Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| dcrowley |
les Miserables 1934Has anybody watched the 1934 French film starring Harry Baur. It is not a musical, but it is fantastic!!! It has been newly released on DVD for the first time in US. I highly suggest any fans of the novel to watch it... the closest adaptation yet. |
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| javertim |
This is my favorite film version of Les Miserables, too. No one can ever beat Harry Baur as Valjean. Likewise, Florelle as Fantine provides the viewer with the fullest account of the character on film, although a lot of this can be credited to the scriptwriter, too. Also, the ordeal with Champmatheiu (who is also played by Baur) is masterfully done in this version.
However, I would have to disagree with the statement that it is the closest to the book yet made. * Part II in particular illustrates a number of shortcomings, particularly the Petit Picpus Convent, the Luxembourg Gardens and the chance meeting of Marius and Cosette therein. Now, all of this isn't very major, but it should be noted that three other film versions capture these scenes and still retain the same level of novel-faith as this version. Still, it must be noted that Parts I and III are incredible -- particularly Part I. I just cannot emphasize how excellent an actor Harry Baur is. I also very much enjoy the Thenardiers as played by Charles Dullin and Marguerite Moreno, where the former is Hugo's character to a tee, even if he does fall victim to some rather theatrical histrionics from time to time. Jean Servais is also quite a great Marius. Furthermore, �mile Genevois is the greatest Gavroche on screen -- It felt as if Hugo's character had lept straight off the page! All in all, a spectacular film -- the best to date of the Hugo novel, if not necessarily the closest to the original form. Still, I think it ranks amongst my favorite movies of all time. * I would say that the 1958 Jean Gabin film is the closest to the novel. Also, the 1982 version with Lino Ventura comes remarkably close. However, were it not for the "shortcuts" in Part II of the 1934 version, it would most certainly hold this title. |
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| Salome |
although the best Javert was Anthony Perkins in the 1978 version. | ||||||||
| Orestes Fasting |
I haven't yet seen the 1934 version, but I agree that both the 1958 and 1982 films are remarkably faithful. Do you happen to know whether the 1982 one was ever released as a Region 1 DVD? |
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| javertim |
Anthony Perkins' Javert is quite excellent (I am actually watching that version as I type this), but I feel there are some problems with his character, too. His treatment of Sister Simplice is absolutely atrocious, and Javert would never speak to a "good woman" like that.
I think my favorite film Javert is Michel Bouquet from the 1982 Robert Hossein version (with Lino Ventura as Valjean). He is cold but never cruel, is polite, and is wholly unshakable. Charles Vanel from the 1934 film is also quite good. I thought it was amazing when he took off his hat in respect to Fantine's passing. Also, I think his appearance is even closer to Hugo's description than Anthony Perkins. |
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| herkind |
I thought the plot jumped around a lot, for instance we see Fantine meeting Tholomyes for the first time then she's a single mother in a factory getting let go and then she's on the street. It almost like a footnotes version of the story. However they did include several excellent details such as Valjean's glass bead factory and how they were made, the bucket little Cosette carrying being almost as big as she is, Valjean and Cosette seeing the convicts, Valjean shooting caps and not people at the barricades etc. I also felt that the second half was really abbreviated. For instance, when it begins Marius is already acquainted with both Eponine and Cosette skipping the whole courtship plotline.
I loved Harry Baur as Valjean but the kid playing Gavroche was my favorite part of the film. He was excellent. I ordered the Jean Gabin version and I'm really looking forward to watching it. |
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| javertim |
It isn't out on Region 1. I recently acquired the Region 2 version from Amazon.fr and can only enjoy it on my computer. However, I haven't been able to get the subtitles to work (as the back of the dvd clamshell indicates "Versions francais - anglais). Still, I can enjoy it very much in the French language, despite the fact that my French is limited to basic vocabulary. Now, if they could only release the 1958 version in the original French with good subtitles and a decent transfer and remastering/cleanup ... The English dubbing, while wholly comprehensive, is atrocious in terms of vocal acting. Whomever dubbed for Jean Gabin should have been slapped several times. |
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| herkind |
Would the Region 2 version work on any computer (say a Mac)? I've heard a lot of good things about it and would love to see it. I think my French is proficient enough to understand it as I had no problem with 2000 miniseries without subtitles. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Unfortunately, if your computer is American it will only work with Region 1 DVDs.
