Okay! Top 3, which was more difficult then I thought: 1. Philip Quast (my OG Javert, which probably influenced this decision) 2. Michael Ball and Norm Lewis 3. Drew Sarich (nobody is more dramatic than Drew lol)
@@brandondavis8584 I just melt at norm's velvet smooth voice. He could be singing the car manual and I'd cry. But it's so close for me too honestly. I see your point as well
I saw Les Mis live with a local cast and it was INCREDIBLE. Every one of those actors and actresses could be on Broadway. Our thetare was in the round with a fairly deep backstage area beneath the stage so they literally had Javert jump off the bridge and fall like ten feet down into the darkness. Absolutely nuts. The whole theatre gasped aloud
@@Animedoofenshmirts I don’t think so. I know I responded to you in the other comment thread, but I need to know why you think that Crowe is better other than “he just is better”. I know that it’s entirely in your right to have your opinion, but I just want to know why you think that way.
They all bring something unique to the role, the sheer emotional power that goes into Javert's soliloquy is part of what makes him my favorite character ^^
@@adamo1528 and he isn't until in the musical until he falls apart in suicide. Javert has the most rhythmic timing of the entire cast, and he rarely deviates or yells or screams or changes the way he sings. In suicide, this all comes to a head when his world falls apart. The different timing, the tune changing and him singing at a faster and slower pace throughout show he's unraveling. Quast nails that to a T, because he is the perfect Javert
I grew up with the '87 Terrance Mann recording, so that's naturally where my mind hears Javert (such a powerful voice, this clip doesn't quite do it justice!) but Michael Ball has such a gritty creepiness to it, it gave me chills... Bradley Jaden did a very neat thing with bringing the scream up higher at first and very, very slightly down to pitch... Will Swensen sounds visceral... Drew Sarich went full on scream, (wow!)... I think my favorites would have to be Quast and Mann. I really want to see Michae Ball now, though! They make it still sound like Stars, but distorted, and when the scream resonates with the chord from the background music, it's heartbreaking and amazing.
Philip Quast, Hadley Fraser, and Earl Carpenter are tied as first. Roger Allam and Bradley Jaden are second. Awesome video! Finally a Javert comparison video with all of my favourites together!
I still believe that russel crowes was the most believable because the chances someone is singing as they fall to death is very doubtful. But finishing the note before jumping is more truthful
after listening to all these stage legends, russel crowe's "on" somehow sounds even more like a bloodhound getting stuck halfway between a howl and a yawn
I like Quast and Lewis. Quast takes first because you can hear the fall in his voice and fact you truly feel the hopelessness. I like Lewis for the fact he goes louder like Valjean in "Valjean's Soliloquy" further showing that they're too similar for comfort.
philip, roger, terrance, and norm are the ONLY javerts to me. they all brought something new to the role, and each perfected it in a different way i’d say
Quast is the clear number 1 A lot of these got butchered by bad audio quality; Secomb, Ball, and Jaden all seemed like they had good performances, but were coming through a potato. A good number more were brought down by the actor trying way too hard to sell the emotion. Sarich was COOKING until he banshee screeched the last "On" I think Crowe's more subtle expression of Javert's combined resignation and resolve (along with a much better recording) gives him a leg up over a lot more of the competition than he's usually given credit for.
I like the versions that scream the last bit. There's more horror in it. As he is killing himself. I also keep thinking of star trek deep space nine. The Maquis leader Michael Eddington was obsessed with Les Miserables and called Sisko, Javert. On some level saw this as Sisko's fate. Instead Eddington dies fighting by his side; but he still went out as a hero.
Phillip Quast 100% for sure. His singing voice in that role, up until Javert's Soliloquy /Suicide, was aggressive, authoritative, and arrogant. He would have a hell of a drill seargent. But during the Soliloquy, you see a more sensitive human side of Quast's Javert, wrought with emotion, doubt, fear, and confusion. For the first time, you see Javert really vulnerable and uncertain in a way that starkly contrasted with his normal arrogant, aggressive, haughty behavior. Phillip Quast nailed all aspects of his character through singing.
