This feels like what the movie should have been. It's more emotional, acted, and raw-sounding than other recordings; while still being sung beautifully. Where the movie sacrificed correct singing to emphasise the emotion of the scene, this just has both.
The movie fails mostly due to the fact Hooper apparently has zero understanding that musicals aren't completely diagetic. It's pretty clear that on the stage, these characters aren't actually singing to the others. As funny as it would be to imagine Valjean and Javert actually singing to each other as they fight, it's meant to be representative of their actual fight. The Les Mis movie takes the singing far too literally and makes it diagetic. So instead of a musical representation of "The Duel", we literally have Valjean and Javert singing at each other while slapping swords together. It misses the entire point of the original. If the movie was tackled by someone who knows what they're doing, it could definitely be possible to make a more raw, realistic portrayal of Les Mis. However, it would need to at least start by splitting the difference between "non-diagetic song representing a fight" and "an actual singing fight"
I have always thought that Ramin Karimloo isn't given enough accolades for his performances. His voice is so strong, his acting so believable. Thank you for posting this video...much appreciated!!
He definitely gets the credits, but Colm Wilkinson's portrayal of Jean ValJean is just something else. He embodies the gentleness of Jean Valjean so well. But when we're talking about the phantom, there is non other that does it better than Ramin.
I agree. He brings ferocity to the role, a pent-up rage that seems right. Also, he has some serious vocal pyrotechnic ability that others don't. I loveee me some Colm Wilkinson tho and respect but I find Ramin to be my fave AFTER Sir Colm.
The logical side of my brain: "Why Valjean suddenly decided to take his shirt off???" The other not so logical side of my brain: :well WHO CARES I LOVE IT"
I know you aren't actually looking for an answer but here goes - the reason (in my mind) that he chooses to take his shirt off is because it is the uniform of his slavery. He takes it off at the line, "Another story must begin" and proceeds to remove it as a way of showing that he is putting the past behind him and removing (physically and metaphorically) the identity of Valjean/24601.
Ramin's explained it a few times but I can't remember exactly- Daniel Trotman is right, and also because the audience has to believe that Valjean can lift a whole cart later
There should be a petition made for a cast recording. We desperately need one ! With him of course. And just imagine Hadley Fraser as Javert 😍 perfection
I remember watching interviews with Hugh Jackman and the weird version of Le Mis and how the way the singing to staged was so the actors could emote and preform better because apparently trying to act and sing at the same time is hard... also apparently no one told Ramin that.
What have I done? Sweet Jesus, what have I done? Become a thief in the night Become a dog on the run Have I fallen so far And is the hour so late That nothing remains but the cry of my hate The cries in the dark that nobody hears Here where I stand at the turning of the years? If there's another way to go I missed it twenty long years ago My life was a war that could never be won They gave me a number and murdered Valjean When they chained me and left me for dead Just for stealing a mouthful of bread Yet why did I allow this man To touch my soul and teach me love? He treated me like any other He gave me his trust He called me brother My life he claims for God above Can such things be? For I had come to hate the world This world that always hated me Take an eye for an eye Turn your heart into stone This is all I have lived for This is all I have known One word from him and I'd be back Beneath the lash, upon the rack Instead he offers me my freedom I feel my shame inside me like a knife He told me that I have a soul How does he know? What spirit comes to move my life? Is there another way to go? I am reaching, but I fall And the night is closing in As I stare into the void To the whirlpool of my sin I'll escape now from that world From the world of Jean Valjean Jean Valjean is nothing now Another story must begin
@@fredrickkenley674 Same. Ramin is an astounding singer, but Colm's performance was simply superb. Ramin's work here is overdone and self-indulgent -- it's like the antics people pull for the US national anthem. The words ValJean sings matter. Sudden shifts into raptures of pop live concert tone feel totally out of place. He also seems to have a clear separation between the acting and the singing. "This world that always *hated* me". Colm was able to seamlessly act through his singing. All in all I think this sort of performance is aimed towards the same demographic that leaves full paragraphs about how in love they are with Ramin Karimloo, etc etc. It's teenager stuff.
He combines exactly what I enjoy the most from Colm Wilkinson's Valjean and John Owen-Jones' Valjean to form my favourite performance of this song, he's got Colm's insane vocal chops and John's passion
Do all Valjeans sing as low on “stare in the void, whirlpool of my sin” as Ramin did here? Those lines are mimicked in both words and music just before Javert’s suicide, which is usually a deeper voiced actor.
The best Valjean?? Not sure yes he pours his heart into the song gives a heart-wrenching performance but is he as spelling binding as Colin Wilkinson who doesn't move as much but still captures and bring you into his story? No, I think for me Colin is Valjean heart and soul
Yes! Colm Wilkinson and the rest of the original London cast get their points across without OVER emphasizing every few words and shout singing, which is, unfortunately, what Les Mis has become. Everyone yelling/shouting and rushing through their songs. I’ll stick to my memories and recordings of the first 10 years of the show.
Way too hot for the role! Gee, what’s next? A buff bishop, casually shirtless when handing over the rest of the silver? Singing wasn’t that great, quite overwrought (and sometimes pitchy). Y’all just like him cause he’s hot.
This feels like what the movie should have been. It's more emotional, acted, and raw-sounding than other recordings; while still being sung beautifully. Where the movie sacrificed correct singing to emphasise the emotion of the scene, this just has both.
The movie fails mostly due to the fact Hooper apparently has zero understanding that musicals aren't completely diagetic. It's pretty clear that on the stage, these characters aren't actually singing to the others. As funny as it would be to imagine Valjean and Javert actually singing to each other as they fight, it's meant to be representative of their actual fight.
The Les Mis movie takes the singing far too literally and makes it diagetic. So instead of a musical representation of "The Duel", we literally have Valjean and Javert singing at each other while slapping swords together. It misses the entire point of the original.
If the movie was tackled by someone who knows what they're doing, it could definitely be possible to make a more raw, realistic portrayal of Les Mis. However, it would need to at least start by splitting the difference between "non-diagetic song representing a fight" and "an actual singing fight"
I have always thought that Ramin Karimloo isn't given enough accolades for his performances. His voice is so strong, his acting so believable. Thank you for posting this video...much appreciated!!
He definitely gets the credits, but Colm Wilkinson's portrayal of Jean ValJean is just something else. He embodies the gentleness of Jean Valjean so well.
But when we're talking about the phantom, there is non other that does it better than Ramin.
@@sdavoudi1 I think as Ramin get a little more older, he would be better Valjean.
That role definitely requires one.
I agree. He brings ferocity to the role, a pent-up rage that seems right. Also, he has some serious vocal pyrotechnic ability that others don't. I loveee me some Colm Wilkinson tho and respect but I find Ramin to be my fave AFTER Sir Colm.
Ramin takes his shirt off
Me *giggles*
I’m a straight man, but like same…
real 🤭
Seeing Ramin Kiramloo as Valjean live on Broadway is the greatest performance I've ever seen.
I'm HIGHLY jealous
Man I feel so blessed I was able to see this live ❤
You are so lucky!! I would love to see a live performance of his!
The logical side of my brain: "Why Valjean suddenly decided to take his shirt off???"
The other not so logical side of my brain: :well WHO CARES I LOVE IT"
I know you aren't actually looking for an answer but here goes - the reason (in my mind) that he chooses to take his shirt off is because it is the uniform of his slavery. He takes it off at the line, "Another story must begin" and proceeds to remove it as a way of showing that he is putting the past behind him and removing (physically and metaphorically) the identity of Valjean/24601.
I bet you he wouldn't if he had a beer belly.
@@daringdude01 and because it was sweated and stinky 😛
Ramin's explained it a few times but I can't remember exactly- Daniel Trotman is right, and also because the audience has to believe that Valjean can lift a whole cart later
@@daringdude01 Ramin compares it to a snake shedding its old skin.
So disappointed that they never did a cast recording 😢
Me too! I would've loved a cast recording!
This little fact here upsets me at least once a week and it has been 8 years
There should be a petition made for a cast recording. We desperately need one ! With him of course. And just imagine Hadley Fraser as Javert 😍 perfection
Me too!!
@@ashleymartijn9866THAT WOULD BE AMAZING 🤩
Sierra as Fantine/Cosette….😍
I'm still hearing the voice of the Phantom of the Opera
He is one of the best in the business hands down
When he made eye contact with the camera my heart went ↙️↘️➡️⬅️⬇️↖️⬆️↘️➡️
WHEN HE POINTED TO IT HAHAHAHAHA
I remember watching interviews with Hugh Jackman and the weird version of Le Mis and how the way the singing to staged was so the actors could emote and preform better because apparently trying to act and sing at the same time is hard... also apparently no one told Ramin that.
