Les Misérables
1995 Drama / War   
 
  • Director: Claude Lelouch
  • Script: Claude Lelouch, Victor Hugo (novel)
  • Photo: Claude Lelouch, Philippe Pavans de Ceccatty
  • Music: Didier Barbelivien, Erik Berchot, Francis Lai, Michel Legrand, Philippe Servain
  • Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo (Henri Fortin), Michel Boujenah (André Ziman), Alessandra Martines (Elise Ziman), Salomé Lelouch (La fille Ziman), Annie Girardot (Thénardière 1942), Philippe Léotard (Thénardier 1942), Clémentine Célarié (Catherine), Philippe Khorsand (Le policier), Ticky Holgado (Le gentil voyou), Rufus (Thénardier 1830), Nicole Croisille (Thénardière 1830), William Leymergie (Toureiffel), Jean Marais (Mgr Myriel), Micheline Presle (La mère supérieure), Darry Cowl (Le bouquiniste), Daniel Toscan du Plantier (Le comte de Villeneuve), Jacques Gamblin (Le bedeau), Robert Hossein (Le maître de cérémonie), Margot Abascal (Salomé à 18 ans), Paul Belmondo (Henri Fortin à 20 ans),
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 175 min
 
 
 
Summary
In autumn 1939, a young Jewish family are fleeing from the Nazis when they meet an ex-boxer (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) who helps them to escape.  This event inspires the ex-boxer to play an active part in the struggle against the Nazi occupation in the years that follow.



Review
This is a clever re-working of Victor Hugo's novel, set at the time of the German occupation in France.  Although quite a long film (nearly 3 hours), it is well-paced with a great deal of action and drama.  Jean-Paul Belmondo puts in a very creditable performance in what is probably one of his better films.

If the film has one  fault it is the unnecessary insertion of scenes taken directly from Victor Hugo's story to re-enforce the parallels between the actual events and the fictional story.

Otherwise, this is a very watchable and enjoyable film, with a gripping introduction and a very satisfying conclusion.

© James Travers 1999


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