Quast. No question, ever. He IS Javert. The rest are good but when I imagine Javert, I imagine Quast. I'm not some old head either, didn't even listen to the musical until seeing the movie in 2012.
I really enjoy Russell Crowe as an actor... I just don't know who decided he should be Javert or why. He doesn't have a bad voice, but I'm spoiled, my heart needs Javert to have a strong voice!I would have enjoyed seeing Gerard Butler try it.
@@Animedoofenshmirts You might think that he is good, but it is objectively a worse performance than pretty much every other Javert. I’m sorry, but he just doesn’t bring the heat anywhere near the same level that every other Javert has it.
I don't know how the other's portrayed the action of the pain of failure, I didn't see their performance, but Russel Crowe was the most realistic. Having been to that point myself there is a moment when the cry from within must be shouted to the wind or whomever will listen, in a haunting and near perfect escape of vocal expression, and then the silence and contemplation as the reality of no one objecting to your cry or even responding the pain that is lost to the echoes and the moment. Then the serene and silent acknowledgment and accepting the abyss like an open door, and the calm decision to pass through it, all but a step into freedom from pain. No more objections. Not even from yourself. For most that have this trouble to conquer, there is no way that one would enter that door, in the midst of the expression, and the unfinished cry. For the determination to such a drastic commitment has not yet accepted the silence. Most that come to the point to fall, do so in silence. The expression, unspoken, is the life line that keeps you on the ledge, it is your last life line of hope. But when the expression has found its voice and silence is the answer, then, the will to act is almost certain, and calmly taken. There are those that have a superior vocal talent to Russel Crowe but the silence at the end, and one small moment before the leap, was more realistic. But then again this was a vocal post where no one was acting, just singing... so I may be out of line in what I have written.
I was so looking forward to this and I'm grateful for your effort putting it together.. BUT..you did not pick the singer's best takes. PQ is by far the best but some of them sounded awful and I know they are not usually that bad. Such as Terrance Mann - he can sing brilliantly but the one you highlight is off key and terrible.. I'd love for you to redo this with their best performance so we can hear each at their best.
You just listened to an entire compilation of a man committing suicide 😂🤣
Yep
Michael Ball’s raspy-ness on the last note was haunting
Very true
And the way he said “Jean Valjean” was very well done.
Right??? I had to replay it several times. Chills!! I wish there was footage of that performance.
Michael Ball sounds pathetic, A very good role and a very good voice for Marius
154 people agree.
The booming and almost guttural sound of Phillip Quasts cry makes him easily the best. Its hauntingly beautiful
I 100% agree
I love how Earl Carpenter and Norm Lewis both sound so desperate and their vocals sounds like fading really good!!
Okay! Top 3, which was more difficult then I thought:
1. Philip Quast (my OG Javert, which probably influenced this decision)
2. Michael Ball and Norm Lewis
3. Drew Sarich (nobody is more dramatic than Drew lol)
Philip Quest is my FAV Javert
Michael ball sounds pathetic, which is why he makes an excellent Marius.
I definitely agree with this except I'm gonna have to put Norm up there with Quast personally 🥰
@@rosebud3100 but quast is definitely above norm. “Quast has a certain perfection in his voice, every word that he says actually means something.
@@brandondavis8584 I just melt at norm's velvet smooth voice. He could be singing the car manual and I'd cry. But it's so close for me too honestly. I see your point as well
I saw Les Mis live with a local cast and it was INCREDIBLE. Every one of those actors and actresses could be on Broadway. Our thetare was in the round with a fairly deep backstage area beneath the stage so they literally had Javert jump off the bridge and fall like ten feet down into the darkness. Absolutely nuts. The whole theatre gasped aloud
Philip Quast is Javert. He always was and always will be - above and beyond perfection.
I really liked Drew Sarich’s desperate screech when he jumps
Just heard it, didnt expect it. I was blown away and went "what the f was that?!"
Honestly, I’m not sure if I like the octave up or not cause like I like it a lot but I’m not sure how well it fits lol
I hate
I watched the whole 2019 concert and didn't realise Javert was Michael Ball (original Marius) until now. He looks so different!
