In anticipation of the Blu-ray and DVD release of the Academy Award-winning musical romance drama ‘Les Miserables,’ Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released new bonus clips from the film, including the cast warming up before their performances. The Blu-ray and DVD are set to be released on Friday, with the Blu-ray Combo Pack including the DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet.
The Blu-ray includes the following extras: 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.
The DVD includes the following extras: 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.
For more information on ‘Les Miserables,’ visit the film’s official website and Facebook page. Check out the clips below.
Oddest Vocal Warm-Ups:
Building the Barricade
Shooting the Barricade
Hugh Emotionally Constant
Creating Eponine
Groundbreaking
Epic
Written by: Karen Benardello
