Original subtitles

"As long as ignorance and misery exist in this world...

...stories such as this one will not be told in vain."

Victor Hugo

1802

A chain of galley slaves on their way to the penal colony of Toulon.

The last galleys of the king had rotted long ago...

...in the port waters.

But the last convicts remained for everybody galley slaves.

They were kept busy with hard labor, often of no use.

That's what they called "going to penal servitude."

Go ahead, fast.

You, move.

Father and son come to inspect.

Good morning, chief.

See this one? One couldn't tell, but he tried to escape two times.

Fire in the hole!

Watch it, you guys over there!

It's over for them. They were here for life.

Now they are at peace.

Hey, there.

Stay there.

Come here. Lift your foot.

You've filed your chain, you bastard.

You want to escape? You'll do three more years.

Meanwhile, off to the pontoon, double-chained to the bench.

Go ahead, take him away!

This convict was called Jean Valjean.

He had been condemned to five years of penal colony

for stealing one loaf of bread.

Jean Valjean tried two more times to escape...

and when, at last, came the day of his release

Go ahead!

He had served 19 years.

Here are your things.

You go to the shower, the hairdresser,

the delouser.

Here is your count.

One hundred and nine francs and 15 sous.

Sign here.

No, it's not my count.

I calculated, it is 140 francs.

Less 24 francs for Sundays and holidays,

and 5 francs of city taxes.

Go ahead, sign.

Here is your passport.

You will have to go to the local police station

wherever you go.

Otherwise... you'll be arrested and sent back here.

Understood?

Hey... if you get caught stealing again, you'll get life.

If you threaten with a knife, even with a stick--

armed in any way-- it's death penalty.

Think about that, unless you want to come back and see us.

Freedom. Yes, they were given back their freedom,

but their old convict's passport that had to be stamped everywhere

was bound to their steps like ball and chain.

It was almost impossible for them to find work

and the houses and the inns remained closed for them.

Not far from there, in the little town of Digne,

in the department of Basses-Alpes,

a carnage bearing the coat of arms of the papacy

was coming on the place de l'Evéché.

The visitor wanted to spend the night in the bishop's property.

They told him that Monseigneur Myriel

had left the palace

because it was going to be changed into an hospital,

and that he was living over there.

The little house on the square

- Is Bishop Myriel here? - He went to do his visits.

He shouldn't be long, if you want to come in.

- Thank you. - Look, here he comes.

- Where? - On the donkey.

What? This poor little priest?

You are right, Father, we tell him often his sister and me.

His Grace doesn't take enough care of himself.

He never keep any money for himself.

If you could reason him a little bit...

Good evening.

- Your Eminence. - Please, don't.

It is the first time I ever met a bishop with this sort of carriage.

Yes, I understand why Your Eminence would be shocked.

If you will allow me. He trotted a fair amount.

You think a humble priest shows too much pride

by borrowing a mount which has been used by our Lord.

But I do it by necessity, I assure you, and not by vanity.

- I don't doubt it. - Come.

Come in, Your Eminence, come in.

He is hungry.

But maybe you are, too.

I wanted to stop in your house tonight with my people but

- I am afraid... - Don't be afraid.

Your escort can go to the inn, but I insist on keeping you.

I have an excellent bed for you.

Can I have a look at it?

I have such a hard time to sleep.

- Please. Excuse me. - Thank you.

The supper will be ready in a minute.

When there is enough for three, there is enough for four.

You would deprive me of a great honor if you refuse.

You know how proud I am.

- Here is my bedroom. - Thank you.

Be careful, there is a small step.

Here you are. We'll be neighbors.

It is stocked with fresh oat straws.

It still smells like harvest.

Thank you, but this trip exhausted me.

I need to rest.

If you don't mind, I'll go to the Mayor's house.

- I am not a monk. - As you wish.

We are serving the same cause but not in the same battalion.

The same night...

Come in.

Good evening.

I am sorry, they told me to come knock on this door.

Can I have some soup and a place to sleep?

Of course, come in.

My name is Jean Valjean and I come from the galleys.

Yes, lady, the galleys.

Come in.

I left Toulon three days ago. Today I covered the miles on foot.

I am tired.

Give me your things.

Mrs. Magloire will put down an extra plate.

