Postscripts to Les Miserables

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From the music tour --

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Btw, the Les Miserables home video was recently released (July 2023) in 4K format. At Amazon, it comes with a BluRay & digital (DVD) format. So, 3 in one!

Jo

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Taylor Swift once auditioned for the role of Eponine, but the role went to Samamtha Barks.

Someone shared this clip with Taylor & Eddie Redmayne making fun of their audition together ( actually it was not Eddie's audition as he did not need any because he had previously worked with Tom Hooper and he was the lead singer at Eton )

[jo]

To Fritz a Thief 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
@fritzandoscars
Best Actor 2012!

The Nominees were:

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight



Vote for your winner!






JoAB
@joab46466753
·
Which role had the more complex dramatic arc - from convict to town mayor to revolutionary (Valjean)? Which role had the greatest difficulty in its delivery - because it was a sung-through musical ( Les Miserables). That Oscar belonged to Hugh Jackman!



JoAB
@joab46466753
·

The essence of the classic story of LesMiserables is the grace of redemption from God, given to Valjean through the kind bishop. It became Valjean's 1st epiphany. Who can show a performance that can deliver this heartbreaking moment in the story arc best?
youtube.com/watch?v=JP31L6AhB3M

[jo]

Jeff Commings
@jeffswim
·
2h
It's impossible to vote for someone other than Daniel Day-Lewis. If I was compelled to do so, I would vote for Hugh Jackman. His role is tougher to navigate, and was the role he was born to play. But, DDL knocked it out of the park with Lincoln.




JoAB
@joab46466753
Interesting that apart from this particular topic, no other topics on "X"/Twitter before to discuss DDL Lincoln portrayal. LesMiserables endures because it is a literary,stage&film classic. HughJackman's portrayal was exceptional w/ his dramatic&singing talent in full display.
9:13 PM · Oct 21, 2023
·
4
Views

[jo]

Home Celebrities “I just felt totally seen by him”: Amanda Seyfried Gushed Over Hugh Jackman for Backing Her When She Was Frustrated With a Role She Still Regrets Today

Amanda Seyfried recalled how Hugh Jackman made her feel less scared on the set of Les Misérables.

Written by: Ariane
Reviewed by: Swagata
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 10, 2023, 6:03 AM


SUMMARY
Amanda Seyfried expressed her regret over the role of Cosette in 2012's Les Misérables.
She was not happy with her singing in the movie, but Hugh Jackman made her feel seen.
The actress praised Jackman for being compassionate on the set of Les Misérables.
Amanda Seyfried has been vocal about her regret over singing in the 2012 musical drama film Les Misérables. The actress admitted her voice did not have much power when she sang live while filming on the set.


The movie earned over $442 million at the box office and was also a recipient of eight Academy Award nominations, winning three categories, namely Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Sound Mixing.

RELATED: “I didn’t want to upset anybody”: Amanda Seyfried Was Terrified of Speaking Up After Asked to Walk Without Her Underwear to Keep Her Hollywood Career Secure

Amanda Seyfried Regrets Her Singing Role In Les Misérables
During Variety’s Actors on Actors interview, Amanda Seyfried confessed her deepest regret playing Cosette in Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables. Adapted from Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same title, the production was a lavish performance with an ensemble cast. She stated:



“In my career, I have had a lot of moments where I just felt complete regret. I wish I could redo Les Misérables completely because the live singing aspect, I still have nightmares about it. Singing is more indulgent than acting in some ways. I feel like when I have emotional scenes, where I get to really cry and feel what I’m actually feeling and be present in that, it feels really good and cathartic because crying is really cathartic.”



Seyfried was not particularly happy with her singing voice in the movie, claiming it did not have the strength and power required for the part. The actress also admitted she has been practicing a lot ever since her performance in the movie:

“When you feel like you’ve gotten there, where your voice is where it needs to be, and your voice is as strong as it needs to be, it wasn’t. I was very weak. I feel like I could definitely play Cosette now. I’ve been working diligently ever since Les Misérables to strengthen my voice and to have some stamina. Plus working on my vibrato, which was completely lost. From a very technical standpoint, I was very unhappy with my singing.”