I believe there is a remastered DVD of the 1958 movie in the original French, but it has no subtitles. And it's region 2. |
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| javertim |
My computer is American and had no problem playing the 1982 Region 2 dvd from Amazon.fr. You just have to make sure you're using an application that allows you to change the region specifications of your computer. Additionally, you can only change such specifications three times before the computer locks the region into the system (what a worthless, confining rule).
However, it could be that my computer was simply fitted with an "all region" dvd reader. I wouldn't want you to purchase the film and then find out your system will not accept it. Unfortunately, I do not know how to find out whether it will be compatible or not. Moreover, you can find a slew of "all region" (or at least NTSC and PAL compatible) dvd players on Amazon.com. They run mostly from $60-100. Be careful to read reviews of the players, however, as some are not as well constructed as others. |
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| dcrowley |
There are the fair share of inaccuracies in this one.. but not even the Gabin version is entirely faithful (for example the scene where Eponine steals a loaf of bread and is saved from being arrested by Valjean and Cosette).
I think Harry Baur IS Valjean ... he is hulking, and almost stupid looking, but he proves to be quite sly and sharp. He makes a great transformation from brute felon to elderly, caring father. My favorite movie Javert would have to be Michel Bouquet from the 1982 Robert Hossein... Unfortunately I bought the french Dvd because it said that it had English Subtitles... I think it was a misprint because I can't find them Florelle was incredible as Fantine... She looked the part, and was given more screen time to develop her character Other stand outs in the cast are Jossilyn Gael who played a very sweet, somewhat stupid Cosette, Jean Servais as a very attractive Marius and Orane Demazis as a suitably ugly, creepy, and homicidal Eponine.... The best Eponine on film is Candice Patou from the 1982 miniseries, though. |
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| javertim |
It looks like we think very much alike, Dcrowley. I agree on nearly everything you just said. 
And I tend to look at the scene where Eponine steals bread in the Gabin to be mere artistic license. However, I will admit that it is pretty hokey. Also, I think the 1982 version would be my favorite if it had the English subtitles intact. I, like yourself, purchased the dvd from Amazon.fr where it said such subtitles were provided with the film. Alas, they are not. But it is a very beautiful film to look at and all of the performances are spot-on, in my opinion. And I cannot help but see vast quantities of similarities between it and the musical version, the most glaring of which is Gavroche's song about Voltaire and Rousseau -- its melody the same as in the 1980 French Concept Recording as well as the "Little People" equivalent in the subsequent revival of 1991. I just wish we could see a fine U.S. release of this film with subtitles as well-thought-out and witty as the ones provided in the new release of the 1934 film. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Yes, well, the director of the '82 version was also directly involved in the original 1980 Palais des Sports production of the musical--he might even have directed that one too. So he lifted a few things from it, most notably "La faute � Voltaire" and the factory girl who picks on Fantine.
I think the '82 one also had a little nod to the '58 film's Eponine-steals-a-loaf-of-bread schtick, in the scene where La Th�nardier has died and her body is laid out in a church. Eponine goes to pay her last respects, then nicks the silver on the way out. |
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| javertim |
I had been under the impression that the person laid in the church was General Lamarque. I just don't understand why the Thenardiess would be honored in such a way. Is there dialogue stating that it is she?
ETA: Upon closer inspection, I did notice that in the next scene Montparnasse asks "And your mother?" with Eponine replying "She's dead." |
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| dcrowley |
I too think that the 1982 version is the best... all of the characters are represented perfectly... Especially Javert, Eponine, and Marius... they are the epitome of their characters. and it has such gorgeous, yet dreary scenery...
but this one seems more complete. |
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| Fantine |
I wish I could see it... It seems more than interesting. All I know are the 1998 and the 2000 miniseries (in French - six hour version). | ||||||||
| dcrowley |
How funny, I thought it was general Lamarque as well... it really didn't look like Mme Thenardier.... Thanks for clearing that up Orestes |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Well, I thought it was La Th�nardier... but it's been a while since I've seen it. It could well have been Lamarque, but then what would Eponine have been doing there? | ||||||||
| javertim |
Well, I just assumed that many of the poor would have paid their respects to General Lamarque since he was their guy. And since this version doesn't show the funeral-parade as in other versions, I thought maybe this was their homage to such a scene.
