The Confrontation - Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert

"The Confrontation" performed by Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Philip Quast as Inspector Javert for the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, 8th October 1995.
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg. Lyrics by Albert Kretzmer. Libretto by Alain Boublil based on the novel by Victor Hugo.

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[Stormwitch2000]

Listening to this again cements my belief that one can find ALL the character traits that Hugo described in that short excerpt below (and the entire novel) in Quast's performance. The satisfaction, the fanaticism, the radiance, the triumph, the wolf-like, terrible face, and yet you somehow feel pity for this man in spite of all his outward strength, pompousness and confidence. A marvellous portrayal, and always such an inspiration!

[Lars L]

I went here immediately after seeing the clip from the movie release. My ears needed a cure. Thank you 10th anniversary concert.

[dogsarelove2]

The thing about Crowe is that he really DIDNT interpret the character. At all. This is when the movie actually came out.Self wise, Crowe is just NOT Javert. I would rather have a guy to actually BE Javert in this, even if he, say, cant sing. True to character is more important. Crowe is not acting like Javert, his singing is whiny, he does not feel the songs, and from the looks of him, he doesn't want to. That last is the worst of Crowe's traits. Javert is many things, but he does care.

[Robby DeLuca]

All I have to say here is that Crowe was only doing what he interpreted the character to be like. A lot of actors do that. I mean, if Jack Sparrow was played by Gary Busey, do you really think he'd be the same character? Next of all, I have done what you said about listening to the music without watching it. Really, all I'd have to say is that Crowe at least tried. And I actually listened to the soundtrack before I saw the movie. I like the way Crowe sounds just as much as Quast.

[dogsarelove2]

Valjean does not 'flee' from confrontation with Javert. Another reason the movie sucks is that it gives this wrong assumption. Not anywhere does Valjean FLEE from Javert, actually. Not in his nature. He is no coward. Didn't he decide to fulfill his promise to Fantine first, before handing himself over to Javert? Timeline wise, it makes sense. Javert's justice would take a life time; Fantine's daughter would only need 10 more years (or so) to grow up. Think about it - which SHOULD be done first?

[dogsarelove2]

Crowe may be a great actor... in all OTHER respects. But I only had to read that he was to be cast as Javert and I knew that the role would be ruined. And sadly, it was. It's not the voice. If Crowe was completely tone dead, but merely ACTED like Javert, it would be better than what ended up in the movie.

[India Palmer]

'my race is not yet RUUN' Colm is seriously amazing, im in awe

[kampincarl]

Why not?

Look at Aladdin he became the prince of a kingdom

[SirFructose]

And the lesson is: Don't steal bread

[steves2kool]

My race is not yet RUN Javert!!!

[53bload53]

why do you people have always to start a war, why do you have to compare a great guy like philip quast with a great guy like russel crowe, can't we just enjoy their performance as javert? do you all really think they wants to create a war wth all this les mis thing? just stop and listen to the music

[mennoace]

Cause this was a concert, no play...