Les misérables (1934)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Raymond Bernard

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel) and
Raymond Bernard (writer)

Release Date:

27 October 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

The lives of numerous people over the course of 20 years in 19th century France, weaved together by the story of an ex-convict named Jean Valjean on the run from an obsessive police inspector, who pursues him for only a minor offense.

Plot Keywords:

19th Century | Ex Convict | Detective | Paris | Straight

Cast

Harry Baur	...	Jean Valjean / Champmathieu
Charles Vanel	...	Inspecteur Javert
Paul Azaïs	...	Grantaire
Max Dearly	...	M. Gillenormand
Charles Dullin	...	Thénardier
Émile Genevois	...	Gavroche
Henry Krauss	...	Monseigneur Myriel
Georges Mauloy	...	Le président des Assises
Lucien Nat	...	Montparnasse
Jean Servais	...	Marius Pontmercy
Robert Vidalin	...	Enjolras
Orane Demazis	...	Eponine
Florelle	...	Fantine
Josseline Gaël	...	Cosette
Marguerite Moreno	...	La Thénardier

Runtime:

USA:281 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company:

Pathé-Natan

Trivia:

Re-released in France in 1951.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the second part, Les Thenardier, when Jean Servais overhears the pair plotting to rob Valjean, Raymond Bernard can be heard softly directing him to leave the room ("Vite!").

Quotes:

Cosette: [as she and Valjean witness a convoy of convicts being taken to the penal colonies] But father... are they... still human?
Jean Valjean: Sometimes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Joan of Paris (1942)

One of the best adaptations of Les Miserables

Since many years ago I've been a fan of Victor Hugo's novel, Les Miserables, and I can say this is one of the best and most faithful film adaptations of the story. Harry Baur is great as Jean Valjean, and all the cast in general is excellent. There is only one thing I may object about the film: the omission of the episode of Jean Valjean and Cosette in the Petit-Picpus convent and consequently the omission of the gardener Fauchelevent. This film is far much better than the one which is consider the classic version of Les Miserables, the one directed in 1935 by Richard Boleslawski, starring Frederich March as Valjean and Charles Laughton as Javert. Raymond Bernard's version of Les Miserables is only comparable to other two French film versions of the novel: the 1982 directed by Robert Hossein, starring Lino Ventura and the 2000 TV version, directed by Joseé Dayan, starring Gerard Depardieu.