I can't imagine anything harder than waking up and realizing all of your friends are dead due to something you took part in and you are the only one who lived. I cannot even imagine.
This actually happened to my grandfather, he was wounded before the end of the war so he spent time at a hospital. Later, a few days before the end of the war, his division went to battle without him and got absolutely annihilated at Rijeka in April 1945. All his friends from the war died there, yet he was still alive and never said goodbye to them.
@@Royasloalce123321 There is a main difference between the war veterans and those kids who were kill in many part of the world fighting for change the world through a "Revolution". Those kids were not there because someone (the state) payed them. Neither , were there obeying orders or they had a instructions of how to kill. Those kids were there because they love Freedom, and hate the injustice and they did not only fight for them , also for the people, the poor , the most vulnerable. In Latinoamerica they were called Revolucionarios.
@@arturopoppe6984 That's exactly it. I don't mean to disregard the pain of a war veteran, but comparing it to Les Mis is inaccurate. My father was part of the socialist movement back in the 70s and 80s in Iran and participated in both the revolution against the tyrannical Shah and the Islamic republic after him. He fell in love with my mum and managed to escape before they tried to kill him, but almost all his friends died. They were all university students at the time. This song always hits so close to home for our family and my dad still lives with survivors guilt. Bottom line, they did not get trained on how to kill nor were they paid. The people who died were children who just wanted to live in a better world.
we are living now the exact same moment here in Syria, I lost many of friends in the last 7 years, I can tell you where my friends sat and spoke of equality and freedom, we have lived every stanza of this song, truly it is about Syria today. this comment itself might get me killed. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me That I live and you are gone.. There's a grief that can't be spoken There's a pain goes on and on..
I've loved him ever since this song. then he did theory of everything, couldn't have done any better. and newt Scamander???? no limits on my level of fangirling with this guy. he is perfection in my book.
Now he needs to be the Doctor. If he ever does, which I'm doubting, cause none of the actors I think that have the presence to swing playing the Doctor probably never won't, but if he did, he'd finally be ginger. He has the mannerisms of Matt Smiths Doctor, but not erratic like 11 was, he'd be the opposite, calm, kind, and quite awkward at certain human interactions. He could use this to his advantage toward enemies. Even Fantastic Beasts gave me a Doctor Who vibe, the plot alone.
You should watch The Danish Girl. And Savage Grace, though the latter is a bit... Raunchy. But I've been binge watching his films for like, the past two days, and he's really brilliant.
"Oh my friends, my friends, forgive me... That I live and you are gone." This line breaks my heart so much.... How can Eddie act so well and sound amazing yet I can't figure out how to sing and cry my eyes out!!!!??
I'm terrible because I actually think he sounds a bit like Kermit the Frog... but it doesn't stop me from absolutely bawling my eyes out at his performance, specifically right here. Dear God, he's incredible. And this song is The Saddest Sht Ever.
*There are moments that the words can't reach. There is suffering too terrible to name.* I shouldn't have said that. Too manny onions around to make it work... *sighs* ;)
+Maggie Wang i don't know he made it into the history books and lived for his wedding night. i'm not saying its not still horrible just there are worse things that can happen at a bachelor party
I still to this day don't understand how Eddie was so overlooked awards-wise for this movie! In general he made me care about Marius more than I ever really had in the stage show, and this scene especially just... it guts me. Really, really hard. Don't get me wrong, Anne was absolutely amazing with her part and I Dreamed a Dream, but I honestly feel like Eddie's performance got to me just as much. You just feel every ounce of Marius' sadness and grief in your bones. And now I really need to see Theory of Everything! He's just an incredible actor, he really is :)
Agree totally, did see Theory of Everything which confirms your assessment of his talents. Tough Oscars this year, Bradley Cooper was also great, my vote goes to Eddie though.
I did not know anything about Les Mis prior to seeing this movie when it came out. Didn't know the story...at all. In fact, three minutes into the movie, I'm sitting in the theater thinking to myself, "This is a musical on film. Am I going to like this???" At the end, I was trying to figure where in my top five movies of all time I was going to place this one. I was absolutely blown away. This scene with Eddie Redmayne is one of my favorites. Stephanie mentioned another one: "I Dreamed a Dream." Let's not forget "On My Own," (Samantha Barks). But there are just so many wonderful scenes. Wow.
*****: I mostly agree with your assessment of Russell Crowe. (Maybe his character was just miscast??) Anyway, that tells you something about a movie when Russell Crowe is your weak link.
A boy at my school sang this today during our school talent thingy we have once a week where anyone can go up and do something in the hall; but yeah he sang this and it was so powerful and emotional, it's just a shame that not everyone in the hall had the respect to stop talking and listen.
Yeah same, at the end of every school year our school has a medley of songs that people interested can go and perform, and a guy called Isaac at our school (he's 18) sang this and every one was in floods of tears, but me and my group of friends were meant to go on and sing Life's a Happy Song from The Muppets but we were all so sad that it totally did not work!!!
Being in the military, I thought nothing could make me cry. But when I watched this stupid movie, I cried my eyes out when this scene came on. I've lost so many friends, I can't stand it.
Lordy Lucifer I'm in the military too. I've only lost one friend, but one friend is one too many. This song hits the gut hard. I'm in pieces after this song.
Hugh Jackson said in an interview that this was the 21st take of this scene. Not to mention that it's sung live. imagine doing this scene 21 times live. Eddie Redmayne is truly amazing
Yes they sang about it, but at the end of the day, they are dead and what truly changed? That’s the tragedy; the sense of futility and grief that at the end of the day you have lost more than you imagined you could.
There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Empty chairs at empty tables Now my friends are dead and gone. Here they talked of revolution. Here it was they lit the flame. Here they sang about tomorrow And tomorrow never came. From the table in the corner They could see a world reborn And they rose with voices ringing And I can hear them now! The very words that they had sung Became their last communion On this lonely barricade at dawn. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me That I live and you are gone. There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Phantom faces at the windows. Phantom shadows on the floor. Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friends will meet no more. Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me What your sacrifice was for Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friends will sing no more
Acting wise, I think he absolutely smashed this performance. The emotion in his voice, body language and facial expressions are just so gripping. I couldn't look away!
