1) How (and when) were you introduced to the story?

My sister (who is quite a bit older than me) was a theater major in college, so that's probably when I first heard about it. However, one of my good friends went to see a musical adaptation of it at a high school in our hometown and she kept telling me that I NEEDED to see it. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to it until the movie came out a month ago...

2) Do you prefer the musical or the book? Or are they equal?

Haven't read the book, but know that it is extremely long. I wish I had time to delve into that, but unfortunately I don't. However, typically books are better than movies (or musicals, I guess)...because they can go into much more detail. But I'm not sure. I will have to read/see both.

3) Which characters do you like best, and why?

I LOVED the character of Eponine (sp?) in the motion picture production. For some reason, her character intrigued me. I think it was because she was so passionate in her portrayal of a love sick young woman who comes from a not-so-well-off family. As a movie-goer, I pity her...but that actually makes me feel more empathetic towards her, strangely enough.

4) Have you seen the musical? If so, how many times?

Unfortunately, no.

5) What did you think of the new movie? (please keep the answer for this one in spoilers... not everyone gets to see it the first day, and wants to have the same experience as you. )

I LOVED IT. I saw it twice. And...I never see movies twice (except the Narnia movies, of course ). It was THAT GOOD. This isn't really a spoiler, but I prettttty much cried the entire time. Not because it was sad, but because it was SO emotionally intriguing. From the first few minutes, I began to build connections with the characters and became emotionally invested in their stories. Definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout the whole movie! GO SEE IT.

*peeks head in thread, aware that she is around great knowledgeables-in-musicals-and-all-things-Les-Mis and quickly confesses her ignorance*

I know the basic story of the novel Les Miserables. (I do not attempt to say it in real life; I have my mom say it for me. ) My sister read it and explained bits here and there to me. I knew there was a musical on it, but I didn't really know the details. Only a few months ago I learnt that the famous "I Dreamed a Dream" was from there. And then, of course I was aware of the movie. I know of the Liam Neeson movie and the 2012 one, as well as a musical version where a Jonas is Marius? Anyways, yes, I have a very basic knowledge of Les Mis. Only yesterday, when my sister expressed interest in seeing the new movie when it comes out on DVD, did I look it up on Wikipedia (yeah, I got spoiled, but I knew what most of the characters did before, so I'm not losing sleep over it or anything. ) and saw the nice summary of some characters and then a contrast of characters in the novel and characters in the musical.

So, my encounters with the story: I have not read the book or seen any versions of the musical or the films based on the musical, except for one or two scenes of the Liam Neeson on (I remember Cosette knitting stockings or something and then Valjean taking her and them jumping over this wall thing and her asking if she could call him "Papa.")
1) How (and when) were you introduced to the story?
My mom had been reading a book that mentioned Les Mis (I think it was Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace?) and was explaining something in the book to me, in which she went on to explain the paraphrased excerpt from Les Mis. That was my first and intial introduction to it, perhaps more than 5 years ago. I somehow assumed the book's climax was Valjean and the priest. Fantine was a huuuuge surprise when I learnt about the story more later on. Then my sister read the book and explained parts of the story to me.
2) Do you prefer the musical or the book? Or are they equal?
Uh, as I have knowledge of none except for what I read on Wikipedia, I think I might like the musical better, because of the way Eponine is portrayed (I had no idea that she was an important and redeemed character, either. I assumed she was just part of the Cinderella-step-sister-duo)? I don't know; I'll have to read the book and see the movie and musical to find out, I guess.
3) Which characters do you like best, and why? Not sure at this point, but I'll say Valjean sounds like the most agreeable.
4) Have you seen the musical? If so, how many times? N/A
5) What did you think of the new movie? (please keep the answer for this one in spoilers... not everyone gets to see it the first day, and wants to have the same experience as you.)
The new movie helped kindle my interest in Les Mis. I initially wasn't interested in it because I thought it was basically a theater-junkie fandom and was an otherwise...well, mediocre classic. The movie itself looks very artistically made and I'm interested in possibly seeing it. I'm usually not an Anne Hathaway fan (I won't go see and movie just because she's in it/don't regularly follow what movie she will be in/don't necessarily consider her a favourite), but her outstanding performance also made me interested the movie.
6) For my fellow theatre people out there... if you could be in the musical, who would you want to play... and why?
Uhh... tech crew.

I just heard Anne Hathaway's version of "I Dreamed a Dream" and that, too, makes me want to see the new movie. Her voice is so lovely. Interestingly, she's an actress, and yet her voice sounds more resonant and clear (to me) than really.... many, many singers.

1) How (and when) were you introduced to the story?
Through NarniaWebbers , although I have heard of it throughout my life. I read it a few years ago now, and was completely captivated. What a tale of mercy, grace, forgiveness, redemption ...

2) Do you prefer the musical or the book? Or are they equal?
I have never seen the musical. However, I tend to go with books, hands down.

3) Which characters do you like best, and why?
The Bishop of Digne (also referred to as Bishop Myriel or Monseigneur Bienvenu), because of his amazing mercy towards Valjean, and how that gracious kindness totally changed the direction of Valjean's life. Also, I am very drawn to little Gavroche. The feistiness and courage in this young lad is inspiring. And his

4) Have you seen the musical? If so, how many times?
N/A

5) What did you think of the new movie?

1) How (and when) were you introduced to the story?
I think it was through the 1990's Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush film. Great movie! But I really got interested when I saw the trailer to the musical. And then I went and read the unabridged book which I really enjoyed even though I could do without some of the historical and philosophical ramblings. And around the same time I started listening to the musical which I loved and I'm still listening to it months later.

2) Do you prefer the musical or the book? Or are they equal?
This isn't really a fair question. I like them both for very different reasons.
But if I was forced to choose I'd probably pick the musical

3) Which characters do you like best, and why?
Valjean of course. I also find Javert and Thenardier very intriguing though I can't say I like them

4) Have you seen the musical? If so, how many times?
I haven't seen it but I've listened to it multiple times. I really want to though.

5) What did you think of the new movie? (please keep the answer for this one in spoilers... not everyone gets to see it the first day, and wants to have the same experience as you. )
I haven't seen it yet but I'm dying to.

6) For my fellow theatre people out there... if you could be in the musical, who would you want to play... and why?
Javert definitely. He's such and interesting character. And Enjorlas, he has all the really epic pieces.

I won't answer most of the questions because my experience with Les Mis is limited to my current reading of the book and my previous failed attempt to read it. I made it about one or two books into the first part, "Fantine," last time, and this time I have made it past the infamous Waterloo digression. I didn't think I was going to make it through that section.

My favorite characters so far are the Bishop Myriel (I've read his section of the book twice now, so he feels very familiar and close) and Jean Valjean. I haven't been introduced to several of the main characters yet, but I will say that the Thenardiers are thoroughly loathsome and I want to see more of Javert and Valjean's interactions.

Since I'm still only a fourth of the way through the book, I'm sure my thoughts will grow and change as I continue. I'm hoping to finish the book sometime this semester.

I viewed the new movie for the second time today and had a couple of thoughts:

I found myself wondering how easy it might be for someone unfamiliar with the book or musical to follow the story as it is shown here. It takes a little getting used to hearing virtually every line sung.

On the whole I enjoyed this viewing but decided that the "Master of the House" (the Thenardiers' song) was a bit too long.

I looked forward to "Do You Hear the People Sing" however.

I liked the ending more knowing it was coming,

The theme of law vs. grace - especially with Russell Crowe's Javert - seemed even more evident to me this time, though I expected it since it's so strongly stated in the book.

shastastwin, I'm curious how your reading of the book is going. Bravo for sticking with it! *coughHugo'sdigressionscough* I pulled out my edition, now longing for a re-read.

On the whole I enjoyed this viewing but decided that the "Master of the House" (the Thenardiers' song) was a bit too long.

Ditto. Very much ditto. It was a bizarrely fun song, but 1/2 - 3/4 (max) of the length would have worked better, imho.

The theme of law vs. grace - especially with Russell Crowe's Javert - seemed even more evident to me this time, though I expected it since it's so strongly stated in the book.

Yes, indeed. So powerful! One hears of complaints (mainly the critics, methinks) with Crowe's Javert, but I found he fit the part very well.

A brief thought re the music: I appreciate that Hooper, the director, recorded each of the characters' and group's solos live, rather than recording them in a studio afterwards. Again, I have read some grumblings in reviews about this method, but it certainly more evocatively captures the gritty reality of the various situations/emotions, even though it may not be 'perfect' musically.

I would like to see the film one more time before it leaves theatres. This is one movie for which I will be buying the DVD. (I am anticipating this much more than The Hobbit, astounding myself even. )

I did enjoy my repeat viewing, jo, since I knew what to expect and could anticipate seeing favorite parts again.

Yesterday I came across something in a walk down memory lane: Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" in an early appearance on Britain's Got Talent. The looks on the judges' faces when she starts singing (around 1:15 in the video) are priceless.

I thought it was great that Ann Hathaway won the Oscar for her role in Les Mis. I am sorry that Hugh Jackman missed out, but I am impressed by Ann Hathaway for her chivalrous speech which included him in her victory.

And then I went and read the unabridged book which I really enjoyed even though I could do without some of the historical and philosophical ramblings.

D'oh! I am merely grateful I avoided having to write an essay in French on those historical and philosophical ramblings. English was hard enough. This is possibly why I missed much of the theme of grace versus the law that others here have drawn attention to so strongly.

'gazer, yes, indeed.

After listening to both the musical soundtrack and the movie soundtrack, Kimberly/Nellie and I decided we much prefer the latter. It's grittier, every song packed with emotion, and more realistic. The former, 'though very professional, seems too much so, given the fervent passion of that wonderful story.

We hope to see the film once more before it releases on DVD, hopefully this weekend or next.

the theme of grace versus the law

How I love that theme in Les Mis!

I'm wondering if I am the only one who didn't enjoy the movie half as much as I wanted too. I've seen it twice and feel comfortable writing something about it, though I'm afraid it's not very positive. On the whole, it was a good movie, it certainly wasn't bad, but I felt it left much to be desired for and I came out quite unhappy.