However, the more I look at the profile of the figure (which comes into view just after Azelma crosses herself and walks off), the more I think it looks like the Thenardiess. |
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| dcrowley |
Yeah, I'd say it is the madame herself | ||||||||
| The Pirate King |
The 1934 version is amazing. All five hours of it. The ending of Part II is truly, truly chilling. Really, while Part I was slow in some parts, damn, was that thing amazing start to finish. Raymond Bernard was a genius.
So I've seen the '34 (breath-taking, brilliant), '35 (very well-done), '52 (mediocre), '78 (quite good), and '98 (not as bad as it's made out to be) versions. I intend on getting my hands on the '58 version (not hard at all to do, public domain, $1 DVD, hello) and seeing the '82 and '00 versions eventually. Unfortunately, I don't know French. |
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| EponineThenardier |
What gets me realy angery is the 1998 version. With there lack of accuracy in parts. You dont even Have Eponine. and no movie is good without eponine | ||||||||
| The Pirate King |
Eponine is a crappy character who is in no way integral to the plot line. Accept it and move on. |
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| Quique |
Wow, that was uncalled for. |
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| dcrowley |
They way I look at it, if Victor Hugo thought her necessary to the plot of his novel, then no film adaptation should leave her out. Yes, I know there have been no film to have featured all of the characters from VH's book, but Eponine is a fairly prominent figure in the novel. |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
There are about 300 other characters, too. If Hugo didn't want them in there, they wouldn't be there. Did you want every adaptation to include all of them as well? |
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| Orestes Fasting |
So are M. Mabeuf and M. Gillenormand, and yet I don't see many people arguing that a movie version just wouldn't be the same without them. |
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| kittengoespop |
Indeed. In fact, in that movie, the worst "leave-out" was Enjolras. Molding Marius and Enjolras into the same character = not cool. |
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| dcrowley |
Please note that I said that I understood that there has never been a movie to include every character. To me, Eponine is a bit more prominent in the storyline than Maubeuf, Sister Simplice, M. Gillenormand, etc. I think that leaving out Enjolras is the biggest crime. As a matter of fact, when I realised that the Thenardiers were not going to reappear, there was no Eponine, and Enjolras and Marius were merged into one character, I lost all interest in the film. | ||||||||
| The Pirate King |
Really? For me, even if the rest of the film had nothing to do with Les Miserables, the production values, score, and Neeson and Rush made it a good film, and worth watching. |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
Same here. I thought as a movie it was very good. As an adaptation of the novel it pretty much sucked, but once I was half an hour into it I was able to leave all that at the door and appreciate it on its own. | ||||||||
| Quique |
That's EXACTLY the way I feel about the musical. Which is why I never listen to stupid rantings about how inaccurate this and that character is portrayed in the musical. I appreciate the piece on its own as an ADAPTATION of the novel. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Wait wait wait, leaving out Enjolras is a bigger mistake than leaving out the Th�nardiers after the inn? Priorities, man!  Of all the plot-mangling mistakes in that movie, leaving out Eponine is positively minor.
I'd put Eponine and M. Gillenormand at about equal importance in the book, myself; it's a little disappointing when one of them is cut from an adaptation (yes, including the musical), but the plot goes on fine without them. Just because one adaptation gives Eponine two popular songs dripping with lovelorn angst doesn't mean it's a crime if another adaptation chooses not to include her. |
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| dcrowley |
I thought that the first half was very strong... But I didn't like Rush's Javert... he was far to stereotypical villain for my taste. Especially when he struck Fantine... Javert would not have dirtied his hands on a "wretch" like her.
