Les Misérables Primer: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Joining the French Revolution

E! ^ | 12/25/12 | Matt Stevens

[SoFloFreeper]

Les Misérables is the big-screen version of the world's longest-running stage musical (take that, Cats!). Since its 1985 debut, the show has been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages. Mon Dieu! For this eagerly anticipated adaptation, the Oscar-winning director of The King's Speech, Tom Hooper, shifts his focus from stuttering British royalty to singing French paupers in the 19th century. Victor Hugo's epic tale follows fugitive Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) as he's hunted for decades by relentless Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), through the Paris Uprising of 1832. Whether you're a Les Mis newbie or a die-hard fan (who can't wait "One Day More"!), you'll want to arm yourself with these fun facts before soldiering on.

[SoFloFreeper]

A beautiful, significant film and story. I was brought to tears at several points while watching.

Christian love imbues the entire life of the redeemed primary character...and I learned anew how a changed heart can carry on even in the midst of societal degeneration. We may be called upon to be modern day Jean ValJeans.

[x]

True, but all those red flags at the end were pretty disturbing. I'm not sure the revolutionaries actually were communists or socialists in history, but the film (and presumably the play) went that way.

Les Miserables was one of Ayn Rand's favorite novels. The film ended with a synthesis of Christianity and socialism that she certainly would have found disturbing.

I loved the preview -- all that fighting, barricades, etc. -- and was a little disappointed by all the singing. Of course I knew that it was a musical, but still, there was a little bit of a let down when the singing started.

Not a bad movie, though.

[katana]

I guess the first thing people need to know is the plot of Les Misérables starts about 20 years after the French Revolution.