myself using its wikipedia look-up constantly to get some context for the historical or geographical mentions, and that made a big difference in my enjoyment and understanding of the text. The automatic translation helped too, for the few words that remained untranslated.
This is a fantastic review. I'm one of those people who's really only seen the musical (once onstage in 2007 and the recent movie musical), though I've read snippets of the book here and there. Mostly I remember Enjolras being compared to Leonidas of Thermopylae, which made my then-18-year-old self happy (300 was the hot new film then). Anyway, thank you for including Hugo's description of Javert because that is awesome, even though it is ridiculously wordy.
For non-singing actors, I really didn't think Crowe or Jackman did too badly.
Actually, Hugh Jackman has a musical theater background, but according to all though "behind-the-scenes" videos they put out prior to the film's release, he wanted to act the songs. So they're emotional, but not anywhere near what he's fully capable of vocally.
I really liked your review and agreed with most of it.
Yeah, Hugh Jackman has had a huge career in the theatre here in Australia, but also in the US and the UK. He was also in The Boy from Oz on Broadway. He was Gaston in the Melbourne production of Beauty and the Beast.
I am really looking forward to the new stage production of Les Miserables - it's coming out in Australia in 2014, and I've never seen a stage version of it before.
I think I read it After listening to the musical. I knew nothing about it but my parents couldn't find the musical I asked for for my birthday and grabbed Les Mis instead, cause they're all the same right?
At least they made a great leap in the dark. I made it through the book and have started it as an audio book now. I saw it live in 99 or 2000. I haven't caught the entire 25th recording but I own the 20th Colm Wilkinson was still Valjean, loved the guy for Javert but can't recall his name and Lea Solanga was Eponine, I like her in pretty much everything I've heard her in. The new version was okay but I've never seen any other movie versions.
Have to say I can't remember enough details of Hunchback to compare them. I remember the story but I seem to have mentally blocked the misery of reading it. I might reread it someday.
Re: Philip Quast!!asulon_bellancaAugust 27 2013, 17:17:33 UTC
Yep, it didn't sound quite right. Now I feel old, 15 years! That's what I get for posting in the middle of the night, in my closet (to not wake the husband), reading online rather than sleeping.
My favorite musicalearn9August 27 2013, 16:22:26 UTC
As a great fan of Les Mis musical. I ... can't ... resist ... this ... comment.
You did miss the 10th Anniversary musical (1995) that one is in some ways better than the 25th, but in some ways worse as well. I would say that Javert is the best in the 10th though :).
I hope one day to get through the book, but I think schoolwork will certainly object to hours of Hugo. Congratulation on your read anyhow, and your dedication to movie watching!
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Please tell me that was an UNabridged version! Yikes!
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For non-singing actors, I really didn't think Crowe or Jackman did too badly.
Actually, Hugh Jackman has a musical theater background, but according to all though "behind-the-scenes" videos they put out prior to the film's release, he wanted to act the songs. So they're emotional, but not anywhere near what he's fully capable of vocally.
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Yeah, Hugh Jackman has had a huge career in the theatre here in Australia, but also in the US and the UK. He was also in The Boy from Oz on Broadway. He was Gaston in the Melbourne production of Beauty and the Beast.
I am really looking forward to the new stage production of Les Miserables - it's coming out in Australia in 2014, and I've never seen a stage version of it before.
Reply
At least they made a great leap in the dark. I made it through the book and have started it as an audio book now. I saw it live in 99 or 2000. I haven't caught the entire 25th recording but I own the 20th Colm Wilkinson was still Valjean, loved the guy for Javert but can't recall his name and Lea Solanga was Eponine, I like her in pretty much everything I've heard her in. The new version was okay but I've never seen any other movie versions.
Have to say I can't remember enough details of Hunchback to compare them. I remember the story but I seem to have mentally blocked the misery of reading it. I might reread it someday.
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Also, it is the 10th anniversary :).
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You did miss the 10th Anniversary musical (1995) that one is in some ways better than the 25th, but in some ways worse as well. I would say that Javert is the best in the 10th though :).
I hope one day to get through the book, but I think schoolwork will certainly object to hours of Hugo. Congratulation on your read anyhow, and your dedication to movie watching!
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