Neeson was far too young and clean cut for Valjean... same went for Frederick March... they just look too pretty for the role. Thurman played Fantine well... although I didn't like the love story between her and Valjean... at all. I like how crude and dirty they made Fantine become... Especially when she is sick in bed and literally offers herself to the landlord. It was really startling and shows how far she had sunk. I hated Clare Danes as Cosette. They took such liberties with the character, and made her into a spoiled child who screams and sobs in every scene. I think the actor who played Marius could have been ideal if only they had left the character alone. Looks wise, he is exactly how I pictured the character. The last half (the love story and the barricade) was just painful to me. I had hopes when I started the film, but by the time Valjean watches Javert sink himself, I was left numb. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
That'd be true for me in a vacuum, but the musical is so popular and so many people's first introduction to the story that the liberties it takes with the characters influence people's opinions of them--which carries over into discussions that have nothing whatever to do with the musical. Witness the repeated "OMG how DARE they cut Eponine from thus-and-such movie adaptation!" kerfuffles, or the persistent impression that Javert is a religious fanatic of some sort. |
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| Quique |
You've got a point there, but I guess I've never been too bothered by the everyday person's false perception of the characters. It's pretty much inevitable when you're dealing with such a popular peice of work like Les Miserables. Of course it gets annoying when enough people repeat those inaccuarcies, but the only ones who really have it wrong are the extreme Eponine freaks and I've been around those for over 20 years and counting. Guess I'm just numb to it by now.
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| lesmisloony |
My biggest annoyances with the 98 movie are... well, let's make a list (and bear in mind that I haven't seen the movie in a matter of years):
1. Valjean punching the bishop and SLAPPING COSETTE WHAT ?!? 2. Marius and Cosette. Their first kiss in the GARDEN was their last, 98 movie and Laura Kalpakian ! Why ruin their cute chastity ? Also, Claire Danes. Cosette is supposed to be pretty and sweet. And Marjolras was strange. 3. Grantier. 4. Valjean watching Javert commit suicide and skipping away. 5. The Valjean/Fantine picnic scene. *eyeroll* 6. Gavroche's boys at the barricade running around squeaking "Papa ! Papa !" Shut up, movie: you aren't helping me overcome my hatred for small children. 7. "This time it is I who is trapped beneath the cart, LAFITTE." Pourquoi ? 8. Didn't Marius knock Javert out while Cosette was holding a gun on him ? I seem to remember that happening and my head simultaneously exploding. Okay, I'm going to stop now... I was only going to mention a few things, but as I was typing bad memories came rushing forward and I couldn't help myself... Let me give a nod to the Jean Gabin film for being awesome and including Montparnasse. And so many other things. But I definitely hated the sloppy translation of the "My greatness doesn't extend to that shelf" crack the bishop made. They went through specific trouble to include that line for me, movie. Don't squish it like that. I have three, and yes that's 3, LM films coming to me in the mail from various eBayers right now. The Depardieu one, of course, but I forgot which the others were. I'll have a lovely reveal when the packages arrive, I suppose. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
The Depardieu one is cracktastic. I'm not sure if it's in a good way or a bad way.
(Marjolras doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it? How 'bout Enjorius? It has a nice ring to it, particularly because of how injurious to my sanity that part of the movie was.) |
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| lesmisloony |
Hahaha, Enjorius, yes.
Also have to add that I have a creepy animated one on VHS, which is alternately awesome, wince-inducing, and hilarious. 
That's the one. I think they managed to make the whole movie on about forty-five cents, not to mention spelling Cosette's name wrong on the love letter. Am still kind of in love with it, though. |
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| Fantine |
Is that the animated version where they have that horrendous "Cosette, Cosette, Cosette, lalalalalaaaa" song during the wedding?
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| lesmisloony |
Hahahaha, no, but your post is cracking me up.
