The Confrontation - Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert

[celibelly65]

yOU MUST THINK ME MAD !

[LudwigLobsters]

FUCK YOU JAVERT

[darcimkire07]

Philip Quast, the best Javert!

[Sherlockandwatson007]

my firend and i sing this in the hallways at school. people look at us weird and we just keep going. she's Javart, and i'm Valjean. it's fun! i love this song!

[maximumpwnage]

@Sherlockandwatson007 you guys are awesome.

[ling29]

This is simply beautiful and brilliant. Truly touched my heart.

[mrmemanme]

Javert is my favourite character.

[leedscab123]

Brilliant

[Musicalsrockmysocks]

This version is sooooooooooo slow!

[SuperKaitie333]

You have no rights! Come with me! 24601!

[MrsJMansfield]

I adore the 25th anniversary edition of this, yes even with Jonas, But comparing the 2 version of this song this, in my humble opinion is by far the better. The timing is utterly perfect & adds to the polar opposites that are these 2 men. Both trying to make people better but going about it in very different ways. Beautiful.

[BioCrawl]

well i must say, i've seen this scene and the 25th Anniversary scene today, for the first time (both of them), and the scene with Alfie Boe and Norm lewis from the 25th Ann. musical gave me goose bumps all over, and stunned me.

This one is good, even great. but I am sorry, I honestly think the other one is better.

[joiles01]

@BioCrawl I like the one without the nigger better. No offense.

[HandsomeHorribles]

I ripped the audio from this version and listen to it frequently. It's /so/ intense. I love it.

[34luthien]

This is sooo much better then the 25th anniversary one.

[jakubczykii]

Probably the best duo to ever perform this

[aidota]

On arriving at Fantine's chamber, Javert turned the handle, pushed the door open with the gentleness of a sick-nurse or a police spy, and entered.

Properly speaking, he did not enter. He stood erect in the half-open door, his hat on his head and his left hand thrust into his coat, which was buttoned up to the chin. In the bend of his elbow the leaden head of his enormous cane, which was hidden behind him, could be seen.

[aidota]

@aidota Thus he remained for nearly a minute, without his presence being perceived. All at once Fantine raised her eyes, saw him, and made M. Madeleine turn round.

The instant that Madeleine's glance encountered Javert's glance, Javert, without stirring, without moving from his post, without approaching him, became terrible. No human sentiment can be as terrible as joy.

It was the visage of a demon who has just found his damned soul.

[aidota]

The satisfaction of at last getting hold of Jean Valjean caused all that was in his soul to appear in his countenance. The depths having been stirred up, mounted to the surface. The humiliation of having, in some slight degree, lost the scent, and of having indulged, for a few moments, in an error with regard to Champmathieu, was effaced by pride at having so well and accurately divined in the first place, and of having for so long cherished a just instinct.

[aidota]

Javert's content shone forth in his sovereign attitude. The deformity of triumph overspread that narrow brow. All the demonstrations of horror which a satisfied face can afford were there.

Javert was in heaven at that moment. Without putting the thing clearly to himself, but with a confused intuition of the necessity of his presence and of his success, he, Javert, personified justice, light, and truth in their celestial function of crushing out evil.

[aidota]

Behind him and around him, at an infinite distance, he had authority, reason, the case judged, the legal conscience, the public prosecution, all the stars; he was protecting order, he was causing the law to yield up its thunders, he was avenging society, he was lending a helping hand to the absolute, he was standing erect in the midst of a glory.

[aidota]

There existed in his victory a remnant of defiance and of combat. Erect, haughty, brilliant, he flaunted abroad in open day the superhuman bestiality of a ferocious archangel.



[aidota]

The terrible shadow of the action which he was accomplishing caused the vague flash of the social sword to be visible in his clenched fist; happy and indignant, he held his heel upon crime, vice, rebellion, perdition, hell; he was radiant, he exterminated, he smiled, and there was an incontestable grandeur in this monstrous St Michael.