The actress stopped singing after 2008’s Mamma Mia! movie, making her struggle to get back into vocalizing when she was cast in Les Misérables.



Amanda Seyfried Praised Hugh Jackman For His Compassion

With all her doubts about her singing, there was one person who trusted Amanda Seyfried and made her feel confident about it, and that was Hugh Jackman. The actor played Jean Valjean, Cosette’s father. Seyfried told Vanity Fair:

“I just remember him being so warm, and him knowing that I was struggling and just feeling like he was there for me. It was a beautiful scene. There’s so much reality happening for me. And when you trust your partner like that, even if you’re feeling like sh*t, something real comes through and I’m able to speak-sing.”

Seyfried credited Jackman for making her feel less anxious about her performance in the movie. The actress further added:

“Hugh Jackman is the most present, really kindest person, human being to walk this earth. Everybody who’s met him completely agrees. It’s just, there’s nobody like him. He’s a good friend, but he’s very paternal as well. And I think that I just felt, like, totally seen by him. And when you’re scared, and the person you’re with knows you’re scared and accepts that you’re scared, you feel less scared. That’s his ability, his compassion.”

From the views of the audience, Seyfried seems to be the only person criticizing herself too much. Many likened her voice to that of old Disney songs, while others said her singing was not as terrible as she thought it was.

[jo]

Pop Crave
@popcrave
·
4h
Studios are avoiding marketing musicals as such due to feedback from test-audience focus groups,
@deadline
reports:

“test-audience focus groups generally hate musicals and the only way to get people into the theater with one is to trick ’em.”




Cleo Panda
@thecleopanda
·
3h
When I worked at the movie theater I had SEVERAL people walk out of Les Misérables and ask for refunds because they didn’t know there would be “singing the whole time”



Brian Young
@42istheanswer
But it's Hugh Jackman singing comeon
6:51 AM · Dec 17, 2023




JoAB
@joab46466753
Sung-through musicals are like operas but in this case, Les Miserables had a complex dramatic arc based on one of the most revered literary works by Victor Hugo. It's a musicalized version w/ 2 major film stars in the roles, HughJackman&RussellCrowe!





JoAB
@joab46466753
The Confrontation, with Hugh Jackman & Russell Crowe. Drama, singing & action movie talent on display!
youtube.com
Les Misérables (2012) - The Confrontation Scene (2/10) | Movieclips
Les Misérables - The Confrontation: Javert (Russell Crowe) attacks Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman).BUY THE MOVIE: www.fandangonow.com/details/movie/les-m...







JoAB
@joab46466753
·
8m
At a concert by Russell Crowe & his band at Joe's Pub, with Hugh Jackman as guest - a more playful version of The Confrontation ( from LesMiserables).
youtube.com
Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe - The Confrontation, Les Miserables...


·

A very perceptive comment --

@aroamingfilipino
3 weeks ago
russell sounds like a deeper norm lewis and hugh sounds like alfie but smoother

Norm (Lewis) and Alfie (Boe) are considered some of the best musical theatre interpreters of Les Miserables!

It came from a countryman, another Filipino...and this I take as even more complimentary. To us, singing ( like dancing) is a way of life ( we love musicals!) and to be praised like this - better than the supposed gold-standard of Les Miserables singers is actually a better high compliment.


Jo

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I often reference the upload of Valjean's Soliloquy version with the most comments. There is another popular upload of the singing scene...and the comments are also deep and praise not only the Jackman performance but the lessons one learns from that song of redemption.

Scan through the comments --



I pity those who only hear the operatic voices in the stage musical and not see the deeper meaning and implications of how redemption is realized in this most dramatic scene. Sadly, the stage direction in the stage musical breezed through this first epiphany of Valjean ( so well discussed in the book by Victor Hugo). The original version by Wilkinson was not so bad ( but lacking in emotional depth...then the Boe, etc.. versions -- as if they did not think this is the whole point of the book of Valjean -- the grace of redemption).

