Les Miserables - BBC 1 Mini Series.

Agent Coulson

Really strong cast

Dominic West as Jean Valjean
David Oyelowo as Javert
Lily Collins as Fantine
Adeel Akhtar as Thenardier
Olivia Colman as Madame Thenardier
Ellie Bamber as Cosette
Josh O’Connor as Marius

brian_t

It starts Sunday 30th December.

Aisling(",)

Is this just a pure dramatisation or is there any musical aspects?

brian_t

It will be a pure drama and not a musical.

Dave_The_Sheep

Pretty solid cast there.

Arcsurvivor

I read the book, but did not watch the movie musical. The trailer looks solid.

CastorTroy

Haven't read the book, have seen the musical and the Liam Neeson movie. I'm assuming this is closer to the Liam Neeson movie

JP Liz V1

Olivia Colman is on some role, she is everywhere

brian_t

If you like this, you might also like Andrew Davies: Rewriting the Classics on BBC4 at 10pm

Documentary on Andrew Davies, one of Britain's best-known screenwriters and creator of some of the most iconic small-screen dramas of the past 50 years.

At the age of 82 he is following his smash-hit adaptation of War and Peace with another global epic - Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

As he watches the production come to life during 2018, he looks back at the influence of his childhood in Cardiff.

And he explores how he boils down and spices up his dramas - transforming some of the best-loved novels into primetime television.

branie2

The first episode tonight was very good

The Rape of Lucretia

Reasonable so far. David Oyelowo as Javert was just too jarring though. Nothing against black actors taking white parts, but surely he should have gone white face for it given how well they can do that kind of thing these days.

branie2

I liked how Fatine's backstory was shown

The Crowman

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Reasonable so far. David Oyelowo as Javert was just too jarring though. Nothing against black actors taking white parts, but surely he should have gone white face for it given how well they can do that kind of thing these days.

I'm sure the "there were black people in Paris back then" argument was used but the casting of a Pakistani origin actor as Thenardier is more puzzling.

Arcsurvivor

Any review from you guys yet? I like PBS's work and I have watched Masterpiece in the past.

artvanderlay

This is absolutely brilliant. I'm loving it. I'm so emotional watching it though: angry, sad, hopeful. Haven't felt that in a long time watching anything! I know it's a classic story anyways, but it's a great adaptation. Fantastic cast too: Dominic West and David Oyelowo are nailing it, and my heart is breaking for poor, beautiful Lily Collins/Fantine

WoollyRedHat

Pure raw emotion and you can feel the angst and trauma with vigour , this production transports you without getting too sentimental in the process. Everything from the music, cinematography, pacing and performances have been superb so far.

Babooshka

I don't enjoy musicals - saw episode 2 last night, was relieved to see no music (well, not a musical I mean)...and very solid acting. Anyone know how I can get episode one or if BBC will repeat it any day this week? Thanks.

The Princess Bride

This is fantastic, really enjoying it.

artvanderlay

Yeah, it's great. I could do with a bit less Olivia Colman; she is really laying it on thick, but the rest of the cast are superb. Poor little Cosette reminds me of Newt from Aliens!

Tigerandahalf

A bit scary how the child could be so easily bought, once cash was on the table.
The world hasn't changed much.

Why is the cop so hellbent on bringing Valjean to justice? Has Valjean got something on him?

Jellybaby1

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

A bit scary how the child could be so easily bought, once cash was on the table.
The world hasn't changed much.

Why is the cop so hellbent on bringing Valjean to justice? Has Valjean got something on him?

I questioned that too, I wondered if I'd missed something but it became apparent at the end of tonight's episode. I saw this as an opera many years ago on TV, I remember it being the awfullest story of misery I'd ever seen. I'm not sure I want to continue with it as it leaves me shattered, though I acknowledge the strong cast and great acting. Javert is a great villain though, nasty to the core.

The Princess Bride

I have to confess to having loved the musical version with a passion, I've seen in three times, most recently in December.

I was sceptical of this having hated the film version with Liam Neeson.
But this is great, there's no comparison.
It almost makes me want to read the book again.
Almost:rolleyes:

MIRMIR82

Guys, i've missed all this - does anyone know where i would get it online?

goose2005

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Reasonable so far. David Oyelowo as Javert was just too jarring though. Nothing against black actors taking white parts, but surely he should have gone white face for it given how well they can do that kind of thing these days.

He's meant to be a gypsy anyway, so Russell Crowe doesn't fit either.

redlead

It's a great adaptation, almost too faithful to the book in terms of the pure misery of it. It's such a dark story I'm not sure I'm enjoying it that much. Have had nightmares after the last two episodes haha

Gimme A Pound

The Crowman wrote: »

I'm sure the "there were black people in Paris back then" argument was used but the casting of a Pakistani origin actor as Thenardier is more puzzling.

And black folk in Paris back then were unlikely to be senior police officers. Looks a bit tokenistic all right but at least D.O. is such a great actor.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

A bit scary how the child could be so easily bought, once cash was on the table.
The world hasn't changed much.

I assume you're not talking about the western world because I've been thinking since the start thank feck I was born into this world in this era instead of such a cruel, callous, indifferent one rife with extreme inequality and degradation.

Superb adaptation. The musical one of the few musicals I like, but it gets forgotten that it's based on a book, and a non musical adaptation was due i think. The Liam Neeson movie is over 20 years old now, and didn't really hit the mark imo. This really drives it home I think. Fantine would break your heart.

Tigerandahalf

The acting is very good but I thought the storyline about the girl Cosette a bit poor. For a kid that was being treated terribly she seemed to be very well adjusted after being taken in by Valjean.

Overall though it is a good watch. 3 more episodes to come.

Gimme A Pound

Think that was the reality for so many children back then though, that the poor little things just learned to get on with it. At least they had a roof over their head and some bit of food kinda thing. They had to grow up early too. The life expectancy for the poor must have been extremely brief. It's no wonder that so many adults turned out cruel and indifferent.

brian_t

RTE One is showing this. Starts next Thursday 3rd October at 11.15pm.

Tigerandahalf

brian_t wrote: »

RTE One is showing this. Starts next Thursday 3rd October at 11.15pm.

Very late to be showing such a good series.