Les misérables (1998)

Director:

Bille August

Writers (WGA):

Victor Hugo (novel)
Rafael Yglesias (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

The legend comes to life.

Plot:

Jean Valjean, a Frenchman imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a police officer named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives...

Plot Keywords:

France | Revolution | Police | Police Harassment | Nun

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Christopher Adamson	...	Bertin
Tim Barlow	...	Lafitte
Timothy Bateson	...	Banker
Veronika Bendová	...	Azelma
David Birkin	...	Courfeyrac
Reine Brynolfsson	...	Captain Beauvais
Patsy Byrne	...	Toussaint
Kathleen Byron	...	Mother Superior
Václav Chalupa	...	André
Ian Cregg	...	Feuilly
Ben Crompton	...	Grantier
Claire Danes	...	Cosette
Zdenek David	...	Peasant (as Zdenék David)
Paola Dionisotti	...	Forewoman
Edna Doré	...	Old Woman (as Edna Dore)

Also Known As:

Les misérables (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, and for some sexual content.

Runtime:

134 min | Argentina:132 min

Country:

UK | Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Barrandov Studios, Krizeneckeho namesti, Prague, Czech Republic

Company:

Mandalay Entertainment

Trivia:

The trailer and many photo galleries show a scene of Jean Valjean falling on his knees and tearing up his yellow passport, but this does not appear in the final film.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The funeral procession/disturbances is filmed on the square in front of the Prague castle. St Vitus cathedral in the background is visually altered to look like Notre Dame in Paris. Near the end of the scene, for a fraction of a second, the real St Vitus is visible because it is left unaltered.

Quotes:

Bishop: Now Don't Forget, Don't ever Forget, you've promised to become a new man.
Jean Valjean: Promise? Wha, Why are you doing this?
Bishop: Jean Valjean my brother you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kingdom of the Vampire (2007) (V)

Not the Book, but an extraordinary film

If you love the book, then you won't like the movie. You may notice that other people have noted this film as awful and stupid. All of their judgment is based on the fact that the film is not like the book. However, if you will watch the movie for what it is, NOT what the book is, you may find it is a WONDERFUL movie. The soundtrack is beautiful, the acting is great, and the message is heart-warming. I don't remember seeing such a fine drama in all my life. Not to be biased or discriminating, but if you are of the Christian faith, this movie is 10 times better. It is VERY good, even if it's different from the book. It is one of my favorite films.