The film adaptation of Les Miserables was screened for the first time in New York on Friday night, and the watching audience clearly adored the movie as they gave it a standing ovation upon its completion.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that there was a “loud applause” for the musical, and each of its numbers were deemed sensational by viewers. As the credits tolled, the film received a”‘raucous standing ovation,” which apparently lasted for around ten minutes.
Before the screening, the film’s director, Tom Hooper, introduced the screening, revealing that he had only completed Les Miserables at 2 am on Wednesday 21 November. He even then went on to tell the crowd, “You are the very first people to see the film.”
Hooper also told the crowd, “I’m grateful that I finished it [the film] … I’m grateful to the thousands of people who have been on this journey, particularly the wonderful cast … and I’m grateful to Victor Hugo, who unfortunately can’t be with us.”
The King’s Speech director was also joined by several members of the film’s cast — which included Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, and Samantha Barks — who then also took part in a Q&A session regarding the movie.
The movie was screened at New York City’s Lincoln Center to a select group of critics, who after the screening, touted Les Miserables for several production Oscar nominations. It’s set to be released on Christmas Day in the United States and also features Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen in acting roles.