We will have supper in a moment.

We will make your bed while you'll have your supper.

- Come in. - I have money.

I am not an innkeeper.

Keep your money, sir, you will need it.

You are the priest of the village.

I can't put anything past you.

Miss Baptistine, my sister, and Mrs. Magloire, my governess.

Go ahead, give this gentleman a chair!

Mrs. Magloire, go look for the silverware. We have a guest.

Silverware.

The same that would have been used for the cardinal.

How could they have better shown an unexpected guest

that here he was not considered a galley slave,

but a man?

These ladies are very happy to have you among us.

When we have a guest, we embellish daily life a bit.

And we drink wine.

- Can I serve the soup, Your Grace? - Of course.

This gentleman said he was hungry.

Give me a chair.

I am not tall enough to reach the shelf.

You are surprised to see this wealth in the house of a man

who should be the poorest in the land?

This silverware comes from my grandmother. I am attached to it.

Ah, it's a weakness, I know it.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Could you give me the ladle, please?

Give me your plate, sir. You are probably eager to go to bed.

Mrs. Magloire... you will put white sheets on the alcove bed.

The next day, as always, Monseigneur Myriel

began his day by visiting his garden.

He was leaving Mrs. Magloire responsible for the vegetables

and taking care of the flowers himself.

He used to say that beauty is as important as utility,

maybe more so.

Monseigneur! Monseigneur!

The silverware basket! I had put it away last night,

but it disappeared! Do you know where it is?

Yes, here it is.

But it's empty!

And the silverware, the big ladle-- where are they?

This I don't know.

It is the man from last night, the convict!

He is not in his room anymore.

I was bringing him a glass of milk. His bed is empty.

Good thing I took the candlesticks up to my bedroom.

Go ahead, move, go on!

Monseigneur! Look what this man had in his bag.

We called him out to check his passport and to search him.

This is what he had.

As we knew that last night you had him for dinner,

well, we arrested him.

What did you answer back to them?

Nothing.

Why didn't you tell these gentlemen that I gave them to you?

You even forgot your candlesticks.

I had given them to you with the silverware, why did you leave them?

Mrs. Magloire, go look for this gentleman's silverware.

Go ahead!

Go ahead!

- You had given them to him? - Of course.

- So, we can let him go? - Yes. And give him back his goods.

I'll obey if you say so, Monseigneur.

Why Monseigneur? He is not the priest?

No, it's Monseigneur the bishop. Here.

Thank you, Mrs. Magloire.

Can I offer you a glass of wine, Sergeant?

I would hate to refuse, Monseigneur.

Mrs. Magloire, show them the way.

- Follow me, sirs. - I will be right there.

Thank you.

Wait!

You forget your candlesticks again.

Come on, take them.

Jean Valjean, my brother, I don't believe in the power of money.

But this could help you to become another man.

You don't belong to the bad anymore, but to the good.

It is your soul I am buying.

Jean Valjean left town as if he were running away.

He walked straight ahead all day

and then he collapsed, exhausted, on a log.

He was feeling some kind of rage because he didn't understand

the generosity of this man he had stolen from.

So this was the truth.

During twenty years at the penal colony,

they had taught him a different one.

- What do you want? - I don't want anything.

- Then why are you here? - I was passing by.

So pass.

It's beautiful.

- My coin, sir! - Go away.

- Give me my coin back! - Go away.

- Give it back to me! - Go away, I say!

Eh, listen!

Stop!

Thief. He was a thief.

He understood that he would pay for the silver coin his whole life.

Complaint of Pierre Burloz called Petit Pierre.

Armed robbery.

Dangerous recidivist.

Didn't have his passport stamped any more.

Wanted.

A few years later,

the little town of Montreuil sur Mer in northern France

rose unexpectedly.

A humble craftsman of mysterious origin, Mr. Madeleine,

was applying a new craft process to the manufacture of jewelry.

Soon, he bought the most beautiful house in the region

and transformed it into a hospital,

while he came to live humbly on the other side of the square.

After your hospital, it was a pharmacy free of charge.

Then, an old people's home.

A school for boys. Another for girls.

At last, a help fund for the workers,

which demonstrates your endless generosity

and your relentless commitment to the public welfare.

Your industriousness has brought prosperity to the entire region.