This is the one where all the voices sound like someone talking in their sleep, though it does actually include Petit-Gervais. The scene where I first started laughing was when "Madeleine" hears a ruckus and goes to the window of his giant estate; below him on the street Javert is holding Fantine's wrist and saying, "I must arrest you. You are a vagrant." Also, young Cosette is terrifying, but it does include 'Catherine,' which is always good. The animation and voices are terrible, but it manages to do an okay job of capturing the story. I plan to raise my children on this movie someday. Said children, by the way, will be named Cosette and Papageno. ...No, really. |
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| lesmisloony |
I just finished watching Episode 1 of the Depardieu version, and realized that I have a LOOONG way to go in my French studies. Meh. My DVD has no subtitles at all. Even French ones would be kind of nice, but I guess I'll just have to deal. Thank God John Malkovich talks so slowly; I understand almost everything his Javert says. I pick up stray lines here and there from the others, and I'm darn good at gisting. Seeing how it's Les Mis.
It started out really well! Despite the fact that FavouriteDahliaZephine looked more like Fantine than Fantine did. And Sister Simplice looks like Liv Tyler at times. Didn't see THAT coming. And... Madame Thenardier is beautiful. *head explodes* Man, I love Depardieu. A LOT. He's like a giant convict teddybear. His nose makes me smile. And did I correctly understand that the guy who plays Chapmathieu is Brother Depardieu? They don't really look alike. I think it would have been awesome if France had had a Depardieu lookalike contest and the winner had played Chapmathieu. That would have been amazing. Despite my ability to mostly understand Malky, I have no idea why he suddenly showed up at the Thenardier inn. Anyone who's seen it understand that a little better? And it really creeped me out that Les Thenardier were practically copulating when the daughters walked in, then Madame leaves and the little girls hop in bed with daddy. As two separate scenes, it would have been okay. The fact that it happened so immediately (and I have my suspicions about Thenardier's fathering) was skeevy. Best thing so far (besides Depardieu) was Felix telling Fantine "Je reviendrai." and then, almost immediately after, Fantine saying the same thing to Cosette ("Maman reviendra"). I dunno if it was intentional, but it was an almost chilling parallel. All that from seeing episode one! Now off to number two... I hope the coffin thing is included, but I have yet to see a film that leaves that in, so I won't hold my breath. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
I believe Javert shows up at the Th�nardier inn in pursuit of Valjean, then when he learns that Th�nardier let Valjean give him 1500 francs for the kid, he arrests him for child trafficking or something of the sort. But this is going entirely on my memory of the series.
Fantine post-haircut looks like a Spiders from Mars reject. |
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| lesmisloony |
Haha, no, that was the SECOND time Javert randomly showed up at the inn. The first time he asked the Thenardiers and Cosette a few questions and then wandered away. I think it was right after he denounced Madeleine. Or something.
Part Two had way, way, too many WTF?!? moments. Including Simplice/Valjean (kind of), Gavroche helping YOUNG COSETTE and Jean hide, then being the exact same age years later and hanging out with Marius all the time, Marius being terrifyingly hideous, Eponine looking like a pissed-off emo Christina Ricci, Javet apparently auditing Marius's class (when I first saw his bald head, I was like, LAIGLE! but then it was... Javert?)... wow, yeah, it's definitely cracktastic. And it started off so well! *still loves Depardieu a little too much* |
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| herkind |
Have you gotten to the part where grown Cosette is in bed with Valjean? I can't even tell you how much that creeped me out.
I rather like Asia Argento as Eponine though I don't think they made her ragged enough. The girl playing Azelma looked creepy enough to be Eponine though. Marius looks like a Menudo reject but Cosette (Virginie Ledoyen) is effing gorgeous. Still haven't figured out why Gavroche never ages or Touissant is male and incapable of speaking. |
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| lesmisloony |
Yeah, just about everything that happened at the convent was inappropriate. The scene where Valjean and Cosette were in bed together was weird enough, but later they had Fauchelevant come up behind Valjean and whisper in his ear that he talks in his sleep, and I started cracking up.
Is the woman who plays Mere Innocente a famous French actress? I felt like they wrote in a lot of crap for her that was kind of superfluous. Also, Marius and Gavroche are really handsy. It makes me kind of uncomfortable. |
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| herkind |
Yeah, she is, supposedly, though the only other movie that I've seen her in is Ever After. They really played up the whole idealized clergy bit in this film because Soeur Simplice had a much larger role as well. |
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| Gargamel |
She is more than famous... http://imdb.com/name/nm0603402/ My favorite movies with her are: Ascenseur pour l'�chafaud : http://imdb.com/title/tt0051378/ Jules et Jim (a must-see!!) : http://imdb.com/title/tt0055032/ She also had a small part in Nikita http://imdb.com/title/tt0100263/ which I think dah a little succes outside France |
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| Fantine |
You guys crack me up.
