Les misérables (1995)

A variation on Victor Hugo's classic novel by means of the story of a man whose life is affected by and somewhat duplicated by the Hugo story of the beleaguered Jean Valjean.

Director:

Claude Lelouch

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), Claude Lelouch

Stars:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Michel Boujenah, Alessandra Martines

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Henri Fortin / Jean Valjean
Michel Boujenah	...	André Ziman
Alessandra Martines	...	Elise Ziman
Salomé Lelouch	...	La fille Ziman (as Salome)
Annie Girardot	...	Thénardière 1942
Philippe Léotard	...	Thénardier 1942
Clémentine Célarié	...	Catherine / Fantine
Philippe Khorsand	...	Le policier / Javert
Ticky Holgado	...	Le gentil voyou / Kind Hoodlum
Rufus	...	Thénardier 1830 / 1906
Nicole Croisille	...	Thénardière 1830 / 1906
William Leymergie	...	Toureiffel
Jean Marais	...	Mgr Myriel
Micheline Presle	...	La mère supérieure / Mother Superior
Darry Cowl	...	Le bouquiniste / Bookseller

Storyline

Henri Fortin is poor and iliterate former boxer. Ziman is rich Jewish lawyer from Paris. During WWII they meet when Fortin agrees to drive Ziman's family to Switzerland. Intrigued by Victor Hugo's novel "Les Miserables", Fortin asks the Zimans to read that book to him during the travel. Before the end of movie every main character would see his character in situations similar to those in Hugo's novel.

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Plot Keywords:

lawyer | boxer | jewish | paris france | nun | 

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Taglines:

In a time of chaos, in a world of change, he was moved by a book he could not read to become a hero he never imagined.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, brief language and sexuality

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French German English

Release Date:

3 November 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les misérables du vingtième siècle

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,035,890

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Les Films 13, TF1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

175 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Several times throughout the film, SS officers are seen wearing the famous 1930s era black SS uniforms. This is very common mistake in many WW2 films. The Black SS uniforms were discontinued at the start of the war in 1939 and replaced by the green/gray uniform. Only Waffen SS tank crews wore black uniforms in combat. This was not, however, the all-black uniform worn by the pre-war SS, but rather a short, black waist-cut coat similar in style to that worn by tank crews in the Wehrmacht.

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Quotes

Henri Fortin: I've got things to say that people would like to hear.

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Connections

Version of Les Misérables (1998)

User Reviews

Exciting and Clever!

This particular film is amazing! I have read the book and consider it one of the most important works in time. The Broadway play is also amazing with its vocals, scenery and special effects. So how do you make a movie that truly captures the essence of what Victor Hugo's vision? The Liam Neeson movie falls incredibly short, but this film captures the true essence and spirit of Jean Valjean! It creatively tells you Hugo's story while telling you about another character's journey similiar to that of Valjean's! A hard-working, uneducated man offers to help a Jewish family escape the Holocaust. The Jewish family recognizes the spirit of Jean Valjean in this man and offer to tell him about Jean Valjean as they are fleeing out of harm's way. If you are looking for an interesting, unique movie to watch, THIS IS THE ONE!