Les Misérables (1935)

Very Cool!!!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I will never understand why people insist on ruining a perfectly wonderful story by making it into some indecipherable and mostly unwatchable musical. Those who do such should be sentenced to 20 years hard labor. This movie is wonderful, and portrayed the story as Hugo intended, I am sure.There are many versions of Les Misérables. This is definitely one worth watching. If you have ever wondered what the entire story is, read the entire Hugo writing; second best, watch this movie. Charles Laughton is wonderful in his same pudgy sissy/bully role that he usually plays. Frederick March is, indeed, a star.

HAVING RECENTLY VIEWED this 1935 version of this epic reminded this graybeard of having seen it on local television, many moons ago. On that occasion, which was circa 1958, this writer was about 10 or 11. But even at that tender age, the power of the story,as well the great magnitude of the production, were clearly evident.OF COURSE TODAY, much more of the story was much more clearly understood; which is, of course, what one would and should be the norm.WITH SUCH AN outstanding and voluminous a cast, we are blessed with an epic that truly matches the visual imagery with the outstandingly brutal and highly depressing storyline. This ensemble is outstandingly handled by the Director and has the advantage of the talents of Mr. Frederic March and Mr. Charles Laughton (in his pre-Captain Bligh and pre-Quasimodo days).THE GREAT MAGNITUDE and stoicism of the film are two ingredients that would seem to qualify it as a true epic film; a singular work of art that is almost as big as it would be in real life. It certainly would not be a more worthy candidate for such celluloid canonization if the great D.W.Griffith had been the Director.THE FILM IS an early production for Daryl F. Zanuck's fledgling 20th CENTURY Pictures; which would soon be merged with FOX Studios as a true giant of the Hollywood scene.Mr. Zanuck did hid releasing through UNITED ARTISTS, then. Later, 20th CENTURY-FOX proudly boasted that they produced and distributed their film output.IN ADDITION TO all of the above mentioned talent that the production boasted, there is one who cannot be overlooked. And that would be Cinematographer, Greg Toland. He is the guy who would go on to do so much innovation while at RKO RADIO Pictures. He would also collaborate with Orson Welles on CITIZEN KANE and with Walt Disney on SONG OF THE SOUTH and others.AN INTERESTING SIDE BAR to the story occurs most naturally in the subsequent years. Inasmuch that this was an early Daryl F. Zanuck production, it follows quite logically that It would be he who would be the one to recreate the Allied Invasion of Nazi occupied Europe in 1944, with THE LONGEST DAY, some 27 years later.GADZOOKS! IT DOTH appear that the Epic had become the Blockbuster!!

"Life is to give and not to take. Promise me you will give also," the priest tells Jean Valjean after he has risked everything by stealing again.Jean goes on to exemplify those words. He becomes an industrialist and politician, but his most meaningful contribution is as surrogate father to orphaned Cossette.Both Jean and Cossette have suffered horribly, and life is finally looking up for them -- if not for Javert, the relentless, by-the-book police chief who has it in for a man who thinks for himself and lives by a superior moral code.Frederic March is a superb Jean who looks the part and delivers his powerful lines with intensity. I savored the scenes with Cedric Hardwicke as the forgiving priest. Charles Laughton was perfect, though wormy, as Javert, and beautiful Rochelle Hudson was a convincing grownup Cossette.This classic film from 1935 conjures the age without seeming dated. The climactic chase scene remains amazingly fresh. And the underlying theme of this film, as voiced by Valjean, is perhaps the most timeless element of all: "God is just, but men sometimes are not just."Some things never change.

I thought this was an excellent early version of Victor Hugo's classic. The actor who plays Valjean does an excellent job as does British actor Charles Laughton who plays Javert who chases him for years. I love the film even though it might be dated but it's still faithful to the classic novel. The actresses who play Cosette and Fantine do an excellent job even though they are supporting parts. The film's quality is still excellent even though it was done over seventy years ago in the early stages of talking movies. I still think it's a classic movie and of the novel's best. This film version does not have the music but it still contains the same message of Victor Hugo's novel. Valjean is beautifully played as is Javert in this film.