Leszek5
It is my favorite musical and one of my favorite DVD. But I made mistake. I had seen DVD before I saw London performance. The problem is, that this performance is cut comparing to stage score. Not to much, but significantly. I understand of course, that score was to long for TV broadcast. But in my opinion too many important songs were cut. F.eg. solo of Valjean from "Thenardier Waltz of Treachery" and ending of this song (with young Cosette), first meeting of Marius and Cosette (The Robbery), and definitely duet of Marius and Valjean in "The Wedding". Lack of these songs and lack of stage movement causes understanding of full show difficult. So do not watch this movie before watching theatrical performance. Stop complaining. It is really extraordinary performance. Singers are doing their best - Wilkinson, Quast, Henshall, Galloway, Salonga, Ball and Armstrong are simply breathtaking. Definitely best performances I have ever heard. Chorus consisting of 200 singers singing a cappella is incredible. 17 Valjeans ending show give you unique impression how different tenors might be good performers of this score. This DVD is perfect reminder of stage show. I hope 25th Anniversary performance planned on 3rd October 2010 in O2 Dome will contain stage movements and will be recorded for DVD broadcast too.
RON SAMS
We have seen the West end show twice and intend to see it some more I have this concert on DVD. Although sad and moving we have never enjoyed a musical so much. This concert has brought together the talent of all those previously involved in worldwide performances and creates an awesome production and spectacular which is not to be missed. I thoroughly recommend anybody buying the DVD of this concert and of course also seeing the show. It was a great achievement of the production team to assemble these stars from every nation and have them perform in the centre of London but it has given me the opportunity to express how much admiration I have for everyone connected with the show. and I recommend it to everyone
woodenshoesrule
If you love Les Mis then you'll love this DVD as well. It really captures the whole atmosphere of the show and includes all great songs of the musical. It's also a story that will still be valid hundreds of years from now! Just a few things that makes this DVD not a 10 out of 10. First of all: this is a concert (so it's different then seeing the real thing on stage) and that not all the lyrics were included which is too bad! Also you might not totally agree that this is "the Dream Cast"..I don't think it is, although it comes pretty close! I think Michael Ball and Philip Quast are WONDERFUL as Marius and Javert! And well...they are all wonderful. Their voices amaze me and so does the music and do the songs, so just enjoy the beautiful music...do you hear the people sing?
iankinzel
The first million times I saw this on tape and DVD, I was entranced from the very first drumbeat. This tale of the redemption of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict breaking his parole, features heart-felt lyrics covering a full range of emotion- hope, despair, love, hate, pity, wrath, etc.The performance begins in a prison when Valjeans receives his yellow ticket of leave- he is on parole. He finds that he cannot make a living unless he stops showing the ticket, as the law requires, so Valjean breaks his parole. Eventually, he becomes mayor of a town and adopts Cosette, the daughter of a dying prostitute. Eventually, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a revolutionary fighting for the impoverished lower classes while Valjean attempts to reconcile with his past."Les Misérables" is often seen as a depressing story (the title tells all, I suppose), but the musical does a good job of providing some comic relief (especially from the crooked Thenardiers) without compromising heavier scenes, such as the songs "Look Down" and "Empty Chairs, Empty Tables." The production also benefits from scenes with Enjolras (the revolutionary leader) including the uplifting songs "Red and Black" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?".I cannot imagine a stronger performance of "Les Misérables," since the performers were the world's best at their respective parts. This is one of the most classic tales of redemption, up on the list with "On the Waterfront."
AD