I have the full six hour version with Dutch subtitles and I once had the ambition of translation all those into English but meh. There's only so much one can do. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Oh man, if you think the convent bits are inappropriate, wait until you get to the scene where Valjean confesses his past to Marius.  That pushes it over the line from slightly inappropriate to just plain wrong.
Other WTFs in the second part: Eponine spending about five minutes coughing up blood as she dies, then Marius kisses her on the lips. Ewwww. And Enjolras and Marius' barricade boy pajama party! And Fauchelevent joining the National Guard. And--yeah, there is not enough WTF in the world for this adaptation. |
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| lesmisloony |
Hahaha, my favourite part of part three was when Eponine (who I think should be christened Emo-nine) was offering to take Marius to Cosette's house, and he was like, "Well, what do you want in return?" and Eponine stares at him and goes... "You." I cracked up so much I had to rewind and see what I missed. Either that or Cosette threatening to shoot Mr. Toussaint if he didn't let her leave the house. So much crack. So much.
Oh! And Gavroche and Javert gazing at each other for AGES across the barricade. Awk...ward. And then during the weirdest prison escape ever, I heard them say "Brujon, Babet, and Montparnasse" so I started eagerly scanning the escapees for a pretty one--and all I see is two fat guys and an old guy. No Monty. *weeps* I don't know if I'll have time to watch part four before work, but I'm going to give it a valiant effort. Still lurves me some Depardieu. |
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| lesmisloony |
Valdepardieu: J'aime Cosette.
Fugly!Marius: Oui, comme un pere. Valdepardieu: Non. ...J'aime Cosette. Loony's head: *explodes* More later... when I'm coherent again... |
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| Fantine |
Yep, that is one hell of a scary scene.
I remember that I was like: "Is he going to blow Marius' head off now?" Because I remember that JVJ looked kinda insane at that moment. |
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| lesmisloony |
It has actually scarred me. And... it ruins everything. I mean, I spent the rest of the movie being skeeved out by Valjean, and when Cosette returns to him I wasn't all, "Wow that's so sweet!" I was more like, "Oh gosh, he's really getting his jollies now." I'm really disgusted and disappointed by it. It's very Judge Turpin. And inappropriate. And upsetting.
Also, Emo-nine is clearly not speaking French. Anyone else catch that? She's been poorly dubbed, like the Gabin film. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Well, it's Asia Argento, so she's probably speaking either Italian or English...
There's a really badly-dubbed English version out there too, complete with Enjolras jumping on a table and shouting in a thick German accent, "We're going to build a barricade! Yay!" |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
Good one. I remember dubbing her "Hot Topic Eponine." |
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| lesmisloony |
*can not... stop... laughing...* Oh geez. I've decided that I'm going to pick up as many various LM films as I can, because I love eBay and spending money I should be saving. Re: Asia Argento as E(m)onine and why she bothered me... 1. Her bright red dress and fishnet armwarmers. 2. Her hair that looked like a cheap wig. 3. Not speaking French. I don't get it. Marius was clearly Italian, and John Malkovich is American, yet they spoke French for the film. If her accent is atrocious, or something, why even cast her in the first place? 4. Marius: What do you want, if not my money? (gisted) Emonine: You. 5. Is it really that hard to get those two strands of hair out of your face? ...I think that's all. Yes, and I feel much better now. |
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| Quique |
I rarely think anyone is actually "ugly," but Jesus Christ, what were they thinking when they cast that Marius? Ick, lol. |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
I was IMing a friend at the time it first aired (we were in the same time zone) and I ran to the computer during the commercial break after his first appearance. She had already IMed me. "OK, that Marius is f*cking ugly." |
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| Orestes Fasting |
It seems to be a cardinal rule of Les Mis adaptations that the more Hugo describes a guy as pretty, the uglier he is in the films. (Even in the otherwise awesome '82 miniseries, Montparnasse looks like an overgrown Artful Dodger.) | ||||||||
| lesmisloony |
*cries* Hahaha, Quique, I thought you were going to scold me for being rude to Marius at first... I actually found out at the end of part four that if you cover up the lower half of his face, he's tolerable. He has okay eyes. But I can't stand his Soul-Glo Jheri curls. They're too shiny. The 98 movie's one redeeming factor was that Marjolrius was pretty cute. Well... I guess it had two redeeming factors if you include Geoffrey Rush... |
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| eponine5 |
I don't know how many of you have seen this, but this is the most accurate adaptation of the barricade death scene I've seen! I love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra350KpvUmA |
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| lesmisloony |
Haha, that animated video is kind of crazy. Enjolras is definitely pretty, but the weird music playing while everyone is being shot cracked me up. And I laughed REALLY LOUD when Grantaire knocked the soldier out with the bottle. You're right, it is a pretty good adaptation (and that's the closest thing to an appropriately beautiful Enj I've ever seen), but I think the Jean Gabin film is still more accurate. And I haven't seen the '82 one yet, but I'm sure someone on here can vouch for its barricade sequence.
