"Les misérables" (2000) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Josée Dayan

Writers:

Didier Decoin (written by)
Victor Hugo (novel)

Release Date:

7 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

The scene is set during the French Restoration at the beginning of the 19th century. Jean Valjean, a...

Plot Keywords:

Bishop | Police | 19th Century | Mayor | Paris

Cast

Gérard Depardieu	...	Jean Valjean
Christian Clavier	...	Thénardier
John Malkovich	...	Javert
Virginie Ledoyen	...	Cosette
Enrico Lo Verso	...	Marius
Charlotte Gainsbourg	...	Fantine
Asia Argento	...	Éponine Thénardier
Veronica Ferres	...	Madame Thénardier
Jeanne Moreau	...	Mère Innocente
Giovanna Mezzogiorno	...	Soeur Simplice
Vadim Glowna	...	Fauchelevent
Steffen Wink	...	Enjolras
Léopoldine Serre	...	Cosette enfant
Jérôme Hardelay	...	Gavroche
Michel Duchaussoy	...	Gillenormand

Also Known As:

"I miserabili" (Italy)
"Les misérables - Gefangene des Schicksals" (Germany)
"Los miserables" (Spain)

Runtime:

90 min (4 episodes)

Country:

France | Italy | Spain | Germany | USA

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Germany:12 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Ledec nad Sázavou, Czech Republic

Company:

DD Productions

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.

Movie Connections:

Version of Les misérables (1958)

Better than most...

I've seen this version more times than I'd like to admit, and I have to say, that as an introduction to Les Miserables, this film is the most accurate guide you will find if you want to understand the book. Although the character of Eponine isn't as well developed as it should have been, this should not lower people's opinion of the mini-series because unlike other versions, It performs well AS A WHOLE. Gerard Depardieu played a wonderful, emotive Valjean and I found his portrayal to be deep and sincere. Virginie Ledoyen made the character of Cosette seem easily led, air-headed and a little bit stupid. WONDERFUL! It was a refreshing change to see a bit more thought put into Cosette than the usual Waif-Like heroine that is seen in other adaptations. John Malkovich is competent as Javert, but doesn't inject as much feeling into the role as I had expected. In this respect, Geoffrey Rush did a much better job in the 1998 version. The only thing I have found which I have enjoyed more than this mini-series, in regards to consistency with the original book, and character development is the musical, and that's probably because my school is performing it this year....all in all, I would recommend this to anybody who needs some guiding before wading through the book -I know I did!