Les Misérables 1991 Fantine's Death

[@jordanserchuk7418]

I've never seen a stage Fantine made up to look so ghoulishly sick before! She truly looks as bad as the dying Fantine is described as looking in the novel. For that matter, I've never seen a Valjean react so emotionally to her death before - most actors just solemnly bow their heads, they don't weep into her chest! Were these details more common in the show's early years, or were they unique to Susan and Gary in this production?

[@ACMallet]

Those details were common in the show's early productions, but I haven't seen the show in 25 years so that's my entire frame of reference. And I was spoiled by the performance Gary Morris, my favorite Valjean ever

[@jordanserchuk7418]

@@ACMallet Well, thank you so much for sharing these videos! I've been a fan of the show for about 20 years, but I missed its initial heyday in the late '80s and '90s, so these videos are such a precious glimpse into the past for me!

[@lamisere8337]

I've seen the original production consistently throughout its entire existence. I'd average about 2 performances every 1 to 2 years from 1989 to 2010 for a total of 30 performances of the original production shown here. The Fantine make-up was standard but no matter how many times I saw the show, it always surprised me to see how awful she looks in that scene. Like literally at death's door. Of all the Valjeans, Gary is the only one I've seen react as emotionally as he does in Fantine's Death. You're right, most just bow their head down and at most maybe do a slight crying expression but nothing like Gary's take on it which leaves no doubt he is devastated by her passing. And it makes sense because he probably feels it is his fault and he failed to prevent this from happening when he had the power to do so and now a child is left without a mother.

[@jordanserchuk7418]

@@lamisere8337 I always wondered why, on the Complete Symphonic Recording, he sang "Now her mother is with God" so loudly in "The Bargain," when most other actors I've seen have sung it softly and gently. Now, having seen both this video and the video of that scene, I understand why. It conveys just how raw his Valjean's emotions were about her passing.

[@ManongChito]

Her "for God's sake" is so heartbreaking.

[@DocPortland]

Gary Morris, country singer, did an outstanding job as Valjean.

[@billyflynn2]

What an an amazing find! Stunning in every way. xx

[@hobbybacker5227]

Made me cry! Fantastic performance - chapeau!

[@Wisksjsnsnaskskskqkqkakqkq]

thank you for uploading!

[@movieforceofficial]

It'd be great to see these without the watermark

[@RFazor]

Pretty close to the novel with respect Fantine; on another note that was country singer Gary Morris (probably the greatest and most versatile voice in country music)

[@cosettefauchelevent5495]

For Mother's Day, we couldn't forget the mother who sacrificed everything for her daughter...

[@cosettefauchelevent5495]

Always feel sorry for Fantine in this part... Still, the stage version was 'more better' for her than the book one.

[@ManongChito]

Yeah. In the novel Fantine died out of shock and mocking by Javert.

[@cosettefauchelevent5495]

@@ManongChito Indeed. although Javert was not that very 'bad' guy in the book but I really don't like this part.(Well, Volume 1 is the most harsh part of the entire book.)