Is that Shoujo (sp) Cosette? It looks kind of amazing, just based on how physically accurate all Les Amis are... except Marius's brown hair, but I can cope. Must... own... various... LM... movies... |
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| dcrowley |
I actually liked Asia Argento in the 2000 miniseries... She was the closest to the novel personality wise... She was scheming, wild, unhinged, and bitter... but still managed to be appropriately pitiful in her death scene... Agree that her dress was NOT Eponine appropriate. She should have been in rags... but I liked her hair; it was wild and untamed and gave her a slinky, shadowy look.
Personally, Candice Pataou (sp?) from the '82 miniseries is the only Eponine I feel completely satisfied with... she is filthy, ugly, and yet, if you look at her right, she was actually attractive. While her personality is a bit sweeter than I would have liked, she is the only actress who I feel got Eponine's spirit. The Eponine in the Gabin film was like a straight version of the musical Eponine... Saintly, loving, and a little sad... which didn't cut it for me... she was also too clean looking. |
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| eponine5 |
^
^ Yeah, I'm pretty certain it is the Shoujo Cosette. The first few episodes were put up on youtube a while ago, but were soon removed. It did seem to get a bit side-tracked with the earlier Young Cosette storyline, but the few clips I've seen of the Paris section seem really accurate. When I said accurate before, I was referring to the whole Enjolras/Grantaire death, but I haven't seen many of the films, so I wouldn't know which ones included it. I also found it kind of funny, considering I wouldn't have expected the anime version to be one of the ones most true to the book. |
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| herkind |
Definitely agree about Asia Argento. I liked how they showed her being actively involved in the Thenardiers scheming. Some of her dialogue was a bit melodramatic and awkward but her acting was excellent. I really wish I could get my hands on the 82 miniseries. I've heard so many good things about it and I really want to see it. I also agree with you about Silvia Monfort. I think it's interesting how closely that interpretation resembles musical Eponine given that it was written almost 30 years before the musical and is so far off from Hugo. Also, the English dubbing in the Gabin film drives me up the wall. |
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| lesmisloony |
Yeah, I know! The Gabin one actually had almost everything from the Book when it came to the battle scene. They slammed the door on a guy's fingers, they chopped down the staircase and threw bottles at the soldiers when they ran out of weapons, and Enjolras was standing in a huge group of dead people when the soldiers approached until a voice yells "Vive la Republique! I am one of them! (or... something to that effect)" He comes over to Enjolras and grasps his hand. Enjolras smiles at him. The soldiers shoot. Grantaire slumps to the floor, but for a long moment Enjolras is pinned to the wall. It's fantastic. Except that Enjolras is borderline goofy-looking. Does anyone know how I can save video from a DVD onto my computer? I'm too slow to figure it out. In other news...