Jo

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Dan B. 🌹 🪴
@danroberg
I also think Samantha barks is better than Francis Ruffelle and lea salonga as eponine but the true goat Valjeans was def Hugh Jackman
1:59 AM · Dec 30, 2023
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30
Views




Dan B. 🌹 🪴
@danroberg
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13m
I mean we've all seen the clip where Colin Wilkinson blows the high note. I saw that when I was 15!




JoAB
@joab46466753
·
11m
HughJackman's dramatic talent articulated an interpretation of the Valjean role with depth, emotionality & even some degree of romanticism! The literary hero was a man rescued from non-entity fhrough the grace of redemption.

[jo]

Not sure where the re-release is happening --

Les Misérables
@lesmisofficial
·
22m
The Dream Lives On. ✨
The musical phenomenon RETURNS to cinemas.

Boldly Remixed & Remastered | February 14 2024

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From Collider --

Copyright © 2024 collider.com
'Les Misérables' Returns to Theaters for One Week With Dolby Cinemas [Exclusive]
BY
CHRIS MCPHERSON
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
Hear the people sing in Dolby Atmos.

Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne, and Amanda Seyfried on a Les Miserables PosterImage via Dolby


THE BIG PICTURE

Les Misérables will be shown in Dolby Cinemas across the U.S. for one week starting February 23, 2024.


This presents a unique opportunity for fans to experience the emotional depth of the film in an immersive format with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.

The 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables was a significant success, grossing $435.4 million worldwide and winning three Oscars.

It's another chance to hear the people singing the songs of angry men as 2012's award-laden classic musical Les Misérables will be shown in Dolby Cinemas across the U.S. for a limited week starting February 23, 2024. The film adaptation of the musical starred Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway, with the latter winning her first Oscar for playing the devastating role of Fantine. This special screening marks the film's debut in Dolby Cinemas, featuring enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos and visually stunning Dolby Vision.

Over a decade since its initial 2012 release, this presents a unique opportunity for fans and musical theater enthusiasts to experience the film's emotional depth and vibrant 19th-century France setting in an immersive format, as the classic Victor Hugo tale, a smash hit on Broadway, was adapted in stunning style for the big screen. Participating AMC theaters in the U.S. will offer two screenings per day, with the international rollout for the film's re-release set to start on February 14 in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

“We can’t wait for U.S. audiences to experience Les Misérables like they never have before when it re-releases exclusively in Dolby Cinema,” said Jed Harmsen, Head of Cinema and Group Entertainment at Dolby. “Fans will be pulled closer to the powerful, heart-wrenching emotions of this iconic film, as the soundtrack comes alive with the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos, and the streets of 19th century France soar off the screen with the stunning visuals of Dolby Vision.”



How Successful Was 'Les Mis' On Screen?

les-miserables-series-lily-collins-social-featureImage via BBC Studios
The 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables was a significant success at the box office. It grossed a total of $148.8 million domestically and $286.6 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $435.4 million. This performance is particularly noteworthy considering the film had a modest production budget of $65 million. The movie also received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It won three Oscars: Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Fans can now pre-order tickets to experience the film in Dolby Cinema at AMC theaters. Check out the new Dolby poster below and keep scrolling for the film's synopsis.

Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne, and Amanda Seyfried on a Les Miserables Poster
The official synopsis for the film, directed by Tom Hooper, states:

Hugh Jackman and Academy Award® winners Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway star in this critically-acclaimed adaptation of the epic musical phenomenon. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

[jo]

Too bad the re-release will only be in the USA and a few English-speaking countries.

I saw the movie 6 times in cinema and a few more times on BluRay. I am not sure if I have a 4K version.

