Philip Quast (born 30 July 1957) is an acclaimed Australian actor and singe… Read Full Bio ↴Philip Quast (born 30 July 1957) is an acclaimed Australian actor and singer. Originally from Tamworth, New South Wales, he's had a long and well-esteemed career on stage, winning the Olivier Award three times. He's best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the musical 'Les Miserables', famously serving in the iconic 1995 program 'Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert'.

Other roles that he has played include Juan Peron in 'Evita' and Pozzo in 'Waiting for Godot'. Quast's singing, particularly the emotive track "Stars", has received international acclaim. He has appeared in the cast recordings for several musicals over the years, but he has also released his own album titled 'Live at the Donmar', a work containing both covers and original material.

Javert's Suicide
Philip Quast Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Javert's Suicide' by these artists:

Cast of Les Misérables Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Claude-Michel Schönberg Javert Who is this man? What sort of devil is he? To have…
Les Miserables Javert Who is this man? What sort of devil is he? To have…
Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert Cast Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Les Misérables - International Cast Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Les Misérables - Original Broadway Cast Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Les Misérables - The Complete Symphonic Recording Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert Cast Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…

Les Miserables [10th Anniversary] Javert Who is this man? What sort of devil is he? To have…
Russell Crowe Who is this man? What sort of devil is he To have…
Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman Who is this man? What sort of devil is he To have…
Russell Crowe; Stephen Brooker; Claude-Michel Schönberg; Herbert Kretzmer; Isobel Griffiths; Lucy Wh Who is this man? What sort of devil is he To have…
Terrence Mann Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…
The cast of Les Misérables Who is this man, what sort of devil is he? To…

We have lyrics for these tracks by Philip Quast:

Color and Light White. A blank page or canvas The challenge: To bring order…
Face of a Stranger I sailed away from an island To an island across the…
Face of a Stranger - Live I sailed away from an island To an island across the…
I Was Here I've gone without bread, I've slept in the mud I've given…
Lazy Afternoon It's a lazy afternoon And the beetle-bugs are zooming And th…
Life On Earth / Four Faded Walls Come in, come in, do you read me? Come in, can…
Life on Earth / Four Faded Walls - Live Come in, come in, do you read me? Come in, can…
Stars There, out in the darkness A fugitive running Fallen from …

The King's New Clothes This is the story of the King's new clothes. Now there…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

01Prologue (Live)

02On Parole / The Bishop (Live)

03Valjean's Soliloquy (live)

04At The End Of The Day (Live)

05I Dreamed a Dream (live)

06Lovely Ladies (Live)

07Fantine's Arrest (Live)

08The Runaway Cart (Live)

09Who Am I? / The Trial (Live)

10Fantine's Death (Live)

11The Confrontation (Live)

12Castle On A Cloud (Live)

13Master Of The House (Live)

14The Bargain / Waltz of Treachery (Live)

15Look Down (Live)

16Stars (live)

17ABC Café / Red and Black (Live)

18Do You Hear The People Sing? (Live)

19Rue Plumet / In My Life (Live)

20A Heart Full Of Love (Live)

21The Attack On Rue Plumet (Live)

22One Day More! (Live)

23Building the Barricade / On My Own (Live)

24Back At the Barricade (Live)

25Javert's Arrival / Little People (Live)

26A Little Fall Of Rain (Live)

27Night Of Anguish (Live)

28First Attack (Live)

29Drink With Me (Live)

30Bring Him Home (Live)

31Second Attack / The Final Battle (Live)

32The Sewers (Live)

33Dog Eats Dog (live)

34Javert's Suicide (live)

Philip Quast

35Turning (Live)

36Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (live)

37Every Day / A Heart Full of Love (Live)

38The Wedding Chorale / Beggars At the Feast (Live)

39Epilogue (Finale) [Live]

40Encore 1: Speeches / Do You Hear the People Sing? (Live)

41Encore 2: One Day More (Live)

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@emmikay7387

3y↑4K

A note: At this time, suicide was a crime in France. Javert's last act was to break the law.

@mparagames

3y↑281

a crime... where you can't take a sentence?

@emmikay7387

3y↑445

@Starmain I mean... it was probably more in the vein of you'd be punished if you survived the attempt, but then again, I don't try to comprehend the insanity of old legal codes

@boooster101

3y↑333

@Starmain you may go to jail when you fail to kill yourself. and in some countries the family actually had to pay a fine if one of them committed suicide.
It was quite a deterrent since killing yourself would actually punish your children.

Oh and there were some more spiritualistic consequences. You know, not getting into heaven, being denied a Christian burial, etc. The fear for your soul was a huge deal back then, much more than today

@mparagames

3y↑43

@TwoCentsforCharon > You know, not getting into heaven

that still exists, but it's more a religious thing rather than the law

@supersmashbro596

3y↑111

that... goddamn. he'd rather die breaking the law he was so religiously sworn to upholding, than allow himself to co-exist with the man he hunted for years, in a stubborn belief that he can't be changed.

taking this into account kind of makes his death ironic.

68 More Replies...

@phillipreynolds4305

9y↑2.8K

What a masterclass in acting and singing. This man was born to play Javert. The complicated emotions are expressed so well.

@siraeslava2562

5y↑34

Agreed, partly, I do love quast and the way he sings this, but roger allam did amazing as well. Quast did amazing, making his suicide the result of chaos in his mind. Everything about law he has been taught he is questioning now, just the way he sings it with a tinge of almost madness as he throws himself into the void. He did wonderful, but allam, he sang out with complete calmness in his heart, but when it came down to his choices, suicide or life in debt, he sang with a tinge of fear, before finally accepting his "fate" and committing suicide, I love them both, if you get the time, find roger allams version, and let me know your opinion.

@amandae8437

5y↑24

Victor Hugo would be proud

@lillianward2810

5y↑27

There actually is a masterclass on YouTube that Phillip Quast did on this song. I’ve heard this song a thousand times but that made me notice things about the piece that I’d never heard before. It’s well worth watching.

@sarahlamotte7920

5y↑16

@Lillian Ward Yes, I love that video! It really illuminates just how deeply Philip Quast understands the character, and the detailed thought process behind this brilliant performance

@whenyougodown228

3y↑3

Yeah, he did amazing. And I know I'm going to be criticized for saying this, but I think Russel Crowe also did quite well.

14 More Replies...

@oblongreceptionist8486

6y↑992

One thing to remember is this "Philip Quast has really awful stage fright and always has done, yet he makes the best perfomance of Javert ever here"

@tomchristie3199

3y↑110

He has stage fright but manages it through extensive preparation and study of the text. He's quite an industry leader when it comes to the study of acting and how we structure performance in order to make it authentic and compelling.

@tomchristie3199

3y↑84

I've seen him bring up the same point a couple of times that really who wouldn't have stage fright in an industry like musical theatre. It's not like acting in a play where there's a bit more push and pull and you can cover your mistakes. If you mess up the big note then that's what's remembered

@juliasoto6793

1y↑1

Phenomenal.

@JezielProdigalSon

52w↑9

Just saw the movie with Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe, on tv last night.
It reminded me how great Philip Quast is.

@artdanks4846

52w↑10

@JailbreakJezie Quast and Wilkinson were both so phenomenal! I was so disappointed with the movie, especially with the casting of both Jackman and Crowe! Both such good actors, but they really couldn't sing these roles at all well.

5 More Replies...

@lillianward2810

1y↑115

I feel like Javert is basically a human metronome throughout the show. He’s very premise and exacting. Even his leitmotif is very rhythmic and almost vertical, but here he falls apart. A master class. Philip Quast is a treasure.

@NicolaiBolas

2y↑176

I always get chills when Quast sings, "Vengeance was his and he gave me back my life." The music is just stunning at that moment!

@ItCameFromTheSkyBeLo

2y↑6

"Damned if I'll live int he debt of a thief!"

@pigeon5935

3y↑549

I just realised Javert goes through the stages of grief.

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance

@mrtuwnbr

3y↑50

I don’t believe be goes into the last one, he’s unavailable to accept what happened: :,(

@pigeon5935

3y↑47

@Martu Weinberger I think he does, he comes to the conclusion that he cannot live in a world where his previous views are false.

@mrtuwnbr

3y↑32

@Daniel Young Maybe, but I think acceptance would be if he accepted that the world and people are a lot more complex than he believes and continuated with his life. Like Valjean, he didn’t believe in people and saw most of the as evil or at least hypocrite, but, when he realized he’s wrong (by the bishop forgiving him) he accepts that he was mistaken and decides to change. Javert comes to a similar conclusion, but he cannot accept it and choose to take his own life.

@darrenweng3712

3y↑31

@Martu Weinberger Agree 100%. His inability to accept the conclusion is what leads to his downfall.

@kalirosewood6321

2y↑6

But yet... He still kills himself. It's quite interesting.

If you've read "The Fault in Our Stars"... It says specifically. The 5 stages of grief are not for losing someone. Everyone grieves differently. The 5 stages are for grief for your own dying.

2 More Replies...

@ComedyLoverGirl

7y↑730

"Look down, Javert, he's standing in his grave." Such powerful lines. I think the words "look down" is used to symbolise all of the suffering and desperation of the lower classes ("wretched of the earth") that people of the day didn't see.

@PinkSkunkSleepy

5y↑51

I understand that your comment is a bit old, so sorry for responding so late. But the "Look down" is more likely a parallel to the first song in the show, where prisoners(among them Jean Valjean) are forced to look down away from the law(among them Javert) in prison until they die. Javert's justice looks down to punish, Valjean's justice looks down to rehabilitate.

@ellatraynor252

5y↑4

Ava Aelius yeah. That’s what I thought, it was like a reference to look down from the very beginning

@job8285

4y↑27

@Ava Aelius I'm a little late as well but I'm pretty sure you're both right. "Look down" comes back 3 times. Once in the beginning with the prisoners, once in the beginning of act two where it's the beggars who sing it and once in the last part, like in this video.
It's indeed a way to grab back onto the start and the middle of the story but also a way to symbolize the upper classes looking down on the less fortunate, be it the prisoners, the poor or the young people who wanted change.

In fact the themes throughout the entire musical are the unequalities in society and the "what is justice"/conservative ways vs. progressive ways theme that plays between Javert and Valjean as well as the conservative French Society led by a king and the revolutionists.

So yes, the "look down" is meant to symbolize the upper class looking down on the poor class in the opressing society of France. It is also a way of creating a clear starting, middle and end fase in the musical.

@supersmashbro596

4y↑9

javert: "MOVE OVER. ILL JUMP IN THE GRAVE FIRST."

@JoEl-zi5yv

Oh, and the privileged and powerful see their plight so much more clearly today?

2 More Replies...

@ellie9635

6y↑365

And the stars and black and cold/as I stare into the void. This lyric is so powerful: throughout the play the stars have been Javerts reminder of what he must do and what he thinks is right. He swears on the stars that he will find Valjean but as he does, he lets him go, and they are gone. It's like his purpose has been fulfilled and it has consumed him for so long, there is no hope, no inspiration left for Javerts life to hold meaning anymore. The stars that were once bright and had lifted him no are black, rejecting him.

The stars could also refer to God, as he is thought to also lie above and give light into darkness. Now that the stars are gone, his devotion to God has been lost and heaven has gone out of reach whereas Valjean has become closer and is able to reach the kingdom. And yet, ironically, it is because Valjean was a good man that Javert suffered. But he is left without belief facing a situation where his faith can no longer help him and all that is left is the void, and the inevitable fate that waits for him in the waters of the river.

@AtheistPirate

2y↑7

Whether literally or metaphorically, we have always sought guidance in the stars. For Javert, as you astutely noted, they serve as embodiments of faith--in secular and divine law, in his mandate as officer--and as evidence that his cause (and by extension, himself) is righteous. And--building on the religious symbolism you pointed out--they're essentially "the way, the truth, and the light" in his eyes.

He also (I think) sees himself as a candle in the dark, a civilizing ward against evil and savagery.

When that light--perhaps a false one, as Lucifer (before the fall) was called the morning star--is snuffed out, he is completely and utterly lost. Rather than rise anew, he surrenders to the void.

@lisamurphy7028

2y↑5

The stars are sometimes seen as a reminder of God's presence and sovereignty. A reminder of the order and justice of the universe. If the stars are Gone for Javert he might thing God has closed him off, abandoned him. Or that he just doesn't have the Stars to steer by anymore. The devastation of realizing the 'lost' person he wanted to save was ultimately close to God than he ever was. The world itself had gone 'cold' for him?

@kmacvlogs5902

25w↑1

In the original book, Javert isn't actually a religious fanatic who does what he does for God, but for the law which he has made his religion

@Goldiney

4y↑123

The priest was to Valjean as Valjean was to Javert. They both showed that through compassion, your outlook on life can change fundamentally. It doesn't have to be about revenge. Love can win.
Though, for Javert, it was too much to bear. He spent his entire life on, what he thought, was duty and justice. When he realized that he spent 20 years on a fruitless endeavor, he couldn't bear it. That same trial changed Valjean into a saintly figure. You can almost say the same of Javert, as he sacrificed his life rather than complete his duty and turn in Valjean. They both sacrificed themselves.

@IvelLlehctim

2y↑15

I don't think that Javert every considered his work fruitless. it's just that Valjean made him realize that the word wasn't black and white, and that there could be people who commit crimes out of desperation and not greed, and that not all criminals are bloodthirsty monsters that he always assumed they were.

This realization, that Valjean was a good person who had found god and repented for his past sins was at odds with his sense of duty, The only way Javert could fulfill his duties would be to arrest Valjean, and arresting Valjean would be destroying a good man. In the end, Javert knew he could never refuse to do his duty, but couldn't bring himself to go after Valjean anymore, and chose to end his own life, both to ensure that Valjean would be free, and because he couldn't reconcile the man he was with the new worldview that had been opened to him.

@EleventhFloorBelfry

9y↑3.8K

How he makes that last word sound like he's falling is beyond me.

@CasimusxPrime

9y↑351

Daemoshiin Belmont It's called "throwing your voice". It basically means you make your voice come from somewhere else or change the pitch of it to make it sound like it's moving.

@EleventhFloorBelfry

8y↑61

PotatoKing Gaming I'm glad you saw the complete and utter missing of the point there, too.

@EleventhFloorBelfry

8y↑77

See, when I first started this, I said "How" and not "Why"

The first reply I got was a good enough answer, though it was mostly rhetorical as I can't imagine how I'd go from singing to sounding like I'm genuinely falling, as it requires a massive amount of talent.

@mcdcurtis

8y↑22

+Daemoshiin Belmont Probably just moves from the mic or changes his angle on it while he holds the note

@Glace1221

8y↑4

+Daemoshiin Belmont smack

28 More Replies...

@Mikeyc1717

1y↑21

Nobody plays this role better than Philip Quast. Javert is one of the greatest roles one could play on Broadway and Quast is a master at capturing the voice of this tragic character. I believe this perfect musical will continue to live on but I don't know if we will ever see someone play the role of Javert as perfectly as Philip Quast.

@josephst.george7841

6y↑166

this is the best version of the suicide ever. Philip quast's voice makes him sound like a madman. hes trying to hold onto what little he has left in life, but finds himself questioning his own beliefs and morals. the orchestration is beautiful and the best. i dont like when he says " ill escape now from that world..." when they add the out of key section in the movie, this is the best. there is a video on you tube where Philip quast sings and Russel crowe acts it out, and that is probably my favorite video because even though Philip quast is amazing, Russel crowe does a pretty good job at the acting aspect.

@queerqueen098

1y↑1

Where is this video?

@Angus_Gibson

4y↑51

The beauty of his voice holding that note on "reprieved." It's sublime and freezes me in my tracks. There's no better Javert than Philip Quast, and I'm a huge fan of Roger Allam.

@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.

7y↑138

"The man of mercy comes again, and talks of justice!" Oh, Mr Quast, please. You cannot be this good.

@CWG-

4y↑4

He really speaks with feeling.

@jozxyqk4407

3y↑4

I always loved how Quast yells certain words - another amazing part is during The Confrontation when he sings “I was born with SCUM LIKE YOU!”

@silentXtitus

1y↑1

Woot!!

@katerynadysa4828

1y↑2

@Joz Xyqk And in Fantine's Arrest "THAT'S the way to please the Lord!"

@joshsauer4725

3y↑49

Can we talk about 3:27? Cause this man took a literal pause to look down at the river and make his decision before continuing. Absolute genius.

@skepticalbaby6912

8y↑557

If you haven't seen the video of Philip Quast talking about singing this song, look it up. The man is as brilliant as his sublime voice.

@noahhuguenin3848

8y↑4

Could you link it?

@viktorwillyam

7y↑4

Sam Raffield it shows you how to be perfect

@identidem

6y↑21

https://youtu.be/Y6F5QgCXT4c

Here it is

@Clairembify

6y↑4

This video is incredible, thank you for the link.

@niamhporter4485

4y↑4

I think Russell Crowe is better

2 More Replies...

@alley-oopnoel504

5y↑2.5K

valjean: give me three days

8 years later

valjean: one more hour

Jean Valjean, capturing the procrastinator in us all.

@davidholmgren8156

4y↑15

Alfredo Gang Underrated comment

@katherine4236

4y↑57

I will never yield until til we come face to face.... but then I'll let you go

@marcelinon.1897

4y↑47

Me bargaining with my teacher on passing my homework in the due date.

@oliverdelica2289

4y↑30

@N. Marche of course. I sing the Confrontation with my teacher every time I procrastinate

@lukehensonmusic7141

4y↑51

Valjean: Three days are all I need
Valjean, literally two minutes later: Your child will live within my care

13 More Replies...

@kitsune630

2y↑7

Absolutely my favourite performance of this song, on point singer/actor, on point orchestra. That vocal fry he puts on his voice during the last note will never not give me chills.

@bekfasttime7001

5y↑1.2K

I really wish this song was called “Javert’s Soliloquy”, both to reflect it being parallel to “Valjean’s Soliloquy” and to get rid of the blatant spoiler. Amazing job by Quast though.

@syd4599

4y↑82

In the playbill I have from when I saw Les Mis, it was called Soliloquy, but most people refer to it as Javert’s Suicide

@thedndtavern5366

3y↑46

I believe it was originally Javert's Suicide but its called Javert's soliloquy in newer performances. I may be wrong though

@britneyhochman5204

3y↑4

I've literally never seen the stage performance in full, and yet this is still so fascinating to me lol

@thomaslamson299

3y↑1

I Agree

@MsJubjubbird

3y↑7

I've seen it called "Soliloquy- Javert's Suicide"

6 More Replies...

@jayceejames6576

2y↑21

The benchmark and the finest performance of Javert, I have seen many play the role over the years and yet Philip Quast is head and shoulders above all. The entire cast of the 10th-anniversary performance is pure magic to listen to and in my honest opinion the finest stage performance of the production past and present.

@calebleach7988

I personally think Terrance Mann has a better voice, but my god, the emotion in this version is incredible.

@ServiceInstaller

4y↑829

0:42 - He missed the word "look". That's the mark of a professional - he didn't hesitate to leave it out in order to follow the orchestra and then meet the beat on the next line. This happens in an instant.

@applescotchpie3003

4y↑147

I didn't even notice, which says a LOT

@werewolffamguy8597

4y↑71

You can hardly catch it, too. Wilkinson is a god of the stage

@user-kh1vi1ns1k

4y↑54

holy christ I've never noticed it for 10 yrs since I've known this version of musical

@theecologist10

3y↑7

Wow

@cheetoschrist5685

3y↑39

I noticed immediately, the "Look down!" parallel that's made there is one of my favourite lines in the musical, but of course I can forgive Wilkinson, that man IS Valjean

8 More Replies...

@Havarti_Samebito

3y↑242

I feel bad saying it, but it's extremely funny to me that Javert had such a ridiculously rigid worldview, that a guy NOT killing him was enough to destroy his entire perception of reality and cause him to immediately kill himself.

@Fedorchik1536

3y↑106

I think it's all a bit deeper than that. It's not the fact that he wasn't killed that braked him, it's because his worldview shattered.
For Javert the world is full of bad selfish and generally evil people. This is literally how he sees it, and the Law is the only thing that keeps the world from ending. And he lives to protect the law and the world by proxy. When he suddenly meets compassion from a man who was the worst lawbreaker in his eyes he simply cannot understand that. He tries to rationalize this, but he cannot. And so his world is broken and his life has no meaning anymore. And unlike Valjean he's unable to find a new meaning. So he quits.

@crystalDM96

3y↑44

@Nick Fedorov Very true - also Javert probably started to question every single decision he made in the past. He would also have to live with all his past actions and the fact that he may have inadvertently harmed a lot of people

@robinquijano632

3y↑15

I think its a little deeper than that. Imagine enforcing all your life and someone comes around and dismantles ur whole belief system. Not only that it dismantles ur beliefs, but your whole existence.

@robinquijano632

3y↑7

The actual definition of life is anything you do that prevents you from killing yourself. Javert obviously question the very thing that holds him together, commiting suicide at that point becomes the true problem whether Javert's action was justifiable.

@jannegrey593

3y↑8

@Nick Fedorov Also good to know that in "original" Valjean is not as "innocent" as in musical.

4 More Replies...

@dahger7

2y↑11

Every once in a while something comes along and really changes your life for the better. This concert was one of those moments.

@yidingliu8663

4y↑41

I just love how the music goes back to Stars in the end, building a link between Javert's personality and his decision to die. He was so very sure that he is following the right path, now he would rather die than admit that he has been living the wrong way——Just wonderful, impossibly good, masterly performed and will be always remembered.

@olivierdastein2604

1y↑3

He admits it. That's why he dies. He realizes that he dedicated every instant of his life to a fruitless endeavor, and that he has nothing left to live for.

@apossiblyhereticalalphaleg3595

31w

I interpret the entrance of Stars at the end as Javert finally regaining control of the situation. From the moment Valjean left, Javert sang to his tune (after all, the entire song is a parallel to Valjean's Soliloquy), and it is only when Javert no longer feels bound to detaining and turning in Valjean, a good man, that his sense of justice and his guide, the Stars, shine one last time upon him as the Seine consumes his body.

@m1dn1ght5un

2y↑26

Philip Quast was not messing around. Give him two square feet of stage and he'll deliver a performance so powerful it will echo down through the ages.

@angelikussnape

6y↑19

Ugh... Philip Quast’s tone, pronunciation, intonation, enunciation, and acting in this song is soooo on point that it makes my spine tingle. He’s so perfect as Javert! 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️

@marashaus

5y↑51

when he ‘throws himself from the bridge’ I am speechless, this is the pinnacle of Phillip Quast’s role as Javert, the execution was phenomenal

@giulia2503

6y↑23

It feels like Javert has so much pain inside. I'm crying... beautiful

@olivierdastein2604

1y↑1

As he mentions, he came from the gutter, like Fantine or Valjean. His early life probably wasn't better than theirs, and he probably has seen all the evils of this world, then and as a police officer. I think that his unshakable faith in the law was the only thing that held him together, allowing him to believe that justice could exist, that suffering was deserved, that life could have a meaning in this terrible world.

@elizap4564

6y↑20

One of my all time favorite characters. Quast truly does him justice. What a voice! And he is so achingly beautiful here, I can't help but be a tiny bit in love with him <3

@leedscab123

9y↑211

Reprieveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed, just gives me goosebumps, he just has an amazingly powerful voice.

@joeallen6701

8y↑6

Reading that just as I got to it!

@MsJubjubbird

8y↑10

Him singing the second syllable of that word is my all time favorite singing sound, out of all the performances, songs and singers I have heard. It actually makes me want to take up singing again because he not only is so invested in the role, but his voice is to die for and, most of all but he enjoys delivering such a gorgeous sound with his one in a million, high caliber and and finely-tuned instrument. It just gives you shivers.

@AColonDashSix

1y↑29

A man who cannot forgive another cannot forgive himself.

@OldCouches

22w↑2

1:13 Denial
1:37 Anger
1:59 Bargaining
3:00 Depression
3:23 Acceptance

@OldCouches

22w

This really isn't accurate as I thought it was at first, but I do stand by Javert experiencing the stages of grief during his soliloquy, maybe not in that exact order, however. It's as if he's letting go of the law, and himself along side it.

@beathecat6604

5y↑25

3:31
Just...wow. That emotional change kills me.

This song, when we performed Les Mis, was the turning point for me in the show, mainly because it was when the open weeping began (Thank gods I was in Turning and had the excuse to cry). Just...Javert was my favorite character from the start, and I'm friends with the student at my school who played him, and so it made the scene all the more emotional. I love this song, I love Quast's singing, and it'll always hold a special place in my heart.

