Les Misérables (1934)

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.

Director:

Raymond Bernard

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), Raymond Bernard

Stars:

Harry Baur, Charles Vanel, Paul Azaïs

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

19th century | ex convict | starvation | paris france | robbery | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

27 October 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les Misérables

Filming Locations:

Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé-Natan

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was presented in three parts respectively called: "Une tempête sous un crâne" (Tempest in a skull), "Les Thénardier" (The Thenardiers - the names of the couple of villains) and "Liberté, liberté chérie" (Freedom, dear Freedom).

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Goofs

In the First Part, after Fantine meets Felix at the dance, a shot of the cards advertising the dance blow one by one off of a table, until they are all gone. Driven through the top of the table can be seen the heads of flathead metal wood screws, which were not invented until the middle 19th Century, or decades after the story takes place.

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Quotes

Eponine: [to Marius, as she is dying] Promise to kiss my forehead when I'm dead. I'll feel it.

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Connections

Version of Caccia all'uomo (1948)

User Reviews

Just wow.

So far, I have not read the book, and have only listened to a few bits from the musical, and I am usually not too fond of foreign films. I saw that this was on TCM not too long ago and I decided to give a watch. It took me two days, because I was doing other things, and here is my overall impression: One of the Best Films Ever! The story is about convict, Jean Valjean(played by Harry Baur, who gives an incredible performance), has a changed experience because of a bishop who took him in(Henry Krauss), and saved him from going into forced labor for life. Valjean uses silver the bishop gives him, so he could have a new start in life. Along the way, Inspector Javert(Charles Vanel) tracks him down throughout the years, and while Valjean escapes and changes his identity. The story's main themes in my opinion, are redemption, humanity, and the revaluation of good and evil. Valjean is an escaped convict, but he shows love and compassion for his fellow man, and even takes in a dying woman's child as his own. He even offers Javert to arrest him after he has found Cosette(the dying woman, Fantine's child). While Javert, a police inspector, is at the wrong side of ethics, as he lacks the compassion Valjean has. The film runs over four hours, the longest film I have ever seen, and its worth it. You need the running time to be long so you can discover the full depth of the story. The film also contains themes of revolution which are present, but it does not begin until much later on in the film. Overall, one of my 10 favorite films, and is one you should get your hands on.