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IMDb > Les miserables (1978) (TV)

Les miserables (1978) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   493 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Glenn Jordan
Writers:
John Gay (writer)
Victor Hugo (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Les miserables on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 December 1978 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History more
Plot:
Jean Valjean, convicted of stealing bread, is hounded for decades by the relentless and cruel policeman Javert. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination more
User Comments:
An interesting adaption more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:150 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Iceland:L
Filming Locations:
England, UK more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The musical version of 'Les Misérables' opened at the Broadway Theater on March 12, 1987 and ran for 6680 performances, making it the third longest running show on Broadway. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Valjean releases Javert from the chair he's been tied to, Javerts hands are tied to his side with the rope reaching between his legs. As soon as they are outside, his hands are tied together behind his back. more
Quotes:
Gillenormand: [to Marius] Pity? You who takes sides with the scum of the streets against the government, the monarchy, against your own family? You expect to receive pity from me? more
Movie Connections:
Version of El boassa (1944) more

FAQ

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
An interesting adaption, 3 March 2000
7/10
Author: Chie-Hoon Lee from Sydney, Australia

An interesting adaption of the story. The screenplay writer John Gay has added about 30 minutes worth of backstory and recounts Valjean's initial theft of the bread, trial and almost 20 years imprisonment in some detail before getting to the scene with the Bishop, which is where the 1000+ page books _starts_!

He has included notable scenes and characters from the book - such as Marius' misunderstanding with his grandfather (played by John Gielgud) and Monsieur Madeline's housekeeper who never lies, Sister Simplice. However, he has also cut many others - notably the whole subplot with Thenardier's gang in Paris, practically all of the students' interactions and the character of Eponine. Further, he has chosen to include some scenes which I certainly would never think of as essential or even substantive, such as the convoluted means of getting Valjean back into the convent where he and Cosette spend 10 years.

The effect of these interesting choices is twofold: Firstly, this movie is very much Valjean's story, with many of the other characters given short shrift. (Javert is an exception.) Secondly, the pacing is somewhat uneven - inclusion of short scenes such as those with Marius' grandfather imply a more detailed backdrop to each of the other characters, but ultimately appear tacked on. Some of the "chase" scenes also come across as gratuitous and lack tension.

The fact that this is a made-for-TV movie comes out in a limited budget and the periodic fade outs between scenes.

On the plus side, Anthony Perkins gives a wonderfully controlled performance as Javert (standout scene for me was his confrontation with Sister Simplice), and Richard Jordan is sympathetic, if somewhat babyfaced even as an old man.

Lovers of that great "kids" TV show Press Gang (highly recommended BTW) will get a kick out of spotting a young Dexter Fletcher as Gavroche.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Les miserables (1978) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Perkins tom_amity
The classic versions made in the 30's were better pbrushb
Tony Robinson?? ocgiii
Different running times of the DVDs Maethus
Deleted scene? Skragg
is this the one? ronin1138
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