[aidota]

Probity, sincerity, candor, conviction, the sense of duty, are things which may become hideous when wrongly directed; but which, even when hideous, remain grand: their majesty, the majesty peculiar to the human conscience, clings to them in the midst of horror; they are virtues which have one vice,--error. The honest, pitiless joy of a fanatic in the full flood of his atrocity preserves a certain lugubriously venerable radiance.

[aidota]

Without himself suspecting the fact, Javert in his formidable happiness was to be pitied, as is every ignorant man who triumphs. Nothing could be so poignant and so terrible as this face, wherein was displayed all that may be designated as the evil of the good.

Quast portrayed EXACTLY the situation described in the Brick. Best Javert ever.

[GamelessOne]

@aidota No kidding, that facial expression on his mug. Ultra smuck and arrogant, as it should be.

[aidota]

@GamelessOne Yep. The hoarse tone of his voice, staring at his prey - He didn’t even blink -, how he balances his body and look 1:34 Jaw's tension... He's oozing creppy exultation in fact.

[holyfishpaste67]

Everyday I wake up and thank God...that I have Les Mis!!

[devane85]

Also, Michael Ball is the quintessential Marius, for me all others pale but most especially Jonas who ruined "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and "A Little Fall of Rain."

[txauditor]

@devane85 What a sad comment.Why must it always be a pissing contest with some people. I suppose Les Mis should never be produced again unless your all star cast is performing it.

[devane85]

@sixoutof1500 opinions are all subjective and my opinion is that Frances Ruffelle is hands-down the best Eponine there's been.

Thank you.

[twoshotdqm]

Quast just sounds more determined, more detached, more obsessed, and almost psychotic when he preaches to Valjean. I'm more convinced by his performance than Norm Lewis' performance. I mean, look at that smile he gives...

[twoshotdqm]

Alfie Boe is amazing, but Wilkinson sounds more like Valjean, a tired old con who is trying to survive. There is no other Javert than Quast.

[leedscab123]

Watch the film The Devil's Double you will see Philip Quast play Saddam Hussein

[HasAHugePianist]

I saw the 25th Anniversary Version of this before seeing this and to be honest I prefer the 25th Anniversary more. Just my opinion.

[sixoutof1500]

@HasAHugePianist While I disagree, I definitely understand. The 25th anniversary Ramin was outstandingly suited for the role, much more that the 10th anniversary Ramin. And, in my opinion, Nick Jonas was a better Marius. (People are super negative towards him...I think people should judge him on his performance, not his past involvement in stupid little boy bands.)

HOWEVER. Wilkinson, Salonga, and Quast can never and WILL never be beat. Thank you for your time.

[HasAHugePianist]

@sixoutof1500 Yes I didn't like Nick Jonas in this at all because of HOW he performed. His voice seemed so underpowered compared to all of the other singers. But I'm sure there are better performers in the original version than there were in the 25th version.

[bnablobo]

I am the real Inspector Javert!!!!

[brisbanetim]

Quast owns Javert.. no one else since compares... as with wilkinson - this 10th anniversary will never be repeated. I get tingles every time I watch this.

[stanleydotme]

I bought the 25th Anniversary.

I tossed it out.

I popped my 10th Anniversary DVD back in.

[cpjc08]

that chaaainn - mindblowing

[HedvigRok]

How anyone can say this lacks emotion is beyond me.

Portraying emotion is not all about running around, flapping your arms... Colm Wilkinson and Philip Quast are perfectly able to portrey the tension in this scene merely by using their voices. If some people can't appreciate the subtle brilliance in that, I pity them.

[Robynsonfire]

@HedvigRok this has always been my favorite part. Colm will always be my favorite Valjean I love his "I'm a stronger man by far. There is power in me yet, my race is not yet ru-un" sooooo good. It gives me chills. It's amazing. So much emotion. The two of them are brilliant.

