Les Miserables: Smithsonian Historical Performances (Historical Radio Play)

Les Miserables (Related Recordings) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Radio Spirits
• ASIN: B000009NCA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,177 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Bishop

2. Javert

3. The Trial, Pt. 1

Disc: 2

1. The Trial, Pt. 2

2. Cosette

3. The Grave

Disc: 3

1. The Barricade

2. The Final Episode

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars "I was hungry....", December 30, 2011

By 

M. G Watson "Miles Watson" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Les Miserables (Audio CD)

"So long as these problems are not solved, so long as ignorance and poverty remain on earth, these words cannot be useless."

With these words, Orson Welles opens his adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic LES MISERABLES, which was originally broadcast in seven half-hour installments between July 23rd - September 3rd, 1937 on the Mutual Network. Welles was a dominant figure during radio's Golden Age, and within that medium is best remembered for his havoc-inducing retelling of H. G. Welles "War of the Worlds" or elsewise for being the first actor to portray The Shadow; but in reality his bread and butter were the traditional classics. And folks, this here is some good bread. And some damn good butter.

LES MIS is about Jean Valjean, a poor man living in late 18th century France, whose decision to steal a loaf of bread to feed his starving family sends him to prison...for 19 years. Valjean emerges broken and bitter, and is treated with contempt and cruelty when at last he emerges into post-Napoleonic France, making him bitterer yet and forcing his return to crime. The kindness of a town bishop takes the sting out of Valjean's injuries, and he resolves to throw away his past and live a meaningful life under a different name. Trouble is, not everyone is willing to let his past lie. In particular there is one man, Inspector Javert, who is on his trail and will never, ever let go...

The cast assembled for this radio play is basically a Who's Who of the best of the age; in addition to Welles (who plays both Valjean and Javert), there is also Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins and Bill Johnstone, among others, all of whom deliver blistering, memorable performances using nothing but their voices. Of course, it's very difficult to review a work of the scope of LES MISERABLES in just a few hundred words, so I'll simply quote George Orwell, who once said, "In a world where the rules are made by the strong, the weak have only one rule: break the rules, or perish." That's what LES MIS is about - poverty, yes; injustice, yes; revenge, yes; inequality, yes; forgiveness, yes; but ultimately, just the story of weak man who becomes strong, and a strong man who, in a sense, chooses to become weak. Give it a listen; you won't be sorry.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Les Miserables: Smithsonian Historical Performances, December 20, 1999

By 

Peter Alexander - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables: Smithsonian Historical Performances (Historical Radio Play) (Audio CD)

Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre of the Air deliver a seat-riveting performance with Les Miserables. This audio drama, originally aired live, covers the majority of the Les Miserables story. There is no comparison between this rendition of the story and the two movies and Broadway show. First, it tells the story indepth, thus making the Broadway version easier to follow. Second, Welles completely captures the spirit of Jean Valjean. The scene at 2AM where Valjean commits his life to Christ after the Priest helps him escapes the gendarmes is powerful. Nothing in the play comes close to this power. The court room scene and emotional trauma Valjean goes through in deciding whether he should let a man go to prison who claims to be him is another spellbinding performance by Welles. The first time I heard this, I could barely move. It kept my attention for the entire performance. Though I've seen the play live, and have a video of it, it is this version by Welles that sticks with me. If you want a story that's truly touching and profoundly moving, skip HBO. Buy this.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good!, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Les Miserables: Smithsonian Historical Performances (Historical Radio Play) (Audio CD)

This is an excellent example of 1930's radio theater, not to mention a kickin' version of Les Miserables. If you listen closely, you will realize that probably about half of the male characters involved are being read by Welles himself. I have read the book, and it's a pity that Welles didn't decide to go the whole nine yards and do most of the book.