Les Misérables (1982 film)
Encyclopedia
Les Misérables is a 1982 French
drama film
directed by Robert Hossein
. It is one of the numerous screen adaptation of the novel of the same name
by Victor Hugo
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Robert Hossein
Robert Hossein
Robert Hossein is a French film actor of Azeri origin, director and writer. He directed the 1982 adaption of Les Misérables, and appeared in Vice and Virtue, Le Casse, Les Uns et les Autres and Venus Beauty Institute...
. It is one of the numerous screen adaptation of the novel of the same name
Les Misérables
Les Misérables , translated variously from the French as The Miserable Ones, The Wretched, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, or The Victims), is an 1862 French novel by author Victor Hugo and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century...
by Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo
Victor-Marie Hugo was a Frenchpoet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France....
.
Plot summary
This movie is one the most faithful adaptions of the book. A short list of differences from the novel is listed below. For details, see the book's plot summary.Differences from the novel
- The film starts with Valjean's release from prison, which is followed by the opening credits and then jumps to the presentation of the bishop, which is beginning of the novel
- Javert is shown (though not named) in the opening scene, the book introduces him in Montreuil.
- Fantine is introduced in Montreuil, her former life in Paris is left out.
- Fantine dies of her illness before Javert arrives to arrest Valjean. In the book, it is Javert telling her that she will never see her daughter again that kills her.
- Valjean is not sent back to the galleys, he manages to escape Javert after Fantine's death.
- Valjean's escape from the convent in a coffin is cut out.
- Valjean dies alone and without ever having seen Cosette again, making his death even more tragic. Cosette and Marius arrive the fraction of a second too late
- The last scene is a flashback to Valjean's release from prison, with a minor change in dialogue: The first time, Javert says: "You are free."; the second time, it's: "Now, you are free."
Minor Subplots included in the movie
- Valjean's arrival in Digne is lengthily depicted, we even see him going into the townhall to have his passport signed.
- Petit-Gervais is included
- We see Valjean lifting the cart off Fauchelevent and we also learn that he sent him to the convent in Paris afterwards.
- One of the few adaptions, that does not change the names of the three convicts who recognize Valjean (Brevet, Chenildieu and Cochpaille) and in which Valjean proves his identity in the same way as he does in the book.
- Valjean leaves the convent for the same reason as he does in the book.
- The attack in the House Gorbeau is included and takes place in nearly exactly the same way as it does in the book.
- The romance between Marius and Cosette takes place nearly the same way as in the book.
- Javert's letter to the Prefect is read aloud by Javert as we see him taking the coach towards the bridge.
- Valjean confesses his true identity to Marius after the wedding and dies of grief at the end.
- Most dialogue is taken word for word from the book.
- While some scenes are anachronistic (e.g. the prison), the over all impression is a very dark and sinister one, fitting the book very well.
Cast
- Lino VenturaLino VenturaLino Ventura , was an Italian actor who starred in French movies.-Biography:Born as Angiolino Giuseppe Pasquale Ventura in Parma, Italy to Giovanni Ventura and Luisa Borrini, "Lino" dropped out of school at the age of eight and later took on a variety of jobs...
– Jean ValjeanJean ValjeanJean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables... - Michel BouquetMichel BouquetMichel Bouquet is a French film actor. He has appeared in over 90 films since 1947. He was born in Paris, France.-Selected filmography:* La petite chambre * Le Promeneur du Champ de Mars...
– Inspecteur JavertJavertJavert is a fictional character from the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. He is a prison guard, and later policeman, who devotes his life to the law. He is always referred to just simply as "Javert" or "Inspector Javert" by the narrator and other characters throughout the novel; his first name... - Évelyne BouixEvelyne BouixÉvelyne Bouix is a French film actress and stage actress. She has appeared in 61 films from 1970.She was made Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite in 1999.-Selected filmography:* Les Misérables...
– FantineFantineFantine is a character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables.- Backstory :"Fantine was one of those beings which are brought forth from the heart of the people... She was called Fantine because she had never been known by any other name...""All four were ravishingly beautiful. As to Fantine,... - Christiane Jean – CosetteCosetteEuphrasie "Cosette" Fauchelevant is a fictional character in the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.- Cosette in the novel :...
- Jean CarmetJean CarmetJean Carmet, born July 25, 1920 in Bourgueil, Indre-et-Loire, France; died April 20, 1994 in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, was a French actor.-Biography:...
– ThénardierThénardiersThe Thénardiers, commonly known as Thénardier and Madame Thénardier , are two of the primary villains in Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables and the stage musical of the same name... - Françoise SeignerFrançoise SeignerFrançoise Seigner was a French actress. She is best known for her theatre work, but also acted in a few movies, such as The Wild Child and the 2005 adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel By The Pricking Of My Thumbs...