Same here
Obligatory dark knight Harvey Dent reference
Philip Quast is is just wonderful. When he sings I feel chills running down my spine.
honestly, Roger Allam is exactly what i imagined Javert to look like.
I imagine him as Russell Crowe bc I saw the movie first
Ill be honest, even though i saw the movie first ill only see Phillip Quast as Javert
I imagine Richard Kinsey as him more, but he isn’t here😭
Philip Quast invented playing Javert. I accept it and nothing else as a fact.
❤️
But Allam was the first one. He invented it.
@@Timewarps_1 He means the part was for Quast. Victor Hugo used a time machine met Quast then made the character
THAT DEPENDS WHO'S ASKING? and absolutely.
@@Timewarps_1 would the original not be the actor from the original french version
I saw Bradley Jaden as Javert in theatre two days ago and it was HAUNTING.
He really does some interesting stuff in this recording!
@@RemyLebeauIAm interesting is one word...
Hadley Fraser is my winner!
Phillip Quast = perfection
Can only possibly be Philip QUAST; the Master
Yea Quast is great, but I genuinely laughed the first time i heard him say Jan Valjan.
Well russel Crowe is better. Sorry
@@Animedoofenshmirts I don’t think so. I know I responded to you in the other comment thread, but I need to know why you think that Crowe is better other than “he just is better”. I know that it’s entirely in your right to have your opinion, but I just want to know why you think that way.
@@flan.flan1 idc.
@@Animedoofenshmirts weak vocal performance, can't belt even with autotune and stuff.
They all bring something unique to the role, the sheer emotional power that goes into Javert's soliloquy is part of what makes him my favorite character ^^
Drew Sarich is my favorite for one reason and one alone: the octave change.
Norm does it too
I hate it, wholeheartedly
@@sammuree3905 That's ok! To each their own! :]
Upon re-listening, Will Swensen does a very cool scream into the pitch, then gets some really chilling raspiness. 😮
No way can you top Philip Quast in vocal or performance. Richness and depth extraordinaire.
.....which is exactly the opposite of what the character is supposed to be.
@@adamo1528 and he isn't until in the musical until he falls apart in suicide. Javert has the most rhythmic timing of the entire cast, and he rarely deviates or yells or screams or changes the way he sings. In suicide, this all comes to a head when his world falls apart. The different timing, the tune changing and him singing at a faster and slower pace throughout show he's unraveling.
Quast nails that to a T, because he is the perfect Javert
The last two guys that sang this were the best for me, Norm Lewis and Phillip Quast.
Philip Quast ofc. Norm Lewis as a close second though, that octave change is INSANE, especially for a baritone!
Norm and Drew bring such drama to the song with the high note, it's amazing
Phillip Quast nailed it. To this day his performance gives me chills, despite my asshole brother yelling “splash!” as the music crescendoes.
Philip Quast and Hadley Fraser!
I grew up with the '87 Terrance Mann recording, so that's naturally where my mind hears Javert (such a powerful voice, this clip doesn't quite do it justice!) but Michael Ball has such a gritty creepiness to it, it gave me chills... Bradley Jaden did a very neat thing with bringing the scream up higher at first and very, very slightly down to pitch... Will Swensen sounds visceral... Drew Sarich went full on scream, (wow!)... I think my favorites would have to be Quast and Mann. I really want to see Michae Ball now, though! They make it still sound like Stars, but distorted, and when the scream resonates with the chord from the background music, it's heartbreaking and amazing.
I agree with the Terrence statement! They chose a really bad recording for him here, but he’s phenomenal
Philip Quast, Hadley Fraser, and Earl Carpenter are tied as first. Roger Allam and Bradley Jaden are second. Awesome video! Finally a Javert comparison video with all of my favourites together!
I saw bradley live in 2019 and he was FABULOUS as javert
I still believe that russel crowes was the most believable because the chances someone is singing as they fall to death is very doubtful. But finishing the note before jumping is more truthful
Drew Sarich's version hits the most like someone falling before hitting the last word, and it's amazingly done. He gets my vote for this one!
Philip Quast and Hadley Fraser will always be my faves.
Norm Lewis and Phillip Quast are my favorites by far.
Always will be phillip quast
Phillip Quast hands down brings me to tears with his hauntingly beautiful voice
OP obviously knows the answer he saved the best for last.
after listening to all these stage legends, russel crowe's "on" somehow sounds even more like a bloodhound getting stuck halfway between a howl and a yawn
Lol
I’ve only seen Michael ball ‘s performance on DVD . It was great!
I like Quast and Lewis. Quast takes first because you can hear the fall in his voice and fact you truly feel the hopelessness. I like Lewis for the fact he goes louder like Valjean in "Valjean's Soliloquy" further showing that they're too similar for comfort.
There’s no question. Quast is the standard that everyone else is judged from.
Dear God, Michael Ball...I didn’t know he had that in him.
The orchestra kills it in Carpenter's recording. My top 3 are Norm Lewis, Hadley Fraser and Earl Carpenter
i managed to see earl carpenter in my country, he became my favourite after phillip quast
Philip Quast, absolutely the best.
This is an easy one.
Philip and Norm.
I think role of Javert is more suitable to lower voices, with bass-bartione voice it will be sound great.
STEWART CLARKE WHERE ARE YOU POOKIE
Philip quast , earl carpenter , michael ball, norm lewis are really great❤️
Wow! Drew Sarich don't cease to amaze me! But Quast still my favorite!
Norm Lewis and phillip quast
philip, roger, terrance, and norm are the ONLY javerts to me. they all brought something new to the role, and each perfected it in a different way i’d say
The one from 1985 sounded like it was from 1885
That’s one of my favorite parts about it
I went to high school with Will Swenson, so I wish I could say it was him.
I don't care for him as Javert, but he was absolutely fantastic as Berger in Hair.
This isn't the site I usually use for climax compilations 👀
No one's talking about Will Swenson, but I really enjoyed his performance
Bradley Jaden for me. In person it is breathtaking
Quast is the clear number 1
A lot of these got butchered by bad audio quality; Secomb, Ball, and Jaden all seemed like they had good performances, but were coming through a potato.
A good number more were brought down by the actor trying way too hard to sell the emotion. Sarich was COOKING until he banshee screeched the last "On"
I think Crowe's more subtle expression of Javert's combined resignation and resolve (along with a much better recording) gives him a leg up over a lot more of the competition than he's usually given credit for.
Tam Mutu was my favorite of these.
Saving the best for last, I see.
I like the versions that scream the last bit. There's more horror in it. As he is killing himself.
I also keep thinking of star trek deep space nine.
The Maquis leader Michael Eddington was obsessed with Les Miserables and called Sisko, Javert. On some level saw this as Sisko's fate. Instead Eddington dies fighting by his side; but he still went out as a hero.
Norm Lewis will always be my favorite
Same
Yes
Drew Sarich probably at the end has saw a giant spider or something like that... 😂😂😂
4:25 though 😂😂😂😂😂
Tam Mutu, Drew Sarich, and Philip Quast are my favorites here
I saw Les Miserable at the fox, and the guy playing Javert did a good job
NORM LEWIS!!!
Phillip Quast 100% for sure. His singing voice in that role, up until Javert's Soliloquy /Suicide, was aggressive, authoritative, and arrogant. He would have a hell of a drill seargent.
But during the Soliloquy, you see a more sensitive human side of Quast's Javert, wrought with emotion, doubt, fear, and confusion. For the first time, you see Javert really vulnerable and uncertain in a way that starkly contrasted with his normal arrogant, aggressive, haughty behavior.
Phillip Quast nailed all aspects of his character through singing.
Ok this is a hard one for me I guess I choose Drew Sarich he got higher and it really impressed me and his voice falling down was not bad aswell
I didn't care for Drew's Don't get me wrong it wasn't "bad" it just sounded like it should've been in jekyll & hyde or Jesus christ superstar.
the part up to the scream sounded like a lot of the actors who play valjean
@@rats_in_a_PACKprobably because he played valjean lol
I like Quast and Carpenter most (and actually kinda like Crowe but i hate that glottal stop he does before he sings "on")
I saw Will Swenson on Broadway. He was great!
Phillip Quast is absolute best and Norm Lewis second.
