Customer Reviews

Les Miserables (1998 Film Version)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are few soundtracks that set my blood racing: this is one of them. Mr. Poledouris' musical rendition for Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is, quite simply, epic. From the prison quarries to Paris, from the struggle between mercy and justice (Val Jean and Javert), to tenderness and battle (Cosette and the ABC Club), Poledouris has captured it all. The main theme evokes images not only the policeman on the hunt, but the students on the barricade - in one spectacular brass arrangement. A particular favourite is the beginning of track three, where the simplicity of Val Jean and Cosette's relationship (in a delicate flute) is suddenly contrasted with the bustle of the Parisian streets (in bubbling woodwinds and strings). Perhaps the only complaint is that the CD has four tracks (or suites), making the voluntary shift between individual strains difficult to impossible. However, this limitation DOES retain the epic congruity of the novel and the album, a stroke of thoughtful genius from the label. Lovers of the novel, the movie, the play, or simply majestic symphonies, will well enjoy this brilliant composition.

Poledouris has outdone himself with this composition. His music evokes the crystal style of Ennio Morricone and the cinematic majesty of John Williams. It reflects a conversion from light to dark and completes the painting that is the film. In his composition we hear the brooding of Javert's soul, the love and compassion of Valjean. True to the literary work, both the score and the film focus their attention on the conflict between the redeemed Valjean and the obsessed Javert. The score is insightful on a personal level, allowing the listener the realization that darkness exists in all of us, but that darkness is merely the absense of light, the light of human compassion and love. Superb on a technical level, creatively beautiful, this score makes a fine addition to any personal music library, classical or otherwise.

What can I say? I like the movie, I love the soundtrack. Some people have complained that it isn't divided up into small enough segments. At first, I was puzzled too, but I soon came to love being able to turn it on and have the most wonderful background mood music. It is particularly nice when I just want to lie down and rest, or do some writing. I don't find it as distracting as so much other music. All in all I would have to say, I take my hat off the Basil Poledouris!!!

This is definitely one of Poledouris' best scores in years, but it's a bittersweet affair.

The score is absolutely magnificent, with great themes and a good-sounding orchestra. It's very dramatic, and very beautiful. There's a couple problems though.....

1. for some STRANGE reason the cues are compiled into 4 very long suites. I really don't mind that much, because I usually listen to a score the whole way through, but it makes it hard to pick out favorite cues, and therefore, I can't help the eager shopper as much. Some people really don't like not being able to skip over certain parts though....

2. the running time on the back is horribly screwed up. This gets on my nerves worse than problem 1 in a lot of ways, because the running time's off by 15 minutes! It says 65 minutes when it's actually 49 minutes and some odd seconds. This is the kinda thing that makes me very disgruntled. Especially since I'm dying for more music!

Still, even with these 2 shortcomings, I would proudly reccomend this score to anyone. It's quite dramatic and glorious, and has taken a place among my favorite scores, and one that I listen to regularly.

I received this score when for my birthday several years ago, and I enjoyed it from the beginning. There are only 7 tracks on this cd, but most are over 10 minutes in length, which gives this cd an almost 50 minute run time. From the dark sweeping melody of the first track to the poingnant finale, Les Miserables is a fine score. It is probably my favorite Basil Polodouris score. I don't always like his music, but this is one that I totally enjoy. Perhaps because the movie was not a big commercial success or because there were other incredible scores in 1998, Les Miserables has been overlooked, but it is a must have for any soundtrack collection.

Basil Poledouris' best work in his great but underrated career. The soundtrack complements the movie well (which btw is excellent), and vice versa. The music is evocative and while never dull, there are some amazing stirring moments. I have to admit the strings can be goosebump-inducing!

Grossly overlooked, this is a very magnificent, beautiful soundtrack. Do yourself a favor and buy it. Who cares about cues, suites, and the way the tracks are organized. Once you have heard it, you won't care either

True, some parts of the songs could drag, but when the melodys kick in, it's dang good! The "four suite" thing is rather interesting, but the tunes are still great! I can't really say what my favorite "song" is, but all the suites are good. Here's another CD that's kinda rare to find; so do yourself a favor to buy it and experience the soothing songs - I mean "Suites."

This score is extremely powerful. Notwithstanding the errors on the back, I don't mind the layout, and it really is the music that counts. The music is dark, but not gloomy; powerful, but not brash; it is the perfect music for the movie.

This is one of the better CDs in my collection. I bought it specifically because I like Basil Poledouris's music, and haven't actually seen the film it was written for. I feel that this warrants a higher rating than four stars, but less than five, due to the way the tracks are organized.

If you like Basil's prior works, then you will almost certainly like this one. It's not as good as Conan the Barbarian, but what is?