@Kezzeract

9y↑249

By far, the best performance of this song, from the best Javert.

@fizzydasoda1824

7y↑5

I agree!

@Amelia-uw3bu

I disagree, I liked Crowe better

@shawnpavlik1293

6y↑5

Um...WHAT?? Crowe could not musically carry this part, not even close. I am an amateur and I had dozens upon dozens in my small community theatre tell me that I was "so much better than Russell Crowe".

@Amelia-uw3bu

6y↑1

Shawn Pavlik pfft, please, like the talent matters. What a useless skill. I don’t care how hard it is to make those sounds, if it doesn’t sound good, I don’t like it. I’m in it for the sound, not the talent. I liked Crowe’s sound better.

@shawnpavlik1293

6y↑3

"Like the talent matters"?? LOL Wow...YES, the talent matters. Absolutely. The talent IS the sound. This was a movie musical and as such, they should have found singers who could act (Quast) vs. actors who can kind of sing (Crowe, Seyfried....though Seyfried is MUCH worse than Crowe).

2 More Replies...

@randallbosin5262

39w↑4

Incredible performance, but can we also give a shout out to the genius who wrote the novel and the one who composed all these phenomenal songs? To have even written one of them would have been remarkable in a lifetime! Every aspect of this musical is amazing and filled with genius, not the least the performers like Quast.

@marianthi2003

3y↑35

That “Take him Valjean” hits me so hard, I think it's because I assume that the moment Javert said that he knew that he wouldn't be able to live with that desicion so he sees what's going to happen (that's the moment that he admits in his own way that he has been wrong his entire life and feels that the weight of having to reconsider is too much for him to bear) and also I find that “I will be waiting 24601” very emotional because it's as if Javert is struggling to hold it together for some seconds more to maintain his authority image while knowing that, in fact, he won't be waiting!🥺 Something like the parents that tell their children that they're gonna punish them without actually planning to do so, just for the sake of keeping control!
Sorry for ranting, I'm just ridiculously obsessed with this song and especially this version! 😅

@holypaladin4657

1y↑1

I like “I will be waiting” because it can be taken to mean that he will either be waiting for Valjean there, or in the other side.

@paulleannefischer1148

1y↑1

I know exactly what you mean about this song. I find myself listening to it over and over. That and "Who Am I". Such powerful songs.

@theradmadlad7681

1y↑6

I was obsessed with "Stars" for so long before I listened to Javert's Suicide. The part where he says the stars are black and cold gives me chills everytime

@vanessabowers7975

8y↑22

In my opinion, this is the best version of Les mis. I love it so much! And Phillip quast's voice is fantastic.

@benszekely4336

1y↑7

I love the mirroring of the soliloquy.
Plus the the voice crack in "cannot hold", uh it's just so perfect.

@SeasonedCurry

3y↑7

man how did he sing like he is crying
I can seemingly hear all the struggle in his heart, damn it

@rileywodka511

7y↑20

When I saw Les Misérables live and this song came on, everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting and watching to see what would happen next. It was all the chills and overall was amazing

@user-bq2ch8qk2v

2y↑11

“Damned if I’ll live in the debt of a thief / Damned if I’ll yield at the end of the chase” are some pretty interesting lines. They’re a callback to Valjean’s “If I speak, I am condemned / If I stay silent, I am damned” in Who Am I, with the notable difference being that Javert says “damned” twice, which I think is because he thinks of God and the law as the same thing, contrasting with Valjean’s ability to separate them. Javert views all crimes as sins, with the only repentance being jail time.

The musical’s characters’ morality systems are reflected by their view of God. Valjean views God as benevolent, Javert views God as an unforgiving being, who is just but not kind, and Thenardier, who has no morals, says that God is dead. (This is kind of a shitty thing to do, especially when the book was written by someone who wasn’t actually very religious, but you can make your own judgements on that)

@posthedonist2695

8y↑76

Quast's performance is hands down the best rendition of Javert I have ever seen.

@meggypeggy9142

5y↑16

This is perfect, stellar, absolutely flawless. Phillip Quast IS javert. My ears are blessed

@lily.218

6y↑10

Just magical. Never fails to remind me why I love musical theatre so much ❤️

@jackdullboy8723

10y↑57

Philip quast still gives me goosebumps

@lycoanlaywer1920

3y↑9

It is genius that this song has the same tune as Valjean's song like this, it shows the difference in the characters and their choices in life. Truly amazing.

@justinurbinati8542

8y↑13

I have listened to this version well over 1000 times over the last 8 years , and it never loses its conviction! Incredible!

@smashley5687

2y↑11

“And shall I now begin to doubt? Who never doubted all these years?”

This line really spoke to me. This past year has been very trying for my core values and beliefs. I think our beliefs will continue to be tried throughout our lives, but if we learn how to grow, adapt, and have faith when we are young, it is easier to change as we get older.

