Les Misérables (1935)

In early 19th Century France an ex-convict who failed to report to parole is relentlessly pursued over a 20 year period by an obsessive policeman.

Director:

Richard Boleslawski

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), W.P. Lipscomb

Stars:

Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Cedric Hardwicke

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fredric March	...	Jean Valjean / Champmathieu
Charles Laughton	...	Inspector Emile Javert
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Bishop Bienvenue (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Rochelle Hudson	...	Cosette
Frances Drake	...	Eponine
John Beal	...	Marius
Florence Eldridge	...	Fantine
Jessie Ralph	...	Madame Magloire
Mary Forbes	...	Mlle. Baptiseme
Florence Roberts	...	Toussaint
Jane Kerr	...	Madame Thenardier
Ferdinand Gottschalk	...	Thenardier
Charles Haefeli	...	Brevet
Marilyn Knowlden	...	Little Cosette (as Marilynne Knowlden)
John Bleifer	...	Chenildieu

Storyline

This is by far the best version of Les Misérables ever made in my opinion and the critics. Charles Laughton makes this movie, but literally every scene and every character add to this amazing film. If you have never seen a Charles Laughton movie this one will get you hooked. His portrayal of Inspector Javert is 2nd to none. He tracks the wanted man Jean Valjean throughout the movie and the twists and turns are so well done even you movie buffs will not see what's coming. The movie takes you through Valjeans life and many crossroads that shape his life. My words don't do this movie justice. This is a must see Drama. The scene with the priest always gets to me, be sure to catch all the dialog. This movie will make you laugh though it is not a comedy. It will make you mad. It will move your heart in a good way. You will become many of the characters as you watch the film. The less you know about the film the better in my opinion which is why my summary is so vague on details. You can ...

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Plot Keywords:

france | ex convict | 19th century | priest | foreign language adaptation | 

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Taglines:

The Immortal Classic That Shook A Nation . . . Is Now A Glorious Picture !

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les Misérables

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Florence Eldridge, who plays Fantine, was Fredric March's wife in real life. They were married from 1927 until March's death in 1975.

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Goofs

The prison ships are of a make discontinued before 1800.

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Quotes

Jean Valjean: How do you know I won't murder you in the night?
Bishop Bienvenu: [remains calm] Well, how do you know I won't murder you?
Jean Valjean: Nah...
Bishop Bienvenu: You have faith in me it seems. And I must have faith in you, musnt' I? Good night.

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Connections

Referenced in Beavis and Butt-Head: Sick (1993)

User Reviews

Les Best Adaptation

This is perhaps the best screen adaptation of the Hugo novel about crime and punishment. March is terrific as Valjean, a man subjected to ten years of imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread. As Javert, a letter-of-the-law police inspector singularly obsessed with returning Valjean to prison for missing parole, Laughton is better than in the same year's "Mutiny on the Bounty." Hardwicke is effective in a small but pivotal role while Hudson and Beal make attractive lovers. Boleslawski, who died at age 47 only two years after directing this film, generally keeps the film from turning melodramatic and benefits from Toland's fine cinematography.