Word that the Gabin Eponine was too clean, and a little too wide-eyed, but I don't get the impression that Eponine is terribly bitter from the Book. I mean, all the scenes that come to mind include Marius, but she's usually annoyingly chipper around the boy (probably showing off, of course, but still). I'm sure it won't be difficult, but can you point me to a moment in the Book in which she's bitter? I guess I could think about the Rue Plumet scene, but she did plop down and start singing to herself at one point during that. I tend to think of Eponine as a slightly darker version of the Gabin one. I especially like the Gabin Eponine because she's not very pretty, and the 2000 Eponine was, even with purplish circles under her eyes and a very plastic-y wig. Different topic: Found this on youtube. Which one is it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh8z5djEaYA |
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| Orestes Fasting |
The '82 version of the fall of the barricade differed from the book in only one particular: instead of Enjolras being the sole survivor of the carnage in the Corinth, all of the Amis are beaten back into the tavern and they're all before a firing squad when Grantaire wakes up. Then he has a Big Dramatic Moment of Decision and stands up with them, and they all die together. Dramatically. In slow motion.
One other nice touch: when Valjean is off letting Javert go, in the background you can faintly hear Enjolras giving his "He who dies here dies in the radiance of the future..." speech. Edit: lesmisloony, if you like really nitpicky little details, watch the scene in the Gabin film where Valjean is dragging Marius into the sewers. You can see part of "Vivent les peuples" scratched into the wall. |
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| dcrowley |
The BEST Eponine:
Candice Patou from the 1983 version: 
She is Eponine... That movie is the closest thing to perfection I have seen. |
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| lesmisloony |
Indeed I do... and would you believe I actually noticed that? I was very excited. I've been watching some clips on the '78 movie on youtube, and Javert's suicide was hilarious. (Yes, I know, youtube addictions can be dangerous.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShjsQ_sHmmA |
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| herkind |
" 'You mean,' she said hastily, 'you don't know her, but you want to know her.' The girl's 'them' changed to 'her' with an indescribably bitter significance." "...heard a sullen and threatening voice saying, 'I wouldn't be surprised if he come here every evening!' " I always got the impression that Eponine was very aware of her situation and very bitter but didn't waste much time complaining because she learned a long time ago that it wouldn't change anything. |
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| lesmisloony |
*bows to a better interpretation* | ||||||||
| lesmisloony |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECceeHxY1Q
FTW. |
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| Fantine |
@ the Shojo Cosette bit: that song playing seems... Kinda inappropriate? What is that medallion that slips from one of the Amis hands?
And a big "awwww" for the Japanese voice actor for pronouncing all the names. |
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| lesmisloony |
I'm really interested in Shoujo Cosette. I was going to ask a bunch of stupid questions on here, but I think I'll avoid TVAW's wrath and google it myself. Because that's the responsible thing to do.
And, I have to add to the Eponine debate that the thing I really liked about the '57 Eponine is the way she just kind of rambled on. She had definitely captured the way Eponine acted when she first met Marius. As to the way she interacted with everyone else... maybe not so much. |
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| lesmisloony |
Okay... I'm really, really sorry about my persistent topic necromancy, but I just thought I'd put in a little shameless promotion here:
I put all of the most mindblowing parts of the 2000 miniseries together in a youtube video, just for you guys! ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt3UrugBxe4 |
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| EponinesRain |
Whoaaaa...I really like the Shoujo Cosette rendition of the barricades. Save the weird happy music, I mean. I really want to purchase the series now!
It's $35 for each DVD set, though, and there are 10 sets for the entire series. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search.html?current=0&result=25759813&restrict=ALL&word_1=AC_les%20miserables&sort= Blah- that's expensive! Hrm, is it worth it...? 
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| Electricity24601 |
That was incredibly funny and incredbily wrong all at the same time. My favorite part was right at the end: JVJ:"I love Cosette" M: "Yeah..." JVJ: "I love Cosette" M: "As a father, right?" JVJ: "No. I love Cosette" M: "I think you should leave now" Haha! Oh those crazy Frenchmen 
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| Colle |
Thank you EponinesRain, for linking to the page where you can order Shoujo Cosette. I want to get the series, I have liked what I have seen. With the price, it would be best if I buy it slowly. The other problem is that is that the DVD's are not in the U.S. region(I hope they release one in the U.S. region). |