Stars: Michael Ball, Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, Colm Wilkinson

Director: Gavin Taylor

Summary: In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the popular musical based on Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, this gala concert featuring a cast of over 250 was given at the Royal Albert Hall. Performers include Tony Award-winners Colm Wilkinson, Lea Salonga and Michael Maguire, and highlights include the finale, which features an international gathering of 17 Jean Valjeans, each singing in his native tongue.

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The 10th-anniversary-concert video of the international musical sensation Les Misérables might be the best thing to appease fans until a full-fledged movie comes along. Or it might be even better, as feature films are often subject to extra musical casting considerations and this 1995 dream cast is superb. Reprising their roles from the original London company are Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Michael Ball (Marius) and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). From Broadway come Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine) and Michael Maguire (Enjolras); from a later London production comes Ruthie Henshall (Fantine); and from Australia comes Philip Quast (Javert).

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score vividly captures the passion of Victor Hugo's epic tale of pre-Revolutionary France, combining tear-jerking ballads ("I Dreamed a Dream", "Bring Him Home") and rousing anthems ("Do You Hear the People Sing"). The format of this concert is closer to that of a dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production; the singers stand at their microphones with an orchestra and chorus behind them, but they do wear costumes and participate in some movement. At certain points, such as the climax of the barricade scene, the video switches to action from a stage production. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sounds great, and it can be thrilling when 200 choristers (dressed in logo T-shirts) rise to their feet for a full-company number such as "One Day More". Also, subtitles provide date and scene information and help move the story along.

This 147-minute version contains footage not seen before, most notably the encore in which a progression of 17 actors who have played Valjean around the world share "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Each sings a line in his native language, a testament to the enduring power of this show to audiences everywhere.--David Horiuchi, Amazon.com

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Lyrics, Interactive Menus, Chapter Selection
Year:	1996
Release Date:	October 30, 2000
Runtime:	160 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	V C D 0047
Keywords:	Music, Films, Concert, Miserables, Anniversary, Les, Performing, Musicals, Arts, 10th
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts