Anne Hathaway sings her heart out in Les Misérables

CEBU, Philippines - We know she can hold a tune thanks to her performance at last year’s Oscars. But it sounds like Anne Hathaway has been putting the practice in for her role in upcoming film Les Misérables.

The Hollywood actress’s singing takes centerstage in the first preview of the epic movie due out in December, which also stars Amanda Seyfried, 26, Hugh Jackman, 43, Russell Crowe, 48, and Eddie Redmayne, 30.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter co-star in the movie, while I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks plays the role of Eponine.

Looking gaunt, the 29-year-old belts out classic I Dreamed A Dream against a moody backdrop of 19th century France.

Hathaway plays troubled French factory worker Fantine who is forced to sell her hair and become a prostitute in order to survive.

At one stage in the preview, Hathaway is seen weeping as she has her long locks chopped. The actress actually had her hair cut off in the film and is also thought to have gone on a controversial 500-calorie-a-day crash diet.

Les Misérables is directed by King’s Speech Oscar winner Tom Hooper.

Hooper had high praise for Hathaway’s performance. He said:’Her I Dreamed a Dream is just jaw-dropping. It is so raw and heartfelt.’

Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, (Hugh Jackman) who is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) after he breaks parole.

When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), their lives change forever.

The film has been adapted from the smash stage show that has been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and translated in 21 languages around the world. (FREEMAN)