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Les Misérables
1998 134 min Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America PG-13 12+
★7.4
Crime, Drama, History, Romance
Director: Bille August
🎭 Based on
«Les Misérables»
Trailers
Description
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.
Budget:
$14M
US Gross:
$14.1M
Worldwide:
$14.1M
Starring
Liam Neeson
Actor
Geoffrey Rush
Actor
Uma Thurman
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
The 1998 adaptation of Les Misérables is a polarising work that succeeds as a standalone drama but often fails to satisfy those loyal to Victor Hugo’s source material. While viewers generally praise the high-caliber performances of the leads, there is significant disagreement over the film’s narrative compression and its deviation from the original characterizations.
| Acting | Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush deliver powerful, convincing performances as Valjean and Javert that anchor the film's dramatic weight. | |
| Production | The production design, including costumes and sets, successfully conveys the grim atmosphere and historical setting of 19th-century France. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is heavily criticized for its drastic condensation of the novel, which results in the loss of crucial character backstories, thematic depth, and essential plot nuances. | |
| Runtime | The two-hour runtime creates a divisive experience: some appreciate the dynamic, fast-paced storytelling, while others find it rushed, superficial, and detrimental to the epic scope of the narrative. | |
| Adaptation | Critics are sharply divided on character portrayals; while the leads are praised, the radical shifts in the personalities of Cosette and Marius from the novel into modern, aggressive, or whiny archetypes alienate many fans of the original work. |