Ich finde es unfair zu sagen eine version ist besser als die andere beide Versionen sind gut kommt darauf an wie man es sieht
Yeah, they forgot to tell him that
What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night
Become a dog on the run
Have I fallen so far
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate
The cries in the dark that nobody hears
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won
They gave me a number and murdered Valjean
When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow this man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate the world
This world that always hated me
Take an eye for an eye
Turn your heart into stone
This is all I have lived for
This is all I have known
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
As I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin
The best Valjean ever
Um no Colm was by a mile. This honesty offended me lol
@@fredrickkenley674 Same. Ramin is an astounding singer, but Colm's performance was simply superb. Ramin's work here is overdone and self-indulgent -- it's like the antics people pull for the US national anthem. The words ValJean sings matter. Sudden shifts into raptures of pop live concert tone feel totally out of place. He also seems to have a clear separation between the acting and the singing. "This world that always *hated* me". Colm was able to seamlessly act through his singing. All in all I think this sort of performance is aimed towards the same demographic that leaves full paragraphs about how in love they are with Ramin Karimloo, etc etc. It's teenager stuff.
@@fredrickkenley674 are we forgetting Alfie Boe here lads?
@@BringHimHome24601hand down Alfie Boe is the best Valjean
@@briii5858, no!🤢
RAMIN IS AMAZING!!!!!!
He’s incredible ✨
He combines exactly what I enjoy the most from Colm Wilkinson's Valjean and John Owen-Jones' Valjean to form my favourite performance of this song, he's got Colm's insane vocal chops and John's passion
Tremendous singer and actor. First heard of him in Les Miserables 25th celebration.
Ramin is simply the greatest male performer musical theatre has ever seen. The greatest female is of course, Lea Salonga.
Thank you so much for posting this! I have not seen any vids of Ramin’s performance in Les Miz, just still photos. If you have more, please post them!
It was soooooo good. I cried like 3 times ha
Best vocal
Look at this rock star with his tattoo on full show lol
He is just ✨💕💖💘💝
Do all Valjeans sing as low on “stare in the void, whirlpool of my sin” as Ramin did here? Those lines are mimicked in both words and music just before Javert’s suicide, which is usually a deeper voiced actor.
yes, those are the written notes they don't option down or anything there.
Wow I have just got goosebumps all over my body !
Wow, wow, wow - that's all I can say after watching that!
His voice could bring down buildings. 🥹 It's amazing
perfect
Unbelievable! He is just amazing!!!!
So good! Best Valjean
The best phantom turns into great Jean Valjean
Ramin , for me , is the only Valjean and the only phantom. His voice is magnificent and his beauty is abundant.
U're so sicky. 😂
BRavo Ramin
Made me cry. Transcendent
Director: Karim, what are those?
Karim: You mean my abs?
Director: ..................I have an idea
The best Valjean?? Not sure yes he pours his heart into the song gives a heart-wrenching performance but is he as spelling binding as Colin Wilkinson who doesn't move as much but still captures and bring you into his story? No, I think for me Colin is Valjean heart and soul
He’s a good Val jean but there are many better, perhaps live he may be but recorded not so sure
Yes! Colm Wilkinson and the rest of the original London cast get their points across without OVER emphasizing every few words and shout singing, which is, unfortunately, what Les Mis has become. Everyone yelling/shouting and rushing through their songs. I’ll stick to my memories and recordings of the first 10 years of the show.
@@bookemdano7567 projection and shout singing are different Ramon isn’t shouting here
@@Jamestaylor01967 …. There are plenty of singers that can project without reducing to shouting at you. To me, this is shouting.
Wow just wow
Fucking incredible
He floods my basement
Man, I can't imagine this guy as any other character than the Phantom..
Hugh Jackman's version in the movie is my favorite, not for the vocals but for the acting he did for it. Brilliant.
Hugh played that role absolutely perfect, but he’s as bad as a singer as he's good as an actor, dancer and comedian!🤭🤗😂🎉
@@Nen014cy it was an okay vocal performance for me, as people tend to compare him to opera powerhouses when he's not one anyway.
@@YTStorag3, opera?!! That's just pop musical! And your ears got problem))
I prefer Michael Ball!
…. To my knowledge balls never played this role?
@Bubbsmaster He played JVJ in a one night concert of the show. In 2004 I believe
Way too hot for the role!
Gee, what’s next? A buff bishop, casually shirtless when handing over the rest of the silver?
Singing wasn’t that great, quite overwrought (and sometimes pitchy). Y’all just like him cause he’s hot.