DVD News

Les Misérables comes to Blu-ray Combo Pack in March

By Patrick Luce Feb 12, 2013, 19:12 GMT

Nominated for eight Academy Awards and winner of three Golden Globe Awards, Les Misérables arrives on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on March 22nd from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Critically acclaimed and star-studded, Les Misérables is a stunningly realized interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of broken dreams, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the endurance of the human spirit. 

Directed by Academy Award-winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), Les Misérables features an all-star cast including Golden Globe-winner Hugh Jackman (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Prestige), Oscar-winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind), Golden Globe-winner Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises, The Devil Wears Prada), Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!, Dear John), Eddie Redmayne (My Week With Marilyn, The Other Boleyn Girl), Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter series, Sweeney Todd), Golden Globe-winner Sacha Baron Cohen (Hugo, Borat) and newcomer Samantha Barks.

SYNOPSIS: Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. This enthralling story is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit and “an unforgettable experience” (Richard Roeper, RichardRoeper.com).
 
Bonus Features Exclusive to the Blu-ray:
 
Les Misérables Singing Live:  The star-studded cast and production team discuss how the daunting challenge of singing live rather than lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks ultimately gave them the creative freedom to deliver nuanced, emotionally powerful performances.
Battle at the Barricade:  Director Tom Hooper wanted the dramatic building of the barricade to be as visceral and intense as possible, so he had his actors build it in real time, literally hurling furniture out of windows to construct an actual barricade. This featurette takes an in-depth look at the creation and filming of all the action on this remarkable set.
The West End Connection:  Meet the“godfather” of the original stage production of Les Misérables, renowned West End producer Cameron Mackintosh, who was deeply involved in the filming, as well as former Les Misérables, theatrical stars who were thrilled to appear in supporting roles in the current film.
Les Misérables on Location:  Filming rather than staging Les Misérables presents the opportunity to shoot in real world locations: a massive dry dock on the coast of England, a beautiful underground chapel in the heart of London and the ancient city of Winchester.  Members of the cast and crew talk about what it was like to find and work in these incredible locations.
 
Bonus Features on Both the Blu-ray and DVD:
 
The Stars of Les Misérables:  Director Tom Hooper talks about casting the iconic characters, and the actors discuss why it was important to them to be a part of this groundbreaking version of Les Misérables.
Creating the Perfect Paris:  Production designer Eve Stewart created a massive Paris set featuring real cobblestones and running water. Take an intricate look into the detailed recreation of these Paris streets that no longer exist in today’s world. 
The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables:  This mini-documentary takes a look at the historical backdrop and universal themes of Hugo’s classic, and how the filmmakers mined the novel to enrich the look and feel of the film.
Feature Commentary with Director Tom Hooper

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