[RayWJfan52598]

DAMN YOU 30 SECOND ADS! I WANNA WATCH THE VIDEO!!!!!

[fulconer]

Yeah, this cast is the BEST

[ShieldMaidenBLS]

Oh, Philip Quast has long been my preferred Javert! He has a depth and emotion to the character that just seems so far more believable. Colm will always be my preferred Jean ValJean as well. But, then this was the fan favorites of the play at the time. There was a reason for that. It would be fun to hear Alfie and Philip do this. I have been impressed with Alfie's rendition of Jean ValJean. No one has outdone Philip Quast as Javert, for me, yet.

[blashyrhkRAAA]

Fucking brilliant.

[CrunkLB303]

why is the whole cast sitting right behind them?

[broholm88]

@CrunkLB303 Hey Crunk, this is a concert of the Musical, so there isn't really any acting, so the cast simply steps up to the microphone whenever they are singing :-)

In normal editions you won't even see the microphones, it's just like a normal musical!

[anakffoddl]

I understand why some people may think this performance lacks power and emotion, but I like how in this one there is more tension than just straight-out anger. Javert seems calm but also proud and arrogant, thinking that he won, while Valjean is trying desperately to convince Javert to let him go. I think this situation involves more complex emotions than just anger. But in the other performance, they just seem mad and yell at each other so.... I personally prefer this one.

[TheAxelMan100]

Really wish they put more emotion into it. It was good, but it needed more.

[rayanneflowers]

quast!

[kcphonics]

by far the best combo 

[HungarianTacos]

(I don't want to ruin the intellectualism, but the people debating Javerts are properly using the comments section...I PRAISE YOU ALL. Even the ones who don't agree Quast IS Javert....)

[chrissyd79]

After hearin both Philip Quast and Norm Lewis live I have to say Quast wins by light years!!! The guy is awesome! Norm

lewis is not strong enough. We cud do with Philip Quast back in the West End with Alfie Boe!!

[sunnyd1271]

I think Lewis is better singing this song because he puts more power in to it.

[TheAxelMan100]

Hey guys, can't we just adore Quast and Lewis equally? Lol

I agree with both sides. Quast definitely is more subtle and has all the emotions hidden inside of him and an amzing voice to top it off. Lewis Has an amazing voice as well and he does something that Quast couldn't. With Lewis, we saw Javert practically go crazy. With Lewis, Javert gradually started realizing that a man he was passionate of hunting down was really the stronger man in all senses, and that was torturing him. They both win!

[ahauntedtrainman]

@TheAxelMan100 No. Lewis doesn't have mutton chops.

[RhymesWithSammich]

@ahauntedtrainman And no one has Colm's magic jumping eyebrows.

[FreakedOutGeek]

@dannyboy10721 Whilst I agree with you, that Lewis gives a more accurate portrayal as per the book, Quast's portrayal is more accurate for the musical, given that the scene you reference is cut for the musical. That and I prefer Quast's voice for the role.

[leapjrh]

@FreakedOutGeek I absolutely love Quast and Lewis as Javert. They're both incredible. The vocal skills of both men are world class. I think what makes Lewis a great Javert is his tenacious demeanor. Particularly in "Stars", Lewis really digs deep when he hits "this I swear!"

[FreakedOutGeek]

@leapjrh I love both of them. It's probably because it was actually Quast's version of Stars that was my first taste of Les Mis, that he gains my preference. Lewis has an amazing voice, it makes my preference waver occasionally :)

[annade0]

I die at 1:24

Everytime

[graceng64]

me too. so masculine!

[weather22able]

holy crap. O_O that low note in the beginning. simply amazing. "You ware a different chaaaayaaaaaan."

[lamarabbit]

@weather22able I think the 25th Anniversary Javert do it lower o:

[takenokotakezo]

Both are amazing.

