Les Miserables

Good television but made me sad and angry at times.
Have just finished watching The Long Song on iplayer. Would recommend this to fill a few Sunday evenings if you haven't already seen it.

Probably a lot of money spent on this production but there were continuity slip ups. I did not particularly enjoy the last two episodes.

Oh yes, just cried as he died I want it to start all over again
What on earth will I do with my Sunday nights
Loved every minute if it

And me. Was great.

I’m with the loved it brigade ?.

Just loved the whole programme. Brilliantly acted out. Thought I would miss the music but have to say I haven’t. Can’t wait for final episode tonight.

Oh I haven’t been disappointed with any of the episodes they have all held me spell bound I am going to be bereft after tonight
I m loving every minute of it

very disappointed with the last two episodes. Let's hope the last one tonight is much better.

* Anja* wise words, though this TV version is the genre I prefer, so far!

We have just started watching this via iPlayer and were rivetted. We also love the musical and the film, but this is a whole different ballgame and it is excellent, with some great acting. Looking forward to further episodes.

I loved Helena Bonham-Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen portrayal of the Thenardiers in the film and whosoever it was I saw in the stage musical. But you cannot compare with this. They are two very different genres.

Both wonderful in their own ways. That’s what the performing arts are all about; freedom of interpretation and a willing suspense of disbelief.

I didn't like Helena Bonham-Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thenardiers in the latest film. I thought they were more like a music hall act than the cruel devious people they were. That said I think Olivia Colman portrays that well hidden cruelty and amorality beautifully.
Also no film or stage performance has ever exactly explained Gavroche, the boy who gets shot. I know now he was one of the Thenardier children.

I decided to watch 4 programme's back to back and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I cannot pick a fault with the acting, casting, costume and make-up departments have excelled , obviously the story is brilliant. As the saying goes ' What's not to like '.

I think Dominic West is portraying Jean Valjean brilliantly likewise Lily Collins as poor Fantine. Who knew we could ever learn to hate Olivia Colman or David Oyelowo but they too have captured Madame Thénardier and Javert judiciously. If it were a pantomime the audience wouldn't stop booing and hissing at them.

I hope the remaining programmes keep the pace and I for one can't wait to watch more .

Yes it is PP. He sounds addicted, like the Sound of Music groupies! It's a wonder that they didn't cancel the show with just one member of the audience! Bet he's still dining out on that experience.

What a story pensionpat

There is no comparison with the musical, which I enjoyed to this adaptation which I presume is based on Victor Hugo's book.

An ex-colleague has seen the show more than 30 times. He sometimes works in London and one day he was the only person in the audience. It was immediately after terrorist activity and no one was coming to London. He sat in the front row and sang along. At the end the cast applauded him.

Well this isn't called "Les Miserables" for nothing, and it is so sad I can hardly bear to watch it.

I wondered, having seen the stage show 3 times over the years and watched the most recent film version ,wether to bother watching this adaptation.DH is a huge fan.The only musical he likes !And years of him playing the CD on every long car journey had nearly put me off it altogether.
However it's absolutely riveting, and so well cast.And a whole new dimension added to the characters.
Also made me realise that much as I like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe well enough in other things I didn't like the film that much.
It's also made me want to rewatch Andrew Davies' War and Peace again.

Hated the Russell Crowe film. Liam Neeson one brilliant.

I think I am enjoying it but got a horrible feeling it isn’t going to end well

I'm with you BlueBelle enjoying every minute. It's even held my husband's interest for every episode so far.

My DH loves Les Mis We have seen it several times on stage. Every film there ever was, including the most recent ,twice. We have a DVD of the 25th anniversary celebrations. Often played He is now struggling with the book.First 20 pages are about the Bishop and his candlesticks , ( so he tells me) At the moment he is whistling all the songs. My DD has just bought us tickets to see it at the Cardiff Millennium Centre at Christmas. I should be fed up with Les Mis, but no. Look forward to Sunday evening and am totally engrossed

Oh I ve loved everything, musical, film And now am totally transfixed with this drama I ve never known an hour go so quickly I realise my eyes and thoughts never wander which is really unusual for me I am usually bored if I already know the story but this must be testament to the brilliant writing and acting

At the risk of being shot down in flames I hated the film and most of the songs especially when they sing at each other! OK I don't like Russell Crowe which might have had some bearing on it but being open minded I always said the musical might be better though have never actually quite made it. I have tried to watch the film again on TV having learned a 'Les Mis' medley at choir but could not follow the story at all and drifted off again.

Now this TV series I am compelled to watch and I love it. Grim though it is, it feels to be about real people I can care about and I can fit it into my historical knowledge. Luckily I am not distracted by any songs because I do not know where they fit into the story (and most of them I don't know anyway). I can't wait for the next episode, though the one thing I do know is that it doesn't end well!