Watch Les Miserables

In 1998, director Bille August brought Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Miserables, to the big screen with a star-studded cast that included Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean, Geoffrey Rush as Javert, and Uma Thurman as Fantine. The film follows the tumultuous life of Jean Valjean, a former convict who is haunted by his past misdeeds and struggles to find redemption in 19th century Paris. He eventually crosses paths with Fantine, a destitute single mother forced into prostitution to provide for her daughter, Cosette. Moved by her plight and his desire to make amends for his own sins, Valjean takes Cosette under his wing and raises her as his own.

Despite his efforts to start anew, Valjean is relentlessly pursued by Javert, a cold-hearted inspector who is fixated on capturing him and returning him to prison. The two men engage in a fierce and ongoing battle of wills that culminates in a dramatic final confrontation.

Throughout the film, themes of love, sacrifice, justice, and forgiveness are explored in depth, as characters struggle to come to terms with the harsh realities of their circumstances. The cinematography is breathtaking, with sweeping views of the Parisian skyline and detailed period costumes that transport viewers back in time.

Overall, Les Miserables is an emotionally resonant and visually stunning film that stays true to the spirit of Hugo's original work. The powerhouse performances of Neeson, Rush, and Thurman add an extra layer of depth and complexity to their respective characters, and the film as a whole manages to balance heart-wrenching tragedy with hope and redemption. For fans of the novel or anyone who loves a good period drama, this film is not to be missed.

Les Miserables is a 1998 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 65.