Les Miserables: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Michel Boujenah, Alessandra Martines, Salom� Lelouch, Annie Girardot, Philippe L�otard, Cl�mentine C�lari�, Philippe Khorsand, Ticky Holgado, Rufus, Nicole Croisille, William Leymergie, Claude Lelouch, Philippe Pavans de Ceccatty, Jean-Paul De Vidas, Tania Zazulinsky, Victor Hugo: Amazon.ca: Video

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This brilliant film manages to reinterpret the story of Victor Hugo's classic novel, critique it, and investigate the nature of art and life on top of that--all in three hours that zip past, fueled by the dynamic performance of French icon Jean-Paul Belmondo (Breathless, Le Doulos). In 1900, Henri Fortin (Belmondo) is wrongfully imprisoned for murder; his loyal wife is forced into menial labor and prostitution; then in the beginning of World War II, Fortin's son (Belmondo again) helps a Jewish family elude the Nazis, setting in motion his own imprisonment, escape, and adventures as a criminal. Not only is that just the first half of the movie, there are also the story lines of the husband, wife, and daughter of the Jewish family, who each have their own struggles. The conclusion is joyous and heartbreaking. Director Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman) handles the entire movie with supreme skill, humor, and compassion. --Bret Fetzer

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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Masterpiece, April 21 2000

By

Bruce - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables (VHS Tape)

This movie is an original work of art and will go down as one of the world's greatest films.

This wasn't Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables". Liam Neeson and gang tried to do that in their "adaptation". Nor was it a version set in a different time, such as "The Fujitive".

The producers of this film took a fresh approach - let's see how the life of a 1930's French prizefighter parallel's the life of Hugo's Valjean.

Frequent references were made as to how people this man was meeting were like the character's in Hugo's book. In fact, one of the things that maintained my interest was trying to figure out - when new characters were introduced - who they were supposed to symbolize.

Some may be turned off by the length of the film - I believe it is close to 4 hours. However, the story and the characters are so strong, that the time will pass quickly.

Don't think about getting it - get it.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Movie in history, Dec 16 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Les Miserables (VHS Tape)

I loved the movie. It is one of the best movie ever made. It potrays a parallel with les miserables and it shows history in World War 2. One of the best movies.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest films ever!, July 30 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Les Miserables (VHS Tape)

[...], I too think that this movie is simply one of the best ever made. It has become my favorite movie ever, and I have seen many many films from all over. This film ingeniously blends Victor Hugo's novel with a story set in World War II [....] I am always telling friends to see this movie; I myself have watched it several times, and each time is special. The film's power only grows with each viewing. Whether or not you like foreign films does not matter; this film is for everyone. It can make anyone laugh and cry. Films as perfect as "Les Miserables" are so rare; the acting, the filming, the story, the music... everything is just breathtaking and moving. You must see this film!!!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Not available on DVD
It is almost criminal that this wondrous film is not available on DVD outside France. (For some reason, the French subtitle their films' DVD releases in almost every language but... Read more

Published on May 6 2010 by M. Williams

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Artistic Film
Where to begin?

The piano music is so dramatic and appealing to the situations. Is the piece the German fellow plays a Mahler composition? Sounds like Mahler. Read more

Published on July 26 2003 by Jake McKay

4.0 out of 5 stars dissapointed
However excellent Liam Neeson's version is, I insist that I asked for the one with Jean Paul Belmondo, the French one. I hate it when I have no choice over things. Read more

Published on July 14 2002 by Nick Flementakis

5.0 out of 5 stars BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER!!!!!!
This movie is incredible. I can't even describe it. Rent it or buy it but I guarantee you will not regret having watched it!

Published on April 26 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the Essence of Hugo
Carried on the winds of fate, injustice often settles upon the poor and downtrodden, whose only link to salvation may lie in the truth they carry in their hearts and the... Read more

Published on April 25 2001 by Reviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand romantic gesture
Claude Lelouch's audacious and exciting epic is neither a film version of the long-running musical nor a traditional adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel. Read more

Published on April 10 2001 by Joseph Leydon

1.0 out of 5 stars Who can rate this movie 5 stars?!
Whoever got the stupid idea to make Jean-Paul Belmondo act three or four roles? It's plain silly. At least his acting didn't suck, but it was neither good. Read more

Published on Mar 2 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars The best movie, ever, in any language...
This is, in my opinion, the all-time best movie ever made. It gives the perfect mix of emotional poignancy, dramatic storytelling, history, and even humor (emphasis on the... Read more