Jean Valjean Does the Silver Screen

It might have been penned during the 19th century but it has definitely been popular well into the 21st century. The novel, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, that is.

Les Miserables, roughly translated as ‘The Wretched”, or “The Wretched Poor”, is considered widely as one of the most celebrated and popular novels of the 19th century. In most occasions, the forlorn image of Cosette is used as the novel’s cover. The five-volume novel is classified as a historical novel as it makes use of factual and historic events. The story revolves around an ex-convict named Jean Valjean who was recently released from prison. The story shows how a man can change himself. Set against the era of French Revolution, the novel is considered by many to be a commercial success although, during the launch of the first chapter, it was met with a number of negative criticism partly owing to the fact that the novel seem to side with the revolutionaries. Some of the major characters in the said novel include Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette, Eponone, Enjolras, the Bishop Myriel, the Thenardiers, and Marius. The said novel has been translated to a number of languages including Italian and Greek.

The book has spawned a number of TV series and specials as well as a Broadway musical that has received critical acclaim. The Les Miserables stage play has been considered as one of the longest-running in the theater industry, second only to Fantasticks, having opened at the Barbican Centre in 1985. Phantom of the Opera trails at the third spot of the longest running stage plays. Some of the highlights of the history of the said play includes the 10th and the 25th anniversary special.

After a number of stage plays, and even 2 anniversary specials, Les Miserables has finally come to the big screen. The said movie would have such stars as Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Amanda Seyfried. Hugh Jackman plays the role of the ex-convict Jean Valjean while Russell Crowe would give life to Valjean’s antagonist, Javert. Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, reprises the role of Fantine, a role that was, during the 25th anniversary of the stage play, held by Tony Award Winner, Lea Salonga. The said version of the celebrated novel is set to be shown to theaters on December 2012 and was directed by Tom Hooper, the same director responsible for such hits as the “The King’s Speech”. Les Mis hardcore fans can expect to hear some of the songs that have been made popular by the stage play such as. “I Dreamed A Dream”. What’s more, the movie actually features the actors and actresses singing live instead of lip syncing to a pre-recorded version of the songs, something which the actors and actresses admitted to being easier compared to the latter.

Can’t wait ’til December? If you want to catch the latest stage presentation of Les Miserables, visit Ticket Broker and get your Les Miserables tickets for when they hold in a venue near you.