to give away the Les Mis soundtrack after one listen because it's so awful?

[Lottapianos]

I bought the film soundtrack at the weekend. I loved the film when I watched it although thought some of the singing was very dodgy, especially Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman in parts.

I listened to the soundtrack last night and I think it's shocking. Some voices are still good (Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne) but the whispery, highly emotional delivery just doesn't work without the pictures to go with it. Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are bang out of tune and out of time for a lot of it. My favourite song 'Stars' is sung by Russell Crowe X-Factor style - tuneless and emotionless and so disappointing.

So it's all a bit gutting and I don't think I can listen to it again. I'm going to give it away and buy the 25th anniversary recording instead.

That doesn't surprise me at all. I agree that Stars in particular was dreadful - also Master of the House.

For me it worked in the context of the film, but even as I was watching it I knew it's not a soundtrack I would be buying. Definitely go for the recording with the professional singers.

Agree about 'Master of the House' - very funny on screen but just sounds like utter cack on the CD.

Will buy the DVD to perve over Eddie Redmayne and Russell Crowe but the CD is out of here

I got the soundtrack before I saw the film and I have to say I skip through most of it and was a bit eek about seeing the film on the back of it loved it though

I am however wearing out tracks 5,13&14 and singing along very loudly to them in the car

I agree. I absolutely loved the film and was surprisingly impressed with everyones performance but what makes a good film is completely different from what makes a good theatre show or soundtrack. Without the emotive images and the fantastic acting to cause the impact, the singing itself is pretty mediocre.
It was "I dreamed a dream" that I was quite disappointed in. In the cinema I had tears in my eyes but I was not impressed with the soundtrack version. The musical theatre version is a far better C.D.

I agree too - the film has reminded me just how much I love the show so I have gone back to my original West End version (Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball etc) :)

Get the 10th anniversary concert soundtrack instead of 25th. Michael Ball as Marius, Colm Wilkinson as Valjean, Lea Salonga as Eponine, Philip Quast as Javert. Amazing.

Buy the complete international cast recording if you can. It is fantastic, and you get to hear all the bits that were left on the cutting room floor.

Thanks for all the tips everyone

I suspected as much so ta for the post OP, saved me a few quid. I think I will get the DVD though.

Pleasure Wilson