I love this rendition of the song and I love how Eddie portrayed Marius. When he remembers his friends and he smiles, you can see how sad and broken he is. I love how he almost whispers some words, as if it was too painful to say them out loud. "Oh my friends, my friends, forgive me that I live and you are gone" this line breaks my heart every single time. His voice cracks from the pain, he's overwhelmed by guilt. He looks around the room, incredulous, he's only starting to realise he will never see those faces full of life and hope again, the flames in their eyes and the fire in their hearts are out. "Don't ask me what your sacrifice was for" he will never stop asking himself it it was really worth it; he will always feel undeserving of outliving Eponine, Enjolras, Grantaire, Gavroche and the others. And he's horrified. How can he live with that? It's a heavy burden. This scene feels so real. Hats off to everyone involved in its making, especially Eddie. I can't put into words how wonderful this is. Yes, it's different from the stage version, and thank god it is. Only cinema could allow this level of intimacy and vulnerability.
+Rory Butcher I mean...that song is about a girl who is in love with a boy who doesn't love her back. This is a song about a guy dealing with his friends literally all being slaughtered and the survivors guilt he feels.I love both songs, but this one is definitely more depressing.
+Noah Pierson In some ways I think Javert's Suicide is sadder, especially when coupled with "Stars." This is a man broken by the confrontation with the truth of who he is, so broken that he would take his own life. Maybe I feel that way because I tend towards self-righteousness if left unchecked.
I never seen an actor sing a song with so much emotion like this..He made it looks so real and maybe he sang it with his heart..Lovey music and singing..WTG Eddie Redmayne..This movie should of got a few Oscars... O'yes I think Hugh Jackman was an amazing singer also...
"Oh my friends, MY FRIEEEENDS...DON'T ASK ME....WHAT YOUR SACRIFICE WAS FOR....!" I ALWAYS cry and scream this part of the song. So sad. GETS ME EVERY TIME!
I feel like the fact that Les Amis aren't there in this version, as opposed to in the stage show where they appear as ghosts, is more saddening. Maybe Marius IS seeing them, but we're not. He just wants them to be there, but they're not. And he blames himself.
Also apparently there's a moment in this version where he notices a blood spatter on the wall. And likely realises that the blood came from Enjolras and Grantaire.
For me the stage show was more powerful I think because you see the magnitude of his loss... literally everyone he’s known since boyhood is standing there silently, just staring at him. Although I think this doesn’t translate well to film. But besides the point, Eddie STILL made me cry with the full version. He did my favorite song of the musical justice. :)
@@cassidy6103the thing was this was immediately after the massacre - there was no evidence that those sacrifices were for anything in the long run. there was no evidence that their actions had any effect
This is one of the very few times that I've ever cried in a movie let alone a musical. Bravo! I believe Eddie was totally overlooked at the Oscars and should have at least been nominated for such an incredible performance.
"There's a grief that can't be spoken . . . So I'll sing about it instead." Seriously, though, this performance was absolutely heartbreaking. Bravo, Eddie.
Eddie gets so much hate for this role. I don't get why: He may not be the best singer ever but his voice is still amazing and the acting is just breath takingly good. my favorite rendition of this song!!!
I thought Eddie did a wonderful job with this song. While there are much more gifted singers that have tackled this song before, few come close to the level of emotion displayed here. Absolutely fantastic!
*Enjolras:* Why are there so many empty chairs and empty tables? Well maybe if Marius had put them on the BARRICADE like I told him to, we wouldn't all be DEAD.
Can't believe anyone talked shit on Eddie Redmayne. Not only is his singing exquisite and live, he's also acting his little heart out. I'd say award winning performance.
Hannah Grace ikr!?!?! his range as an actor is nothing shy of amazing! if you loved him in this, I highly recommend seeing him in "The Danie Girl". I was very impressed with him in that. even if you're not into the transgender movement, the movie is based on a true story (I love movies that are) and the emotion and passion is second to none
Eddie, oh my god, he is so talented. I simply cannot get over his performance as Hawking and of course his performance here. I really hope he wins the Oscar this year. I was so disappointed that he hardly got any recognition for his role here.
Frozen Mango The guy in the profile picture from Cheyenne Douthitt is Matt Cohen, he is an actor. I know him as a young John Winchester in the tv show Supernatural. And yes he is gorgeous!
IT CAME 100 YEARS LATER AT THE END OF WWII. YEAH, IT SUCKS THAT THEIR FAILURE TO FREE EUROPE THEN OPENED THE DOORS TO THE MOST BRUTAL CENTURY IN ITS HISTORY.
I think not having his friends show up just adds to the realism of the scene. To to have him sing "Phantom faces...phantom shadows", especially with that prominent empty space behind him; it certainly made it feel, for me at least, the emptiness that Marius has in his life now that his friends are no longer there to occupy it. In musicals, they can get away with certain stage directing, such as adding his dead friends on stage and it makes sense. Here, the director wanted to have a more real tone to the film, so adding "supernatural" scenes would take away the ''realness'' that Tom Hooper wanted, and saving the emotional reveal of the spirits of those who died at the barricades for the end. Leaving the lasting impression that all is not lost and those that had died are going to a better place.
We watched this movie in my chorus class my senior year of high school, and during this scene, I started crying. Like, actually weeping. The teacher almost had to pause the movie so I could calm down.
we watched the movie with my school when it came out at the cinema and my friends's dad had passed away a couple of weeks before so when Jean Valjean died she was crying so much😢😢
I remember watching this in theaters and since I'd never seen Eddie Redmayne before, I thought they went for a singer who could act rather than an actor who could sing (because his singing technique seemed better than everyone else's). Turns out they just hit the jackpot.
