Les Miserables 25th Anniversary [DVD]

received in good condition and on time and it is an excellent theatre production

I'll get right to the point .... THANK YOU THANK YOU Amazon.co.uk!!!! You made this US LES MIZ fan extremely happy this holiday season. To start out with I was extremely jealous that we here in the US were not able to see this concert "LIVE" in the Cinemas when it was originally broadcast in the UK ... we had to wait over a month before it showed up on this side of the pond. Then it was announced that it would be available on dvd at the end of November but, alas, only in "Region 2" which means it is not playable here in the US. I began searching the internet trying to find any information on an expected US dvd release but found NOTHING!! Finally, I happened to stubble across a posting on the LES MIZ Facebook page where someone had responded to another unhappy US fan's plea for any information regarding a US release. This person replied that they were pretty sure that the Blu Ray version was "Region Free" and should be playable in the US. I immediately logged into Amazon.co.uk and took a gamble and placed an order for it. It arrived about a week later and played perfectly!!! THANK YOU AGAIN!! My only suggestion to Amazon.co.uk would be that you should make the "Region Free" aspect of the blu ray a little more visible so that other customer's like myself who aren't in a "Region 2" zone would be aware that this blu ray (and any others you might offer) are playable for us. I'm sure I'm not the only US fan that was anxiously awaiting the release of this concert. As for the dvd itself ... what more can I say that hasn't already been said in other reviews ... it was FANTASTIC!!! The HD picture and sound were incredible. The performers were fantastic ... Nick Jonas, eh ... ok, but WAY OUT HIS LEAGUE!! The encores at the end were icing on the cake. Someday I hope that there will be a "Definitive Collector's Edition" that will contain interviews with all of the original cast and creative team. I would love to hear their stories about the shows beginning and how it feels to have been a part of something that developed into the phenomenon it has. I admit I'm one of those people that finds all the "Extras" and the "Behind the Scenes" features on dvd's just as interesting (sometimes moreso) than the feature itself. If you're in the US and can't wait for an official US release then hop on to Amazon.co.uk and order this edition ASAP ... you won't regret it!! :-)

Wow! What an outstanding concert presentation of this opera-like musical adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel "Les Miserables", which has been a worldwide sensation for over 25 years. This 25th anniversary concert, taped before a wildly enthusiastic audience of thousands at the cavernous O2 Arena in London, was simply superb--the production values (state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and video), the fantastic talent assembled on the stage, including performers from several companies--all in costume--and a huge back-up chorus all contributed to an amazing performance. The grand finale alone is the worth the price of the BD: members of the original cast (and other previous and current cast members) sing duets and medleys, including four different Valjeans, all incredibly awesome. Their performance of "Bring Him Home" will bring tears to your eyes. The other cast members including Lea Salonga, Katie Hall, and Norm Lewis were equally impressive and emotional. The Blu-ray Disc's video and audio are both excellent--you will not be disappointed in the sharp, pristine video and the impressive, full audio. If you have a surround-sound system, you are in for a real treat. Much unfair criticism has been heaped on pop singer Nick Jonas, who plays the part of Marius, the young student who falls in love with, and eventually marries, Cosette. While his voice is not operatic (and the other cast members have such voices), his voice is nonetheless fairly good and with his boyish good looks, he is very convincing as the young idealist student who becomes the love interest of Cosette. Also, this BD, which I ordered from Amazon.uk, is region-free: It will play flawlessly on Region A (U.S. & Canada) Blu-ray players. I live in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA--and this BD, which is not yet available on Amazon in the U.S., was a bargain, at less than $23-US, including shipping. This BD is a keeper--you will watch it over and over again. Highly recommended!

An absolutely brilliant DVD I have watched numerous times, worn it out and now bought a replacement. I shall now watch this one numerous times.

I saw this on TV recently and had to get the DVD. I first saw the stage production in London in 1994 and one other time, and I have the original cast recording. It's hard not to love any production of this fantastic musical, the music sweeps you away. Alfie Boe is phenomenal - the power of his voice blows me away. Many people like Colm Wilkinson but I love Alfie's opera style and what it brings to the role. The emotion is different to that of musical theatre and when he sings, it makes my skin tingle and gives me goose-bumps. At the end where he sings with 3 previous Jeans, he's in his own league. His emotion in the track with Fantine and Eponine brings tears to my eyes. I hadn't followed AB previously and am VERY late to the fandom of Alfie but I am playing a fast catch-up. I saw an interview with him where he described his emotion on singing Bring Him Home - makes it all the more poignant watching it knowing how he felt. On the downside of this production - Nick Jonas!! What were they thinking casting him? Weak all around. Bad choice in casting - so not his fault. Spoils the production for me. The duet with AB highlights his inadequacy. I agree with another reviewer "Hazell" on her assessment of him. I'm not a fan of Michael Ball but he shows what should be done with the role. Love all the extras of this DVD set. Very happy that I had bought it (FYI - when I was buying it there were a few choices - I bought the 5th Anniversary Edition one dated 2013 and the illustration shows the Special Edition)

Was looking forward to the blu ray version of 25th anniversary concert. Was not disappointed in the quality, it was brilliant. Bit disappointed in the content, as I am a very loyal Les Mis fan. The show was obviously spectacular, especially the venue. The majority of the cast were brilliant but personally not one of the cast could match the original cast production which I was honoured to have seen. The whole thing was spoiled for me by the serious miscasting of Marius. It was a weak and ineffectual performance for me. He was too young, too immature and too baby faced to play Marius a quality which regretfull was also inherent in his acting. (who could ever forget Michal Ball as a young man playing Marius). Jean Valjean was excellent but the wonderful ending of the four Valjeans together showed without doubt there is no other Valjean but Colm Wilkson. Sorry Cameron bit disappointed, but just a little bit not a lot. Still think Les Miserable cannot be matched anywhere in the world for the most wonderful nights entertainment.

Set aside an evening for a glorious wallow, handkerchiefs needed! This 25th Anniversary Concert production pulls out all the stops - a lavish occasion charged with emotion, its climax uniting casts past and present. It helps first to read the accompanying lavishly presented booklet. This traces the musical's history, interestingly introduces the cast, usefully reminds us of the plot. Such a strong plot too. Valjean (Alfie Boe), embittered after nineteen years in prison for stealing bread, is transformed by a kindly bishop's gift. Henceforth he will do something worthy with his life. But parole has been broken and blinkered Javert (Norm Lewis) pursues, determined the letter of the law be upheld. Many years pass, a fatal final confrontation seemingly inevitable. Add romance, a spectacular uprising, tragedy, a splendid cast, stirring music. Everybody concerned rises to the occasion, mascara running down cheeks in the audience. The boxed set's generous bonuses further enhance, especially the BBC documentary showing Matt Lucas preparing for his role as innkeeper. It is interesting to learn the critics were originally so damning, producer Cameron Mackintosh feared he might have to cancel - until he saw the long queue for tickets outside the theatre and learned the box office phones had never stopped ringing. Twenty five years on, "Les Miserables" is clearly destined to stay - as proved by the spate of successful school productions. In short, a worthy tribute to a global phenomenon. (It is also worth checking out the 10th anniversary celebration - Colm Wilkinson Valjean, Alun Armstrong the innkeeper, and that never to be forgotten finale - a procession of Valjeans from all over the world, each contributing a verse in his own language.)

Classic and always love their performance