Your big heart is chasing misery, ignorance, and illness.

For these services,

despite your dislike of honors,

in the name of His Majesty,

I appoint you mayor of Montreuil sur Mer.

He had become Mr. Mayor.

People said of him,

this is a rich man who doesn't look pretentious,

and this is a lucky man who doesn't look happy.

When a little chimney sweep was coming into town,

he asked to take him in and gave him some money.

Word circulated, and many more came.

But one day, another visitor came to Montreuil.

All right. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Mayor, I wanted to introduce myself as soon as I arrived.

I am the new Police Inspector.

I was waiting for you.

You will be the head of the City Police under my supervision.

- I will be proud of it. - What is your name?

Inspector Javert.

Javert.

Yes. Javert.

Here is my nomination.

Thank you. What is your service record?

I joined the police 10 years ago.

I did three years in Montauban, four in Moulin, four in Béthune.

I am hoping to be appointed in Paris after my stay here.

I hope it for you. In the meantime, I hope we will get along.

I got the best training.

My father was the head locksmith of the penal colony of Toulon.

I spent my youth among the worst rabble.

We had the indomitable, the headstrong.

Mr. Mayor can't imagine.

- I imagine. - No, you had to be there.

First of all, do you know the rabble, Mr. Javert?

It is simple.

First, there are honest people, established people,

then the ones who have no work, no family, no home.

The first group makes up society and respects the law.

The others respect nothing and attack everything.

My duty is to defend the former against the latter.

- It is not difficult. - Not so easy.

Mr. Mayor, there was an accident.

Old Fauchelevent just fell under his car.

Oh, my God, I don't want to see this!

We have to go look for Mr. Mayor!

Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

We'll have to wait 15 minutes for a hoist!

Go look for a beam to use as leverage.

I will never be able to.

- You are going to hurt yourself. - Take this.

Wait, you guys-

That's it, he is lifting it!

Come on, put the lever there.

Quickly, guys-

- Be careful. - He is in a bad way.

It's nothing, buddy, you'll get out of it.

It's nothing.

- It's great, Mr. Mayor. - God bless you.

I have known only one man capable of doing what you did.

He was a convict at the penal colony of Toulon.

His name was Jean Valjean.

So now you know a second one.

Like in all the little towns,

there was in Montreuil sur Mer a class of young men

who were nibbling on their private income, being deeply bored

while they thought they were having fun.

They had contempt for women, were drinking, yawning,

smelled like tobacco, were playing pool,

were not working, didn't have any use at all.

They spent most of their time at the café,

summers... and winters.

- Spade. - The doormat girl is ready to work.

She is probably freezing her butt off.

- I bet you Louis is going. - Goodbye!

- You've lost, buddy. - Ah, the bitch. Stupid girl.

- Wait, it's going to cost her! - Good luck!

Are you coming, darling?

Don't pretend to be shy.

Hey, we'll have a good laugh.

Bastard! Don't touch me, brute!

Bastard! Swine!

Let me go, let me go!

It's the Magistrate's Court.

Here, sign.

You don't know to do it? All right.

You're good for six months. Take her away.

Six months in jail! It's impossible!

I have my little girl's boarding to pay!

My little Cosette, what will happen to her?

They will throw her outside in the winter's cold!

There is nothing I can do about it.

If I do this work, it is not by vice, I swear!

I swear, I had no more money! I sold everything...

I have a little girl in the countryside!

She is sick! I need some money.

Every whore says the same thing.

- Alas, it is almost always true. - Mr. Mayor...

Ah, it's you, Mr. Mayor?

You came to see your work.

What I have become is because of you.

Well, are you happy? lam going to jail!

I was earning a living in your factory and you threw me out

because I had a little girl without being married.

What did she do to you, my little Cosette?

She is not allowed to laugh and eat like the other children?

I was not aware of all this. Why didn't you come to see me'?

Oh, it's so easy, what with the foremen who bar the way.

A boss? What's the use?

I don't know you, and you neither. All men are pigs!

I have sold all my things, my furniture.

I have sold my hair! I have sold my teeth!

And you know what they told me?

Well, sell the rest!

Well, look at her, look at the whore!

Look at your work!

Bastard!

Give this woman back her freedom.

