Customer Reviews

Les Miserables [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This 1978 British television production is one of the better English-language adapatations of Les Miserables. Unfortunately, the DVD release is missing 30 minutes of footage. Originally shown in two parts at a length of 150 minutes, the DVD edit has been chopped down to 120. (The VHS tape edition plays complete.)

Had I known this disc was an incomplete version I would not have purchased it. If you want to see the complete film --- and it's well worth it --- you'll need to buy the VHS tape.

I saw this when it was originally telecast in the late 70s on TV as an Hallmark special presentation, and I never forgot it. What a relief to find it's available on video. However, I'm disappointed that it's been cut down to 2 hours - the original telecast on TV divided it into 2 showings (2 consecutive evenings), about 3 hours apiece, if I remember right. Not including commercials, I would estimate the original (uncut) version was about 4-5 hours. So, in this VHS version, the story moves VERY fast to squeeze it into 2 hours. Still great to watch, but again, it's very trimmed down and every scene moves very quickly. It would be great in the future if it would become available in the original uncut version on DVD or a 2 or 3-set VHS version.

I only give five stars to works of art that stay with you and change who you are.
Quite simply, this is the best english-film-version of the story ever made. I think it's the best film-version period. If you've never seen it, see this first then watch the rest. If you don't know the story at all and can't bring yourself to read the book, see this.
As has already been noted by other reviewers, you should get the full-length version. Also, it's rather strange that this was made for television. We tend to credit such works as being of lesser value. But that would be quite mistaken in this case.

As a project in the latter days of my eighth-grade school year, our literature teacher asked that our class watch and review this film. We sat in a small room as the old tape began to roll. I noticed immediately that the film had to have been a TV-movie. I was skeptical as to how good it would be, even angry. I didn't want to waste my last days prior to high school watching a bunch of cheesy actors try to pull off lines that sounded like they were written by a toddler. Boy, was I wrong.

15 minutes into the movie, I was glued to the screen. I had never heard such a wonderful story before:

Jean Valjean, a starving young man with little means for cash, steals a loaf of bread and is sent to prison for five years. The sentence grows everytime Valjean tries to escape. After 19 years, Valjean makes a successful attempt at freedom but learns that the true punishment comes after he reenters society. However, when a kindly old man of the cloth gives Valjean a bed for the night, it sets the stage for an adventure that will span two life times.

See what I mean? If, like me, you have never read the book and know very little about the conclusion of the story, you're definetely gonna wanna pick up a copy of this, right? Rest assured, there's plenty of action. The special effects in the war scene at the end of the movie (yes, I said "war scene") aren't CGI, but they do the trick. The music is beautiful. The actors, especially Richard Jordan of "DUNE" and "GETTYSBURG" fame, do an excellent job.

I have seen many adaptations of this story since that first magical viewing. None of them pull it off quite as well. I went back and watched this movie again, not too long ago. Magic, just magic! Long live Valjean!

Many of the complaints with this DVD release involved the film being shortened half an hour by LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT. Look folks, there's nothing wrong with a shorter version. Especially not this shorter version. The moments taken from the film are only the most redundant, and the story's power is not lost in the cuts. Secondly, a complaint has been made against the quality of the AUDIO-VIDEO presentation. I have seen this same film on video twice and I can tell you THIS FILM HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER. Unlike a video cassette, DVDs do not have tape in them and therefore the picture and sound quality will always remain the same as long as the disc doesn't get scratched up. Why complain? Lastly, to those who have never seen this film and are not familiar with the novel, try another version first. Perhaps the 1998 version with Uma Thurman. The reason is that both versions tell virtually the same story, but one (1998) concentrates on being cinematic, while the other (1978) concentrates on just getting the story told. Period. No fancy special effects, no fast editing. Just plain, unadulterated LES MIS. That's the way I like it. If you are a fan of the book or the musical, or know enough of the story to sit through two hours, go for it. You'll never forget it. Trust me. I love LES MIS because of this film. The acting, the music. All incredible. Be patient, and you'll find something to love in this film. I guarantee it. Get impatient and you'll hate the whole thing. That about says it.

STORY: An escaped convict finds salvation with the help of a aged bishop, but trouble comes when a piece of his past attempts to remind him of his sins.

PROS: Action. Music. Acting. Directing.

CONS: Kinda slow. That's it, really.

