LES MISERABLES
US, 1978, 150 minutes, Colour.
Richard Jordan, Anthony Perkins, Cyril Cusack, Claude Dauphin, John Gielgud, Flora Robson, Celia Johnston, Ian Holm, Angela Pleasance.
Directed by Glenn Jordan.
Les Miserables is another version of Victor Hugo's classic. It has been filmed many times for the cinema and for television, most notably in France in the '30s with Harry Bauer and in the '50s with Jean Gabin, in the U.S. in the '30s with Fredric March and Charles Laughton, in the '50s with Michael Rennie and Robert Newton. There was also an Italian mini series of the '60s with Gastone Moschin. In the '80s, the story became very well-known and seen world-wide with the musical version. In the late 90s Bille August directed a version with Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman and Clare Danes.
This version was made for television. It is a lavish re creation of the period, directed by Glenn Jordan (director of many telemovies including The Women's Room and films like Mass Appeal). Richard Jordan seems an unlikely choice for Jean Valjean - and he lacks something of the warmth and screen presence of other actors. However, Anthony Perkins is gauntly sinister as Javert. There is an excellent British supporting cast including Cyril Cusack as the bishop, Celia Johnston as his housekeeper, Angela Pleasance as Fantine, Ian Holm as Thenardier.
This film seems to keep close to the outline of the novel's plot - and is an interesting re-creation of the plot for a wide audience.
1.The perennial appeal of Victor Hugo's classic? The plot? The characters? The dramatic interactions?
2.The tradition of the screen adaptations? This film of the '70s in that tradition? The audience familiar with the characters and situations?
3.The telemovie style, the length, colour photography, re creation of the galleys, Toulon, the French cities and towns, Paris, the barricades? Colour photography, the score? The staging of the action? The intimate sequences?
4.The atmosphere of the galleys, the boats, prison, Jean Valjean's escape attempts, Javert and his cruelty, the letter of the law? The accident and Valjean lifting the cart? The atmosphere of the sea and cliffs?
5.Valjean and his leaving the prison, the parole conditions? His not fulfilling them? The encounter with the bishop, with his housekeeper and sister? The meal and hospitality? The discussion? The robbing of the cutlery? His being returned by the police? The bishop offering the candlesticks and buying his soul?
6.The atmosphere of the French provincial town, Valjean as M'sieur Madeleine? His status in the town, as mayor? The factory, work? His authority? The people in the town, the wealthy, the poor? Fantine and her daughter? Her poverty, on the streets, her illness, her death? The arrival of Javert, his credentials? The lifting of the cart and his suspicions? Fantine's death? The false Valjean and the trial? M'sieur Madeleine admitting the truth?
7.The Thenardier and their characters, their children, their treatment of Cosette? Attitudes towards Valjean? His bargaining with them, taking Cosette? Javert and his pursuit?
8.The arrival in Paris, the father and daughter, the bond between the two? Getting into the convent, the dangers? Eluding the police? Settling in the convent, the gardener, Cosette and her education?
9.Marius, his background, his aristocratic grandfather, the story of his father? His studies in Paris? The meeting with Cosette and Valjean? His falling in love?
10.The Thenardier in Paris, the complications? their roguery?
11.The barricades: the leaders, in the cafes, the revolution, the atmosphere, liberty and justice? The personalities of the leaders? Marius and his presence? Eponine and Gavroche? The battles on the barricades? The slaughter of the men? The role of the soldiers, of the police?
12.Valjean and his going to the barricades, Javert as a spy? His being discovered? The possibility for Valjean to get his vengeance? His letting Javert go? His wanting to save Marius? Thenardier? Carrying Marius through the sewers? The pursuit of Javert, letting him go?
13.Marius's family, Cosette, the build-up to the wedding? Valjean's disappearance? The reconciliation? The grandfather and his stances?
14.Javert, his bewilderment, the meaning of his whole life and the law? His statements throughout the film about his stances, beliefs, the law? The treatment by Valjean? His not being able to comprehend or accept? His killing himself in the Seine?
15.The truth, the vindication of Jean Valjean and his life? The humanity of the portrait of Valjean? French society after the revolution, the revolutions of the 19th century? The role of the church - the bishop, the nuns in the convent? Valjean seen in the light of the gospels as a redeemer and saviour figure?