[piratewench2011]

This song gives me chills

[TheDavall]

I would pay serious money to see these two perform live

[JulianMichaelWalker]

Look at those Mutton Chops Of Justice!!!!!

[singyourstylestudio]

Oh my.... after listening to Colm, I just DiEd and at the same time was rEbOrN!

where oh where can I see him live?!!!!!!!!!!

[Zero2026X]

Chuck Norris is afraid of only one person = Inspector Javert

[RayWJfan52598]

OMG THE VIBRATO IN COLM'S VOICE *_____*! *faints*

[YouWithTheFace11]

Yes Valjean, fear the SIDEBURNS! Amazing songs, all of them.

[RockNRollExpert]

Colm is epicly epic favourite part of the musical

[tylermerritt13]

best combination ever.

[PatsSuckkXColtsRockk]

Phillip Quast! I LOVE his voice and I love him as Javert. And Colm Wilkinson is amazing too.

[sonbarzzz]

Sooo powerful! The predator and his prey. To the death. Chilling art at its best.

[MonikaS1890]

As for me, Norm Lewis shows too much emotion (on his face, whole body) as Javert, while Philip Quast looks and acts cold and heartless - like Javert in the book. That was the point of creating this character, I think, and thus his inner turmoil is much more believable and dramatic. 

[dannyboy10721]

@MonikaS1890 I'm pretty sure that in this scene in the book Javert is completely overcome with rage as he was about to retire from his job for 'falsely' accusing a magistrate of being an ex-con, only to found out that he was right all along. From what I remember of this scene in the book (it's pretty early on in a really long book that I've only read once so my memory may not be 100%) Norm's portrayal of Javert in this song is much more accurate than Quast's, as good as Quast is.

[KissMeQuenley]

@dannyboy10721 But..... that scene isn't in the musical.... :P

[funkygiraffe]

@dannyboy10721 I'd actually say that, while Lewis portrays that very overtly, Quast includes it with more subtlety. He plays multiple emotions. You can hear in his voice and see in his eyes a little bit of disgust, rage (particularly coming through when he sings 'I was born with scum like you') but it's all overcome by this immense feeling of triumph and vindication as he was proven right afterall. He's keeping control of a vicious glee at finding that someone he didn't like is now at his mercy.

[mrsring5308]

The 25th Anniversary concert is nowhere near as good as the 10th. The 10th is the best version of Les Mis to date. This version has such a perfect cadence, and so much emotion... I nearly die at 1:24... Colm is an angel.

[TheLadybirdsPicnic]

if philip quast and alfie boe sang together..... i think i would die,

[professionalassasin]

MY RACE HAS NOT YET RUN! *chills*

[DaisyOwner24]

i know i'll get my head choppedd off for this but i dont like colm wilknson

[djbummy16]

give Norm his credit guys. As amazing as Quast is, he doesn't get that slide at 0:13 like Norm does. While Quast has the look more and for some people the sound, Norm brings the darker, more tense version of Javert. Give him his credit

[ayyKatx]

For the past 20 years, I've been listening to this soundtrack. listening to any other cast perform it is just awkward to me.

Colm Wilkinson IS Jean Valjean and I agree with Sieglinde84; Philip Quast IS Javert.

[angelheaven101]

I like the black guy as Javert more. There was just something about his voice that really scared me.

[Republicrat74]

@angelheaven101 A matter of taste I guese Angel....I much prefer Quast in the 10th Anniversary production, particularly his far more convincing acting when singing "Stars".

[keystermay]

This is one of my favourite songs from les mis. It gives me chills everytime. I have memorized the words in both the French and English version :)

[slayer3to10]

am i the only one who sees evil in javert's eyes? o_O

[MegaChoirGeek]

They are both AMAZING! Wilkinson and Quast are great!

[Chrille9320]

startiger411 I agree!

[bobkostostostos]

Goosebump city!

[startiger411]

The 10th Anniversary is the BEST version!

[Sieglinde84]

There are many good singers... but Quast IS Javert.