Jo

[jo]

Check remastered trailer here --

www.liveforfilm.com/2024/01/12/les-miserables-returns-to-cinema-on-14th-february/

[jo]

Someone not familiar with Les Miserables thought "24601" used by Ryan-Deadpool to tease Hugh Jackman came from the TVA script.

So, I shared the screen bites of "Who Am I?"

But it also drove home the point to me ... of the sheer injustice of DDLewis winning the Oscar over Hugh Jackman! DDL's work bears no remarkable memory in moviegoers minds...but Hugh Jackman delivered one of the most remarkable & most difficult roles in a sung-through musical in movie history! I always think that THE SOLILOQUY was his acting & singing masterpiece... but Who AM I must be a close second -- the indecision, the moral doubts, the selfish tone, the fierce personal decision to come to court to declare that he is "24601"!

[jo]

When you think of it --

Hugh Jackman delivered in the role a slice of each of his mastery of many genres --

*Drama
*Action
*Musical
*Dark comedy ( his exchange with the Thenardiers to take little Cosette away)

Jo

[jo]

A reply --

Me Gustan Los Films
@mgustanlosfilms
claro pero en este caso ellos siempre se hace bromas con sus personajes del Mcu y tirando indirectas con posibles spoilers hacia su nueva pelicula.

Translated from Spanish by Google:

Of course, but in this case they always make jokes with their Mcu characters and hint with possible spoilers towards their new movie.



Replying to @mgustanlosfilms

JoAB
@joab46466753

True -- but such a famous literary ID # - can anyone just joke with it and use it in a different light elsewhere 😊

[jo]

Les Miserables remastered movie announces UK, US and international release dates
The 2012 movie version of international hit musical Les Miserables has been digitally remastered, and will be released in cinemas in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2024.

In the US, the film with be released exclusively in AMC Theatres for one week only from 23 February 2024; in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on 22 February; in Spring 2024 in South Korea, Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark; and August 2024 in Japan.

This is the first time that the film will be released in Dolby Cinema, featuring the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos and visuals of Dolby Vision. The film has also been remixed by Tom Hooper, Cameron Mackintosh, Lee McCutcheon, Stephen Metcalfe and Andy Nelson.


Directed by Tom Hooper, the movie version of Boublil and Schönberg’s show picked up three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway for her portrayal of Fantine, Best Achievement in Sound Mixing and Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling, and was produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Working Title Films and Universal Pictures.

The movie stars Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman), Oscar- winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind), Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada), Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!), Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl, The Theory of Everything), Tony winner Aaron Tveit (GREASE Live!), Frozen The Musical star Samantha Barks, Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Hugo, Borat).

Director Tom Hooper and producer Cameron Mackintosh said in a joint statement: “It’s hard to believe that it is already over 10 years since our musical film of Les Misérables opened to become one of the most successful movie adaptations of a stage musical of all time. We are delighted that to mark the occasion. Universal Pictures is re-releasing a re-mastered version of the film, with a major remix of tracks in Dolby Atmos and a remaster of the entire picture in Dolby Vision; coming to select cinemas.”

Les Miserables will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in London’s West End in 2025. Producer Cameron Mackintosh has also announced a major new arena tour, with Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular playing venues in the UK and internationally in 2024 and 2025.

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app.frame.io/reviews/597e4a7e-e06b-4ab6-87d3-c366729b7ded/aa63509c-bb56-4aa5-ba75-a14a060b2724


Image and sound sharper and deeper - in this remixed and remastered version.

It is not available in all countries. Hopefully, it is going to be available through Amazon?


Jo

[jo]

Hugh's interpretation has been controversial... because many fans of the stage musical simply want the song to be sung like a prayer - a prayer that Marius be saved.

But Hugh's interpretation seems to mirror his relationship with Marius, his initial apprehensions about this young man taking his beloved Cosette away but now concerned that if this young man dies, his daughter would lose the love of her life. It is a father's lament of the dreaded outcome of a revolutionary conflict and implores God to save the man his daughter loves. A troubled mind and a prayer to God. Very emotional, rather than simply a pleading song.

Jo