Rating: Summary: Wonderful!!! Review: I can't say enough about this production. I've never seen a live presentation of the show but this is the next best thing. It is so different from any musical I've seen before. All the performances are first rate or better. The story is true to Hugo's book. I borrowed the video from the library but can't wait to own the DVD so that I can watch it again and again. It is a truly emotional experience - keep a box of tissues on hand. If you haven't seen this production yet, do so soon, you'll never regret it.
Rating: Summary: Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert Review: One of my favs a must for any broadway fan Michael Maguire Michael Ball and all the cast does a great job
Rating: Summary: Awesome! Review: The only thing that would make this Les Miz experience better is if it could be made into a major motion picture, much like Evita was. In the meantime, with the awesome cast and the great music it is a definite treat. I really enjoyed the Jean ValJean International tribute, It was a good way to provide an ending to the anniversary concert.
Rating: Summary: And I wasn't even a fan of musicals... Review: A classic. The "dream cast" is flawless, the sound quality is magnificent. The story is timeless and the musical adaptation beyond criticism. A powerful production that defines the musical genre. The work speaks for itself.
Rating: Summary: Phillip Quast IS Javert! Review: If for no other reason, buy this VHS/DVD and watch the facial expressions/voice inflections of Phillip Quast as Javert progresses through the performance. He starts out as rigid and relentless, and slowly transforms into one unsure of his previously unquestioned beliefs. Quast's acting during Javert's death scene( and the scene where allows Valjean to escape ("take him Valjean, before I change my mind...) is worthy of an academy award!
Rating: Summary: Exceptional Performance, but with one flaw Review: This performance of Les Miserables is simply fantastic. The words are heartbreaking.Javert is portrayed by Philip Quast, and just to see him act as Javert is worth the price of the movie. Lea Salonga performs Eponine with a beautiful performance of "on my own" and "a little fall of rain". Michael Ball is the perfect Marius, and his "Empty chairs" brings tears to my eyes. Ruthie Henshall plays as Fantine, who has many moods, portrayed splendidly. Adam Searles is Gavroche, the sly street urchin. I wonder why the "little people" song was cut so short... he was underused in the musical, but oh well... Colm Wilkinson was perfect in every way as the convict from the chain gang, Valjean, who turns to good as the mayor, "Monsieur Madeleine". Javert, though, finds out and sends Valjean out of the city. The thenardiers are hilarious, especially in "master of the house." they are great comic relief for this dark movie. The only one i have critisizm for is Judy Kuhn playing Cossette. Her voice is not necessarily pretty, and even madame thenardier is prettier than her! :)) I hope you find this review useful!
Rating: Summary: Great, considering it was the concert version. Review: I saw the actual staged version of Les Miserables about a week before I saw this. I am so glad I did. If you have seen Les Miz, and love it (as I do), this DVD is worth it. But it is a CONCERT VERSION, not the actual staged version. Instead of acting, there is subtitles telling you what should be happening. Of course, great music. All of the singers were great, though I liked the Eponine I saw the first time the best. And the singers all did as much acting as they could standing at a microphone with no props or scenery (but they were in costume). The one scene that I thought was very close to the staged version was "A Little Fall Of Rain", Eponine's final scene. Very touching. If you buy this, buy it for the music and extras. You won't see much acting. The cd is just as good. But except for an actual taped version of the play, this is the best you can get without leaving home.
Rating: Summary: First, see htis, then go and see it on stage. Review: This is one of the best movies, or even live performances on video, that I have seen. If you like this, at all, then go to New York, and see it on stage. I'm planning on going, if I can. Please, enjoy this, and cherish it.
Rating: Summary: Les Miserales..in CONCERT! Review: Ah, Les Mis, a fantasic stage musical.I do not even need to mention how positively devine the music is. We all know that. I'm here to comment on the over all quality of the concert itself. First of all, I really disliked Colm Wilkinson's Jean Valjean. He barely put any expression or acting into it, plus he looked the same throughout the whole video. He just did nothing for me. Philip Quast, on the other hand, was BRILLANT! An Oscar worthy preformance, if you ask me. Not only is he the absolute Javert, he is an incredible actor. I don't remember the rest of the cast by name, so I'll just address the charcters. The Thenardiers were very good...hilarious, at that! The actor who played Enjolras stole the show...he was beyond exceptional! Everyone else was quite good at their roles, too. Colm was the only disappointment. This video is lacking a few things however. First, they cut a few songs and scenes from the actual musical. Secondly, it's NOT a taped version of the actual show, so the wonderful sets and character interactions are not here. That's about all that's missing. Watch it for Philip Quast and be blown away. Highly recommended to the Javert fans.
Rating: Summary: Eponine. Review: I just read a review that said that Eponine is meant to be a BITTER character. that is a complete lie. anyone who has read the book or knows anything about the story will know that Eponine was essentially a DESPERATE character. she was not pathetic like Kaho SHimada's eponine. and she was not an angry, bitter cow like Lea Salonga's. She was DESPERATE and DETERMINED like Frances Ruffelle's Eponine. Lea Salonga was THE worst eponine. she sounds angry in "on my own". she has her perfect, pretty little voice and over pronounces every single word. she has to pronounce ALL her Ts absolutely spot on. and its wrong wrong wrong! they say it is the DREAM cast in concert, so why do they have to have the worst person playing the best character? if you want to hear a REAL eponine, listen to the OLC or the OBC or, even better, read the complete, unabridged book. ignore Salonga. she has no idea
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