Les Misérables is a 1934 film adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name. It was written and directed by Raymond Bernard and stars Harry Baur as Jean Valjean and Charles Vanel as Javert. The film lasts four and a half hours and is considered by critics to be the greatest adaptation of the novel, due to its more in-depth development of the themes and characters, in comparison with most shorter adaptations.
Although produced by Pathé it was not shot at the company's Joinville Studios in Paris but on a specially constructed set in Biot, Alpes-Maritimes as well as the nearby Victorine Studios in Nice. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Lucien Carré and Jean Perrier. The music, which is substantial, was written by the eminent Swiss composer Arthur Honegger.
It was released as three films that premiered over a period of three weeks. Part One: Une tempête sous un crâne (Tempest in a Skull) Part Two: Les Thénardier (The Thenardiers) Part Three: Liberté, liberté chérie (Freedom, dear Freedom)
Plot
Jean Valjean is an ex-convict struggling to redeem himself, but his attempts are continually ruined by the intrusion of Javert. Javert is a cruel, ruthless police inspector who has dedicated his life to pursuing Valjean, whose only crime was stealing a loaf of bread, for which he received 5 years in jail. He serves an additional 14 years for escape attempts.
The film, like the novel, features numerous other characters and subplots, such as Fantine, a woman forced into prostitution to pay two cruel innkeepers, the Thénardiers, for looking after her daughter Cosette, and the story of the revolutionaries, including Marius Pontmercy, a young man who falls in love later on in the film with the now-adult Cosette.
Cast
Harry Baur as Jean Valjean & Champmathieu
Charles Vanel as Javert
Florelle as Fantine
Josseline Gaël as Cosette
Gaby Triquet as Cosette (child) Jean Servais as Marius Orane Demazis as Éponine Gilberte Savary as Éponine (child) Lucien Nat as Montparnasse Charles Dullin as Thénardier Marguerite Moreno as Madame Thénardier Émile Genevois as Gavroche Robert Vidalin as Enjolras Henry Krauss as Monseigneur Myriel Denise Mellot as Azelma Jacqueline Fermez as Azelma (child) Cailloux as Mabeuf Ginette d'Yd as Sister Simplice Pierre Piérade as Bamatabois Charlotte Barbier-Krauss as Toussaint Roland Armontel as Félix Tholomyès
Differences from the novel
The film is, for the most part, faithful to the original novel, however, there are some differences: Javert is presented as considerably less sympathetic than in the book, largely portraying him as the pinnacle of the cruelty in 19th century France. Valjean is released after having saved a house from caving in, not because his time is served. Not Fantine's last, but her first evening with Tholomyès is shown. Valjean's re-arrest after his escape from Montreuil's prison and escape from the "Orion" are omitted. Valjean and Cosette's stay at the Gorbeau House, their dodging of Javert and their arrival at the Petit-Picpus convent are omitted. After they leave the Thénardiers, the film jumps to Cosette's sixteenth birthday. Cosette and Marius are already lovers before the attack on Valjean in the Gorbeau House. Marius is already acquainted with Éponine and Gavroche before the attack at Gorbeau House. When Marius notifies Javert of the Thénardiers' plans, he is also able to give Javert Valjean's address, at least one of them. Javert comes to this address after the robbery and recognises Valjean there. Valjean has to flee to his other house, where he finds Marius and Cosette. After Marius reveals what he has done, expecting gratitude, Valjean sends him away. Only Cosette's pleas make him change his mind, but only after Marius left. Valjean does not meet Thénardier in the sewers. Valjean presents himself to Gillenormand when taking Marius home. Gillenormand, Marius and Cosette have therefore always known the identity of Marius' saviour. Valjean dies shortly after his confession to Marius, the day after the wedding, due to a wound which appeared to have become infected (probably due to the sewer water). He does not describe Fantine to Cosette.
Critical reaction
The film has been referred to as "the most complete and well rounded adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel".