Les Misérables: Singing Live

The cast of Les Misérables talk about the unique way in which their vocals for the movie adaptation of the musical were recorded live on set.

Helmed by The King's Speech's Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

[karinajaneconolly]

no one:
amanda: my voice is a butterfly

[theecologist]

The pianists are amazing too for keeping up with the actors singing

[joc_tamai]

And to think that Amanda hates hearing herself sing in this, everybody sounds amazing

[BronwynAlexandriaa]

Anne Hathaway made I dreamed a dream a living breathing feeling and understanding of the situation rather than just a song

[kennylawson]

Cosette in the book is young, pretty, innocent, and dainty -exactly how Amanda's voice is. Amanda herself said she lacked training and thinks her voice was so weak in the movie. She was so humble and wiling to learn and doesn't deserve the hate y'all give. She hit those high notes so effortlessly all the while looking like a goddess. As much as Samantha and Anne's voice are ideal for broadway which is strong and loud (both are incredible and I love them), I think the movie made the right choice for Cosette to have that high butterfly-like voice that makes her distinct and more realistic as a blooming young lady.

[oeliku]

"There seems to be something selfish about trying to go for the pretty version" - Anne Hathaway

[Olivia___._]

I read that Amanda didn't like her performance in this movie, but she is AMAZING.

[lalalallalalallalala]

Eddie worked with Amanda and that’s all that I care about

[JulianHertz]

To record the singing live was the best decision ever. I wish they would do this for all the musical films.

[labinatasfia]

I was today years old when I learned that all these actors could sing so damn well like wth....

[bialandgren]

I just read the book and Cosette makes so much more sense now especially how Amanda sing it. Cosette is called the Lark, She was up at dawn like birds sweeping and being basically a slave of the Thenadiers. "A lark that did not sing" I think the words was. She like Valjean did not know love before they met and now with Valjean the lark could sing. And that is that is what I hear when she sings.

[sheentheexplorer]

I’m a fan of Les Mis but I had no idea they sang everything live. I feel like a fake fan now haha

[kileyfitzgerald]

Annie Hathaway fucking kills it in that scene. I had seen this live and in movie versions and thought it was good but when I saw this, specifically her song- I suddenly got it. Well done.

[tattooedandy]

Like Hugh Jackman said Les Mis had to feel real and singing live gives it the real performance. I Dreamed A Dream is a perfect example of this and Anne Hathaway sang it with such emotion and it was so powerful. I cried at her performance.
Samantha Barks was also exceptional here with her voice. And Amanda Seyfried I love hearing her talk she's got such a beautiful voice its like a breath of fresh air.

[marynoonan]

I thought Eddie singing Empty Chairs and Empty tables was the highlight for me. I had no idea he had such a good voice & he's such a wonderful actor.

[linl]

All I want to say is Amanda really surprised me when I first heard her voice

[Samistheheroo]

Oh, man. Amanda would sound awesome as Johanna in Sweeny Todd.

[jamsters]

amanda sounds like snow white...so gentle and clear so delicate to the ear...

[abrilleporace]

This is why I cry so much every time I watch this. They’re not only singing, they’re acting with their voices

[sorakiyowa]

I wish i were a cameraman or one of the staff, standing in front of them listening to them singing live right in front.