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Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although it is a black & white film, this version of Les Miserables is quite good. The best part is the actors, Fredric March & Charles Laughton, who gave great performances. I have not seen the new version yet, but if you want to compare any version of Les Miserables, view this one.
By James L.
Format:VHS Tape
Fredric March stars as Jean Valjean, a poor man sent to the galleys for stealing some bread for his sister and her child. After the hardships of his imprisonment, he is naturally a changed man, but he reforms himself and becomes a productive, highly respected citizen. In doing so, he violates the terms of his parole, and for that he has Charles Laughton, a police inspector, on his trail. Although the pursuit anchors the film, there is more going on here, as the dignity and rights of all men, rich or poor, convicts or not, is also a strong theme of Victor Hugo's novel and the film. March is excellent in his role, undergoing a number of physical transformations, while always conveying the honesty of the character underneath it all. Laughton is forceful as ever, this time as the inspector that is blinded by the law and cannot see the humanity behind the actions of others. The film has a number of chase sequences accompanied by music that will certainly remind viewers of a silent film. I don't know anything about the director, but I suspect he may have come from that era. The script weaves together the various elements of the story well, and viewers will come away from the film quite satisfied.
By Scott Prazak
Format:VHS Tape
Although not 100% true to the book, this version of Victor Hugo's tale becomes a classic due to the casting of Frederic March and Charles Laughton. Watching this version, I literally can not imagine a better choice for Valjean and certainly for Javert. March makes a brilliant transition from a viscious ex-convict to the compassionate mayor, and Laughton just gives me chills. Because this film was made in the early 30's, the acting is EXTREMELY overdramatic and dialogue poorly delivered by the supporting cast. Also, the lack of technology prevented music and dialogue from existing simultaneously in the film (with the exception of one chase scene). This was a very expensive process back then. Overall, I believe this film will be cherished more by fans of the actors rather than by fans of the story. There have been more elaborate versions of Les Miserables since then. The best version I have seen is the one with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush. I have not seen Depardieu's version.
(**P.S. For you nostalgia buffs out there: When Valjean leaves the Bishop's house, if that "Ave Maria" sounds familiar, you may remember that being used in Robert Donat's Count of Monte Christo made approximately the same time.)
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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Les Miserables
I checked the wrong item rating for this seller. I rated 1*. It should have been 5*****. Sorry for the error. Product link "Les Miserables"
Lawrence Barton
Lawrence Barton
Published 20 months ago by Lawrence Barton
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit stodgy and stagey, but worth seeing...
This 1935 version of LES MISRABLES has interesting cinematography (the sewer scenes have Valjean and Marius traversing a near-mythological underworld) and fairly solid performances... Read more
Published on Jun 26 2000 by Gregor von Kallahann
1.0 out of 5 stars
Riot Act
I can't believe what they did with the barricade scenes. The noble cause of the students and the lower classes was turned into a riot, and those same students were pictured as... Read more
Published on May 30 2000 by Lauren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgettable
Ironically, I too saw this film in French while attending a Franco-American high school at a local museum and I have been searching for it ever since (15 years ago). Read more
Published on Mar 21 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
This should be available on DVD
This is an incredible movie! Very serious but a great movie. This movie shows how people should really act towards one another.
Published on Jan 29 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories
I remembered seeing this film in French Class during high school after reading the novel, on a film projector. I enjoyed watching it again and intend on watching it yearly. Read more
Published on Jan 24 2000
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Wretched Who?
I enjoyed this movie. It was pretty, entertaining and touching. As a movie, it did its job. As an adaption of the classic novel, I thought it was horrible. Read more
Published on April 7 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cinematic adaptation almost without peer!
The element that should be regarded as the most important in a film adaptation of any novel is the DISTILLING of the author's main ideas, themes, and motifs into a tightly... Read more
Published on Mar 17 1999 by A.G. Bassett
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