This is the best version of Les Miserables available on video. Glenn Jordan stays very close to the spirit of the novel and Richard Jordan's Valjean is outstanding! When the bishop, played by Claude Dauphin, extends grace to the undeserving convict, love triumphs over evil through the redeemed sinner's new life. One flaw with this video is that it has been edited down to 123 minutes from the original 150, leaving out insights into Cosette's relationship with Valjean and Valjean's escape from the convent, among other scenes. Bring back the original!

I love this movie. It is a very good adaptation, very well acted, and extremely well filmed on wonderful locations. However, as a couple of other reviewers have noted, this DVD is only 123 minutes long, just like the latest video versions. The original was 150 minutes long. (One writer remembers it being 4 or 5 hours long, but I'm reasonably certain what he saw was the 150 minute version plus commercials.) And contrary to what another writer says below, as far as I know you can NOT buy this movie on video new at the original length. (At least be very careful and check the playing times.) The only way to get the original length video that I know of is to look for it on eBay.

Frankly, it's ridiculous that this wonderful movie is finally being released on DVD and it's the abbreviated version. Couldn't someone figure out that if there is a market for anything entitled "Les Miserables" that the attention span of potential buyers is probably longer than average? My 3-star rating reflects my mixed feelings about recommending a wonderful movie that has been cut by more than 20%.

I notice that the DVD is now issued with a cover that is very similar to the cover of the full-length VHS version. DON'T BE FOOLED! For whatever reason, the manufacturer is still pushing the shortened version. Unfortunately, my advice is still to look on eBay (or check it out from a library). Make SURE that the cover says 150 minutes if you don't want to miss nearly a half hour of the movie. I still can't understand this . . .

Update on March 21, 2011: As far as I can tell, all the new commercial versions are still the 123 minute version. And I just checked on eBay . . . Bad news: there are several used VHS copies available, but they all appear to be 123 minutes long also. Be sure to check with the seller if you have questions before buying one. The simple fact that it says "1978" in the description does NOT necessarily mean that it contains the full, original movie. To see the full version, you may have to try to borrow it from a library. It's worth the effort!

Many versions have been made by this classic tale written by Victor Hugo, but none does justice than the 1978 version of top-rated performances by Richard Jordan & Anthony Perkins. This classic story of "one man's search for freedom and another's quest for revenge" will be enjoyed and loved by both men and women. Life's lessons on forgiveness and the giving of oneself to another, portrays a heroic adventure that few dare to endure till the very end. A great paper to write about for school; a great movie to watch as a family and to open for conversation with parents and their children afterwards. A must see by all!

This version has to be one of the most faithful and well presented film adaptions that I have seen (and I have seen quite a few). I was not aware that a good thirty minutes are aparently missing from this version. It does explain a bit. Presumably there was a little more on the Thernadiers? I don't know.
What I do know is that I was very impressed at how faithfully this film manages to capture the spirit of the story. Yes, there are a few points where the story diverges from the book. This is, however to be expected with any adaptation of so massive a novel.
The actors are quite brilliant. Richard Jordan is perhaps a little young for Valjean. While watching, one is never quite taken in by his white hair and wrinkles. He is believably sullen and stubborn in Toulon at the start of the film, and his scene with the bishop is commendable and touching. He has a very good voice for Valjean, speaking with the right mixture of authority and restraint. However, at times I found him to be a little too submissive and over-awed (especially by Javert).
Anthony Perkins as Javert completely stole the show. He was magnificent, embodying in his presentation of Javert a wry wit, a sharp intelligence, a strong sense of duty and honor, and a strong spark of humanity that no other actor I have seen has thought to protray. He looks perfect for the part: tall, thin, and imposing. But I most appreciate about his performance and the handling of the film the way that Javert never appears as a villain. Ever.
Fantine is gorgeously pitiable, if a little simple. Ian Holm makes the briefest of brief appearances as a rascally Thenardier. Gavroche is quite irrepresable, Enjolras is existant, and Marius is rather daffy. M. Gillenormand even turns up a couple of times!
The camera work is quite well handled and the music is subdued and enjoyable.
The minor bones I have to pick is the fact that once again Valjean gets a happy ending (a common trait among film adaptations) and Javert's secondary reason for dying was not properly shown.
But apart from this, the movie was extremely enjoyable and one that I would heartily reccomend.

Jordan and Perkins make a wonderful team. Cosette is not well represented as in the more recent version with Liam Neeson though. I like the way Javert shakes with anger in this movie. Some parts could have been better, but for such a great movie, I am surprised it doesn't get more attention. In many ways, I prefer this to the Liam Neeson version because it doesn't try to add Hollywood touches to Hugo's intentions.