Summary
Jean Valjean, a convict unjustly sentenced to hard labour, escapes from his prison.
After a clergy man saves him from being arrested again, he resolves to reform and start
a new life. Years later, he is the respectable mayor of a small French town, who
has adopted a young girl Cosette. Then his arch-enemy Inspecteur Javert surfaces
and, discovering the mayor’s true identity, determines to bring him to book.
Review
Victor Hugo’s powerful classic novel of revenge and redemption is brought to life in this
magnificent film adaptation, scripted by one of French cinema’s best writers, Michel Audiard.
The film stars some of France’s greatest actors, including the superlative Jean Gabin
who seems an obvious choice for the lead role of Valjean. Less obvious casting is
Bourvil as the villainous landlord Thénardier and Bernard Blier as Valjean’s obsessed
opponent Javert, but both offer fine performances which complement Gabin’s very well.
Although probably the most popular work of fiction in France, Victor Hugo’s novel Les
Misérables is a substantial piece of literature, sometimes described as directionless
and overly long. The same could be said of this film which, at over three and half
hours, is rather demanding for one sitting. Much better then to watch the film in
its original two-part format.
© James Travers 2000
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