Les Miserables

I haven't read it JessK but it seemed to me it would be more true to the book. I'm looking forward to watching it all.

I haven't read the book or seen the musical so I only have the film to go by, but I enjoyed it last night. I hadn't intended to watch it closely as I was busy doing something else but I got drawn in, in the end.

I always intended to read Les Miserables after visiting pretty Vianden in Luxembourg many years ago. I was very impressed with the story of Hugo's self-imposed exile and the writing he did in a pretty first floor apartment overlooking the bridge of the river below. I was also taken with Rodin's impressive bust of Victor Hugo, a present of the French Senate, which stands on the wall of the bridge. I still haven't read Les Miserables.

I loved the London stage version and enjoyed the film so I shall make a point of watching this televised version. This short article from the Economist about Les Miserables was very interesting and contained a few quirky facts.

www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2017/02/23/how-victor-hugo-came-to-write-les-miserables-his-magnum-opus

I really enjoyed it, OH not so much, but he doesn't like anything that has multiple episodes. I love the stage show and have seen the film but I thoroughly enjoyed watching last night and I'm looking forward to the rest of it.

Still to watch this. I have seen the musical version 5 times with another viewing in February. I’m a bit worried about watching without the music but knowing the story I’m sure it will be worth watching. Can’t wait.

I'd love to see the stage show but, in general I don't like films of musicals so I didn't enjoy Les Miserables. I am looking forward to watching the tv series. Planning to watch episode 1 tonight.

I am looking forward to seeing it, I have never seen the musical and don't know any songs from it so I am expecting to just enjoy the story.

I also thought I would miss the songs, which I have loved. But was pleasantly surprised to find that getting more in depth treatment of the story was really enjoyable. Thought Derek Jacobi as the priest was wonderful. Pity that I know it is not going to turn out all right in the end - I much prefer a happy ending!

The TV version of Les Mis is "Just depression with a dash of revolution" according to one paper online this morning.

Well, it is there in the title, is it not. What were they expecting? Les Joyeux [sp]?

Howcridiculous what did they want some jolly jolly moments with a feel good factor thrown in
It was very good and I m looking forward to the next one probably the best thing over Christmas tv actually

I'm enjoying it so far. I've seen the stage show twice and the musical. I haven't read the book, but am finding this latest tv version more in depth. Already I am sad for poor Fantine.

Labaik

or if that is more appropriate!

Does anyone else get annoyed at the long, loose hair worn by women in this and other period dramas? From my (limited) knowledge I thought adult women wore their hair tied up in some way in 19th century. Particularly women working at any kind of manual work would probably have had it in some kind of bun and covered with a scarf.

Apart from that, I thought tonight’s episode was good, though sad and depressing.

Great acting in this. Couldn’t watch the teeth scene. It’s not clear what is wrong with Fantine, is it TB? I haven’t read the book, but might give it a go now. I know its not going to end well though.

I think it’s mainly starvation Crystal. I couldn’t watch the teeth scene either!

I am enjoying Les Mis a lot, the scene with the tooth extraction was grim, the old mother was scary. Poor Fantine, women were definitely second class citizens then especially poor ones. Olivia Colman has varied roles at the moment from inn keepers wife to aristocracy.

Oh my Gosh the teeth scene was grim poor Fantine she was so pretty and sweet when she started out and such a short time to go to this
Fantastic acting I m so enjoying this best thing on tv at the mmentb

Well it was decidedly written to be a novel not a musical,

It Was a story about the desperate plight of the very poor in France at the time and how Jean Val John wanted to reform his previous behaviour and his concerns for the poorest.

I dont think Victor Hugo would have been impressed that his story would have become a musical.

I did fully enjoy the musical but may be we should stop turning every play into musicals and learn to actually make and watch plays.
Has the public become unable to view anything without putting in songs.
This sounds to me like dumming down.

Well Nelliemoster here it is now in front of you as a drama so they are doing what you want

It is a good but wretched story. I am ' enjoying' the TV production better than the film. Never saw the stage production..other than the abridged school version in which DGD played young Eponine!
Rather think the story of Fantine from pretty girl doing "OK" to destiute prostitute still applies, in one way or another, today.

Farmor, I imagine the long hair being worn loose, particularly in the case of Fantine was to emphasise the great loss it would be when she sold it, bearing in mind she had lovely hair. I'm another who didn't particularly enjoy the film, ruined by the singing imo., particularly Russell Crowe's. Many years ago we were given tickets for the stage show but for some extraordinary reason the traffic was gridlocked on that particular evening due to a fatality, so we didn't make it. Shame because I've heard it's wonderful, a friend of mine has been to see it a few times.

Anyway, I'm enjoying this TV production, albeit very tragic. The pulling of the teeth scene was horrible, I had to look away.

I'm loving this adaptation and am glad that, although I did see the film, I still don't really know the storyline [I was pretty bored by it]. Reminds me a bit of Zola's 'Nana' in the way such beauty decays before your eyes. Given that the book is so long there must be a lot of storylines/characters that have been missed out.

I can't bear it! I find it very depressing and I am not interested in the storyline. I have seen the musical and I guess that was enough for me!

I'm really enjoying it although it is making me quite anxious!

I did think that Russell Crowe's rather gruff singing voice was quite suitable for the part of Javert Terribull - I wouldn't have wanted The Inspector to sing in a operatic style.