Les Miserables (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews (42)

An interesting adaption

[chl-6 · 7/10 · 3 March 2000]

An interesting adaption of the story. The screenplay writer John Gay has added about 30 minutes worth of backstory and recounts Valjean's initial theft of the bread, trial and almost 20 years imprisonment in some detail before getting to the scene with the Bishop, which is where the 1000+ page books _starts_!

He has included notable scenes and characters from the book - such as Marius' misunderstanding with his grandfather (played by John Gielgud) and Monsieur Madeline's housekeeper who never lies, Sister Simplice. However, he has also cut many others - notably the whole subplot with Thenardier's gang in Paris, practically all of the students' interactions and the character of Eponine. Further, he has chosen to include some scenes which I certainly would never think of as essential or even substantive, such as the convoluted means of getting Valjean back into the convent where he and Cosette spend 10 years.

The effect of these interesting choices is twofold: Firstly, this movie is very much Valjean's story, with many of the other characters given short shrift. (Javert is an exception.) Secondly, the pacing is somewhat uneven - inclusion of short scenes such as those with Marius' grandfather imply a more detailed backdrop to each of the other characters, but ultimately appear tacked on. Some of the "chase" scenes also come across as gratuitous and lack tension.

The fact that this is a made-for-TV movie comes out in a limited budget and the periodic fade outs between scenes.

On the plus side, Anthony Perkins gives a wonderfully controlled performance as Javert (standout scene for me was his confrontation with Sister Simplice), and Richard Jordan is sympathetic, if somewhat babyfaced even as an old man.

Lovers of that great "kids" TV show Press Gang (highly recommended BTW) will get a kick out of spotting a young Dexter Fletcher as Gavroche.

One of the Saddest Stories of Injustice and Obsession

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 17 January 2016]

In the Eighteenth Century in France, the unemployed woodman Jean Valjean (Richard Jordan) is arrested for stealing a bread to feed his family and sentenced to five years in prison in Toulon. He tries to escape from prison due to the mistreatment of cruel Javert (Anthony Perkins), increasing his sentence. Nineteen years later he succeeds to escape and is helped by the kind Bishop Myriel (Claude Dauphin) that feeds and shelters him. However he steals his silverware in the dawn but he is arrested by two policemen and brought back to the bishop. The bishop tells that the silver objects were a gift and gives two additional candlesticks to Valjean. When the policemen leave the place, the bishop tells that he has bought his soul and now he should live an honest life.

Jean Valjean becomes a well-succeeded businessman with the alias Madeleine bringing prosperity to a small town producing black beads that he had learnt in the prison and then the becomes the major. His life changes when Javert is assigned the chief of police of his town. Javert arrests the beggar Fantine (Angela Pleasence) accused of prostitution but Madeleine asks him to release her and brings her home. He learns that she sends money to a couple to raise her daughter Cosette. Meanwhile Javert travels to Paris to denounce Madeleine, but he learns that Jean Valjean is arrested. But Madeleine confesses the truth to the court and releases the man. Now Javert will take him back to Toulon. What will Jean Valjean do?

"Les Miserables" is one of the saddest stories of injustice and obsession ever. The Victor Hugo's novel is a touching extensive novel and should be mandatory its reading for teenagers. This excellent film omits many details but it is very faithful to the novel as a whole. Maybe it is the best version ever made. Anthony Perkins is fantastic in the role of Javert and Richard Jordan has a great performance in the lead role of Jean Valjean. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Os Miseráveis" "The Miserables")

Nice adaptation.

[dave13-1 · 8/10 · 13 April 2012]

Perhaps more watchable than the better known recent version with Liam Neeson, this made for TV adaptation of Hugo's classic novel makes for interesting viewing. Those familiar with the musical will note that many episodes not used for set pieces in that adaptation are here, with the effect that this plays like a slightly different story. The emphasis here is on forward story momentum rather than moments of high drama, and the cat-and-mouse story of Javert's pursuit of Valjean moves along at a fair clip. The period look is less lush than in the more recent version, but convincing and appropriate on its own, and the performances of Richard Jordan as the harried Valjean who wants only to do good, and of Anthony Perkins as the relentless and uncompromising Javert are spot on. Les Miz is a great story that can be effectively adapted any number of ways and the choices made here were good ones.