When I first saw "Les Miserables" on stage, I didn't like this song. I've always found it a little tiresome to get through. Usually, by the time they hit the phrase "And I can hear them now... the very words that they had sung became their last communion," most Mariuses are all-out belting and emoting like mad. It always felt like a bad choice, making "Empty Chairs" feel stilted, saccharine, and untrue to its subject matter. But Eddie Redmayne has completely changed my mind about this song. At precisely the point where others charge in, he enters so softly and tenderly, as though he is hushing his own voice to listen for the half-audible conversations of the dead men who were his friends. His particular rendition makes this song the most devastating description of survivor's guilt I've ever heard.
Laundry Faerie I do agree with you that his rendition is probably the most emotional (and my favorite), but I also can understand belting it out at that part It's like a desperate cry for someone else to hear them too, as though Marius is now speaking for them, making their voices heard. It's actually been my favorite song since I first heard it, which I am embarrassed to admit was the Nick Jonas version, but that's just how much I like the entire message.
I agree he's got the looks, the singing voice because he was in a choir at college, the acting. The amount of emotion in this song is unbelievable. Absolutely amazing I cry every time
I mean, there's a reason he's my favourite actor. He can do everything. Les Misérables, Theory of everything and now The Danish Girl. Eddie never seizes to amaze me. ❤️
When I heard about what happened in Nice last night, this song just came into my mind. I'm so sorry for everything that's happening in France. No country deserves such grief.
I just watched the movie for the first time and I practically wept at this song...HE'S CRYING. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT TOOK TO BREAK HIM DOWN LIKE THAT?! It's so heartbreaking seeing him crying with that pained smile....HOW CAN I NOT CRY
I just realized that this is only scene I've re-watched and the only song I've listened to from this film since it came out. Eddie Redmayne's performance is heart-breakingly wonderful
+GD Intrix If you're talking about Jupiter ascending, then sorry, but you are wrong. He was horrible. I didn't dislike his character, I disliked his acting. That's not "being good at being dislikable"...
He's so talented. Literally every part he has ever played has made me so emotional. Those notes he does when he says 'flame' at one part are so wonderful
Singing helps to get emotions out, it heals so much more than any word could ever do. It's a way of expression, he's letting everything out. He's crying for the loss of his friends, he's devastated and angry. She shows him he's not alone only by being present. Sometimes that's what you need the most.
Oh please stop the Cosette hate already. Stop hating her just because she's in Eponine's way. I'm telling you, I did help a friend once that was ir mourning. And believe me, just letting him spit all his emotions out while you do nothing and just wait for him to be better is the best thing to do.
Absolutely amazing. My only slight criticism is that they didn't do what they did in the musical, which is bring the dead back for the "Phantom faces" and the "Phantom Shadows" lines.
noooo picture phantom enjolras and phantom grantaire and phantom barricade boys showing up only to evaporate again noooo my feels are already broken enough
calvaughan27 I think it would've been a good way to do it if like he saw them and it was like they were sitting around planning and talking and laughing together. Like a memory playing out around him, looking all transparent so we can see how alone he really is. That would've been good for the movie.
calvaughan27 There's something about that scene that I don't think would have had the same impact in the film. Plus, I think it's nice to save something just for the stage show.
Samantha Beaudry Jean Valjean was not a revolutionist, this story fallowed several story lines that all entangled together, Jean Valjean was a man with an unlucky mark who was hiding behind a curtain of made up identities to protect himself and Cosette. The only reason why he was with the revolutionists in the end was to get Marius away from them to save his life, Jean Valjean wanted a son and Cosette was in love with Marius, so he saved him. But he was in no way a revolutionist, maybe a rebel, but for the most part he was silent in his beliefs.
Even though Marius was not the most interesting character in the film or the show(never read the book), this is my favorite song by far, i feel it especially in this version, Marius baring it all and showing the emotional turmoil that he's going through, with his voice breaking during the song gives me chills every time i hear it.
My Week with Marilyn was the first movie of Eddie I ever watched, and though his performance as Colin in it was stunning, it was Les Miserables that really did it for me. Marius is described as a singularly unspectacular character, believed to be a portrait of Hugo himself; but Eddie's portrayal was so gorgeous, I couldn't believe that all the award shows had snubbed him. Oh well, I hope to goodness that he wins an Academy for Theory of Everything; it'll be nothing short of robbery if he doesn't!
My first film I saw Eddie in was the theory of everything and that was great acting. Then my week with Marilyn which was good …… But then BAM !!! Eddie in les mis was just amazing All the best actors into one film was just great and it was a musical which was even better!!!!
It is incredible how well he is able to convey his immense emotional pain. I have listened to many versions of this song, and this is the only one to genuinely evoke tears. I don't cry at many things, but I can't help but tear up seeing such an emotional and sad performance. Brava!
I've just seen Eddie Redmayne's performance and nothing prepares you for this. I cheered, I shouted, I fist-pumped the air, I cried, I stood and cheered. It's absolutely everything that you hope it was gonna be. I'm so proud to watch it and I can't wait for you to see it.
This film was what made me love Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything made me even more convinced to love him). Les Miserables has done so much for me, it's the best play ever!
Remus lupin on 1st November when Sirius is in Azkaban,James and Lily are dead and supposedly Peter us too and he wakes up thinking that it was all a horrible nightmare but its true....
I can't imagine anything harder than waking up and realizing all of your friends are dead due to something you took part in and you are the only one who lived. I cannot even imagine.
And that is what thousands of war veterans go through everyday.
Survivors guilt is a very real and prevalent issue in society, it’s heartbreaking to see
This actually happened to my grandfather, he was wounded before the end of the war so he spent time at a hospital. Later, a few days before the end of the war, his division went to battle without him and got absolutely annihilated at Rijeka in April 1945. All his friends from the war died there, yet he was still alive and never said goodbye to them.
@@Royasloalce123321 There is a main difference between the war veterans and those kids who were kill in many part of the world fighting for change the world through a "Revolution". Those kids were not there because someone (the state) payed them. Neither , were there obeying orders or they had a instructions of how to kill. Those kids were there because they love Freedom, and hate the injustice and they did not only fight for them , also for the people, the poor , the most vulnerable. In Latinoamerica they were called Revolucionarios.