I love Michael Ball, but he was better as Marius
Jeremy Secomb looked the most menacing but Philip Quast for me
Philip Quast - no competition.
I like this - really like this
Quast. No question, ever. He IS Javert. The rest are good but when I imagine Javert, I imagine Quast. I'm not some old head either, didn't even listen to the musical until seeing the movie in 2012.
Earl carpenter and Philip quast for me
it's an absolute crime that Norm didn't play Javert in the movie
I really enjoy Russell Crowe as an actor... I just don't know who decided he should be Javert or why. He doesn't have a bad voice, but I'm spoiled, my heart needs Javert to have a strong voice!I would have enjoyed seeing Gerard Butler try it.
Close seconds - Michael Ball and Norm Lewis
Roger Allam and Phillip Quast are my favorites definitely 😇😇
Phiklip Quast is best javert i have ever seen live
Great upload! Do you happen to have any audio from the Guernsey Concerts with Ramin and Jeremy? Thanks!
Anyone got any tips on how to hold the last note without it also sounding stupid or breaking my voice?
I love Drew Sarich doing anything so
Terrence Mann sounds like the Beast, the enchantress resurrected and turned him into a monstrous beast!
Roger Allam sounds like he is drowning in water 1:33
Terrance Mann's performance that you used was hardly his best. He certainly did better on the cast recording.
I really like Russell Crowe, Philip Quast and Jerome Pradon's versions.
Russell’s is even better with his acting
I like Russel Crowes as well honestly
My first Javert was Tam Mutu! So him and Philip Quast for me
Norm Lewis sin duda
controversial opinion but russell crowe-- lmao could you imagine ahahhaha
Wow I’ve never ever seen this opinion lmao lol hahahaha what a hot take lol ahahahah
I believe there is sarcasm but I can't tell where it is
Russel crow is good! Why do you guys hate on him.
@@Animedoofenshmirts You might think that he is good, but it is objectively a worse performance than pretty much every other Javert. I’m sorry, but he just doesn’t bring the heat anywhere near the same level that every other Javert has it.
@@flan.flan1 idc.
I agree - Philip Quast is the best
I LOVE Drew Sarich’s scream and objectively it’s a stellar performance but honestly he just sounds slightly too young to be Jalvert
Terrence and Tam have the essence of the OCD detectives.
Terence Mann is my pick for who sounds the best.
I didn't realize he played Javert
And I didn’t realize until now he was the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway in 1994! I thought he sounded familiar
Hadley Fraser and Norm Lewis!
Philips quast est le meilleur
Philip Quast for sure!! He is THE Javert!!
Phillip Quast always:)
Philip Quast IS Javert. Period.
I don't know how the other's portrayed the action of the pain of failure, I didn't see their performance, but Russel Crowe was the most realistic. Having been to that point myself there is a moment when the cry from within must be shouted to the wind or whomever will listen, in a haunting and near perfect escape of vocal expression, and then the silence and contemplation as the reality of no one objecting to your cry or even responding the pain that is lost to the echoes and the moment. Then the serene and silent acknowledgment and accepting the abyss like an open door, and the calm decision to pass through it, all but a step into freedom from pain. No more objections. Not even from yourself. For most that have this trouble to conquer, there is no way that one would enter that door, in the midst of the expression, and the unfinished cry. For the determination to such a drastic commitment has not yet accepted the silence. Most that come to the point to fall, do so in silence. The expression, unspoken, is the life line that keeps you on the ledge, it is your last life line of hope. But when the expression has found its voice and silence is the answer, then, the will to act is almost certain, and calmly taken. There are those that have a superior vocal talent to Russel Crowe but the silence at the end, and one small moment before the leap, was more realistic.
But then again this was a vocal post where no one was acting, just singing... so I may be out of line in what I have written.
no richard kinsey?
I was so looking forward to this and I'm grateful for your effort putting it together.. BUT..you did not pick the singer's best takes. PQ is by far the best but some of them sounded awful and I know they are not usually that bad. Such as Terrance Mann - he can sing brilliantly but the one you highlight is off key and terrible.. I'd love for you to redo this with their best performance so we can hear each at their best.