Difinitive portrayals of the leading characters

[GoonerMan · 29 December 2000]

This is a great story and for me this is the best screen adaptation of it. Although Geoffrey Rush puts in a decent performance in the newer film release (1998), Anthony Perkins' Javert simply cannot be bettered with his steely, cold personality and determination. Jordon also does well with the Valjean character, emitting a personality of pride and restraint in the face of adversity. The story moves on at a decent pace and provides good characterisation without too much lagging.

Overall this is a fine production and I personally find it vastly superior to the latest film incarnation with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush where I didn't particularly like either of the portrayals of the leading characters, even though they were well-acted. This version may have the obligatory TV Movie feel to it, but it still manages to rise above its Big-screen counterpart.

A Rather Centered Perception...

[lynnblake1108 · 7/10 · 19 June 2011]

The piece was very nicely done in comparison to other book adaptations that I have seen. However, while the film included many scenes that are usually not covered (e.g., Marius' conflict with his grandfather), they left out many other crucial details and key scenes. The character of Jean Valjean was covered so entirely that the other characters severely lacked in development. For example, the writing staff completely left out Eponine, who is quite possibly the most complex and most piteous (and captivating) character in the story. The Thernadiers' connection to Cosette and Gavoroche is never fully established.

Overall, I would definitely recommend you watch this adaptation, whether you've read Les Miserables or not.

THE BEST VERSION OF THIS MUCH LOVED CLASSIC

[Kim-68 · 10/10 · 16 February 1999]

This is the best version of this classic by far. Richard Jordan gives one of his best performances as Jean Valjean. His scenes in the prison are heartrending. And he certainly knows how to draw you in and make you feel a part of it all, you can feel his suffering, his pain and the scene with the priest as he turns himself around is heartfelt and dramatic, he is definitely by far one of the best character actors that ever was. Anthony Perkins is great as Javert, cold, grim and unforgiving and the two of them together, they are great. Angela Pleasence gives a great performance as Fantine and of course John Gielgud, what can you say about someone that is a living legend, because you know whatever he does you know it will be outstanding. So I would highly recommend this one to anyone that loves the classics and not the version that just came out last year, to think they would try to do this classic again where there was already an outstanding version of this story once before was outrageous.

Perkins was great

[neil-476 · 7/10 · 3 March 2013]

I'm not an expert - I haven't read the book and don't expect to - but I have seen several of the filmed versions, and this is by far my least favourite. Having said that, I loved Antony Perkins' Javert: his tightly buttoned implacability was perfect. And I liked Caroline Langrishe's rather underwritten Cosette.

But there was a lot I didn't like very much. The whole thing seemed terribly bright, colourful and clean and maybe, in those days, your life actually was bright colourful and clean - if you had money, that is. But the whole point of Hugo's writing was social commentary, and I didn't see very much of the disadvantaged underclass in this movie. I also didn't like Valjean meandering off at the end.

But most of all, I didn't like Valjean. I'm not a Richard Jordan fan at the best of times - I always got the feeling that he thought he was rather better than I thought he was. Notwithstanding his increasingly grey (but no less unconvincing) wigs and sticky-on beards as he got older, he was far too lightweight an actor to play a character like Valjean.

I was delighted and surprised to spot my late friend Michael Sheard in a small role.

My favorite movie

[mikebull · 10/10 · 8 September 2005]

This is my favorite version of all the movies. Very good! Anthony Perkins is wonderful as the obsessed policeman and Richard Jordan seems as thought this part were written just for him. This version focuses more on Jean Valjean than his daughter which I personally liked. This version covers most of what the musical just blows through. The Version with Liam Nieson focuses more on the relationship with Jean Valjean and his daughter Cosette. This is a movie worth watching over and over again, however, you need to give it your full attention or you won't like it. It is sad in parts but shows what can happen to a person who is determined to succeed. A great rags to riches story.

A Venn Diagram of Law and Justice.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 11 June 2011]

Fine adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel that has been on my "must read" list for thirty years.

As Inspector Javert, the cop who pursues escaped convict Jean Valjean through much of mid-1800s France, a stern and pitiless Anthony Perkins steps outside the box and sheds his neurotic "Psycho" persona completely. His expression is uniformly composed and utterly grim, his lips a thin dark line. Boy, is he intractable. Not only with anyone who breaks the law but with himself, if he believes that HE has broken the law.

Wardrobe has decked him out with a hat like Napoleon's. And, well, Perkins is tall and gauntly and he has a long neck. And in his tight, full-length black overcoat with its high collar, and with his arms folded across his chest, his silhouette can't help looking an awful lot like Mother Bates' pacing back and forth in front of her upstairs window.

The story: Richard Jordan is Jean Valjean. An out-of-work wood cutter with no family, he steals a loaf of bread, is captured, and sent to prison where he suffers under the scrutiny of Perkins as Javert. When he manages to escape, he finds renewal under the guidance of a bishop, and begins a life of doing good for others under a new identity. In five years he is made mayor of a small town. And, surprise, Javert is assigned to the same town as Chief of Police.

Balked in his attempts to impose harsh punishment on the town's few law breakers by Valjean's generosity, Javert begins to suspect the mayor of being exactly who he is. But he doesn't exactly catch Valjean, because circumstances force Valjean to reveal his true identity in order to save another man falsely accused.

Valjean slips off to Paris with the little orphan girl he's adopted and they find refuge in a convent. As the years pass, Valjean finds honest employment and still has a stash left over from his days as mayor. But it's always a problem, being a fugitive and dragging a little girl around with you, as Humbert Humbert found out. Little girls have a habit of growing up -- and they always fall in love with the wrong guy. Caroline Langrishe is Cosette as a young lady. She's a knockout but not very bright. Instead of falling for a doctor or a lawyer or a wheeler/dealer like Donald Trump, she is in the thrall of a handsome young revolutionary. And, wouldn't you know it, Javert is sent to that district of Paris as an undercover operative to spy on the same revolutionaries. It gets a little twisted after that. And I don't think I want to reveal the resolution, although medical discretion allows me the observation that Javert remains unforgiving to the very bitter end. Well, kind of.

I can't really compare it to the novel because I've never read the novel, but I have seen two or three other cinematic versions of the story and they're pretty similar. Frederick March played Valjean in a 1930s version, if I remember, and he was extremely good in the role, and in the role of the Valjean lookalike who is falsely accused. March managed to turn the hapless innocent into a man with brain damage.

More recently, Liam Neeson, whose looming, hulking presence and irrepressible nose always make him unforgettable, was quite believable as Valjean. And Geoffrey Rush was an unimpeachable Javert, bringing much more to the role than the simple story would suggest. I mean, Rush was really tormented in a way that no other Javert has ever been. I won't say much about Claire Danes as Cosette because, although I am deeply in love with her, she's never responded to my perhaps too-graphic emails. What does that do for your operational definition of "unrequited"? There are a couple of nicely done tense scenes of action and suspense in the current version. Not so much the shoot out at the barricades but the scene in which Richard Jordan hoists little Cosette up onto a rooftop and barely escapes the determined Javert and his Myrmidons.

Overall, this is about as good as the other versions I've seen -- and that's pretty good. Some of the credit, of course, should probably go to Victor Hugo, the Paddy Chayevsky of his day.

On par with the novel - my highest praise

[jj-46 · 10/10 · 24 February 2002]

Les Miserables is one of the greatest novels ever written. As many of you will agree, it is very rare for a movie to approach a novel in quality. This is one of the exceptions. There are many versions of this film - if you have to choose one, choose this one. Fantastic acting. Perkins is exceptional as Javert, and Richard Jordan has never given a greater performance as Jean Valjean. Watch this film - you will thank yourself for it.

Notable TV adaptation about Victor Hugo's classic novel with two terrific acting from Jordan and Perkins.

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 20 November 2023]

A colorful and clever rendering with a great cast giving good performances throughout; containing a colorful, adequate cinematography and rousing as well as sensitive musical score. Displaying nice settings , luxurious costumes and well paced .TV series by Glenn Jordan, boasts great players, such as: Anthony Perkins, Richard Jordan, John Gielgud, Cryl Cusack, Flora Robson, Ian Holm , Claude Dauphin, Celia Johnson, Joyce Redman, Christopher Guard, Caroline Langrishe, Angela Pleasence. Yet another rendition based on Victor Hugo novel with fine performances by stard-studded cast. Adequate retelling 1978 TV series dealing with the famous Victor Hugo novel set in 19th century during a revolution against emperor Napoleon III to overthrow him and proclaim the French Republic. Concerning the known story of Jean Valjean, convicted of stealing bread, he is sentenced to 5 years for theft, then is given an additional 5 years for his first escape attempt and 10 years for his second, bringing his total sentence up to 20 years. He escapes and is hounded for several decades by the relentless and cruel Policeman Javert. After facing poverty and jail, and subsequent getaway, the paroled convict called Jean Valjean (Richard Jordan), is redeemed by the kindness of a bishop (Claude Dauphin). While factory worker Fantine (Angela Pleasence), turns to prostitution to survive and maintain her daughter who later is badly cared by a nasty marriage. Nowadays, Jean is a Mayor of a little town and he is attempting to mend his past ways, but he is continually hounded by the obsessed policeman Javert (Anthony Perkins), who is determined to lock him away. The ending act is set during a student uprising in the 1830s while Valjean is trying to save his adopted daughter Cosette (Caroline Langrishe) and her boyfriend, a student who has revolutionary ideas. As Jean attempts to get his triumph against distresses through adversity, sacrifice and hardship. Victor Hugo's classic flames anew!... Of Jean Valjean, the hunted! Of Javert, the hunter, who hounded him from here to eternity!. All new! All thrilling!. Victor Hugo's Immortal Classic! .Exactly as Victor Hugo wrote it!

This is a timeless and interesting tale of one man's search for freedom and another's quest for vengeance. This exciting story is finely detailed, spectacularly shown, lavishly realized, and well developed , though with no originality. As production design, atmosphere, musical score by Allyn Ferguson, cinematography by Jean Tournier are all top-notch. The plot follows the ordinary canon, as the hounded ex-criminal Valjean mercilessly pursued by the stubborn, relentless Javert and performing a cat and mouse game in 19th century France. It displays an essentially careful study of the main roles, more than previous versions. This mini-series was financed in big budget by producer Norman Rosenmont and professionally directed by Glenn Jordan assuring tension, entertainment and excitement enough. Well worth watching. Better than average.

This notorious novel by Victor Hugo has been adapted on several versions, they are as follows : The classic retelling ¨Les Miserables 1935¨ by Richard Boleslawski with Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Cedric Hardwicke, Rochelle Hudson, Florence Eldridge. ¨Les misérables¨(1935) by Raymond Bernard with Harry Baur, Charles Vanel , Paul Azaïs . ¨Les Miserables 1952¨ by Lewis Milestone with Michael Rennie, Robert Newton, Debra Paget, Edmund Gwenn. Italian version, ¨Les Miserables 1952¨ by Riccardo Freda with Gino Cervi, Valentina Cortese. ¨French adaptation ¨Les Miserables 1957¨with Jean Gavin, Bernard Blier, Serge Reggiani. ¨Les miserables 1995¨ by Claude Lelouch with Jean Paul Belmondo, Annie Girardot, Jean Marais, Rufus, Philippe Leotard, Alexandra Martines. ¨Les Miserables 1998¨ by Billie August with Liam Neeson , Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, Hans Matheson, Peter Vaughan. A recent musical ¨Les Misérables¨ (2012) by Tom Hooper with Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen. ¨Les Misérables (2018-2019)¨ with Dominic West, David Oyelowe, Lily Collins, David Bradley, Olivia Colman, Lynn Collins, Emma Fielding, among others.

A Moral Masterpiece by Victor Hugo

[Umar Mansoor Bajwa · 10/10 · 8 September 2007]

This TV serial adaptation with Richard Jordan as the protagonist rises above the earlier version of 1952 and the latest release, as well.

The great novel by Victor Hugo corresponding to the tumultuous times of the French Revolution, serves to underline the starkly moribund consequences that directly result when there exists a colossal disparity of moral and economic values between the privileged class and the commoners. The screenplay is vivid and emotional outpourings are soul wrenching, but above all, it is Richard Jordan as Jean Valjean who has portrayed the patriarchal and lofty character created by Hugo to its complete magnitude. The story is bred with great upheavals of the turbulent revolutionary era which add epic dimensions to this memorable novel.

The novel is the crowning glory of Victor Hugo and the TV serial adaptation is the highest mark of Jordan's career who steals the show, many a times by his smoldering performance, while leaving Perkins (Javert) far behind.

One of the forgotten early versions of this french classic

[breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com · 7/10 · 4 September 2016]

When it comes to all things France related, there aren't too many mainstream stories that have been told and retold again in American cinema. The French Revolution, parts of World War II and even fantasy stories like Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991) all take place in France. But from as it seems, the most popular of these French stories belong to Victor Hugo's novel of the same name Les Miserables. So far this book has had five major film adaptations; four of which were feature length movies, while another was a mini-series. The two latest adaptations were theatrically released while the second in line was a TV movie release. The difference in years between releases may be a long period (two decades), but the story wasn't drastically varied. The only noticeable change in presentation is having the knowledge of its production date. Knowing it was produced in the late 1970s gives it a much more dated viewing experience. Nonetheless, the story is worth the time to see.

As the title would suggest, the plot to this movie is about Les Miserables or "the miserables", "the poor ones" etc. Living in France during 1796, a broke innocent woodcutter named Jean Valjean (Richard Jordan) steals a loaf of bread in order to feed his sister and her children. Not long after being caught by the authorities, Valjean is sent to Toulon to carry out his five-year sentence. In charge of the Toulon camp is the heavy handed Javert (Anthony Perkins), who ends up becoming acquainted with Valjean very quickly and their rivalry percolates into the next thirty years. With time passing before his eyes, Valjean becomes bitter against humanity but realizes his error when a bishop (Claude Dauphin) displays an act of kindness towards him. Determined to live every moment by caring for others, Valjean becomes utterly the opposite of what he once was. Headed by Glenn Jordan (a veteran TV Movie director) and written by John Gay, this film looks dated but still has a significant amount of storytelling.

The development of Jean Valjean is intriguing enough to see play out when looking at his humble beginnings. Over time, Valjean becomes a grizzled man who finds himself being more of an early Hudini than a woodcutter. Even at an elderly age, somehow Valjean finds a way of getting around; that's impressive. Richard Jordan as Valjean doesn't disappoint either. Jordan is one those serious actors who always play his role like it were his own. Along his travels he adopts a widow's daughter named Cosette (Caroline Langrishe) and raises her as his own. Angela Pleasence, the daughter of Donald Pleasence, plays the widow. The part that Cosette plays as to her stepfather isn't as prominent, but she does bring about some compelling situations between Valjean and the ever-vigilant Javert. Speaking of which, Anthony Perkins as Javert is credible too. Although he stands like a giant mast, Perkins can be very intimidating as the lead inspector. He really makes things run like clockwork. By far the best chemistry is seen between Perkins and Jordan.

The odd thing is the relationship that Javert and Valjean have reminisced to that of Batman and The Joker from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). Except this time, the roles and personalities are switched. Valjean is the miscreant who makes Javert's world a chaos to deal with. Yet Valjean's ideals are more unpretentious than say The Joker's. Javert on the other hand resembles that of Batman, wanting order and will stop at nothing to catch Valjean. The parallels are undeniable. It is a little baffling though to see actors playing French characters and not sounding anywhere close to the accent. Saying monsieur doesn't make you entirely French. The other problem that arises is the forced love interest between Cosette and a rebel named Marius (Christopher Guard). All these two characters do is stare at each other once or twice and they both know they're in love. It's certain that most audiences will not buy into this notion and completely believe that. Rarely do individuals know each other are meant to be by just staring.

When it comes to visuals, the scenery isn't always clear. However, since this took place way before CGI was implemented into film, all props were undoubtedly physical objects. That covers sets and various historical pieces of the time. A lot of the old structures look appropriate taking the setting into account. The cinematography was shot by Jean Tournier, a native Frenchman (gasp!). Like stated before, although there are some darker than normal scenes, the scenes do cover enough to have the viewer comprehend the surroundings of the main leads. That also means even without a widescreen view. The musical score composed by Allyn Ferguson is another memorable element. Sadly there was no official release of the music but the theme is quite endearing. Relying mostly on the strings, Ferguson's main theme to this adaptation consistently appears whenever Valjean is on screen pointing out that the story revolves around him. Surprisingly, that's all the music needed. It would've been nice to have other cues but it's fine anyway.

The fact that the actors weren't directed to have a more authentic French accents and the main character's step daughter having a forced love interest are the only true crimes to this book adaptation. The actors, music, camera-work and especially the writing make this a special story to witness.

On its own, hugely incomplete. The story of Jean Valjean, not Les Mis. But for that it is fairly enjoyable with a couple of merits.

[mickman91-1 · 5/10 · 8 December 2021]

Similar to the 1998 film which came 20 years later, this adaptation is not Les Mis, it is the story of Jean Valjean. As it is only 2 hours long it makes significant cuts and this version does this by trying to transplant all of the themes about poverty and hardship onto Valjean as the only conduit. There is very little inclusion of les miserables, the wretched poor, the victims.

However, as the story of Jean Valjean it is quite good. I particularly liked that the first 20 minutes is of Valjean's time in prison, scenes that are only ever given lip service in other adaptations because they happen before the novel proper begins. This enabled us to really see the hardship that Valjean went through in prison and how this forms who he later becomes. This was a real joy and is the one thing it does better than other adaptations. Richard Jordan was a good Valjean, and the makeup was really good because the story spans many years and often it is not clear how much Valjean has aged in other adaptations but this version really got that across. Anthony Perkins was a good Javert too. But ultimately without inclusion of les miserables and the poor and their revolution it is not hugely affecting. It is enjoyable for its runtime but should only be watched by those who have a complete understanding of Les Mis from elsewhere and can appreciate what this version left out and why it did so and what it was trying to achieve. On its own it is hugely incomplete.

Well done for its time

[bmccoy-3 · 8 October 2003]

I saw this version of the story many many years ago and loved it. I still have never seen the musical nor the new film. I watched this version again recently for the first time in many years and while it suffered slightly from the usual low budget aspects of a lot of TV movies, the acting was excellent and Tony Perkins was absolutely amazing as Javert. My 15 year old son had never seen any version of the story and watched it with me and he was mezmerized by the film and loved every minute of it (this from a kid who can't sit still for 5 minutes unless there are explosions and robots and blood and guts everywhere).

BTW, the bright-eyed young Marius who resembles an older Elijah Wood was played by Christopher Guard, who was Frodo in Bakshi's "Lord of the Rings".

Not bad

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 13 December 2006]

