Les Miserables (DVD, 1998, Closed Captioned; Subtitled French and English)

``Les Miserables'' is like a perfectly respectable Classics Illustrated version of the Victor Hugo novel. It contains the moments of high drama, clearly outlines all the motivations, is easy to follow and lacks only passion. A story filled with outrage and idealism becomes somehow merely picturesque.

Liam Neeson stars as Jean Valjean, and the movie makes its style clear in an early scene, where he stands, homeless and hungry, at the door of a bishop, and says, ``I am a convict. My name is Jean Valjean. I spent 19 years at hard labor. On my passport I am identified as a thief.'' And so on. ``I know who you are,'' replies the bishop, but not before the audience has been spoon-fed its briefing.

Valjean is taken in, fed and sheltered, and tries to steal the bishop's silver. In one of the most famous episodes from Hugo's novel, the bishop tells the police he gave the tramp the silver, and later tells Valjean: ``I've ransomed you from fear and hatred and now I give you back to God.'' There was a similar scene in Claude Lelouch's 1995 ``Les Miserables,'' which intercut passages from the novel with a story set during World War II; it was touching, but this version feels more like a morality play.

Valjean sells the silver, gets a job in a provincial factory and uses the nest egg to buy the factory. As we rejoin him some years later, he is the local mayor, respectable and beloved, trying to teach himself to read and write. Then fate re-enters his life in the person of Inspector Javert (Geoffrey Rush), a police official who recognizes him from his years at hard labor and wants to expose him: In this world, if you once do something wrong, you are banished forever from the sight of those lucky enough not to have been caught.

Consider, in the same light, poor Fantine (Uma Thurman), fired from the factory and forced into prostitution because it is discovered she has a child out of wedlock. Valjean discovers her plight (he was unaware of the firing), nurses her through a fatal illness and promises to care for the child. Thurman's performance is the best element of the movie.

With the unyielding Javert forever at his back, Valjean takes his money and flees to Paris, taking refuge in a convent he had once (foresightedly) given money to. There he and the child, Cosette, spend 10 years. Then Cosette, now a young woman played by Claire Danes, yearns for freedom; Valjean, against his better wishes, takes a house for them. Cosette falls for the fiery radical Marius (Hans Matheson), who is being tailed by the police, which puts Javert once more onto the trail of poor Valjean.

Javert is the kind of man who can say with his dying breath, ``I've tried to lead my life without breaking a single rule.'' He means it, and will never cease his pursuit of Valjean, even though the other man, as mayor, spared his job: ``I order you to forgive yourself.'' As Javert pursues his vendetta against a man who has become kind and useful, Marius leads the mobs to the barricades, which look a lot here as they do in the stage musical.

That musical, by the way, is a long time coming. This is the second movie made of ``Les Mis'' during a decade when the ``musical version'' has been promised annually. There is, I think, an obvious person to direct it: Alan Parker, whose ``Evita'' and ``Pink Floyd the Wall'' show he is one of the few modern filmmakers who understands musicals.

Very well acted, one of the greatest stories I have seen portrayed. Themes of mercy and redemption are very strong. Definitely recommend it.

This film's adaptation is my personal favorite of Victor Hugo's great work. It has stunning cinematography and a cast that is as close to perfect as any movie buff may hope. I've seen the film many times and yet I scooped up a copy so that I may continue to watch it again and again.

Our family all loved this movie! Excellent acting by Liam Neeson!! The characters are believable and it touches your heart! The story setting is France over a 20 year period, where you view the lives of several people. A beautiful story of redemption. It is based on the very famous book by Victor Hugo, then musical which is still playing on stage. Worth watching!!!

Sad, sad, sad. Very sad movie but very well done to boot. The mother of the little girl suffered so very very much and never did get to see her daughter before passing away--and I say no more so I don't ruin it for ya. Very enjoyable, well done movie you won't regret watching (hopefully)

This version of Les Mis so encapsulates the tale of redemption, forgiveness, love and life that Victor Hugo told so well in his classic novel. This movie is wonderful in its gripping, haunting, beautiful synopsis of this timeless story. Highly recommended!

Fabulous movie with fabulous actors. I bought the movie for my daughter for her birthday along with an 1887 publication of the book as she is an avid Les Miserables fan along with a great fan of Liam Neeson. To all other Les Miserables' fans I say BRAVO for this movie.

I absolutely love the movie, the action, suspense and morality of the movie that makes you question how you feel about certain instances and how you would act.I bought it on rbay because of that and it's very hard to find. This is the best movie that was made..Love it..

Great Movie! It has great acting and an awesome plot. I have scene it as a musical on stae but tis is much better. I would highly recommend it to everyone, just wish Uma had lasted longer... Good for just about everyone.

Best price on ebay. The dvd was used but it seems like new. Great seller with a great selling record. I will do business again with this seller. Thanks

I was immediately impressed with how quickly I received the item, since I need this DVD for more than just my own viewing pleasure, but to show it to others as well. So I was also, therefore, especially pleased with its high quality, which was exactly as promised, in perfect condition... I have no complaints! This item was perfect, high quality, and helpful for those of us on a budget.

Powerful drama full of pursuit, both physical and emotional. Characters wonderfully played. Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful, well acted film, truly a classic. It has an awesome cast and is one of my top 20 favorite films of all time. My original VHS was worn out so I got the version in DVD which can be hard to find in the stores. If you love a classic, beautiful period piece, you will love this movie!

I loved the musical but bought the video so that I could see the story as it was written. This movie has cut the book down to a managable size but maintains the major jist of the story. I bought the DVD to replace my video.

Great seller, QuGreat seller, Quality Item, Fast Response ality Item, Fast Response Great seller, Quality Item, Fast Response

the best story in the world!!! a must see!!! a great cast, a full story line books are always better to fit the whole story in one movie is a hard task it was done!! a wonderful job! you'll be les miserables !!!!

Les Miserable / bought it 4 brother-in-law....it's one of his favorites...thank you. Since this seems to be no longer available at local stores... it was a blessing to find. He will be extremely pleased to be able to not only view it again, not to mention own it, to view as often as he desires.

Despite being sold as a used DVD, it was in great shape, no scratches and the case was in good condition, too. Delivery was fast. Would use this seller again.

This is one of the best movies I have seen so far. Some of the people gave negative comments because the actual book was not fully covered. If you keep the book aside for a while and analyze this movie, it is awesome in each and every aspect.

i love this movie great actors easy to follow.exellent ending.watched it 10yrs ago and i love it as much today as i did then.

The DVD got here in record time,It was in mint condition.This is one of my favorite movies on VHS,I was so happy to find it on DVD.GREAT BUY!!!

I wish I knew if i liked it. It got sent to the wrong address and has never show up back at the place i bought it????

I really enjoy this rare message in this film. I have never seen a movie that portrays the message of grace a beautify as it is in this film.

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