Javert never had a doubt or question in his mind until this moment. He simply could not comprehend a world that didn’t fall into his core values and didn’t know how to cope.

Not to this extent, but the same thing happened to me when my world view was challenged. But I’m glad I was able to learn to grow and expand my view and it’s been easier as more challenges arise. But I really felt that line in this song now more than ever.

@HardTimesFamilyPride

26w↑2

God every time I watch a Les Miz video and Quast comes in there's so much power in his voice I have to stop for a second and collect myself

@TaisLisboa73

6y↑493

fantastic. Javert is one of the most interesting characters of the story. He is an extremist. That's his problem. He only sees black and white and all the grey between these 2 colors don't exist to him. I really feel sorry for a person like this. And nowadays, there are so many!

@Abigail-hu5wf

4y↑21

Without doubt, the most interesting character in the play. He's fascinating, and Quast's portrayal is absolutely second to none.

@jonathandoelander6130

4y↑6

Compromise between doing what's right and doing what's wrong! That's what we need.

@ingwerschorle_

3y↑4

he's unfortunately not an extremist, his worldview exactly mirrors that of political conservatives

@jordyjohn2275

3y↑4

@janKelamensa

Thats not true at all. You’re thinking of social conservatives.

Putting complete faith in the government/ the law and then experiencing cognitive dissonance when it is proven wrong is definitely not something a conservative would do

@NeverZitrone

2y↑1

how is he an extremist or a conservative? he watched hundreds of people die and somehow him and jeanvaljean survived despite being them both being quite crazy. survivor guilt is great in javert, not sure if he needs to have any particular political view to be like that

5 More Replies...

@alygodsquad

4y↑12

just beyond words . Philip is a genius actor and singer, cannot be matched

@kafem57

7y↑55

Phillip Quast - no one ever better as Javert! The very best ever!

@JWagsWasHere

10y↑26

Simply amazing

I was in a production of Les Miserables
I played Javert and this was my inspiration
Still gives me chills

@shawnpavlik1293

I played Javert as well. I agree completely.

@ndwhxsc

7y↑8

one of the few performances that gives me literal chills

@magabea2

3y↑1

QUE INTERPRETACION LA DE Philip Quast! POR DIOS!QUE ACTUACION! QUE FUERZA! ADMIRABLE!

@jordanlavell

2y↑2

The two greatest ever to play both roles verbally sparing, it's just beautiful to watch and hear.

@contohasmr5876

10y↑50

The first time I saw this live I literally about cried.

@jcunnie

6y↑4

Philip Quast is a miracle. Who else could sing this with any kind of conviction at all. We are all certainly blest to be able to hear this magnificent performance. And now a thousand years from now, nations will be privileged to hear and exult. Jim Cunnie

@edwardtory1250

9y↑3

This performance is incredible. This song is so difficult to sing.

@IvelLlehctim

6y↑141

He was suprisingly good at throwing his voice. The sound effects helped, but it was mostly him.

@obiwankenobi9141

3y↑2

Underrated comment.

@just_mike92

27w↑1

we watched this when i was in high school and here I am like 15 years later still listening to this masterpiece

@lucasflorencio6076

3y↑6

For me the most incredible moment is "...and he gave me back my liiiife" How he tremblous to say that, is an out of this world perfomance

@graceliz865

5y↑3

He will always be my favorite Javert! We’re doing Les Mis at my school and the guy who is playing Javert is a HUGE fan of Philip Quast. 🙌🏻

@horsefreek1127

8y↑3

Thank you for uploading this. This has always been my favorite rendition of this song from Les Mis, and it's one of my favorite songs

@Viljami32

8y↑250

The man of mercy comes again and talks of justice!

@lukeherron4909

8y↑11

Come time is running short

@someonewashere6386

8y↑11

Look down Javert,he's standing in his grave.

@Viljami32

8y↑8

+Someone Was here Give way, Javert

@lukeherron4909

8y↑8

+viljami k take him val Jean before I change my mind I will be waiting 24601

@timothycarter5871

8y↑5

Come, time is running short. LOOK DOWN, JAVERT, HE'S STANDING IN HIS GRAVE!

28 More Replies...

@ScarletDusk99

3y↑1

What a powerful voice. Truly a moving performance

@linhiril664

3y↑8

The only Javert who ever made me cry.... excellent, outstanding, wonderful, heartbreaking portrayal.

@karencarroll32

7y↑10

This man is utterly magical!

@deedeelizard

7y↑3

I love that he gives this his all and yet he sings it so easily. Best Javert ever x

@debraalbrecht1727

5y↑2

Beyond talented, brings me to tears to hear him - perfection!

@dancegirl249

8y↑28

He has so much power. He is the absolute best Javert ever.

@michaelkessler129

3y↑5

What an amazing voice.

@louc.6735

3y↑6

came here from norm lewis's version, which i also adore, and I do like the contrast of the two performances. While Norm Lewis sounds enraged that the world would question his Javert in such a way, Quast sounds like his mind's just been blown and he's so terrified that he doesn't know how to cope. Such great performances!