Having never actually read the original, seen any other film adaptation or even watched it performed(due to a general lack of interest in the world of theater), I didn't know much about this before watching. What I did know has all been explained enthusiastically by a friend of mine who loves musicals and plays. As me and the rest of Philosophy class sat down to watch this, I quickly noticed several promising names in the opening credits - including that of Anthony Perkins - and I found myself even more interested in watching it. Though it is arguably less visually impressive than it could have been(and, I'm presuming, than the 1998 version), it's got fairly good direction and it goes into the themes of crime and punishment, dealing with what can cause crime... and what punishment may cause. It was interesting and involving throughout. Running at two and a half hours, it never loses neither momentum nor the audience's attention. The class-room was not always silent as the film's plot played out before us, but I didn't see anyone disinterested or not paying attention. The acting is quite good, though there are a few exceptions. I was surprised by, given that his name was in the credits and how skilled an actor he is, how small a part Ian Holm had. The man can't have been on-screen for more than a few minutes. Perkins is perfect as Javert, the embodiment of law, of order by discipline and punishment for misdeeds. His personal vendetta carries some of the film, alongside the good-hearted acts of Valjean. For anyone who knows the story, knows how the chase ends, I will say that I found the execution of it somewhat under-dramatized herein. My earlier mentioned friend, the theater aficionado, described how he had seen it achieved in a live performance, and I would choose that over the budgeted version we see here. Some of the cinematography also leaves a bit to be desired. However, all in all, I'd recommend this film to anyone interested in the themes it involves and/or a depiction of France leading up to the revolution. I recommend this to any fan of the original story and anyone interested in its well-delivered points about the traditional view on crime and punishment. 7/10

One of Richard Jordan's best performances

[Kim-68 · 10/10 · 12 February 1999]

One of Richard Jordan's best performances. He put his all into this role. He really knows how to get to the heart of you. Especially the prison scenes, those are very dramatic and you can see how Valjean suffered just by watching Jordan. He brought this character to life. Anthony Perkins is also does a great job portraying Javert, cold and grim. This is definitely the best version.

Didactic

[apollo_projects-685-479654 · 6/10 · 10 March 2021]

"So long as laws shall exist which create hells in the midst of Civilisation, so long as men are degraded, women ruined and children afraid, so long as there shall be ignorance, poverty and wretchedness on this earth, stories such as this one must be told" Victor Hugo. To an extend some of this probably holds true, even today! A great adaptation of Hugo's masterpiece, worth watching. Anthony Perkins possibly a touch miscast.

Fantastic!

[Firedoomcaster · 10/10 · 10 January 2008]

I saw this movie only 10 minutes ago. Someone lent the DVD to me when she saw that I liked Les Mis. I was amazed by it! I have always loved the Character of Javert and Anthony Perkins gives an excellent performance. One of the best I have ever seen! I am currently reading the book and he looks exactly as I imagined Javert to look, especially in the navy/black costume, top hat and cane. I love some of the humor added to the movie, especially the grave digger scene. Richard Jordan in the role of Jean Valjean evoked great sympathy for the character and becomes a hero that anyone would want to cheer on. I don't want to say any more as I could give away the plot.

A Great Tribute to a Literary Classic

[calypso-10 · 10/10 · 28 October 1999]

Very few classics make it to the big screen with the same penmanship that made them classics in the first place. Glenn Jordan and John Gays sure does! Superb acting on the part every actor and actress. I just watched it for the first time in twenty years and I'm amazed at how well it was really done. Tony Perkins gives one of his very best performances. Very realistic in every way. Too bad this picture had a very limited release(TV). If this classic is still required reading then this picture should surely be required 'watching'. Good ole Victor Hugo would be quite proud of it I'm sure...............

a very entertaining piece

[glenxxvi · 10/10 · 17 June 2007]

i first saw this in about 1999 and i thought i was brilliant. i have never read the novel and i haven't seen any other film adaptations but this one is good enough for me. i might watch some other film versions of this in the future just to see how they compare but i think this is really good.

FIRST - it doesn't rush into things. it takes it's time to explain why valjean was placed in prison and leads us up to the events to follow TWO - all of the actors are very good, especially the leads, Richard Jordan is superb as Valjean and Anthony Perkins is excellent as Inspector Javert, a very tenacious character who has nothing on his mind but the apprehension of Vajean, so much so he even argues with officers above him to stay on his case.

THREE - it's a good chase movie. Every now and then through the film Valjean's freedom is threatened and the viewer has the sense that he may be captured at any time. this effect tends to wear off on repeat viewings but when you see this for the first time it is very suspenseful. this film may be nearly two and a half hours but it isn't boring at all.

FOUR - very realistic. i like the way this handles the time periods, not only can you watch the main story and enjoy it but you can get a sense of how things were in the late 18th and early 19th century. in today's terms there was nothing, no cars, no TV or radio, no computers and you get a sense that if you were living in that time period it would be very boring indeed.

