Les Mis movie?

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:49am

I was thinking, with Phantom currently in production to become a film, does anyone else think that Les Mis could be turned into a good movie musical? The music is the best score in bway history (IMHO), and it runs in a similar way (all music, no real dialogue) to phantom. Oh well. WHo knows. Tell me what you think.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:55am

i think it is highly unlikely that a film of Les Miz will be made for release in theaters.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 10:03am

'Phantom' has a lot of dialogue, it's just that all the dialogue is unremarkable so people act like it isn't even there. But it's not a sung-through show by any stretch.

I'd be surprised if they made a 'Les Mis' movie. I'd be even more surprised if it were any good. I think the show really works best as a staged concert.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 10:23am

jOHNpapa, I think you are correct.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 10:50am

They already had the Liam Neilson version in theatres so I doubt it.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 11:00am

There have been two or three movie versions of 'Les Mis.' I don't think the existence of those movies would necessarily stop a movie version of the musical being made. I mean, how many movie versions of 'Phantom' are there already? I just think there was a window where a 'Les Mis' movie might have been made and I think that window has closed. Of course, I think the same thing about 'Phantom' but Mackintosh doesn't seem as obsessed with getting a 'Les Mis' movie made as Webber has been with 'Phantom.'

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 11:05am

Speaking of Phantom, I would have loved to had seen Keira Knighlty (I think thats how you spell it) as Christine in this movie.

[BroadwayPhil]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 12:40pm

One Le Mis movie has Charles Louton (1930's) as Javet. The other more recent (1970's ?) with Anthony Hopkins as Javet.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 3:50pm

I would like to see a Les Miz/musical movie. The one thats out now is to long and it's not a musical!!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:35pm

There was supposed to be a deal with Tri-Star in the early '90s. It got far enough where the souvenir brochures had ads for the upcoming film, but it never panned out.

At one point, Alan Parker turned down the offer to direct it.

[DoReMi]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 7:43pm

I thought MacIntosh was doing a tv movie with the show?

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 7:46pm

Brentwood Christian School is performing LES MIZ this weekend and I'm taking my video camera. I will try to make this filmed version avalable on VHS and DVD. The extras will include commentary by me and my friend Janet as well an "After Les Miz" featurette which will follow us on our adventures at some bars downtown after the show. Another featurette called "Empty Chairs at Empty Talbles" will document an intoxicated Janet's refusal to leave the last bar at closing time and her subsequent ejection.

Updated On: 11/14/03 at 07:46 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 7:48pm

A Christian School doing Les Miz.. oh GAWD

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:00pm

they have already made a movie about Les Mis

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:06pm

bwg2~ there's been several christian/catholic high schools doing LM - 400 schools last year and about 100 through summer 2004- in total. Some have modified the prostitute scene with limited gestures and more modest costumes. It's really not that racy. Only a handful of parents went up against the school boards and most parents backed down when they weighed out the overall theme of the show.

We workshop with several of the schools. It's been a fun adventure and really good for the kids.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:11pm

I know.. but whenever I hear abouta Christian school doing it I think about the POTENTIAL for teh nutballs to complain.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:18pm

chris, should i contact you privately to find out where to reserve a copy of this can't miss blockbuster production? because i just know it's gonna sell out and i'll have to look at the dreaded "out of stock" icon...

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:01pm

"they have already made a movie about Les Mis "

More than one: http://www.pont-au-change.com/Media/index.html

Remember that for over 100 years there WAS no musical.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:09pm

bwg2~ and they do! But their only beef is Fantine being displayed as a whore..and the Lovely Ladies scene. The rest of the piece reeks of morals, loyality...well you know the story.

Besides, parents who object need only ban their kids from attending or participating. That's easy enough.

I really like the recent LM movie with Liam Neeson & Geoffrey Rush. I think it's very well casted and directed. I had the opportunity to share tea with him during "the Judas Kiss" a few years back. Almost didn't come home....:)

Updated On: 11/14/03 at 09:09 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 9:14pm

Exactly PB.. and it bugs me that the nit wits pitch a fit about stupid stuff... I always want to go off on them....

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 10:02pm

Papa:
Yes, please reserve your copy today as it is sure to sell out!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 10:17pm

Please, NO film of Les Miz. It's a text book example of what's deteriorated the state of musical theatre.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 11:09pm

"Please, NO film of Les Miz. It's a text book example of what's deteriorated the state of musical theatre."

I'm sure a lot has deteriorated since 1985.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/15/03 at 2:04am

It's all gone downhill from there.


"There's no mizery like Les Mizery..."

Well, you know the rest.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/15/03 at 7:57am

Broadway Bulldog, some friends and I saw Les Miz about a week after it opened. We took turns trying to keep each other awake.

People seem to often fall in love with the recording of Les Miz and transfer this love to the stage production. I don't know anyone who liked Les Miz without first being familiar with the score.

Isn't it interesting how people fib about such things? Some will claim they saw the show and "it was the greatest and blah blah blah." Why won't these folks admit that what they are reacting to is the cd? Some of the most passionate Les Miz enthusiasts have likely never seen the show, or if they did, they saw the show after absorbing the recording.

I think Les Miz set a record of walk outs during its Broadway run. It is my understanding that Les Miz never had its full audience return after intermission and indeed often lost more than 25 percent of its audience before the end of the first act!

While Les Miz has some soaring musical moments, it is indeed a dreadful show, best listened to or seen in concert. As for British megamusicals, at least Phantom always excites and delights. The Les Miz marketing machine simply leads to a show that disappoints, baffles and bores and has turned off legions of potential regular theatergoers. It is a shame.