– La ThénardierThénardiersThe Thénardiers, commonly known as Thénardier and Madame Thénardier , are two of the primary villains in Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables and the stage musical of the same name... - Frank David – MariusMarius PontmercyMarius Pontmercy is a principal fictional character in Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel Les Misérables. He is young, intense, and in love with Cosette. He fights at the barricades with Enjolras and the Friends of the ABC when %C3%89ponine tricks him into going to the barricade and he resolves to die...
- Candice Patou – ÉponineÉponineÉponine Thénardier is a fictional character in the 1862 novelLes Misérables by Victor Hugo.- Éponine in the novel :As children, Éponine and her younger sister Azelma are described as pretty, well-dressed, charming and a delight to see. They are pampered and spoiled by their parents the Thénardiers...
- Emmanuel CurtilEmmanuel CurtilEmmanuel Curtil is a French actor known primarily for his voice work, having dubbed the voice of Matthew Perry for the first eight seasons of the American sitcom Friends...
– GavrocheGavrocheGavroche is a fictional character from the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.-Gavroche in the novel:Gavroche is the eldest son of M. and Mme Thénardier. He has two sisters, Éponine and Azelma, and two unnamed younger brothers. He is also technically unnamed; the reader is told he chooses the... - Hervé Furic – EnjolrasEnjolrasEnjolras is the charismatic leader of the Friends of the ABC in the 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.- The Friends of the ABC :...
(as Hervé Fulric) - Valentine Bordelet – Cosette (child)
- Louis SeignerLouis Seigner-Selected filmography:- External links :...
– Monseigneur MyrielBishop MyrielBishop Charles-François-Bienvenu Myriel, referred to as Bishop Myriel or Monseigneur Bienvenu , is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Myriel is the Bishop of Digne... - Fernand LedouxFernand LedouxFernand Ledoux was a French film and theatre actor of Belgian origin. He studied with Raphaël Duflos at the CNSAD, and began his career with small roles at the Comédie-Française...
– Gillenormand - Paul PréboistPaul PréboistPaul Préboist was a French actor.He made his film debut in Cresus . Appeared in more than hundred films, mostly in supporting roles, and is best known as a comic actor.-Selected filmography:* Il y a des jours.....
– Fauchelevent - Corinne Dacla – Azelma
- Robin RenucciRobin RenucciRobin Renucci is a French film and television actor as well as a screen director.-Early life and education:He was born in Le Creusot, Saône-et-Loire, France.-Acting filmography:|1984 || Escalier C || comedie...
– Courfeyrac - Christian Benedetti – Combeferre (as Christian Bénédetti)
- Tony Joudrier – Bossuet
- Christophe Odent – Bahorel
- Alexandre Tamar – Grantaire
- Roger HaninRoger HaninRoger Hanin is a French actor , best known for playing the title role in the 1989-2006 TV crime series, Navarro.-Personal life:...
– L'aubergiste - Nathalie Nerval – La fille Gillenormand
- Martine Pascal – La mère supérieure
- Aline Bertrand – Mme Magloire
- Madeleine Bouchez – Mlle Baptistine
- Viviane Elbaz – Soeur Simplice
- Agathe Ladner – Éponine (child)
- Catherine Di Rigo – Azelma (child) (as Kathleen Di Rigo)
- Dominique Davray – La Magnon
- Claude LancelotClaude LancelotClaude Lancelot was a Jansenist monk and grammarian.Lancelot was born in Paris. He participated in the creation of the Petites écoles de Port-Royal in May 1638 .Lancelot was placed in charge of the education of the duke of Chevreuse and of the princes of Conti.Lancelot was...
– Bamatabois - Denis LavantDenis LavantDenis Lavant is a French film actor known for his distinctive face and the physically demanding aspects of the roles he plays, which often involve slapstick, acrobatics or dance, as well as for his long-standing association with director Leos Carax...
– Montparnasse - Jean-René Gossart – Claquessous (as Jean-René Gossard)
- Jacques Blal – Petit Gervais
- Dominique ZardiDominique ZardiDominique Zardi was a French actor. He played in more than 600 films-Selected filmography:- External links :* *...
- Chenildieu
Miscellany
- Robert HosseinRobert HosseinRobert Hossein is a French film actor of Azeri origin, director and writer. He directed the 1982 adaption of Les Misérables, and appeared in Vice and Virtue, Le Casse, Les Uns et les Autres and Venus Beauty Institute...
also directed the original 1980 Paris production of the musicalLes Misérables (musical)Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
: this film and the musical are the only adaptions, where Fantine dies before Javert's arrival; the falling of the barricade is depicted in very slow motion as it is in the musical and Gavroche's song "C'est la faute à..." is sung to same melody in this film as it is in the musical. - The actor who plays Chenildieu in this adaption plays Cochepaille in the 2000 miniseries.