Welcome to the first edition of a new series of posts, We love musicals, we love movies and sometimes there are adaptations of our favorite shows, yet is it like our argument with books, where one is just always superior or can film outclass the stage. I decided to put that to the test with my first and favorite musical, after seeing a touring production I decided to also give the film a revisit and see which was superior, should someone pay for a ticket or just watch the movie instead.
I'm comparing the stage version which I have seen three times, with the 2012 movie. in 3 categories. , Set Design, The Musical Performances/Acting, and Story. Story is for how well the plot is conveyed as well as what was added, or subtracted, from this adaptation and if it made it better or worse. Lets begin with my first and favorite musical Les Miserables , I was beyond excited for the movie, I had watched the 10th and 25th anniversary concerts as well as seen a touring cast twice before seeing the movie, did I enjoy it and does it hold up? lets find out by the end of the day.
The Story:
For those of you who have not looked into one of the longest running Broadway Smashes, this show follows ex convict Jean Valjean as he is release from being in prison for nineteen years, after not being able to find a life outside of prison due to being judged and his reputation following him, he steals gold and silver from a friendly priest, the priest covers for him and allows him to use what he stole to start a new life, Valjean breaks parole and escapes town, with Javert a policeman from his prison, giving pursuit. And that is the prologue, there are many plots in this show and a lot of characters, there is romance, a revolution, the chase between Valjean and Javert mentioned just a moment ago, some comic relief, Valjean trying to live a normal life, and many more, and this show is a drama, it will not hold back on the heavy moments alongside the inspiring ones. So which one tells the story better.
The show is three hours long, it tells the main and other various plot lines very well, though long, the story is very gripping, if you are disinterested in one of the plots it will be over before you know it, but if you if you may not get to spend as much time with your favorite characters as you think.
The movie has to cut a few things to fit the length of a movie, such as a few plot lines and a few songs, they also move a few events around such as " I Dreamed a Dream" after Fantine hits rock bottom instead of just after she gets fired. Yet the movie adds some an original song, instead of keeping things at good enough.
Though the movie version is shorter, I would say the stage version gets a point for this round for giving the audience the full experience, it tells the multiple plots well and doesn't cut things.
Set Design:
The sets in the show are amazing, large set pieces such as the barricade and the buildings really bring you into 18th century Paris, the buildings, the bridges , the street lamps it really is amazing.
The movie is the same, large sweeping sets and great lighting, doing a great job to set the mood and have a great atmosphere as well. so is this round a tie? I'm afraid not, the point goes to the stage version due to the camera work of the film, the sets may be amazing but this movie focuses on close ups so often that you can barely enjoy the awesome sets.
The Acting/Music:
Since i have seen the show three times, I will base my opinion of the production I saw late last year. The acting in the production was amazing, there was not a weak performance, the cast was smaller then usual but from the extras to the leads, they were amazing, so amazing that the applause after the show lasted for at least five minutes and it was well earned. If you have an opportunity to see Les Mis see it. whether it is a touring cast, a civic theater, or a DVD anniversary production, it is one of the best shows to hit Broadway.
The movie is hit and miss , some of the actors hit it out of the park such as Hugh Jackman as Valjean and Samantha Banks as Eponine, and Anne Hathaway who got an Oscar for her performance, but for every stand out performance there is a weak one, and for those who have seen the film they know exactly the ones.
The movie did add a new song that was nice but it didn't necessarily have too, Les Mis has some of the best songs in theater history that have been performed over the years such as " Do You Hear The People Sing" and " Bring Him Home". Some songs in the movie are performed very well but overall the point goes to the stage version.
Final Thoughts
Score: Film:0 , Stage: 3.
In this case I believe the film outclasses the stage version, I recommend looking up a filmed anniversary concert or seeing it in person if you can, Watch the movie if you want to see another interpretation of this amazing musical, but maybe you will enjoy parts of the movie more then the stage version.
Thank you for reading, and have an amazing day
The Story:
For those of you who have not looked into one of the longest running Broadway Smashes, this show follows ex convict Jean Valjean as he is release from being in prison for nineteen years, after not being able to find a life outside of prison due to being judged and his reputation following him, he steals gold and silver from a friendly priest, the priest covers for him and allows him to use what he stole to start a new life, Valjean breaks parole and escapes town, with Javert a policeman from his prison, giving pursuit. And that is the prologue, there are many plots in this show and a lot of characters, there is romance, a revolution, the chase between Valjean and Javert mentioned just a moment ago, some comic relief, Valjean trying to live a normal life, and many more, and this show is a drama, it will not hold back on the heavy moments alongside the inspiring ones. So which one tells the story better.
The show is three hours long, it tells the main and other various plot lines very well, though long, the story is very gripping, if you are disinterested in one of the plots it will be over before you know it, but if you if you may not get to spend as much time with your favorite characters as you think.
The movie has to cut a few things to fit the length of a movie, such as a few plot lines and a few songs, they also move a few events around such as " I Dreamed a Dream" after Fantine hits rock bottom instead of just after she gets fired. Yet the movie adds some an original song, instead of keeping things at good enough.
Though the movie version is shorter, I would say the stage version gets a point for this round for giving the audience the full experience, it tells the multiple plots well and doesn't cut things.
Set Design:
The sets in the show are amazing, large set pieces such as the barricade and the buildings really bring you into 18th century Paris, the buildings, the bridges , the street lamps it really is amazing.
The movie is the same, large sweeping sets and great lighting, doing a great job to set the mood and have a great atmosphere as well. so is this round a tie? I'm afraid not, the point goes to the stage version due to the camera work of the film, the sets may be amazing but this movie focuses on close ups so often that you can barely enjoy the awesome sets.
The Acting/Music:
Since i have seen the show three times, I will base my opinion of the production I saw late last year. The acting in the production was amazing, there was not a weak performance, the cast was smaller then usual but from the extras to the leads, they were amazing, so amazing that the applause after the show lasted for at least five minutes and it was well earned. If you have an opportunity to see Les Mis see it. whether it is a touring cast, a civic theater, or a DVD anniversary production, it is one of the best shows to hit Broadway.
The movie is hit and miss , some of the actors hit it out of the park such as Hugh Jackman as Valjean and Samantha Banks as Eponine, and Anne Hathaway who got an Oscar for her performance, but for every stand out performance there is a weak one, and for those who have seen the film they know exactly the ones.
The movie did add a new song that was nice but it didn't necessarily have too, Les Mis has some of the best songs in theater history that have been performed over the years such as " Do You Hear The People Sing" and " Bring Him Home". Some songs in the movie are performed very well but overall the point goes to the stage version.
Final Thoughts
Score: Film:0 , Stage: 3.
In this case I believe the film outclasses the stage version, I recommend looking up a filmed anniversary concert or seeing it in person if you can, Watch the movie if you want to see another interpretation of this amazing musical, but maybe you will enjoy parts of the movie more then the stage version.
Thank you for reading, and have an amazing day
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