| Les Misérables | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Bille August |
| Produced by | Sarah Radclyffe James Gorman |
| Screenplay by | Rafael Yglesias |
| Based on | Les Misérables by Victor Hugo |
| Starring | Liam Neeson Geoffrey Rush Uma Thurman Claire Danes |
| Music by | Basil Poledouris |
| Cinematography | Jörgen Persson |
| Editing by | Janus Billeskov-Jansen |
| Studio | Mandalay Entertainment |
| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 1, 1998 |
| Running time | 134 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom Germany United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $14,096,321[1] |
Les Misérables is a 1998 film adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, directed by Bille August. It stars Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, and Claire Danes.
As in the original novel, the storyline follows the adult life of Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), an ex-convict (paroled following 19 years of hard labor, for stealing bread) pursued by police Inspector Javert (Geoffrey Rush). It was filmed at Barrandov Studios in Prague.
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Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), a man arrested for stealing bread nineteen years previously, is released on parole. Since no one else is willing to allow a convict to stay the night, Valjean is kindly welcomed by Bishop Myriel to spend the night in his home. Valjean explains to Myriel that he is going to become a new man the following day. However, that night, Valjean steals Myriel's silverware and flees. Valjean is later arrested and brought back to Myriel, but Myriel tells the police that Valjean did not steal his silverware, but that he, in fact, actually gave it to him and also gives him his expensive candlesticks. Myriel then reminds Valjean of his promise that he was to become a new man that day.
Nine years later, Valjean is now a wealthy industrialist and a mayor. He eventually befriends Fantine (Uma Thurman), a single mother-turned-prostitute, after he rescues her when she was nearly arrested by the police officer Javert (Geoffrey Rush), who previously served as a guard at the prison Valjean was held in. Javert starts to become suspicious that the Mayor and Valjean are the same person. Later, Valjean receives word that another man (John McGlynn) is mistaken as being him and is about to be rearrested. Valjean arrives at court where the man is being tried and reveals his identity that he is the real Valjean. Valjean then returns home and finds Fantine deathly ill. Before she dies, Valjean promises Fantine that he will raise her very young daughter, Cosette. Javert arrives to Valjean's home to arrest him, but Valjean escapes and flees the community. Valjean eventually finds and rescues Cosette at the Thénardiers, corrupt innkeepers who were supposed to care for her, but were actually abusing and enslaving her. Both Valjean and Cosette finally make it to Paris where they start a new life together.
Ten years later, Cosette (Claire Danes), now a teenager, falls in love with a revolutionist, Marius (Hans Matheson). Meanwhile Javert is now undercover as an insurrectionist trying to undermine the organization to which Marius belongs. In an attempt to finally arrest Valjean again, Javert is captured by Marius and is brought to the barricades as a prisoner to be executed. Valjean journeys to the barricades himself when he learns how much Cosette and Marius love each other, intending to convince Marius to return to Cosette. When the soldiers shoot and kill Gavroche (Shane Hervey), a young boy allied with the revolutionists, Valjean uses his influence with Marius to have Javert turned over to him, so that he himself can execute him. Valjean takes Javert to a back alley, but instead of killing him, sets him free. Marius gets shot and Valjean takes him down a sewer. Javert agrees to spare Marius and Valjean takes Marius back to his home, also saying goodbye to Cosette. When Valjean returns to Javert, he tells Valjean that he is now unable to reconcile the goodness shown to him by Valjean with his perfectly lawful existence. Javert finally sets Valjean free and commits suicide by falling into the river. Valjean walks down the empty street, finally a free man, with a smile on his face.
The film received a 76% 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes; the consensus states "This intelligent, handsomely crafted adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel condenses the story's developments without blunting its emotional impact."[2]
The film opened at #4 in its opening weekend with $5,011,840 behind He Got Game, City of Angels, and The Big Hit[3]; the film would eventually gross a domestic total of $14,096,321.[4]
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