Les miserables is a 2012 epic historical period musical film directed by tom hooper and scripted by william nicholson, alain boublil, who wrote the original french lyrics, claudemichel schonberg, who wrote the music, and herbert kretzmer, who wrote the english lyrics, based on the 1862 french novel of the same name by victor hugo, which also inspired a 1980 musical by boublil and schonberg. Theres still hope for people who love les mis the new. The song was originally written in early 1978 by french popular song composer claudemichel schonberg and lyricist alain boublil. Richard jordan in les miserables 1978 anthony perkins in les miserables 1978. Ive since seen the 1935 film version with fredric march and charles laughton. Produced as a television film by sir lew grade in 1978, it shares the weaknesses of many of his other excursions into the cinema in the late seventies and early eighties a lack of sparkle and decent script. The 1978 television film adaptation, starring richard jordan and anthony perkins. The 1979 tv movie les miserables was advertised as the 12th feature film to be based on the 1862 victor hugo novel and that was a modest estimate. Having bought and viewed the depardieu malkovich les mis and not having been impressed by this version we bought the earlier, 1975 film. Valjean went into his fathers line of work, getting a job in. We all know les mis is the most talked about cinematic singalong since chicago 2002 won the oscar for best picture, but here are five film facts you might not know. Les miserables 1978 although much admired by some, im afraid i find this a rather workmanlike production. Jun 14, 20 les miserables 1978 a movie about faith and living as a christian youtube stay safe and healthy. The time period during which the story takes place was a political roller coaster for france, and hugo is a master at exploring the implications for every level of society.
Musical maurice barrier original french concept album, original paris stage cast, colm wilkinson original london cast, original broadway cast, 1995. Les miserables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for the stage, television, and film, including a musical and a film adaptation of that musical. Every showtune rendered in grubby closeup does not a historically accurate film make. Upton sinclair described the novel as one of the halfdozen greatest novels of the world, and remarked that hugo set forth the purpose of les miserables in the preface.
Oct 22, 2016 les miserables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for the stage, television, and film, including a musical and a film adaptation of that musical. Dec 18, 2012 victor hugos les miserables debuted 150 years ago in 1862 and now has become the literal definition of the big book. There are plenty of cameo roles played by experienced british actors, and anthony perkins makes an impressively obsessive javert. Below is a list of actors who portrayed jean valjean, both in the musical and movies. In the book, monsieur thenardier identifies himself as napoleons. Tom hoopers film is a colossal effort after 158 minutes, you really have experienced something. The film of the musical adaptation of les miserables was released in 2012. I dont really need an excuse to think hourly about the les miserables movie and how ridiculously excited i am for it. It contains the moments of high drama, clearly outlines all the motivations, is easy to follow and lacks only passion. A rare original article from the blackwoods edinburgh magazine, 1862. In les miserables, hugo asserts that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life. The actors especially, richard jordan and anthony perkins are outstanding.
Finally got around to watching this version of les miserables 1978. His parents died when he was very young, leaving him with his older sister to fend for him. This 1998 film made me a fan of liam neeson, which i believe established him as the heroic father. Pradon was not part of the original london cast, but i liked him so much as judas in jesus christ superstar that i couldnt resist this. Feb 26, 2008 fluffy valjean, singsong javert, gollum fantine, and geico caveman marius all come together in this adaptation of an adaptation of victor hugos masterwork. I dont really need an excuse to think hourly about the les miserables movie and how ridiculously excited i am. Fluffy valjean, singsong javert, gollum fantine, and geico caveman marius all come together in this adaptation of an adaptation of victor hugos masterwork.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Unfortunately, his sister was widowed, having seven children to look after, the eldest being eight and the youngest being one year old. Click the link for more information on the show, to buy tickets and much much more. Les miserables study guide contains a biography of victor hugo, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Les miserables the convict jean valjean is released from a french prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread and for subsequent attempts to escape from prison. The convict jean valjean is released from a french prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread and for subsequent attempts to escape from.
Les miserables not rated 2h 30min drama, history tv movie 27 december 1978 jean valjean richard jordan, convicted of stealing bread, is hounded for several decades by the relentless and cruel policeman javert anthony perkins. Jan 03, 20 theres still hope for people who love les mis. He killed someone he stole silver candlesticks from a. Richard jordan as jean valjean, anthony perkins as javert, angela pleasence as fantine, caroline. With richard jordan, anthony perkins, cyril cusack, claude dauphin. The 1982 film adaptation, directed by robert hossein, starring lino ventura and michel bouquet. Only phantom of the opera, chicago, the lion king and cats have enjoyed a longer manhattan lifespan. The silk screening on the dvd media said les miserables. Les miserables 1978 film les miserables wiki fandom. Les miserables original, musical, drama, broadway opened in new york city mar 12, 1987 and played through may 18, 2003. The title is french, translating in english to the wretched ones. At digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. It is set in france and spans the course of 17 years, starting in 1815 and ending in 1832.
Only the saintly bishop, monseigneur myriel, welcomes him. Seeing the full, original 78 tv les miserables inspired me to read the book. One of the greatest and most wellknown stories to date would have to be victor hugos les miserables. Ten facts you didnt know about les miserables victoria van. Loaded up the dvd into the player and lo and behold, much to my surprise it was ephraims rescue.
Called the most memorable film version, it was filmed in east germany and was overtly political. Jul 25, 2014 ten facts you didnt know about les miserables victor hugos epic has captured and wrung the hearts of millions since its publication in the 1860s. The book is heavy on the church, mostly not in any contemporary productions. In 2011, lea was given recognition as a disney legend. Everyone has heard this title somewhere along the line, whether it be in regard to other films or the hugely successful musical, and this portrayal of hugos detailed novel gives diehard fans something to enjoy. Theres still hope for people who love les mis the new yorker. The book is nearly 3,000 pages long and considered an epic. Les miserables or, as it is often shortened, les mis is a novel by victor hugo, published in 1862.
Victor hugos les miserables debuted 150 years ago in 1862 and now has become the literal definition of the big book. I used clips from versions of 1935, 1978 and 1998 and song from musical the hunchback of notre dame. Les miserables 1978 a movie about faith and living as a. Can you guess all of the movies, tv shows, books, etc. Jean valjean richard jordan, convicted of stealing bread, is hounded for several decades by the relentless and cruel policeman javert anthony perkins. And you thought i was going to say eight tiny reindeer, eh. Vidocq served as the leader of an undercover police even though he was an exconvict. David denby has been a staff writer and a film critic at the new yorker since 1998.
When valjean arrives at the town of digne, no one is willing to give him shelter because he is an exconvict. Les miserables is like a perfectly respectable classics illustrated version of the victor hugo novel. The stars included anne hathaway, hugh jackman, and russell crowe. Lynne frederick campaigned for the role of cosette. Jean valjean list of portrayers les miserables wiki fandom. When she auditioned, she also read for the part of fantine, but was ultimately deemed too old to play cosette and too young to play fantine. A story filled with outrage and idealism becomes somehow merely picturesque. Les miserables is a 1978 british madefortelevision film adaptation of the 1862 novel of the same name by victor hugo. Dec 06, 2012 14 things you never knew about les miserables. In the book, monsieur thenardier identifies himself as napoleons sergeant. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Jean valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him. The film stars an ensemble cast led by hugh jackman, russell crowe, anne hathaway, eddie redmayne, amanda seyfried, helena bonham carter, and sacha baron cohen.
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