@@arturopoppe6984 That's exactly it. I don't mean to disregard the pain of a war veteran, but comparing it to Les Mis is inaccurate. My father was part of the socialist movement back in the 70s and 80s in Iran and participated in both the revolution against the tyrannical Shah and the Islamic republic after him. He fell in love with my mum and managed to escape before they tried to kill him, but almost all his friends died. They were all university students at the time. This song always hits so close to home for our family and my dad still lives with survivors guilt. Bottom line, they did not get trained on how to kill nor were they paid. The people who died were children who just wanted to live in a better world.
"they sang about tomorrow
but tomorrow never came" tissues cant hold the tears i need a damn towel
...and I need three of them :'(
Meghna Gaddam
this is so goddamn inappropriate here ;P anywhere else.. but just not here :P
we are living now the exact same moment here in Syria,
I lost many of friends in the last 7 years,
I can tell you where my friends sat and spoke of equality and freedom,
we have lived every stanza of this song,
truly it is about Syria today.
this comment itself might get me killed.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
That I live and you are gone..
There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on..
I was just scrolling through the comments while I was listening, I was reading your comment when he was singing the exact part in the song
I could offer you a pool if I had one...
I've loved him ever since this song. then he did theory of everything, couldn't have done any better. and newt Scamander???? no limits on my level of fangirling with this guy. he is perfection in my book.
Hollis Woods same
Hollis Woods same
and lili!!
Now he needs to be the Doctor. If he ever does, which I'm doubting, cause none of the actors I think that have the presence to swing playing the Doctor probably never won't, but if he did, he'd finally be ginger. He has the mannerisms of Matt Smiths Doctor, but not erratic like 11 was, he'd be the opposite, calm, kind, and quite awkward at certain human interactions. He could use this to his advantage toward enemies. Even Fantastic Beasts gave me a Doctor Who vibe, the plot alone.
You should watch The Danish Girl. And Savage Grace, though the latter is a bit... Raunchy. But I've been binge watching his films for like, the past two days, and he's really brilliant.
"Oh my friends, my friends, forgive me... That I live and you are gone." This line breaks my heart so much.... How can Eddie act so well and sound amazing yet I can't figure out how to sing and cry my eyes out!!!!??
my fav line
I'm terrible because I actually think he sounds a bit like Kermit the Frog... but it doesn't stop me from absolutely bawling my eyes out at his performance, specifically right here. Dear God, he's incredible. And this song is The Saddest Sht Ever.
Bailey Clark me when I'm mercy on overwatch and I don't have res.
Murlocknight omg yes. Or when you're making a big push and your team dies, leaving just you
You can feel that he aged like 10 more years at this line
"There's a grief that can't be spoken"
BUT IT CAN BE SUNG!
I love you. Lmao.
Jajajajajajaja c mamó.
*There are moments that the words can't reach. There is suffering too terrible to name.* I shouldn't have said that. Too manny onions around to make it work... *sighs* ;)
When song conveys what words cannot....
*It's Quiet Uptown...* ;)
Marius had the worst Bachelors party ever
Agreed
too soon
+Maggie Wang i don't know he made it into the history books and lived for his wedding night. i'm not saying its not still horrible just there are worse things that can happen at a bachelor party
lol terrible
My uncle had a heart attacking at mine
Dont care what anyone says this part made me cry the most in the entire movie. He's amazing.
+Dora A Yeah same, I lost my grandpa in Nov. of 2015 and this song is kinda my cry for help with dealing with the loss.
I lost mine at the same time as yours just 3 years prior. My condolences
Thank you :)
+Dora A goose bumps. :( the saddest part.
+Dora A I totally agree - nothing affected me more than this scene in the film. Heartbreaking
I still to this day don't understand how Eddie was so overlooked awards-wise for this movie! In general he made me care about Marius more than I ever really had in the stage show, and this scene especially just... it guts me. Really, really hard. Don't get me wrong, Anne was absolutely amazing with her part and I Dreamed a Dream, but I honestly feel like Eddie's performance got to me just as much. You just feel every ounce of Marius' sadness and grief in your bones.
And now I really need to see Theory of Everything! He's just an incredible actor, he really is :)
Saw the theory of everything the other day it is soo good and I seriously recommend it! I will be surprised if Eddie doesn't get an award for it!
Well said :)
Agree totally, did see Theory of Everything which confirms your assessment of his talents. Tough Oscars this year, Bradley Cooper was also great, my vote goes to Eddie though.
I did not know anything about Les Mis prior to seeing this movie when it came out. Didn't know the story...at all. In fact, three minutes into the movie, I'm sitting in the theater thinking to myself, "This is a musical on film. Am I going to like this???" At the end, I was trying to figure where in my top five movies of all time I was going to place this one. I was absolutely blown away. This scene with Eddie Redmayne is one of my favorites. Stephanie mentioned another one: "I Dreamed a Dream." Let's not forget "On My Own," (Samantha Barks). But there are just so many wonderful scenes. Wow.
*****: I mostly agree with your assessment of Russell Crowe. (Maybe his character was just miscast??) Anyway, that tells you something about a movie when Russell Crowe is your weak link.
The emotion in this is unreal. His voice...he's just perfection.
Erin Donelan right??? The passion is unparalleled in anything I've EVERY HEARD OR SEEN
Yep
1000th like... the only thing I have ever accomplished lol
Erin Donelan no
@Dee Dish What an unexpected yet motivational response, thank you!
A boy at my school sang this today during our school talent thingy we have once a week where anyone can go up and do something in the hall; but yeah he sang this and it was so powerful and emotional, it's just a shame that not everyone in the hall had the respect to stop talking and listen.
+MasterAssassin
Well that is actually bragging
Lio Yep. It is. I sing,but it isn't very good
Yeah same, at the end of every school year our school has a medley of songs that people interested can go and perform, and a guy called Isaac at our school (he's 18) sang this and every one was in floods of tears, but me and my group of friends were meant to go on and sing Life's a Happy Song from The Muppets but we were all so sad that it totally did not work!!!
+ArrowAngelFTW do you have a video of his performance? I'd absolutely love to hear it!
Lucien Reles No sorry...
Being in the military, I thought nothing could make me cry. But when I watched this stupid movie, I cried my eyes out when this scene came on. I've lost so many friends, I can't stand it.
Lordy Lucifer I'm in the military too. I've only lost one friend, but one friend is one too many. This song hits the gut hard. I'm in pieces after this song.
Lordy Lucifer This is going to sound really lame through the Internet, but I'm so sorry. Thank you for serving.
Rach Frisella yeah, we really need to treat veterans better, thank you :D
Thank you for serving
Thank you so much for your service, I'm so sorry, I could hardly imagine what that is like.
Hugh Jackson said in an interview that this was the 21st take of this scene. Not to mention that it's sung live. imagine doing this scene 21 times live. Eddie Redmayne is truly amazing
(*_Enjolras voice_*) "What our sacrifi- FRANCE, MARIUS, FRANCE, WE SANG ABOUT IT AT LEAST THREE TIMES"
LOL
Yes they sang about it, but at the end of the day, they are dead and what truly changed? That’s the tragedy; the sense of futility and grief that at the end of the day you have lost more than you imagined you could.
This is the only comment that managed to make me laugh after watching this. :')
The best actor of his generation and he also has the voice of a fucking angel? Some people are just blessed from the moment they are conceived.
I know right! !
or maybe he worked really hard.
Aren't they all supossed to work really hard? I mean it's a movie from a Broadway classic musical.
M Saez listen to him singing with eton school choir. seriously talented
IKR
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about tomorrow
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
And I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On this lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the windows.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more
Brooklyn Ireland Thank you ❤
I have this whole song memorized.. But still, thanks! 🙂
Yep, good job, those are the lyrics.
appriciate you'r kindness.:-)
Спасибо!)
Acting wise, I think he absolutely smashed this performance. The emotion in his voice, body language and facial expressions are just so gripping. I couldn't look away!
I think he gave the best performance in this film. Genius blend of acting and singing.
Definitely, it all just worked together brilliantly!
Damn thank god for Cosette. This guy lost everyone he loved.
true enough. The French government and military crushed the June Rebellion of 1832 with extreme prejudice.
HE SURVIVED A FAILED REVOLUTION, AT LEAST HE IS ALIVE.
Dude.
"Dont aaaaaask meeee."
Gets me every time.
Me too.
Tracy Holmes Me three
Me, too; the anguish on his face is heartbreaking! :(
This scene breaks my heart every time I see it
Yeah, me too. "My friends, my friends, don't ask me what your sacrifice was for!" The line always get me! Amazing performence by Eddie Redmayne!
When your friend is absent for class and his seat is empty
Arturo Soto 😂
im dying fam lmao
lmaof
Arturo Soto LOL
I read this before I watched the video and I was choking on my laughter the entire time
I love this rendition of the song and I love how Eddie portrayed Marius. When he remembers his friends and he smiles, you can see how sad and broken he is. I love how he almost whispers some words, as if it was too painful to say them out loud. "Oh my friends, my friends, forgive me that I live and you are gone" this line breaks my heart every single time. His voice cracks from the pain, he's overwhelmed by guilt. He looks around the room, incredulous, he's only starting to realise he will never see those faces full of life and hope again, the flames in their eyes and the fire in their hearts are out. "Don't ask me what your sacrifice was for" he will never stop asking himself it it was really worth it; he will always feel undeserving of outliving Eponine, Enjolras, Grantaire, Gavroche and the others. And he's horrified. How can he live with that? It's a heavy burden.
This scene feels so real. Hats off to everyone involved in its making, especially Eddie. I can't put into words how wonderful this is. Yes, it's different from the stage version, and thank god it is. Only cinema could allow this level of intimacy and vulnerability.
i actually cried reading this lol omggg i loveeeeee this
Eddie performed this masterfully dark and real scene with such a powerful elegance
Eddie was robbed out of a Oscar nomination for this scene. Breathtaking.
Saddest song ever in the whole movie and play
Yeah it is
+Noah Pierson I've gotta say that On My Own is far more depressing, and carries more weight with it.
+Rory Butcher I mean...that song is about a girl who is in love with a boy who doesn't love her back. This is a song about a guy dealing with his friends literally all being slaughtered and the survivors guilt he feels.I love both songs, but this one is definitely more depressing.
+Noah Pierson In some ways I think Javert's Suicide is sadder, especially when coupled with "Stars." This is a man broken by the confrontation with the truth of who he is, so broken that he would take his own life.
Maybe I feel that way because I tend towards self-righteousness if left unchecked.
+veggiet2009 interesting concept
I never seen an actor sing a song with so much emotion like this..He made it looks so real and maybe he sang it with his heart..Lovey music and singing..WTG Eddie Redmayne..This movie should of got a few Oscars...
O'yes I think Hugh Jackman was an amazing singer also...
"Oh my friends, MY FRIEEEENDS...DON'T ASK ME....WHAT YOUR SACRIFICE WAS FOR....!" I ALWAYS cry and scream this part of the song. So sad. GETS ME EVERY TIME!
Same that part always makes me sob
I know.... Jesus....
deannacrissy11 lol the same! Can't help crying!
I feel like the fact that Les Amis aren't there in this version, as opposed to in the stage show where they appear as ghosts, is more saddening. Maybe Marius IS seeing them, but we're not. He just wants them to be there, but they're not. And he blames himself.
Also apparently there's a moment in this version where he notices a blood spatter on the wall. And likely realises that the blood came from Enjolras and Grantaire.
+im-so-2460-done When does he notice the blood spatter?
I'm not too sure? I think it's at "There's a pain goes on and on" before "oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me,"
For me the stage show was more powerful I think because you see the magnitude of his loss... literally everyone he’s known since boyhood is standing there silently, just staring at him. Although I think this doesn’t translate well to film.
But besides the point, Eddie STILL made me cry with the full version. He did my favorite song of the musical justice. :)
Excuse me, I was having a nice day and then I read this. I have a heart, you know
"Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me what your sacrifice was for" That part always gets me
Enjolras: Marius! I don't need to ask! It was for FRANCE! Why can't you figure that out!? We've sung about it so many times!
😉
@@cassidy6103the thing was this was immediately after the massacre - there was no evidence that those sacrifices were for anything in the long run. there was no evidence that their actions had any effect
This is one of the very few times that I've ever cried in a movie let alone a musical. Bravo! I believe Eddie was totally overlooked at the Oscars and should have at least been nominated for such an incredible performance.
"There's a grief that can't be spoken . . . So I'll sing about it instead."
Seriously, though, this performance was absolutely heartbreaking. Bravo, Eddie.
I shall speak this grief...
THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF DANCE!
*prances around the room*
Eddie gets so much hate for this role. I don't get why: He may not be the best singer ever but his voice is still amazing and the acting is just breath takingly good. my favorite rendition of this song!!!
I know right. It just pains me reading a comment that Eddie sings like Kermit the Frog. But that is not the truth... He sings like an angel.
Hate??? Really??? The guy is perfect!!! And so humble.....
Who hates this? I thought he was regarded as one of the best parts of the film?
Only hugh jackman got love from this movie.. all the other casts got bullied
he's hated for being one of the three only good parts of this shitty movie???
I thought Eddie did a wonderful job with this song. While there are much more gifted singers that have tackled this song before, few come close to the level of emotion displayed here. Absolutely fantastic!
RIP to all those who lost their lives last night in Paris. You will never be forgotten
comments like this renews my faith in humanity
But sadly we forgot them nobody knows the names of all those brave people who died that night
*Enjolras:* Why are there so many empty chairs and empty tables? Well maybe if Marius had put them on the BARRICADE like I told him to, we wouldn't all be DEAD.
+Grace Nern TOO SOON
Maybe if Gavroche got the ammunition instead of singing about midgets, we could've won!
+PotatoKing Gaming WAAAY too soon
+Kimberly Villarreal Too soon? It's been 3 years lol
+Ava Ragasa more like 150+ year. lol but it will always be too soon to talk about Gavroche's death
Can't believe anyone talked shit on Eddie Redmayne. Not only is his singing exquisite and live, he's also acting his little heart out. I'd say award winning performance.
not only is his voice perfect for this role, the way he can act with such pain is far better than some famous actors like Clooney or Pitt.
definately
+Hannah Costin chek your speling!
Hannah Grace ikr!?!?! his range as an actor is nothing shy of amazing! if you loved him in this, I highly recommend seeing him in "The Danie Girl". I was very impressed with him in that. even if you're not into the transgender movement, the movie is based on a true story (I love movies that are) and the emotion and passion is second to none
Brad pitt is a terrible actor
Check out Hick, and definitely watch the behind the scenes stuff when it's over. You won't be disappointed.
Director Tom Hooper calls this performance of Eddie as one of the highlights of the film. So proud of him.
The other Marius' over the years were powerful singers but this dude takes it to another level. Love it!
The others couldn't do it like this. If they did the audience wouldn't have heard them.
Eddie, oh my god, he is so talented.
I simply cannot get over his performance as Hawking and of course his performance here. I really hope he wins the Oscar this year. I was so disappointed that he hardly got any recognition for his role here.
Yeah I know the role he had here was truly amazing! Especially on this scene 😍
BUT TOMORROW NEVER CAME.
thank god I won't have to go to school
Who's that in your profile pic? he's gorgeous...
Frozen Mango The guy in the profile picture from Cheyenne Douthitt is Matt Cohen, he is an actor. I know him as a young John Winchester in the tv show Supernatural.
And yes he is gorgeous!
Cheyenne Douthitt Ey fam!!
IT CAME 100 YEARS LATER AT THE END OF WWII. YEAH, IT SUCKS THAT THEIR FAILURE TO FREE EUROPE THEN OPENED THE DOORS TO THE MOST BRUTAL CENTURY IN ITS HISTORY.
101 reasons to love Eddie Redmayne!!!
Indeed! hahahaha
yeeees
Story of my life
Yren Esor I love him so much I'm ganna cry😭
this is literally all 101 reasons
I CAN'T believe they didn't give him an Oscar for this amazing interpretations! 4 years and I am still crying everytime I watch it.
I won't cry this time, I won't cry this time, I won't cry- well fuck me
Even when I'm just singing this to myself, I tear up just thinking about Eddie's rendition. Absolutely moving.
Melissa Loosli its exactly the same with me. He sang with so much emotion, even just thinking about it makes me cry
+Melissa Loosli Eddie's and Micheal's are both stunning. Can't be separated for me.
Alex B my thoughts exactly 😭
Beautiful. Wait, one second... *goes and cries in a corner*. Okay, I'm good now.
I think not having his friends show up just adds to the realism of the scene. To to have him sing "Phantom faces...phantom shadows", especially with that prominent empty space behind him; it certainly made it feel, for me at least, the emptiness that Marius has in his life now that his friends are no longer there to occupy it. In musicals, they can get away with certain stage directing, such as adding his dead friends on stage and it makes sense. Here, the director wanted to have a more real tone to the film, so adding "supernatural" scenes would take away the ''realness'' that Tom Hooper wanted, and saving the emotional reveal of the spirits of those who died at the barricades for the end. Leaving the lasting impression that all is not lost and those that had died are going to a better place.
I just realized that I need to see this movie b/f I read another comment.
Every time I hear this song all I think of is the Marauders and I die a little more.
Jessica Cellucci tnx now im crying
Jessica Cellucci omg
Jessica Cellucci thanks you just made me cry harder
Omg I can just imagine Remus singing this when sirius has died and he is back a Grimmauld Place without them. I'm crying harder now :(
+Emily Young - Oh gosh, I hate you. I'm crying so hard! THE FEELS…
I sang this as an audition song, everyone was singing songs like Good Morning Baltimore and the sorts and then I come in with this xD
did it go well?
+oodjee Yeah, but I was just saying how different mine was in theme compared to the others xD
***** Yeah I got that. I was just wondering on the reception of it :)
+oodjee Well thank you! ^.^
I'm singing this as an audition song today xD
We watched this movie in my chorus class my senior year of high school, and during this scene, I started crying. Like, actually weeping. The teacher almost had to pause the movie so I could calm down.
we watched the movie with my school when it came out at the cinema and my friends's dad had passed away a couple of weeks before so when Jean Valjean died she was crying so much😢😢
this acting and singing is just, i mean, i can't describe it. he is amazing. just, wow.
This is one of the top songs of the musical in my opinion.
One of the most memorable parts of the movie too.
Plasticcaz funny cos I don't remember it😂
llamasys the great I try to put most of this movie out of my mind too, but this is one of the bits that my family tend to remember.
I remember watching this in theaters and since I'd never seen Eddie Redmayne before, I thought they went for a singer who could act rather than an actor who could sing (because his singing technique seemed better than everyone else's). Turns out they just hit the jackpot.
I don't see what everybody is so worked up-
*starts sobbing*
Never mind, the feels got me.
When I first saw "Les Miserables" on stage, I didn't like this song. I've always found it a little tiresome to get through. Usually, by the time they hit the phrase "And I can hear them now... the very words that they had sung became their last communion," most Mariuses are all-out belting and emoting like mad. It always felt like a bad choice, making "Empty Chairs" feel stilted, saccharine, and untrue to its subject matter.
But Eddie Redmayne has completely changed my mind about this song. At precisely the point where others charge in, he enters so softly and tenderly, as though he is hushing his own voice to listen for the half-audible conversations of the dead men who were his friends. His particular rendition makes this song the most devastating description of survivor's guilt I've ever heard.
Laundry Faerie I do agree with you that his rendition is probably the most emotional (and my favorite), but I also can understand belting it out at that part It's like a desperate cry for someone else to hear them too, as though Marius is now speaking for them, making their voices heard. It's actually been my favorite song since I first heard it, which I am embarrassed to admit was the Nick Jonas version, but that's just how much I like the entire message.
Laundry Faerie Yes, to everything you just said!
What he did with the "and I can hear them now" is my absolute favorite part of the song
Laundry Faerie spot on.
I agree with you entirely!
Eddie is so talented, he can sing, he can act, he can do EVERYTHING
I agree he's got the looks, the singing voice because he was in a choir at college, the acting. The amount of emotion in this song is unbelievable. Absolutely amazing I cry every time
This is why he only has animal friends now. Hagrid style
Newt 🦎👀
Oh well that doesnt make me feel any better 🦎
😂
@@fork_salad philosofer stone?? Or create horcux like the one that does not have nose? Lol
@@fork_salad sorry i were replaying to prev.comment on how Newt can never age between 1832 to 1927
I mean, there's a reason he's my favourite actor. He can do everything. Les Misérables, Theory of everything and now The Danish Girl. Eddie never seizes to amaze me. ❤️
i've never heard of them, but i'm sure they are amazing. Ermenegilda Ostrogotti
+Ermenegilda Ostrogotti I loved Pillars of the Earth - had never seen Eddie Redmayne before that. He's a great actor.
Jupiter Ascending? xD
this is such a heart felt performance, I am impressed and I respect this actor enormously
he's one of the greatest actors
*actor
both are right
+Beesan Salhab nope
He's my personal favorite!
Actors*
At the end Cosette is like: "are you done singing?"
+Alejandra Escutia Angulo I laughed so hard. haha
LMAOOO
Frick Cosette 😂
Alejandra Escutia Angulo jzlsakxjkajxlksjxkzjc
Hahahhaha thats so funny 😂😂
Those little bittersweet smiles kill me.
When I heard about what happened in Nice last night, this song just came into my mind. I'm so sorry for everything that's happening in France. No country deserves such grief.
stop with "the country". It's not the country that suffers.. it's the People. No human being in a world should suffer such grief.
Josi Gensky Actually yeah, you're right. No person deserves such grief, especially caused by another person.
I just watched the movie for the first time and I practically wept at this song...HE'S CRYING. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT TOOK TO BREAK HIM DOWN LIKE THAT?! It's so heartbreaking seeing him crying with that pained smile....HOW CAN I NOT CRY
That "don't ask me" part is my favorite line he sings. Just the way he says it and looks while doing so.
I just realized that this is only scene I've re-watched and the only song I've listened to from this film since it came out. Eddie Redmayne's performance is heart-breakingly wonderful
HE'S SO AMZAZING OH MY GOSH. IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN'T DO??
nope
+Brooke S jupiter ascending
he can't play bad guys
+Arsyiza 25 he was pretty good at being a dislikable villain
LOL
he is a great actor
but that movie was terrible
+GD Intrix If you're talking about Jupiter ascending, then sorry, but you are wrong. He was horrible. I didn't dislike his character, I disliked his acting. That's not "being good at being dislikable"...
He's so talented. Literally every part he has ever played has made me so emotional. Those notes he does when he says 'flame' at one part are so wonderful
When he said 'on' at 0:48, he did the note I'm talking about, and it's so wonderful with his voice and just gOd dAmMit im gonna cry again
Also, when he says 'for' at 3:08.
"Someone used to cradle them and kiss them when they cried" felt that
Why is this man so perfect without even trying????
"They sung about tomorrow and tomorrow never came."
This song is absolutely heartbreaking
I cried so hard at this scene...
Did Cosette just sit there watching her soon-to-be-husband have a mental breakdown?
There's not much to do in that situation except to be there for them...thank goodness for cosette
No she didnt.