A few reasons why I ended up not caring for it

So, I guess to sum it up, did I like the movie, yes, to a certain extent I did. Did I love it? No. Was I disappointed? Yes, very. Will I buy the DVD? I don't know, maybe, though at the moment I'm not inclind to. This may sound wild, but on the whole, I ended up liking The Hobbit, more than Les Mis, maybe it's because I'm not much of a Tolkien fan while Les Miserables holds a very special place in my heart and I didn't really like the way the movie portrayed it. (If I had to choose between movie or stage musical, I'd go with stage musical, but on the whole, of course nothing will ever beat the book ) So yeah, I'd give it three stars out of five, there were good, amazing, moving parts, there were parts that I cringed at and there were parts that were lukewarm. Everyone in my family ended up less than satisfied and after much talk and discussion we all agreed that while it being a good movie, it was not a favorite in our family; though I feel a little awkward posting this, as it seems I'm the only one who doesn't like the movie here . I don't mean to critisize, and I am glad for all the people who love the movie and enjoyed it, sadly, I didn't, even though I really tried too. Who knows, maybe with time it will grow on me

shastastwin, I'm curious how your reading of the book is going. Bravo for sticking with it! *coughHugo'sdigressionscough* I pulled out my edition, now longing for a re-read.

Umm... well, I've taken a break from it for a while. I read a short YA book and am currently reading another book, as I haven't been able to convince myself to go back to it. I think once I finish this book, I'll be able to jump back into Les Mis. *fingers crossed* The trouble is, I enjoy the story and the detail Hugo puts in, but the writer and the reader in me both say "You shouldn't be taking this long to tell me this story!"

After listening to both the musical soundtrack and the movie soundtrack, Kimberly/Nellie and I decided we much prefer the latter. It's grittier, every song packed with emotion, and more realistic. The former, 'though very professional, seems too much so, given the fervent passion of that wonderful story.

I'll keep that in mind when I get around to picking a soundtrack to listen to. Given how much I enjoyed Anne Hathaway's performance of "I Dreamed a Dream," I'm not surprised the film's soundtrack is phenomenal.

though I feel a little awkward posting this, as it seems I'm the only one who doesn't like the movie here .

No need to feel awkward, m'dear rose. I really appreciated your post, and one are in particular that you mentioned I hadn't thought of: it really struck me.

I'll get to that in a minute, but first, that is exactly the way I've been feeling about my thoughts on The Hobbit movie. I am really not fond of much of it, and some people just can't figure out why, so I understand where how you're thinking/feeling. When something is near and dear to your heart, and you have envisioned it a certain way for years, longing for the director to be faithful to the text as much as possible in the translation, and he's not, it is such a disappointment. I only read Les Mis for the first time a few years ago, and whilst it struck me so powerfully in that initial read, I haven't had the multiple reads and years of loving that story to allow a film to disappoint me too much yet. I fully respect where you're coming from.

Yes, the movie did seem rushed. At my first viewing, as scenes would fly by, I would wonder how on earth it got to certain parts already.

The following is what especially hit home for me in your post, rose ...

The ending scene also disappointed me, we end with a huge barricade with a bunch of people waving the French flag, my older sister turned to me and said with jest, 'oh look, French Heaven, a place with endless revolutions' and honestly I couldn't help agree with her. In the song they sing 'they will live again in freedom in the garden of the lord, they will walk behind the plow share, they will put away the sword' umm....why where is the garden of the Lord? I really wish they had put it in there, by the end you just want to get away from the barricade, away from the revolutions, away from the thought of all that, but instead we just see them all behind a barricade, which make sense of course because of the song sing 'beyond the barricade' but you wish they would have showed the garden, showed that heaven was not really a place of endless barricades and revolutions, but a place of peace and love.

Totally makes sense. You have re-worked my perspective there in a good way. The song at the end is very powerful, but why the barricade, which represents revolution and aggression? Thanks for that.

EDIT: shastastwin, thanks for the update. I know you're not the only one who feels this way. Keep at it when you're able, because the parts that are good are amazing. Those infamous diversions, though, can be quite tedious.

Also, there is a Deluxe edition of the movie's music coming out in March , which will include 22 more tracks, apparently! We are definitely getting that, as some of the key songs are unfortunately left out in the current soundtrack, which is somewhat sparse considering all the music in the film. Object

I also appreciate your thoughtful post, wild rose, and agree with a number of your points - especially as regards the 'eternal barricade' of the movie's end. Sure, it may be a victorious barricade (so to speak), one of joy, but it's not the garden the song mentions.

I didn't think there was anything wrong with the barricade at the end. It was where so many of the characters died in the story, the movie etc. In the Last Battle, there was a stable outside which there was a battle, wasn't it?
I thought the barricade was like the Stable, myself. Especially as at one stage it was like the crowded street where the funeral was to be held. And especially when some of the characters who had died turned up.

I agree with Wild Rose about the singing. I never saw either Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman as singers, anyway. How did they end up getting the parts, I wonder?