节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-12-03
难易度:Low
关键字:preparation, musical, release, resolve, epic, bishop
OK, friends, welcome back from the break.
Now from TV and radio productions to Russian opera and ballet performances, the
story of Anna Karenina has been told countless times.
This year's movie version of Tolstoy's classic is at least the 12th big-screen
production - the first one being filmed way back in 1914.
So why is this story told so often?
Because it's a classic.
In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Time magazine, Anna Karenina was voted
the best novel of all time.
Wow!
Now let's look at another literary classic - this one from France - on line 14.
(Music).
Holiday Movies.
Millions of people around the world enjoyed the musical stage play Les
Miserable.
The film vision of the musical hits the big screen this month.
Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, the film tells the story of Prisoner
24601.
He is newly released from prison but struggles to survive.
The kind action of a bishop saves him from a return to prison.
He then resolves to show kindness to others.
The all-star cast includes Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe.
(Music).
Hi, friends.
We want to give you a chance to take a break from preparing for the holiday
season with some awesome movies.
Before the break, we told you about Anna Karenina which is based on an epic
novel.
That's right.
Well, the next movie we're going to talk about was originally based on an epic
novel as well.
But you might recognize it from its musical form because millions of people
around the world have enjoyed the musical stage play Les Miserable.
Exactly.
So this movie is based on a book, but originally, the musical stage play was
based on that book first.
That's right.
Now this book is called Les Miserable.
You might recognize it by the casual name of Les Mis.
Well, you would know it because it is a musical stage play, and it's become
extremely famous.
OK. Now this is a musical stage play, and now it is a musical movie.
But you could just call those "musicals" as well.
The word "musical" means that the story is shown to you or given to you through
music and songs only.
That's right.
Well, musical means that they add music and songs to help tell the story instead
of just speaking it.
Well, Les Mis is special because the entire story is sung, and it's beautiful.
Now the film version of the musical is going to hit the big screen this month.
All right.
Now I like this phrase, Kaylah, "it's going to hit the big screen." That doesn't
mean it's going to run into it.
But that means it's going to be very big, very fast.
So you're going to see it be released onto the big screen or in movie theaters
this month.
That's right.
When we say something hits the big screen, the big screen, of course, refers to
movie theaters.
So when it's hitting it, that means we will now be able to see them in the
theaters.
As we said, this is actually based off of a classic novel written by Victor
Hugo.
OK. Now Kaylah, we've heard about how it was a musical play and now it's
becoming a movie, but what is it exactly about?
Well, the classic novel and now the film will tell the story of Prisoner 24601.
And his name is Jean Valjean.
OK. Now here we're calling him Prisoner 24601.
First of all, what is a prisoner?
A prisoner is someone who has committed a crime and has been put in jail or in
prison.
But the story does not happen there because he is newly released from prison and
struggles to survive.
OK. So he was a prisoner, he was stuck in prison; but now he is newly released.
If you're "released," that means you are given freedom, they let you go.
That's right.
He's let out of prison, let out of jail.
Well, he's struggling to survive.
That means it's difficult for him now that he has a prisoner record, now that
his life has part of this crime in it.
Yeah. If you're struggling, that means you are having a hard time.
You're needing to fight in order to do what you want to do.
Well, the kind action of a bishop saves him from a return to prison.
OK. Now it's a bishop who helps him.
And a "bishop" is like a priest with a very high rank.
They are in charge of many different priests who are of a lower rank.
And the bishop is one of the kindest characters in literature.
He is saved by this man.
And then the prisoner Jean Valjean then "resolves" to show kindness to others.
Yes. And he does save him from a return to prison as well.
So that keeps him from going back to prison.
And he does teach him kindness.
And kindness is taking care of others.
And he learns that.
Well, this cast - the cast is the people playing the characters - is going to be
incredible.
Right. It's an all-star cast.
Now if something is an "all-star" something, that means that it includes very
famous people.
That's right, the best of the best.
Well, this cast is definitely all-star.
It includes Hugh Jackman who plays the Prisoner Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway and
Russell Crowe.
All right.
Now these are some big names in acting.
You've seen them in many movies before.
We already know these are some very good and famous actors.
But did you know that they could sing, Ryan?
See, that's what I learned with watching this trailer.
Friends, if you watch this trailer, you'll realize Anne Hathaway is singing in
the trailer.
And she has a beautiful voice.
Anne Hathaway is actually musically trained, so she's extremely good.
And Hugh Jackman has been in many musicals on Broadway.
He is very talented both on the screen and on the stage.
And he's taking on one of the most challenging roles for any men to play in film
and in theater.
That really is a challenging role that the actor has to play here because his
character goes through a lot of changes,
and he has to show a lot of emotions, right?
That's right.
Now this character, I say, is extremely challenging because he goes from being a
prisoner who is very hard and very mean and very angry at the world to resolving
to be a kind man.
OK.
Now if you "resolve" to do something, that means that you make a very firm
decision or a very formal decision, and you are very determined to do it.
That's right.
We hope you resolve to do something good, like show kindness to another person.
Well, friends, you need to definitely take time to watch this movie because Jean
Valjean resolves to not only help himself and be kind to a few people,
but he becomes the mayor of a town and really changes the lives of people that
he's around and begins to know.
Yeah. It sounds like not only is he changing other people's lives, Kaylah,
but his life changes dramatically as well from being a prisoner to a governor.
That's right.
The story of Les Mis is famous for being a story of forgiveness and grace and
redemption.
So it's a wonderful story to teach you these good things.
Now just like Anna Karenina, this movie looks very beautiful.
If you've seen the trailer, it's very well-done.
This would also be known as an epic story.
It's emotional, it's long, it's powerful.
So friends, take time to see both of these.
Well, Ryan, we said that Anna Karenina trailer was beautiful, so we're going to
take a minute to go ahead and watch that.
(Music).
I was 18 when I got married, but it was not love.
Your husband is a saint, and we must all cherish him for Russia's sake.
Romantic love will be the last delusion of the old order.
Have you known Count Vronsky long?
He's a rich, good-looking cavalry officer.
Dance with me.
I must warn you about something.
Warn me?
You may, by indiscretion, give the world occasion to talk about you.
(Music).
This must stop.
If you have any thought for me, you will give me back my peace.
There can be no peace for us, only misery, and the greatest happiness.
My dearest love.
We are bound together by God, and this can only be broken by a crime against
God.
What has happened?
Not something, everything.
It would be a sin to help you destroy yourself.
Sensual desire indulged for its own sake is the misuse of something sacred.
The man who can't govern his wife has gone as far as he can go in government.
Anna isn't a criminal, but she broke the rules.
Leave him.
Leave my life?
She'll be ruined.
Do you think I will let you have my son?
You are depraved.
A women without honor, and this is what you want?
Do you know what you want?
(Music).
I love you.
Why?
You can't ask why about love.
(Music).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And time really flies.
Make sure you come back tomorrow for more Language Tips.
Many, many movies are based on successful books.
But still, 99 times out of 100 when I ask people: Did you like the movie better
than the book? They'll say No.
I liked the book better.
One glaring exception is Harry Potter.
Many people, especially young people, they prefer Harry Potter movies to the
books.
Well, friends, what do you think?
Do you prefer reading the book or watching the movie version?
Use this and other Talk About It questions to take your English to the next
level.
Then join us tomorrow for more holiday movies that aren't to be missed.
Until then, take care.