FIVE - this is so good you don't want it to end. this may sound weird to some but the first time i watched it and i saw the credits coming up i thought, 'is that it?' i didn't realise that it's two hour and 17 minute running time was up, i was so engrossed with it, i realise that javert was dead and so valjean's apprehension was no longer imminent, however, i just feel that it could have gone on a few more years and have him into a few other adventures, perhaps until his death almost.

if you haven't seen this, then do so. this gets 10/10

Only The Best Version there is!

[TessDCat · 8 May 1999]

I have the new version (with Liam Neeson as Valjean) and it was pathetic, and almost blasphemous to Hugo's great book, if compared to this one. This one of John Gay is THE best adaptation. Richard Jordan also did perfectly to give life to Valjean, you can feel the misery and redemption of Hugo's Jean Valjean. Perkins was also perfect for the tough-principled sinister and cold Javert. If you have seen the new version and not this one, you've been cheated.

Unfortunately, it's been truncated but it's still excellent.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 6 May 2012]

I saw this television version of the Victor Hugo classic when I was a teen. I was so impressed by it that I then read the book. Years later, I saw the play (second row, center) and have seen several other movie versions--including the very long French version from the 1930s. So, it can be said that I am a HUGE fan of this story. Now, decades later, I wanted to finally re-watch my first experience with "Les Miserables" to see if it was as good as I remembered it.

The made for TV movie stars Richard Jordan as Jean Valjean and Anthony Perkins as the incredibly dogged Inspector Javert. Originally, the film was a two-part mini-series but somehow over the years it has been spliced town to about two hours--which is a real shame. The cuts are not terrible but tend to make the film a bit more episodic than it should be--especially since "Les Miserables" was a very lengthy novel. I won't discuss the plot, as most out there are familiar with the story and others have already discussed it in their reviews. Overall, the film is quite good--with exquisite music and acting. My only complaints are minor. There were some changes in the original story (I am a purist and always want stories to stick to the book)--such as having Valjean being an escaped prisoner instead of being a parolee who 'jumped parole' (a minor difference) as well as a few missing subplots. But for a made for TV film, it's exquisite--such as the adaptations of the Dumas novels starring Richard Chamberlain or "The Scarlet Pimpernel" with Anthony Andrews. It's a darn shame that American television isn't making films like this any more. With the abundance of reality TV programming and other mind-rot, we are a poorer society as a result. Well worth seeing--but try to read the book, it is magnificent.

My favorite

[chris_fjc · 10/10 · 7 December 2016]

Will read the whole novel soon, but after checking more than 1 movie adaptations of les miserables, I dare say 1978 succeeded to draw the characters in the way meant by the director and created an aura of heroism, integrity and sweetness around the main character (Jean Valjean). On the other hand, this movie satanized Javert as a contrary to the goodness of Valjean, but it wasn't just that, he was pictured as someone who was destroyed from inside and deeply wounded from his past and how he was born and lived as a child; although he haunted Valjeab's life all along the movie, he was shocked by how good and chivalrous Valjean was when he could have killed him but decided to set him free instead, he probably felt too small and trivial in front of Valjean's strength. The scene of Valjean carrying Marius fainting on his shoulder after fighting against the troops is just amazing, a man as old as Valjean at this point if the plot carrying a young man on his shoulder all along a ditch to keep him safe, a memorable scene!

Better than it looks

[elzicsfarewell · 9/10 · 21 February 2013]

This suffers because it was made for television in the 1970's and looks cheap by modern standards. Don't be put off: This is the version that is most true to the spirit and message of the book. It's not a romance; Hugo did not intend to write a love story, no matter how badly Hollywood wishes it were so.

The incident with the clergyman is supremely important and Hollywood destroyed it by making Valjean into a desperate, fugitive, thug. All the other versions of this might be prettier, but they got it wrong.

Also: You will never beat Anthony Perkins for silent, soul-gnawing, desperation. It just can't be done.