Les Miserables the classic by Victor Marie Hugo the French poet & playwright was written in 1862. The classic, now available as a DVD Les Miserables is a story that spans over 20 years written about the life struggle sacrifice & love of a convicted thief Jean Valjean.

The original play, Les Misérables, is about the life of the prisoner 24601 & his struggle for redemption. The movie, carefully crafted & acted by Liam Neeson as the convict Jean Valjean, was pursued by the dedicated police officer Javert, played by Geoffrey Rush.

Even though his only crime was stealing food to save himself from starving to death, Jean Valjean was in prison for 19 years serving hard labor. When he was freed on parole, the Bishop of Digne, Bishop Myriel, absolves him of his past.

The irony begins with the police inspector Javert trying to send him back to prison. Javert hated the the prostitutes even though his parents were of a shameful profession. Jean Valjean adopts the only child of Fantine, a prostitute who dies of hunger, and spends his life in a Christian missionary raising the young woman.

The movie ends with the Paris Uprising of 1832 in which Jean Valjean saves the young anarchist who was in love with his adopted child Fantine. Javert realizes the greatness that lies within the former thief Jean Valjean & commits suicide to save the man from any further troubles.

The movie Les Miserables is an epic film, a complete family movie that is the story of a heartless convict transformed by a single act of mercy. The film, originally planned to have been directed by Roman Polanski, was finally directed by Bille August into the fascinating masterpiece movie classic.

You can also view Les Miserables acted in the London’s Royal Albert Hall & published as  The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall