Saturday, December 22, 2012

Designing the 19th Century World of Les Miz





Avid film lovers  will get an extra gift in their stocking this Christmas Day with the eagerly awaited  release of Les Misérables. Victor Hugo's timeless 150 year old tale of love, redemption, passion, and revolution turned stage sensation turned film does not disappoint -- an all star cast (Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe for starters), period costumes and incredible sets that take you to 19th century France in all its glory and misery add up to a blockbuster Christmas release.


Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) with a young Cosette

The Lovely Ladies Set

Set for the Revolution: The Crooked Streets of Paris

the Elephant at the Bastille: Sets for a funeral procession


Russell Crowe as Jarvert


Director Tom Hooper and production designer Eve Stewart team up for the fourth time (The King's Speech) and create the world of Jean Valjean, Fantine, Javert and Cosette --- from the opening majestic French mountaintops to the bleak Parisian streets of 1832 --designed in just twelve short weeks. 

For a tour of the world of Eve Stewart's sets, see my article in Architectural Digest here.
The film has already been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, here's hoping Santa put some tickets in your stocking.



Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Hugh Jackman as Valjean

Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thenardiers



Photo Credits: Universal Pictures, Vogue Magazine, Architectural Digest


1 comment:

  1. For a real stocking stuffer and visual delight, watch Pixar's "Brave," the best designed film of the year! Overall, Asa film, not necessarily Pixar's best--but etter tan les miz, and certainly more thoughtfully designed!

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