Singing helps to get emotions out, it heals so much more than any word could ever do. It's a way of expression, he's letting everything out. He's crying for the loss of his friends, he's devastated and angry. She shows him he's not alone only by being present. Sometimes that's what you need the most.
he's grieving
Oh please stop the Cosette hate already. Stop hating her just because she's in Eponine's way. I'm telling you, I did help a friend once that was ir mourning. And believe me, just letting him spit all his emotions out while you do nothing and just wait for him to be better is the best thing to do.
Absolutely amazing. My only slight criticism is that they didn't do what they did in the musical, which is bring the dead back for the "Phantom faces" and the "Phantom Shadows" lines.
noooo picture phantom enjolras and phantom grantaire and phantom barricade boys showing up only to evaporate again noooo my feels are already broken enough
calvaughan27 I think it would've been a good way to do it if like he saw them and it was like they were sitting around planning and talking and laughing together. Like a memory playing out around him, looking all transparent so we can see how alone he really is. That would've been good for the movie.
calvaughan27 There's something about that scene that I don't think would have had the same impact in the film. Plus, I think it's nice to save something just for the stage show.
calvaughan27 I like how they DONT do that it embodies the loneliness he feels wayyyyyyy better
calvaughan27 I think that scene was particular to the 25th O2 concert. I've seen it in West End and NYC without the dead returning.
Crying at this , you can truly feel and see the agony on Marius's face , especially with him being the only survivor .
He isn't the only survivor...you forgotten Jean Value an...
DaniaMtheGamer he is the only survivor of the revolutionists
DaniaMtheGamer Jean Valjean*
Samantha Beaudry Jean Valjean was not a revolutionist, this story fallowed several story lines that all entangled together, Jean Valjean was a man with an unlucky mark who was hiding behind a curtain of made up identities to protect himself and Cosette. The only reason why he was with the revolutionists in the end was to get Marius away from them to save his life, Jean Valjean wanted a son and Cosette was in love with Marius, so he saved him. But he was in no way a revolutionist, maybe a rebel, but for the most part he was silent in his beliefs.
Even though Marius was not the most interesting character in the film or the show(never read the book), this is my favorite song by far, i feel it especially in this version, Marius baring it all and showing the emotional turmoil that he's going through, with his voice breaking during the song gives me chills every time i hear it.
Eddie is a fenominal actor
The amount of emotion he portrays in his characters Is amazing
He is my favourite actor, and I mean he's cute
My Week with Marilyn was the first movie of Eddie I ever watched, and though his performance as Colin in it was stunning, it was Les Miserables that really did it for me. Marius is described as a singularly unspectacular character, believed to be a portrait of Hugo himself; but Eddie's portrayal was so gorgeous, I couldn't believe that all the award shows had snubbed him. Oh well, I hope to goodness that he wins an Academy for Theory of Everything; it'll be nothing short of robbery if he doesn't!
Amen to everything you said! I just returned from the cinema, where I saw "The Theory of Everything". He deserves that Oscar and so much more!
I saw him first in Birdsong, loved him ever since, great actor, really feel what hes feeling, he is amazing
My first film I saw Eddie in was the theory of everything and that was great acting. Then my week with Marilyn which was good ……
But then
BAM !!!
Eddie in les mis was just amazing
All the best actors into one film was just great and it was a musical which was even better!!!!
I first saw Eddie in tess of the durbervilles he was amazing as angel Clare
I saw him in this movie
"there's a grief that ca-"
I'm already crying
Marius: **breathes**
Me: **vulgar and horrendous sobs**
@@lukemckenzie0121you thinks this is said wait till you watch the Danish girl
Ugh, he's just phenomenal.
And he can sing. This man is just perfect😍😍
I love this so much. He goes through a bunch of the stages of grief in just one scene
Everyone who doubted Eddie, take this in. This is pure, raw emotion and the delivery makes it so real. The vocals were great, too. #favemarius
It's horrible how relevant this song is right now
@Jack the Gestapo I was literally about to post the same thing and share this song on FB 😂
It is incredible how well he is able to convey his immense emotional pain. I have listened to many versions of this song, and this is the only one to genuinely evoke tears. I don't cry at many things, but I can't help but tear up seeing such an emotional and sad performance. Brava!
amazing acting while singing. makes my heart break every time
I've just seen Eddie Redmayne's performance and nothing prepares you for this. I cheered, I shouted, I fist-pumped the air, I cried, I stood and cheered. It's absolutely everything that you hope it was gonna be. I'm so proud to watch it and I can't wait for you to see it.
Wish Benny Harvey was here to hear this beautiful song RIP
Forgive me for asking you this question but who is Benny Harvey ?.
This film was what made me love Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything made me even more convinced to love him). Les Miserables has done so much for me, it's the best play ever!
Alberte Solveig Bækgaard Mortensen I recommend you watch Pillars of the Earth.
Fangirl1502 thanks:)
He acted the hell outta this scene. Suttle nuances.
You mean "subtle"?
THE BEST MARIUS. HE PUT THE MOST EMOTION INTO THE ROLE. Him and Chris McCarrell are hands down the best Marius. AMEN, EDDIE REDMAYNE. AMEN.
Eddie Redmayne is so talented holy shit
Yer father wud be proud
*feather
he plays this scene beautifully :'(
He's just gorgeous
Eddie Redmayne did absolutely AMAZING in this! He should have won an award for best supporting actor because of this song!!
,,Here they sang about tommorow and tommorow never came" is usually where I start sobbing uncontrollably
............. the feels......................
I am deeply and madly in love with this man. Eddie, is there anything you CANNOT do?
so many powerful performances in this film!!!!!
Remus lupin on 1st November when Sirius is in Azkaban,James and Lily are dead and supposedly Peter us too and he wakes up thinking that it was all a horrible nightmare but its true....
Now it's one of my favourite movies.I'm proud of characters.They died for liberty,they died for their country!😪😥😰😭
Listening to this 8 years later... the virus is killing people everywhere, empty chairs at empty tables...
It'll be okay, Newt.