@imlovefriholes8104

1y↑5

its amazing how people can change singing into a fall

@kellydunn7113

7y↑3

He gives me the shivers... WHAT a voice!

@FreddieFirth

4y↑4

Maaan the music sounds like he's coming back to life when it goes "And must I now begin to doubt", and then "I am reaching but I fall, and the stars are dark and cold" give me chills and make me wanna cry every time.

@ZidaneWarner

4y↑8

2:50 best thing about this version. He just glides through that like it was nothing

@PiePierrot

10y↑21

I can't get those lines out of my head now, I love them. "Look down, Javert! He's standing in his grave! Give way, Javert!" "I will be waiting, 2460-Oneeeeeeeeeee!"

@irenetedeschi3911

4y↑2

everytime i watch this video i have goosebumps and i sob like a child. Thank you for sharing this.

@maxjohnson2332

9y↑6

Still the best Javert. He has the most amazing voice ever. Love you Philip quarst 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

@abarker55

41w↑1

my God ... what a performer...

@ethansaye4057

6y↑3

I don’t think it can be denied that the character of Javert is a very complex character that requires a whole other caliber of singer/actor to preform., and Philip Quast does this beautifully. Although, I do still love how Russel Crowe preformed the character in the 2012 version. Regardless, both actors have a such a deep, and fulfilling voice that lingers in a haunting way.

@lili4746

8y↑9

nothing beats this..nothing <3 Philip Quast is my absolute favourite Javert

@slayerwytch2032

3y↑6

can we appreciate his vocals?

@mvstow

49w↑2

From Play School to the best Javert. Legend.

@tillyboos

4y↑3

I have ALWAYS wanted to play Javert. My DREAM Les Mis role. I’ve always been fascinated by his dichotomy and his character arc and his moral struggle. Philip Quast is one of my idols for how he played him. Just LOVED his performances. Russell Crowe was ok in the movie, but NOT anywhere as good as Quast.

@Kyle12krug

Ok but the way colm brings such gravitas to the look down reprise and the masterful way Phillip says 24601 in such a commanding way sends chills down my spine

@phantomsonlylove

9y↑6

i played this side by side with "valjean's soliloquy" and it made me see the two songs in a completely new light. i love this musical!

@elizabethpetra

4y↑3

i’m literally obsessed with 3:07-3:15 i keep repeating it god it’s so good

@elrondosocha8575

28w↑1

The stars melody playing at the end is so powerful “till we come face to face till we come face to face”

@tomclifford3066

17w

"And does he know that granting me my life today, this man has killed me...even so" just captures the real tragedy of Javert's character. And Philip Quast conveyed it so well.

@KasonWhitsell

The horns at the climax of the piece playing the “stars” motif is fucking BRILLIANT every single time. Goosebumps.

@RiNNYPINO96

8y↑798

to be honest I really enjoyed both interpretations of Javert, Phillip Quast and Russel Crowe, the show different sides of the same character, I mean you can touch the anger almost madness throught the screen when you listen this one and with Crowe you see a more reflective and calm Javert. I cant deny that Quast has an amazing and superior voice, hes part of the dream cast for a reason, but please stop giving shit to Russel

@Cuddlestrike

8y↑79

i agree. considering that none of the actors in the movie has been or was professional singers in any way, i think they pulled off an amazing interpretation and performance in the movie. i waited years to watch the movie, because i feared the harsh critics of it, thinking that they might have destroyed such a good story like Les Miserables in that movie, but all my fears was unfounded after i recently actually watched it!

@treyowen9213

7y↑25

Ar Pr I agree. I thought that Russel did a nice job too.

@Cuddlestrike

7y↑16

yeah, but one thing is to be trained in something in your youth or whatever, another thing is to be a professional worker, doing musical shows 2-3 nights a week for years at end. and yeah, you are probably right. a lot of it came down to direction as well. and, like they have stated in the behind-the-scenes footage, the actors were allowed the freedom to improvise and make a performance that was less like a musical-show and acting out the character more through the blending of the acting and music combined.

@treyowen9213

7y↑6

***** I didn't know Russell was a Broadway singer

@Cuddlestrike

7y↑1

***** yeah, i agree! for me it was the other way around first. watched it live the first time when i was young, then later read the book, then watched a non-musical movie, and now, recently, watched the musical movie we are talking about.

31 More Replies...

@Jen-Yueh_Hu

6y↑12

4:12 onwards is a reallly good summary of Javert's life. It starts out so glorious and ends in such dissonance.

(And of course it is also a twisted theme of Stars.)

@davidholmgren8156

4y↑3

Jen-Yueh Hu Starts gloriously? Are you kidding me?

@BigBadBigDon33333

8y↑7

2:49 - 2:59, just amazing, gets me every time!

@cacvpc

6y↑2

Best Javert, ever.
Ugh, Such a fantastic voice!

@kafem57

7y↑13

I think I fall a little e bit more in love with poor Javert every time I see this clip with al,his frailties. Poor man was driven to chase and was thwarted. Love Phillip Quast's poignant portrayal.