Les Misérables on Blu-ray and DVD

This post was created in partnership with Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Find out more about Les Misérables at www.lesmiserablesfilm.com.  This post contains affiliate links.

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Les Misérables is a story of love, redemption and forgiveness, and it’s now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Hugh Jackman, Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway star in this critically acclaimed adaptation of the epic musical phenomenon.  Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole.  When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

I have not seen the musical of Les Misérables for many years, but I well remember the first time I saw it, and how remarkable I thought it was.  Rationally one understands that a stage show is limited to the size and sets that can be used, and if the cast and crew have done their job, you’re not left wanting despite those limitations.

I would have found it impossible to imagine how Les Mis could be translated to a movie while still retaining the quality of the musical story, but very truly, director Tom Hooper did it on an epic scale while still keeping true to the production.

While the billed actors and actresses deserve commendations, (and I have to give praise to Mr. Jackman on his performance of Jean Valjean, it was if he was destined for that role, he did a great job) the portrayals in some of the supporting roles stood out to me even more so.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were fantastic cast as the innkeepers.  They played their parts with good humor and their characters are really over the top – perfectly separating them out as the felonious con men that they are.

And Eddie Redmayne was perfectly cast as Marius.  Eddie gives Marius such an amiable character and he gives justice to the role with how he feels for Cosette, and his loyalty to remain with his friends at the barricade.

The Bonus Features Exclusive to the Blu-ray™ include
* Les Misérables Singing Live
* Battle at the Barricade
* The West End Connection
* Les Misérables on Location

Also included on the DVD as well as the Blu-ray™ are
* The Stars of Les Misérables
* Creating the Perfect Paris
* The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables
* Feature Commentary with Director Tom Hooper 

I was astonished watching the bonus features.  When you see how much work and care went into the whole of this movie, it is no wonder it was such a great success.

What surprised me, was that my almost 17 year old’s attention was completely caught by the movie.  This is a girl who would choose super heroes, pirates or hobbits over a musical any day of the week.  She was completely enthralled in the characters and story and proceeded on her own to find out more about the history of that time period in France and more about the original work by Victor Hugo.  Keep in mind that although the film is rated PG-13, there is some bawdiness and mature themes in the lyrics.

I’d recommend this movie to everybody.  I found myself completely taken in by it.  The acting is intense and when it was over I was wanting to just replay it all over again.  I could think of nothing but the song “Do You Hear the People Sing?” for days after watching it.  Which is the best part about watching Les Misérables at home – you can sing along and don’t need to worry about the glares you’d get from other theater goers .

Les Misérables is available nationwide at retailers and online on Blu-ray and DVD now.

*I received a media sample of this DVD for review.

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