Les misérables
The scene is set during the French Restoration at the beginning of the 19th century. Jean Valjean, a galley slave who was sent to prison for stealing food, is now released after serving nineteen years. At first he only encounter mistrust and closed doors; only the saintly Bishop Bienvenu treats him kindly and takes him in. The bishop's truly Christian compassion and humanity not only restores Jean Valjean's faith in the good, but also smoothes his way back to an orderly life. As Monsieur Madeleine, Valjean is soon a wealthy industrialist and popular citizen, even becoming the mayor of a small provincial town. His good fortune departs, however, when he meets Fantine, one of his workers, an unmarried mother who tragically dies of consumption. The well-intentioned Valjean frees Fantine's illegitimate daughter Cosette from the clutches of her insidious foster parents, and looks after her like a father. When Valjean reveals his true identity in order to prevent an innocent man who closely resembles him from being sold into a life of slavery as a result of a police error, he is convicted yet again. Valjean soon succeeds in escaping yet again, however, and manages to live under a false name in Paris for a few years. When Cosette, now a young lady, falls in love with the young attorney Marius Pontmercy, Valjean forbids the match - because he has fallen in love with the young girl himself... At this point, however, Marius finds out about Valjean's disreputable past and about Valjean's love for her and has no choice but to keep him away from Cosette. Valjean, thinking of his former benefactor Bishop Bienvenu, now makes the ultimate sacrifice - he decides to do without Cosette. A short while later Valjean falls seriously ill, but in the face of death he leaves a message of love to the young couple: "There is only one thing in the world that is important - and that is to love each other."
- 2000-2000
- 1 season
- Fox Family Channel
- Drama, Documentary
The scene is set during the French Restoration at the beginning of the 19th century. Jean Valjean, a galley slave who was sent to prison for stealing food, is now released after serving nineteen years. At first he only encounter mistrust and closed doors; only the saintly Bishop Bienvenu treats him kindly and takes him in. The bishop's truly Christian compassion and humanity not only restores Jean Valjean's faith in the good, but also smoothes his way back to an orderly life. As Monsieur Madeleine, Valjean is soon a wealthy industrialist and popular citizen, even becoming the mayor of a small provincial town. His good fortune departs, however, when he meets Fantine, one of his workers, an unmarried mother who tragically dies of consumption. The well-intentioned Valjean frees Fantine's illegitimate daughter Cosette from the clutches of her insidious foster parents, and looks after her like a father. When Valjean reveals his true identity in order to prevent an innocent man who closely resembles him from being sold into a life of slavery as a result of a police error, he is convicted yet again. Valjean soon succeeds in escaping yet again, however, and manages to live under a false name in Paris for a few years. When Cosette, now a young lady, falls in love with the young attorney Marius Pontmercy, Valjean forbids the match - because he has fallen in love with the young girl himself... At this point, however, Marius finds out about Valjean's disreputable past and about Valjean's love for her and has no choice but to keep him away from Cosette. Valjean, thinking of his former benefactor Bishop Bienvenu, now makes the ultimate sacrifice - he decides to do without Cosette. A short while later Valjean falls seriously ill, but in the face of death he leaves a message of love to the young couple: "There is only one thing in the world that is important - and that is to love each other."
Season 1 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2000
Episode 1
Episode #1.1
Sun, Jan 7, 2001 87 mins
Jean Valjean is released from prison after 19 years hard labor a desperate man. But an encounter with the kind Bishop of Digne makes him rethink his life and start afresh under another name. As M. Madeleine, he becomes a businessman and the major of a small town within 5 years. But the arrival of his former prison warden Javert as head of police, combined with the plight of unlucky factory worker Fantine put a damper on his good fortune.
Episode 2
Episode #1.2
91 mins
After revealing his true identity to save an innocent man, Jean Valjean is on the run from Javert and the law. Along the way he rescues Fantine's daughter Cosette from a live of misery with the family that was supposed to look after her, the Thénardiers. They find sanctuary at a Paris convent, where Cossette studies to become a nun and Valjean works in the garden. However, after ten years Cosette desires to venture out beyond the walls of the convent.
Episode 3
Troisième épisode
91 mins
In Paris, Thénardier has recognized Valjean and lures him into a trap to take his revenge. But Thénardier's neighbor, a young law student called Marius Pontmercy has fallen in love with Cosette and warns the police. Marius' friends want to start a new revolution and Javert has been put on their trail. This brings him dangerously close to Valjean once more, who decides to leave for England with Cosette.
Episode 4
Quatrième épisode
86 mins
The students face heavy casualties at their barricade. Valjean manages to carry away an unconscious Marius through the sewers. At the end of them, he finds Javert waiting for him. Unexpectedly, the police officer grants the former convict one last request before he takes him in. They return Marius to his grandfather, Baron Gillenormand. When the young man recovers, he is allowed to marry Cosette. But Jean Valjean is ashamed to reveal her family history, as well as his own.
