Norm Lewis killed this song. His voice is amazing. It gave me chills.

NO ONE comes close to Quast. His performance was sheer majesty.

@SCharlesDennicon

3 жыл бұрын

Lewis > Quast. Norm's version is the only one that screams authority. The others are too soft.

@TRENLORD

3 жыл бұрын

@@SCharlesDennicon you have your ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’ signs confused.

@mohammedsakayl3016

3 жыл бұрын

@@SCharlesDennicon In most of Quast's line's you can feel his condescension and disgust, which is a different from how Lewis decided to go, where he emphasize his authority. This doesn't really apply in this song, as Javert is talking to himself, but in the confrontation you can see that Quast detests the crimes of Valjean. I personally prefer Quast as I feel it makes more sense considering his backstory and his utter hatred to those who break the law, but Lewis's stern demeanor is also fantastic in constructing the unbending force of the law. But best of all, Crowe's 'meme'-ability makes him truly the best Javert.

@lisieltaneza3845

2 жыл бұрын

@@SCharlesDennicon no way... Quast the best... If you know the Les Mis really well. Quast version is perfect and really interpreted who is the real " Javert"

@kalirosewood6321

2 жыл бұрын

Have you heard Secomb's? He's pretty close, but not quite it.

Every time Russell Crowe came on, I cried a little bit. oF FRUSTRATION.

I really like Quast's voice in this. He gives a lot of emotion to the song and you can really feel his resolve in the intonation, diction, and tone of the voice that he uses.

Vocally wise, i think Lewis is the best one, though Quast gets very close to him and Crowe' singing wasn't THAT bad IMO. Acting wise, the three of them are very different: Norm is a harsh, agresive, passionate, confident and full of rage villainous Javert: Philip is more of a calm, cold, strong, militant, honest, self-righteous, stone-hearted book-like Javert: Crowe feels more like a softer, honorable, depressed, lonely, truly devoted yet constantly forcing himself to stay emotionless Javert. It's just a matter of taste really. And, unpopular opinion here, though i love the three of them i like better the twist Rusty gave to the character: you really feel like Javert isn't the baddie, just a good man serving to a wrong cause, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when he (SPOILER ALERT) realizes his whole worldview is a lie and commits suicide.

@ridedamaverick

8 жыл бұрын

+La Esmeralda It's almost as if Crowe is a likable Javert...he's the one I feel sorry for. Many people prefer Quast's Javert; I find him to be a little too mustache-twirly for my taste. Javert did not have the heart of a villain; he truly thought he was doing the right thing, but Crowe plays him almost like a punk. Lewis, IMO, is the perfect balance. But that's the great thing about theater - seeing all the different interpretations of the same character.

@aetavism838

5 жыл бұрын

In all honesty, my favorite Javert is Norm Lewis. This is my personal taste, what reasons being that his vocals just screamed authority and more menacing towards me. I loathed the confrontation part, where it felt like he was really full of rage, and the low part at the start was imperative.

@jormungandrworldserpent6437

4 жыл бұрын

I liked Crowe as the best Javert acting wise, I liked Lewis as the best All-Rounder, and Quast as the best singer

@ecksdeeeXD

4 жыл бұрын

I'm a little late to the party but I totally agree! Russel Crowe's take sounds like man that's been strong his whole life but just had that world view shattered.

Crowe's voice has softness which doesn't do the menace of Javert. Lewis is huge, and his stature makes you feel a presence with who to be reckoned. His voice is full, loud, and polished. Quast trumps them all. His voice is the right resonance, his body powerful, and his countenance menacing. Of all Javerts, Quast is the one I fear.

@danhaile1296

10 жыл бұрын

So truly described, my list goes Quast, Lewis, and Crowe. But you can't tell me when it comes to fear and intimidation Lewis doesn't do slightly better than Quast. After watching the 25th anniversary everything about him was straight power and intimidation. Lewis is the one we all fear.

@raniwasacyborg

10 жыл бұрын

Dan Haile What I love about Lewis's Javert is that more than any of the others, he has a rather predatory air about him. To me, he gives the impression of a hungry shark, or a cat chasing a mouse. While he may still be obsessed with upholding the law, I get the feeling that this Javert is in it for the thrill of the hunt, with Valjean as his worthy opponent who he must beat at all costs.

@jackharrison5695

10 жыл бұрын

cyborgrani I actually think that Javert is often too played as too mentally strong and fierce. I always feel that firstly there's not enough back story to justify why he would be thoroughly evil, and secondly I find it's less believable and too fast-paced to find a ruthless, strong Javert reduced to so much self-doubt and suicide within the two hours or so of the play. I liked Crowe - well acted, and I feel the more morally conflicted Javert fits the plot better.

@michaelcohen7011

9 жыл бұрын

Jack Harrison I take it you mean there's not enough of his back story told in the musical to explain Javert's existential crisis. Then again, Javert is one of Hugo's and, therefore, nineteenth century French literature's most clearly drawn fictional characters. Javert's parents are both imprisoned criminals at the time of his birth, he is raised at a prison with the result for Javert being the development of a psychologically displaced devotion to serving and defending the state.

@PRR5406

9 жыл бұрын

And there you have it!

Philip Quast is definitely my favorite here, but I feel like Russel Crowe did an OK job of the part. Yes, he's not perfect, but he does sound like a gruff policeman. Which is who Javert is.

@general_dude8025

4 жыл бұрын

Crowe doesn't even seem to have a vibrato and his voice sounds like it was augmented by computers.

@charliecampbell6851

4 жыл бұрын

General_ Dude yep. Heavily heavily edited by mellonine and autotune. You can tell especially on the last note when the computer turns his 'ah' vowel completely into an 'o' vowel.

@britking

4 жыл бұрын

@@general_dude8025 Possibly, but they all sing live in the film, and it doesn't sound autotuned to me, but my headphones are pretty high quality, so maybe on lower quality speakers it does...

Why would you think that Norm Lewis could not do what Russell Crowe did in the movie? I just saw Mr. Lewis portray Javert on stage the other night. His acting was fantastic-absolutely riveting. His voice just filled the night and gave you chills. And by the way he was doing all that acting and singing and movement in full costume in 90+ degree weather. I think doing the movie would have been a piece of cake for him. But he doesn't have the name recognition that Mr. Crowe has.

Quast is the benchmark for Javert. Lewis is hot on Quast's heels. Crowe makes a good Maximus.

@chandlerturner89

5 жыл бұрын

That is spot-on. Quast is the benchmark. Lewis is an excellent second. Crowe can act.

@philbertchow5425

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, gluteus Maximus.

@tullamorejameson480

3 жыл бұрын

@Shawn Furl Naughtius Maximus

@msralte04

3 жыл бұрын

You guys would still complain if Quast's voice was used instead of Crowe himself.

@obiwankenobi9141

3 жыл бұрын

@@tullamorejameson480 it’s a joke name sir, like Sillyus Soddus or Biggus Dickus sir.

As far as the productions go, Crowe was an awesome actor, and was great at portraying Javert's justification for what he does. Lewis showed great color in his singing voice and detailed the more villainous side of Javert, but to me, Quast did all of the above and continues to sing this role magnificently, showing the good and the bad in this character of a common man being put in a role that is mentally exhausting, all the while singing with excellent color in his presentation, a strongly supported, well-sung voice, and with great acting.

@mixuxim42

9 жыл бұрын

"Lewis showed great color" I see what you did there

@parkerrognrud46

9 жыл бұрын

Lol that didn't even occur to me.

@marionaanoiram

9 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more with you!

@marionaanoiram

9 жыл бұрын

Altough I relly enjoy that dark deep voiec that Lewis has, it gives the song another dimension

@parkerrognrud46

9 жыл бұрын

I agree with you on that point. Norm Lewis is incredible, for sure.

Philip Quast is the best! No comparison!

@richardernsberger5692

5 жыл бұрын

This--Quast is the definitive Javert. Crowe is absolutely terrible--he sounds like me trying to sing the part; amateurish.

@mikeboy6537

5 жыл бұрын

Norm is the best imo

@amandae8437

5 жыл бұрын

Philip is Javert . Victor Hugo would say so himself

I like the way Lewis and Quast hit and hold that last note and then remain standing there, rather than immediately passing out into a quivering heap like anyone who isn't superhuman would.

Personally I think Lewis is the best. He captures Javert's pride, rage, and intensity while mainting that military rigidness and discipline Javert had.

Quast is the one I'm used to and vocally my favourite but Lewis is great. Crowe would or will make an excellent NON-musical Javert. It's not that he can't sing, he just can't sing well enough to swim in this pond. I think my favourite thing about Quast is when he finished the song, then he put his hat back on and didn't break character as he looked around and walked away.

Love for Lewis! I just think he completely OWNS this role.

There is no-one better than Phillip Quast singing this. This is a great version, but Quast's is better.

@icturner23

Жыл бұрын

Nope.

Philip Quast all the way!

Quast is still king for mine. Norm Lewis is very, very good and a worthy successor but I just can't go past the aristocracy and zeal in Quast's voice.

@obiwankenobi9141

3 жыл бұрын

Quast’s Australian?

@goodie23

3 жыл бұрын

@@obiwankenobi9141 Used to be on Play School

Norm's voice is GORGEOUS. Holy crap. I'm dying to get out to see him on Broadway as The Phantom because I imagine he's doing wonderful things in that role. Anyway. I saw Earl Carpenter as Javert in Toronto and he was awesome. If you get the chance to see him on Broadway while he's stepping in, do it! He was wonderful. I saw the TO production a few times and this song always got a massive response from the audience.

I think this song is ultimately best placed in the context of Javert's Soliloquy/Suicide; why is he doing this? -Crowe's version says it's his confessional; he does this because he has to. This is what society expects from him. -Lewis' version says it's his duty; he's unattached, steadfast. This is his job. -Quast's versions says it's his soul; he believes it, embraces it. This is who he is. Later, Javert has two options; to capture his target Val Jean, or let him go to save the life of an innocent. He lets Val Jean go, which shows his unexpected mercy; he lets his greatest enemy go to preserve the life of an innocent. But then, how does he respond? -Crowe's version says he failed the expectations of him, so he ends himself. -Lewis version says he failed at his duty, so he ends himself. -Quast's version says he failed his soul, so he ends himself. Out of the three options, I think Quast's is the most believable. He sacrifices his beliefs to save an innocent, but he also can't reconcile this with his beliefs. He commits suicide rather than deal with the fact that his beliefs may have been wrong this entire time, and in turn it might have been better to show compassion to Val Jean this entire time.

Norm Lewis all the way.

I had goosebumps 3 times within 1 min. I like all 3 of them. Thanks for putting this together.

NORM LEWIS ALL THE WAY

That was the single greatest piece of singing advice I have ever read. I'm in high school, and whenever I listened to recordings of my solos, it sounded wrong. It was a poor imitation of a deeper voice. I tried not singing from the back of my throat just now, and I instantly sounded better. It was amazing. Really, even though it's hardly related to the topic at hand, thank you.

I really like Quast's voice in this. He gives a lot of emotion to the song and you can really feel his resolve in the intonation, diction, and tone of the voice that he uses in order to portray the character Javert. Norm Lewis is good too but I think that there is just this little something about Quast's performance that really gets me each and everytime...

Norm Lewis is fucking awesome

Philip Quast's Javert is the benchmark by which all others are measured - and if the rest have any intelligence at all , they will , as a few have, taken their lead from the master . As for Russell Crowe's attempt at singing , well , the least said the better.

quast all the way

I must say Crowe does have the least experience in singing. BUT for some reason... I LOVE his voice. Its soft and sweet. Like a first time father singing to his baby. Even if your dad doesnt have the best singing voice you just love it when he sings you to sleep. Something about it that just hits me in the feelings. But in the theatre world. No, I would not spend hundreds of dollars to see him perform this on Broadway.

@Kibetha

5 жыл бұрын

Also... you know, Javert is about the last character in the world who should have a soft, sweet, fatherly voice lol.

@Snowleopard2938

4 жыл бұрын

he actually doesn’t, Rusty has been singing since this musical came into existence (80s), he’s the singer in s band, but he does have the least experience in a musical theatre context by far

Norms vocal quality is just out of this world, I know character development is the main focus but his tone......magical

1. Quast 2. Lewis 3. Crowe

@realbram

7 жыл бұрын

You are indeed cool!

@lilyyanahh

7 жыл бұрын

realbram thank you 😂

@remimaloney2028

7 жыл бұрын

Crowe's place is N. Where N is the number of singers you are comparing.

I like all of them but I still don't see why everyone is hating on Crowe. He's just as good as everyone else. I don't see the difference.

It's very hard to compare a stage actor to a movie actor, quite unfair of you ask me. As for the stage production, I first saw the role played by Philip Quast. As a result, he's always my favorite. I do think that Norm Lewis held his own though. I've also seen every single Les Mis movie made, Russell Crowe is the best Javert by far. I love his voice. Of course, I am also a huge fan of him as the lead singer of his band. I think each person needs to be appreciated for what they bring to the character in each situation.

Philip Quast has a way of simply becoming the character in every sense of his performance. Norm Lewis is a tremendous singer and probably has the vocal style that is the most fitting for Javert. I can't imagine how anybody can find Russell Crowe's voice at all pleasing to listen to. It just misses the whole character & persona completely.

@zachwalraven

7 жыл бұрын

Norm Lewis is a beast, plain a simple. Quast just doesn't capture the song the way Lewis does. So much more emotion from Norm. I'm not even discussing Russell Crowe. A high school chorus singer could do better.

Pleasure talking to you, my friend. May you always bask in the glory of this beautiful music.

1. Quast, no debate 2. Crowe, personal opinion 3. Lewis

@chicho534

9 жыл бұрын

***** it's because he's black isn't it???

@forresthopkinsa

9 жыл бұрын

Cristian López because any time a minority doesn't come in first, it MUST be because he's a minority. Right?

@chicho534

9 жыл бұрын

***** It's a freaking joke -_-'

@forresthopkinsa

9 жыл бұрын

Cristian López uh, yeah, we were both being sarcastic

not very fair to compare crowe like this. The way the instrumental is in the movie is different. the impression I get from Crowes version is that it is a calm prayer. a silent talk with God which matches Javert a lot. at the sane time Quast portrays the rage of Javert to justify his actions no matter how wrong they seem. both are good. Russell Crowe was just really fresh

Guys, are we really debating this heatedly over something that's down to personal opinion? Because if we are, stop

@wakawaka1976

6 жыл бұрын

AdoreSinging394% “obviously” some opinions are more “educated” than others... But really isn’t your comment just a personal opinion? If it is then why do you feel you are justified to write your opinion while others are not. If it’s not trolling let people be passionate about how they feel. The arts are supposed to emote feelings.

@oldbird4601

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with sharing opinions, I’ve seen absolutely no toxicity so far. Just people discussing their favourites and why 👍

@Justice237

3 жыл бұрын

@@oldbird4601 I made this comment when I was 13 and upset about everyone dunking on my favourite actor. Years later, I barely care

@oldbird4601

3 жыл бұрын

Nice

The way I watched Les Miserables was I saw the 25th anniversary concert then the film then just rewatched the concert and I enjoyed Crowe's performance and thought people who said he couldn't sing were being too harsh, plus he is a good film actor. However, compared with Norm Lewis, his voice is much tamer, softer, weaker, etc. Lewis's performance in the concert (and I wish I had seen him in the West End production) gives me chills it is so amazing. For Phillip Quast, it is unfair for me to say because I haven't seen his full performance like I have with Crowe and Lewis so I'll say that what we hear in this is amazing but Lewis is still my favorite 😀

Can I just have them all??? I love them ALL!!! Quast was the first I became familiar with. I have not listened to Lewis enough. I absolutely adore Russell Crowe's performance. They all did great.

2:23 I love that the most

Lewis is by far my favorite Javert. He just brings something to the part that I think no other actor does. It helps that he was my first Javert, of course; the first time I ever saw the musical was at the Queen's Theatre. But I think all three men were fantastic, in their own ways.

Quast "is" Javert. He personifies who Javert is. Now blend crowes acting, Lewis's full roundness and voice, along with Quast's understanding of the character, amd you will have the perfect Javert.

Thank you for this, it helped me establish what it was that was my issue with Crowe's singing. I have always seen Javert as a crisp precise character with clear cut words and passionate about the law and justice. Crowe is missing the precision in his speech the words flow together more then I feel they should for the character. However that might be how he chooses to play the character Which is a completely different argument.

Norm's voice is like silk or butter or some other amazing adjective. O_O

From a pure singing standpoint Crowe is probably last, however his version of Javert actually makes him to be a forgivable character meant to elicit sadness when he takes his own life. I don't get the same feeling from the other two. (And I honestly haven't read the book so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to feel bad for him.)

How the hell Russell Crowe can even be compared to Quast is beyond me! The man is a legend...

Thanks for posting! I think all the people saying Crowe was fine or did great in the movie are crazy. He BUTCHERED one of the best male stage roles ever. I don't blame him; I blame whoever cast him. Did anyone else notice how every time Crowe was supposed to hold a long note, the camera swung out and panned away from him to completely distract the audience from how bad it was? There's a great Jezebel article that keeps accusing him of singing through a mouthful of waffles/cotton. SO TRUE.

Philip Quast all the way!!!!

I feel like the only factor people are considering is technical skill. Yeah, of course the professional stage actors have better singing voices, and that would fine, except that's not all there is to it. Am I alone in feeling that this song demands an element of vulnerability? Crowe has that. Quast tries to-- but that quaver on the first "stars" feels forced. Lewis is just really bombastic throughout. The latter two are of course excellent singers, but I feel like Crowe just has the emotional expression down better-- at least for my interpretation of the song.

@Remygakarim

10 жыл бұрын

Thank you, so well put.

@Stuey_Alexander

10 жыл бұрын

Precisely. The other two (except for Quast, who just stands there the whole time) are boastfully powerful, but Crowe is quietly powerful. Which is very refreshing for me. Norm is my favorite, but Crowe was the actor I appreciated the most in this particular role.

@ammonweser4839

5 жыл бұрын

Why does this song demand vulnerability? It's a song about how confident Javert is with himself; he is constant as the stars, being a light in the darkness. Crowe just sucked (singing wise, I didn't have a problem with his acting). The reason people have a problem with Crowe is that the filmmakers could have easily casted someone who can act and sing. For those who grew up with the musical, the film's version was a slap in the face. I also didn't like Hugh Jackman's version of "God On High" or "Who Am I." However, because Hugh Jackman can sing, his versions of these songs can get by with being just "a different interpretation." Crowe, on the other hand, sounds like a dying whale having an orgasm compared to Lewis and Quast.

@saintcasifer

5 жыл бұрын

No, I get what you mean and I TOTALLY agree with you!

Thank you! He's my favorite Javert, but everyone else is all "Phillip Quast best Javert!"

I thought this was put together very well and person who has had a chance to be in a performance of Les Miserables will understand just how difficult any of these parts must be!

Crowe has no power in his version. He sings it like he’s reading the words. Quast is magnificent, Quast IS Javert! His voice gives me shivers in the way that very few do. Placido Domingo, Karen Carpenter and (preparing for scorn) Mat Shaw. They all have a resonance in their voices ❤️❤️

Quast>............Lewis>.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Crowe

Norm Lewis is one of the most talented musical theatre performers of our age. He was amazing in both this role and as the Phantom. Could anyone else see him as Sweeney Todd?

You're my new hero! For both comments!

This I swear by... (wait I can reach the real tone) the starrrrrrnnnzzz

@ChristophProbst

9 жыл бұрын

Best comment

Crowe sings almost entirely through his nose. Whoever gave him vocal lessons should be thrown in jail.

@bageldaddy3340

6 жыл бұрын

no ee don't what the heck

@general_dude8025

4 жыл бұрын

YES.

@aghost0009

4 жыл бұрын

Man I like that sounding actually it's kinda interesting and adds the character a different but not bad timber Beyond the fact of that's not correct sounds good

@fossilfighters101

4 жыл бұрын

+

That's an excellent way of putting it. I think the problem everyone has with Crowe is that he doesn't look or sound like what Javert is "supposed" to be because he isn't what they expect. Russell did a lot of research on the character prior to taking the role and combined book-Javert and musical-Javert while also adding in a bit of his own interpretation. He made a new, unique version of the character, and some people just aren't ready for that.

There is still something about watching this live on stage that still blows me away...

Norm is the BEST.

Of these 3? It's Lewis. Hands down. Great. Crowe did not suck. He's got something odd, but yet pleasing in his voice. Quast is Javert. Period, it's just that I appreciate the warmth of Lewis' voice. All time favorite doing this song? Brian Stokes Mitchell. Lord above, what that man does to this song!

Lewis for sure. It almost sounds like a lullaby when he sings Stars. But there is also Terrence Mann, who does pretty good.

I personally loved Russel Crowe as Javert and yes, I will die on this hill. I just loved his interpretation of the character, it overall fit very nicely with the character's story and to be honest, I don't see what's so bad about his singing.

Norm Smith was good but I his voice lacks the richness and control of Quast's. Plus throughout the show he was angry the whole time and too angry at every moment. I know Javert is an angry guy but he's also very righteous, controlled and proud and this in particular is a very thoughtful moment. It's a love song not a villain song. Quast has clearly thought through every split second to give the song so many layers of anger, doubt, pleading, love, peace, pride, piousness, promises and conviction. And his voice is just glorious. Russell Crowe shouldn't have made it past the first audition his acting was non-existent and his voice was so awful and monotonous. I mean they even had to cut bits out he sucked so much. Maybe I wouldn't have minded the bad singing if he'd at least done a Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd and invested in his acting to the point where you believed the character so much the terrible singing was forgotten (ala Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd)

Leave Russell alone, no one expects him to be able to touch Norm or Quast vocally.

@general_dude8025

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly. No one expects him to. Because he's bad.

@mrcrabskachow3373

4 жыл бұрын

Yes we do jackman didit

@ServiceInstaller

4 жыл бұрын

If that's the case then he shouldn't have been hired for the job.

I remember watching the movie with an open mind and the constant thought of "is...is Crowe constantly yawning throughout this?"

I haven’t watched the stage version or the movie but I absolutely love the music, after watching multiple clips on here from both stage and film I find the stage actors perform so much better and with more emotion

Crowe tries to sing Javert, Lewis sings Javert, Quast IS Javert.

@shanat7

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly.

Quast and Lewis sound like opera singers. Crowe has just a tiny touch of Elmer Fudd.

@philbertchow5425

4 жыл бұрын

The song is very operatic.

Is it just me or is Philip quast just friggin awesome. I am trying to keep an open mind, but Philip quast was born for this role.

I didnt think anyone could get close to Quast, but Lewis does it quite well.

Quast all the way

Quast is the best Javert of all time in my opinion.

Quast... Amazing... The passion of the law.... The fall.. The struggle of righteousness vs grace. His voice fills our hearts as we fell the strength snapping.... It's not a song for those without the vocal chops....

For me Philip Quast is the best. He's the best I've ever seen and I've seen close to every Broadway and London Javert as well as many others from various productions across the world. Quast, for me, beats them all without question. However, I have great respect for both Norm Lewis and Russell Crowe as actors. Norm Lewis has grown by leaps and bounds in this role. Every time I see him perform it, it's 10 times better than the last time. And while this may not be Crowe's role, I commend him.

I like all three of them equally, I don't care how many of you purist critics there are out there, Russell Crowe was a bad-ass Javert if you ask me!!! That said, I usually agree with the more traditional critics when it comes to comparing older films to newer ones or re-masterings of older films. #hanshotfirst

@annemchurchwell

10 жыл бұрын

Yes I do agree with you there. That each of them had a different tone with there singing, but people have to stop and think two of them was on a stage and on was in a recording studio of course your going to get a different tone because different areas are going to have a different sound.

@natalietoner6653

10 жыл бұрын

I understand you liking them equally but I personally found Russell Crowe to be a frustrating version of Javert. What I enjoy the most with actors whether it be on stage or on screen is when you can tell that the actors have a great deal of passion and enjoyment for the character. Russell Crowe sounds bored and like he would rather be somewhere else, he even said that he hated the character Javert and that he took the role to try and make the character into one that he liked which annoys me also because he made a character that is supposed to be intimidating even in his moments of weakness, into a character that constantly sounds afraid.

@annemchurchwell

10 жыл бұрын

Natalie Toner Russell Crowe doesn't sound bored, not every body plays the same role the same. Javert is supposed to a person of no emotion, no compassion and Russell Crowe conveyed that.

@ecw0647

10 жыл бұрын

Anne Churchwell I don't understand your view of Javert at all. He's a man of great religious passion, righteousness and emotion. When confronted by forgiveness it destroys his belief system and he commits suicide. The ultimate in an emotional response. Russell Crowe is a great actor, but he missed Javert completely. Worse than bored, he sounds utterly lost as to who he is in this interpretation.

@annemchurchwell

10 жыл бұрын

Eric C. Welch That may have been how somebody else played him, Russel Cowel has the right to play him as he see's fit. I have watched the movie version 10 times, he doesn't sound bored so every. He commits suicide because, he has never seen anybody that has been in jail straighten out their live the way Jean Valjean has. He was spot on with his interpretation, the only way this musical has been made was on a stage with every body just singing, it's different when you have to act. If you notice with this type of performance they are just standing and singing into a microphone there is no action what so ever.

Russel Crowe has a raspy voice which brings out a great expression of this song. I think it is one of the best ways this song has been sung.. think of it, a soldier's voice would song like his.

I loved Russel Crowe's performance! You can't compare his singing to Quast or Lewis, because in musicals the singing is the most important part of your performance, but in the movie the character himself play a bigger role than the words in the song..

All are amazing

first we need to exclude those who can't actually sing the song. So, Crowe is out. That leaves Quast and Lewis. Lewis is great, but Quast wins by a mile.

Unpopular opinion...all three men are amazing, but for some reason, I really enjoy the simplicity of Crowe's voice. Just for Stars though, for the musical overall, that's another discussion entirely.

@Scienceitworks

9 жыл бұрын

Lewis, is how I picture Javert, once he walks on stage he radiates authority.

@Urbanspacefox

9 жыл бұрын

Erin L I like Crowe too - the thing is in this video the other two are singing IN CONCERT while on the silver screen Crowe is having to act... how can anyone compare concert with movie?

@adl1578

9 жыл бұрын

Nick S very true

@isidorecouroupis1907

9 жыл бұрын

Erin your view is respected. What sounds superb in the sound processes of your mind can't be disputed by me, or anyone else, But by the same token, the other two artists bring tears to my eyes just listening to them. Who's right? We both are. Isidore........ ? ?

@rainsky1307

9 жыл бұрын

Nick S Actually, they all have to act; a musical isn't exactly like a concert. e.g. on the scene of Javert's suicide, Quast shows a wider range of emotions with the song going from disbielief, to rage, to doubt and finally despair all fitting the lyrics, music and the scene itself. And while a stronger emphasis is given to acting in a movie than in a musical, Crowe had a director telling him if his performance was good or not. In a movie when actors screw it up they can redo the scene multiple times until the final result is what the director needs. Whereas in a musical, the performance is live so they have to do it right the first time, everytime. I'm not saying acting in a movie is easy, both of them are very difficult but for different reasons. Crowe's version of Stars is my favorite, however I think Quast was a better Javert, and unfortunately I haven't seen Lewis version, he sounds amazing, though.

Philip Quast is the master of this song. Magnificent!!

On the contrary, the director Tom Hooper had them all read the novel first. Crowe was actually persuaded by Hooper into auditioning when they met during a stage production of it in London. Crowe was all 'Thanks but no thanks' at first, but Hooper's passion changed his mind. Still, he had to audition (in soaking wet jeans and trainers from having walked 25 blocks in the pouring rain) but he got the part. Hooper even said himself that Crowe has a fantastic voice, to which I completely agree.

I think Russell Crowe did great as Javert, he just had a very different interpretation and style which is very evident in this video (it doesn't flow well when it gets to his part), but that makes perfect sense because film acting/singing is different from stage acting/singing which is different still from concert singing

@algaeninja6806

4 жыл бұрын

Did you just post reason in a KZread comments section circle-jerking musicals? How dare you.

How is Crowe even a part of this competition?

@kittykat123425

9 жыл бұрын

To show just how bad he is

@UnknowingMan1

9 жыл бұрын

+The Phantom of The Opera He wasn't THAT bad. In fact, in my opinion, I liked his performance. Not nearly as much as I enjoyed Quast though.

It's obvious Crowe can't sing this. Video is an excellent demonstration of the difference between a professional and an amateur in a particular setting. Norm Lewis really nails it!

I love this singer, he has that strong determined look on his face and sings from his soul as do all the casts from the beginning of Les Mis

Well to be fair to Crowe (and I've heard every argument why I shouldn't be) he is for the most part in tune but he's trained in a completely different style than the other two and not in a style that the music is written for. He doesn't do as bad a job as people think. However compared to Quast he (like most including Lewis) doesn't stand a chance.

@kittykat123425

9 жыл бұрын

Which is why Crowe should not have been in Les Mis

@algaeninja6806

4 жыл бұрын

@@kittykat123425 Cry Harder

@kittykat123425

4 жыл бұрын

Algaeninja Look, the point is they clearly should have casted someone who’s trained in the style that Les Mis is written in, ESPECIALLY FOR JAVERT. That’s a challenging role to take on, and it is pretty clear that in casting the two biggest roles, the casting Director didn’t put in any effort and just wanted star power. Yes, I’m saying TWO biggest leads cause I also didn’t think Hugh Jackman was the right choice for Valjean. If I were recasting the movie, I’d throw in one or two star power roles, like keeping Anne Hathaway cause she was Brilliant as Fantine, but especially for Javert and Valjean it is more important to find actors who can sing the role.

@algaeninja6806

4 жыл бұрын

@@kittykat123425 Such as whom?

@kittykat123425

4 жыл бұрын

Algaeninja perhaps someone who has a history on Broadway, someone who has has experience playing the roles on Broadway. (Alfie Boe, Norm Lewis, Ramin Karimloo, Michael McArthy). Or perhaps even an unknown actor. There’s bound to be a couple who can handle these demanding roles.

I like Lewis' fysique for the role, but I like Quasts singing better. He sounds stern but without doubt

I am a fanboy from the 10th anniversary cast, but I have to admit that Lewis did an AMAZING job. As well as Alfie Boe did.

I went to the motion picture and took my parent then I showed my mom the ten year reunion and said that the singing was so great that she prefers that over the other.

Quast :)

Russel Crowe: "Mine is the way of the Loooooo. Those who follow the path of the righteous shall have their rewaaaaa. And if you fall as Lucifer fell, the flaaaaaaeee the swooooooo."

@AmbySamby

10 жыл бұрын

Ahahahaha! This made me laugh more than I probably should have XD

I wouldn't compare Russel Crowe to others just by putting them together, ripping the songs apart, I kind of Ok with Crowe's singing. Though Philip Quast is by far the best Javert I've seen, in singing and acting both.

I have ranted about the terrible casting of Crowe for years. This video makes my point so well. Thanks for posting!

Crowe's singing is good, but it doesn't feel like *Javert* to me. Quast will always be my favorite, but Lewis is also great.

@bageldaddy3340

6 жыл бұрын

these are the exact words I am saying right now

The more I watch this, the more I start appreciate Crowe's version and choices. At first it seems like he can't hang with these other two, but after a while his version becomes more intimate and contemplating which suits the moment and the song.

This is such a beautiful song.I think each one is great in their own way.

Phillip Quast is the best and so far of others