Come now, Mr. Mayor, this woman has insulted you,

and a moment ago she insulted a bourgeois.

Regarding the bourgeois, I investigated.

He was wrong, and a good policeman should arrest him.

I am sorry to contradict Mr. Mayor, but this girl committed an offense

on the public road. It's in the police report.

I do my duty, and I am keeping the Fantine woman.

She'll be punished as required by the law. It's not as bad as that.

She won't go to the penal colony.

She won't go to the penal colony and she won't go to jail.

This concerns the City Police.

I am your boss, and I ask you to release her.

- I refuse. - I am asking you to obey.

Get out.

Thank you sir, am I free to go? Oh, forgive me.

It is me who ask you to forgive me.

Unfortunately, I don't always know what's going on in my town.

One thinks he is acting for the best and there are still injustices,

but you could have come to see me.

You know I am a man to whom you can explain everything.

- So, you have a little girl? - Yes.

My little Cosette.

We'll take care of her both of us, you'll see. You'll be happy.

I don't think so.

I wish I had known. I wish I had known.

I left Pan's five years ago.

I couldn't stay there no more. You can probably guess why.

But I was filled with hope, the weather was so beautiful.

I wanted to go back home.

- Sir! Sir! - Whoa!

- Can you take us for a little bit? - Yes, of course.

Come up.

You're going far?

- To Montreuil sur Mer. - To Montreuil sur Mer?

Where is that place'?

- In the North. - You're nowhere close to it.

- You're going to tire your legs. - I'll find a way.

I'll bring you to the entrance of Montfermeil.

You'll surely find someone else.

So, you're going to see your daddy?

Yes, he is waiting for us.

Go on, whoa! Whoa!

No, no one was waiting for us.

I was not married,

and Cosette's dad has abandoned us.

To arrive in Montreuil with a fatherless child was impossible

I wouldn't have found work anywhere,

I wouldn't have found a home.

This good farmer left us in Montfermeil.

Montfermeil.

I arrived near the Thénardier Inn

There were these huge wheels with a chain underneath.

It was used to carry trees

It looked like a canon barrel.

But a mother had found a way to make a toy of it for her kids.

That's what made me trust them.

Bring your white sheep in

Let's go to the cottage

The good farmer had told me,

"Oh, I think they are honest.

He used to be a soldier, a sergeant at Waterloo."

You have two beautiful little girls, Madame.

Yours is very cute, too.

Look at them, they look like three sisters.

Madame, the Good Lord brought me to your home.

I can see you're a gentle mom.

Say, would you want to keep mine?

Keep her?

Yes, her father died.

I have no more work in Paris, I am going home, but...

with a child, it's not easy to find work.

When I have earned some money, I'll come back to pick her up,

I will be able to give you six francs per month.

If it helps you. Between women, we have to help each other.

First, I have to talk about it to my husband.

My darling. My little Cosette, you're going to leave your mommy.

She says she would give six francs per month.

It's not enough. Seven. And six months in advance.

Six times seven, forty-two.

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

Your wife spoke to you?

You would agree?

I am square in business and sharp about details.

You have to pay in advance.

Six months at seven francs. Six times seven is 42.

I will give them to you.

This is my count. I leave you to your calculations.

My horses should be rested now.

With all the water they drunk...

- Which way are you going, sir? - Compiégne.

Compiégne! It's on my way. Do you have a little place for me?

- Of course he has a little place. - If that can help you.

All right, goodbye.

But hurry up, I am late. Send her to me right away.

Ah, right away, right away.

You'll give me 15 francs more for the first expenses.

Forty-two plus 15 makes 57.

I can give them to you. I have 80 francs.

Go ahead, I am not watching.

- She has some clothes? - Of course.

You must give them to us!

I wasn't going to leave my little treasure naked.

They're in my baggage outside.

So? If you want to leave, I am on my way.

Yes, she's coming, right away!

Don't worry. You can leave reassured.

Your little one will be like our child.

What's the name of this cutie?

- Cosette. - Cosette?

It's pretty. Why not? And you?

Madame... Madame Fantine.

I'll have a letter written for you as soon as I arrive.

Thank you.

You're welcome. When one can help people... go with her.

I left her there, my little Cosette.

And I never saw her again.

And they ask me for money, always more money.

Don't forget the clothes.

I have worked. I sold myself.

I have no more strength. It's too late.

Doctor.

How is she, doctor'?

Still in the same condition. She asks for her little girl.

She is going to see her soon. I hope even tonight.

May be then she'll feel better but...

it is the last step of phthisis.

And now, it's probably going to go fast.

All these girls, they end up like this.

She's not the first one we've seen here.

Don't be too hard, sister.

Do we do always what we should for these unfortunate souls?

Even you. Even me. So you see...

Mr. Madeleine, I am so happy you came.

When you are here, it seems to me everything is better.

And... Cosette?

They went to look for her.

When she'll be her, you'll feel better, I promise you.

Mr. Mayor.

What is it?

You are alone? And the child?

They refused to let her go.

Mr. Thénardier is asking another 500 francs.

But I think the more we give, the more he'll ask.

- I should maybe go. - He won't give her up.

We have to ask for her before going to pick her up, otherwise...

Ask for the carriage to be made ready with a good horse

for tomorrow morning, 4:00, in front of my house.

- She knows how to write? - No, I don't think so.

Ask for a letter to be written,

explaining that the child should be given to the carrier,

and tell her to sign it.

Do what I asked and come to confirm it at my office.

Yes, Mr. Mayor.

I will be absent a few days.

Here are the orders for Spain and England.

See to it the fabrication starts right away.

Very well, Mr. Madeleine.

It's done, Mr. Mayor. The car will be ready at the time you asked.

Very well, thank you.

Here is a lefter that Sister Simplice asked me to give you.

Thank you.

Come in.

Mr. Mayor, Inspector Javert wants to see you.

Send him in.

What's going on, Javert?

Mr. Mayor, a culpable action has been made.

An inferior officer was disrespectful with a superior magistrate

in the gravest manner.

I am asking you to punish him as much as he deserves it.

- Who is this man? - Me.

And who is the magistrate who has a complaint with you?

You, Mr. Mayor. I come to ask you to discharge me.

What are you talking about?

I could have given my resignation, but it is not enough.

A resignation is honorable, and I must be punished.

I have to be discharged.

Javert, you are a genius in the art of complicating things.

What did you do to me?

I denounced you to the police department of Paris.

You accused me of interfering with the laws of the police?

No. I accused you of being the convict Jean Valjean.

- Who? - I didn't have any doubt.

I had known Jean Valjean at the galleys when I was a child.

I couldn't be wrong.

- You are crazy. - That's what they told me.

You cannot be Jean Valjean

because the real Jean Valjean has been arrested.

Arrested?

Yes, for a trifle.

He stole an apple. He pretended his name was Champmathieu,

but was recognized at the penitentiary of Arras

by an ex-convict who was with him in Toulon.

As I thought I was holding him here, I wanted to see him to be sure.

I went to Arras, they brought me Champmathieu.

So what?

Mr. Mayor, the truth is the truth.

It was Jean Valjean. I recognized him.

- You are sure about it? - Sure.

And what does he say, this Champmathieu?

He says he doesn't understand a thing.

He plays it dumb, simpleminded, but his future is sealed.

What punishment does he face?

There is an old story of armed robbery on a young boy from Savoy.

When he was arrested, he had just jumped over a wall to steal apples.

For a child, it's a mischief, for a man, it's an offense,

but for a convict, it's a crime, it's the galleys for life.

All right, you can leave, Javert.

Mr. Mayor, I remind you that you must discharge me.

No, you thought it was your duty to do so, I am keeping you.

I don't need your kindness--

the kindness that makes you side with the prostitute

against the bourgeois,

with the policeman against the mayor.

This kindness has no value.

If I had not been mistaken about you,

if you really were Jean Valjean,

be assured that I wouldn't have been kind to you.

We'll talk about it later.

- Javert! - Mr. Mayor?

When is this Champmathieu going to be judged?

In Arras, tomorrow.

There is a scenery larger than the sea.

It's the sky.

There is a scenery larger than the sky.

It's the depth of a soul.

In the name of His Majesty,

I appoint you Mayor of Montreuil sur Mer.

What punishment does he face?

For a child it's a mischief, for a man it's an offense,

but for a convict it's a crime, it's the galleys for life.

Jean Valjean comes back.

and Mr. Madeleine will sink into scandal and shame.

Is redemption impossible?

After your hospital, Mr. Madeleine,

it was a pharmacy free of charge,

then, an old people's home, a school for boys,

another one for girls.

At last, a help fund for the workers.

After all, this Champmathieu is a thief

recognized, condemned as Jean Valjean.

I just have to stay quiet and Mr. Madeleine will be safe forever.

Jean Valjean, my brother, I don't believe in the power of money.

But this can help you to become another man.

You don't belong to the bad anymore, but to the good.

It is your soul I am buying.

When is this Champmathieu going to be judged?

In Arras, tomorrow.

Monsieur...

the Royal Prosecutor...

My little girl, what will happen to her?

They will throw her out in the winter's cold.

When you are there, everything seems to go better.

Defendant, do you have something to add for your defense?

Do you still deny being the convict Jean Valjean?

My name is Champmathieu!

Tell them, I was working at Mr. Baloup's as wheelwright.

You can just ask.

Gentlemen of the jury,

I remind you that Mr. Baloup has been subpoenaed in vain.

He was bankrupt and has not been found.

The gentlemen of the jury will appreciate a system of defense

that subpoenas for testimony people who cannot be found.

You are really something.

I have been in jail for three months.

I have been pushed here and there.

People talk against me. They tell me "answer."

The gendarme pushes me and says "answer!"

They always talk about Jean Valjean, but I don't know this person!

Mr. President,

we would like to call again to the bench the convicted

Brevet, Cochepaille, and Chenildieu

to confirm their testimony on the identity of the defendant.

Get up! Come closer.

We are still doubting the testimony of idiots

who have been offered a trip as witnesses for the prosecution.

Do you recognize the defendant as the convict Jean Valjean?

- Sure, it's him. - It's him all right.

I recognize him well.

That's really something!

What are you saying?

I say it's something!

Mr. President! Are we going to tolerate longer such a comedy?

A comedy, indeed!

- Who is this? - Mr. Madeleine, Mayor of Montreuil.

Mr. President.

Jean Valjean, criminal at odds with authority, ex-convict.

I am he.

Look at me carefully. You don't recognize me'?

Now you are witnesses for the prosecution!

You'll have done it all.

You, Brevet, you dirty little crook.

Do you still wear the wool suspenders you were wearing over there?

And you, Chenildieu?

You have a date tattooed on your left arm.

The Emperor's landing. First of March, 1815.

Pull up your sleeve.

Cochepaille, I don't ask to be thanked,

but do you remember the quarry and the rock slide?

- Yes. - And Montenet, chained next to me?

- Who was called the Professor? - Yes.

You remember, now? He was making necklaces with shellac bought

from the sailors going to penal servitude.

Of course! He had them sold back.

He was making a good profit.

That's something!

Mr. Counsel General, Mr. President,

this humble industry of a convict gave me the idea

that originated my prosperity and that of Montreuil sur Mer.

I think you won't have any doubt left of my identity.

Now I have to leave, I have several things to do.

You know whom I am, where I go.

I wouldn't have come to give myself up if I wanted to avoid justice.

Have me arrested when you want.

You shouldn't sing like this, it hurts you.

I can sing now that Mr. Madeleine will bring me back my little Cosette.

Montfermeil is far from here. He won't be back today.

Tomorrow or the day after.

Be patient and everything will go well.

I am patient. I have waited so long.

Five years.

My little girl is now... eight.

I cannot believe it. I still imagine her little, as when I left her.

Yes, I am patient.

There he is!

- No. - Yes, listen!

I recognize his steps.

- It's Mr. Madeleine? - Yes.

You see, he hurried up. He knew I couldn't wait any longer.

And Cosette, how is she?

What's the matter?

- Back already? - And the child?

I am not coming from Montfermeil. I am afraid I won't be able to go.

It will be a cruel deception for her.

Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

Good morning, Mrs. Devos.

She comes to see her grandmother.

Say good morning to Mr. Mayor.

- Good morning, beautiful. - Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

Tell her that the child is here,

and that the doctor doesn't want her to see her right away.

Don't count on me, I cannot say this.

Sister Simplice has never lied.

- Such a small lie, come on. - There are no innocent lies.

A lie, it is a demon.

Very well.

And Cosette? Where is Cosette?

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.

She is here, your child.

She's playing, you hear her?

Oh, she is here. Oh, I want to see her!

No, not right away.

The doctor said you could give her your illness.

You need a lot of rest, a lot of calm.

In a few days when you're better, you'll see your little girl.

But I feel just fine. I don't hurt at all anymore.

I am even... very hungry.

You have no idea how much children help you to go on.

So, you covered all this road by carriage'?

I know it well, I did it by foot, in the old days.

Mr. Madeleine, save me!

Don't be afraid. He is not coming for you.

I see you didn't waste any time.

Come on, quickly.

- Come on. - Mr. Mayor!

There is no more Mr. Mayor.

- Listen, Javert. - Mr. Inspector...

I am asking you three days to go pick up the child of this woman.

You'll come with me if you wish.

Do you take me for a fool?

Three days to go pick up the child of this girl?

Cosette isn't here? Mr. Madeleine, give me back my daughter!

Give me back my little girl, Mr. Madeleine!

There is no more Mr. Madeleine.

There is Jean Valjean, thief and galley slave.

No! Cosette! Cosette!

Are you pleased with yourself?

I would advise you not to disturb me now.

I will take care of your child, I promise you.

Now I am at your disposal.

To be an ex-convict is sometimes an advantage.

The same night, Mr. Madeleine's sen/ant. ..

Mr. Madeleine! But I thought you were...

In jail. As you see, I am not there anymore.

I knew you were not a scoundrel. Did they let you go?

Not quite. But listen, I never came here tonight

and you never saw me.

- Is that clear? - Yes.

- Sister. - Mr. Mayor!

There is no Mr. Mayor anymore.

- Is it true, you have... - Yes.

But then...

To pick up her child, I needed my freedom, I took it.

Take this money to bury her decently, the rest is for those without work.

You must take it. It has been honestly earned.

All my life, I only stole one bread and 2 francs.

Thank you.

And the little one, what will you do with her?

I don't know. Javert will chase me.

I hope the police formalities will allow me to get before him at Montfermeil.

But after that...

Go to Paris, 62 Rue de Picpus, at the convent of the sisters of Saint-Benoit.

Tell the Reverend Mother that I am sending you.

You will tell her... the name I abandoned 20 years ago.

Eugénie de Blémeur. It will be enough.

Excuse me, sister.

The convict Jean Valjean, alias Madeleine, has escaped.

He stopped at his house a few minutes ago.

He has been seen near the hospital.

You have been here for a long time'?

Yes.

And you haven't seen him?

No.

In Montfermeil, there was a very old belief.

People said that in the forest near the village,

the devil came on Christmas night to bury his treasures.

But that night...

one could have seen a strange hobo digging the ground.

Well, me, if I was lucky enough to meet him digging a hole,

I wouldn't escape.

I would tell him... can we share?

Don't be afraid my loves.

If the devil comes, mommy will chase him.

Work, you!

- What? My horse didn't drink? - Cosette!

You didn't give water to this gentleman's horse?

Oh, yes, Madame, the horse drank a full bucket.

A tiny thing like this who such big lies.

It's not true.

This is no way to speak to a client.

Go, toad, go give something to drink to this horse.

Yes, Madame.

But, Madame, there is no more water.

- Then pump it. - But the pump is broken.

So go to the source, go on.

- In the wood? - Yes, hurry up.

Don't be afraid. The devil won't eat you.

You want to buy it?

- No. - Why? You have no money?

- That's it? - Yes.

It's your mommy who sends you for the water so far away?

I think I have no mommy.

What do you mean, you think you don't have any?

- I never saw her. - So who is this water for?

It's for my boss, Mrs. Thénardier.

Thénardier?

What's your name?

- Cosette. - Cosette?

It's you, Cosette?

Well, it took you a while.

Madame, I found a sir who came to the house.

- Do you have a carriage, sir? - No, I am walking.

It's this way.

He wants to eat.

Strange weather, hey?

Do you want a room?

No, it's for dinner only.

You must pay in advance.

I will Pay-

- It's 40 sous. - All right.

It's 20 sous, the price.

Not for the poor. It stains a house to have these people.

He's not even from around here.

Work a little bit instead of looking.

So, you have a good time, my loves?

Yes, Mommy.

Look how her little hat suits her.

Such little treasures.

Your horse has enough to drink.

He is like his master.

Here you are.

What does she do here, the little one?

She's darning my socks, of course.

She must earn her keep, poor thing. A child we took as charity.

How much do you sell your socks for?

Sir, my socks are not for sale.

And if I were giving you a Louis for it?

A Louis?

Here.

Here, sir, they are yours.

- With the meal, we're even. - They are beautiful socks.

You can keep them. But now...

this child's time belongs to me.

Have a good time, little one.

She wants to take my doll.

You are leaving, sir?

I am coming back.

- Look what he gave me. - Who is that man?

It's Rothschild!

We must make him spit out some more of them before he goes.

He left.

It's a good one, at least.

On my way out, I met Santa Claus.

He asked me if I knew a Mademoiselle Cosette,

and if she was well behaved.

I answered yes. I am not sure I was right.

It's a banker!

Well, my Cosette, this gentleman gives you a doll!

Take it, it's yours.

What do you say to the gentleman?

She doesn't need to tell me anything.

I am just the messenger.

Now it's may be time to put these little girls to bed.

If Monsieur doesn't mind...

holidays are work days for us.

This cutie has to get up early.

Go to bed, my lovelies. Say something, you, for God's sake.

Yes, darling, we are going to bed.

Eponine, Azelma, come too, my darlings.

I am going to call her Catherine.

It's also time for us to go to bed. You are waited for in your place.

It's one hour you haven't drunk anything.

Come on, go out. We haven't paid!

Never mind. It's not Christmas every day.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

I'll put it on your account.

Drink this. It's the wine I sell to the customers, a good one.

Monsieur gives me a great honor.

So you are coming from far away?

- Paris. - Ah.

Not a lot of people for a Christmas night.

Ah, Monsieur, times are hard.

We don't have a lot of bourgeois in our region.

If we didn't have rich and generous travelers from time to time...

You have a little servant who doesn't cost you too much.

A fortune, she costs us

It's small, but it eats.

It's incredible, how much it eats.

And it's not strong. It cannot do much hard work.

We keep her because she has no family.

By charity. And she needs clothes. Winters are cold.

And I have two more little girls,

not to mention the very last one,

a boy who came I know not how.

Because of the cold.

All of this costs money.

And if someone would help you by taking her away?

Taking who? Cosette?

Ah, Monsieur, take her, keep her, eat her, and be blessed

by the Virgin Mary and all the saints in Heaven.

Very well, go look for her. I am taking her with me.

- Right away? - Right away.

- I am going. - One moment.

Go to the kitchen, I have to discuss all of this with Monsieur.

I truly adore this child.

I noticed.

We are not rich, but one has to do something for the Lord.

I have bread for her. I love this little one.

My wife has a temper, but she adores her, too.

No, I cannot accept. We would miss her.

I need to hear babbling in the house.

Or... it's 1,500 francs.

Go look for her.

- Here you are. - Thank you.

You're missing all the good opportunities.

Fifteen hundred francs! He is stinking rich.

You are right.

- Here are your 1,500 francs. - What does that mean?

I keep Cosette. I thought about it, and I cannot do this.

It's her mother who entrusted her to me.

I can only give her back to her mother.

Or... it's 5,000 francs. You won't have one franc more.

You mention her mother. You're right.

Do you know this signature?

It's a good imitation.

Well, all right.

Why you didn't show me this in the first place?

Because I have my reasons.

I have to think about this.

Ah, no, I have to leave right away.

You have time. You will leave tomorrow morning.

All right. Show me my room.

I am sure we will reach an agreement.

Sergeant of Waterloo.

Keep the carriage and watch the door.

You, go behind the house and wait for me.

I am coming in. Come.

- Police. - Oh, my God.

You are keeping the daughter of a so-called Fantine. She is still here?

- Everybody is asking for her today. - Everybody?

Everybody, indeed. A man came with a paper from the mother.

- He left? - No, he is upstairs.

- We come just in time. - You are not going to arrest him!

- He owes me money. - Shut up, take us to him, quietly.

Be careful, he is dangerous.

Dangerous? I follow you, then. You, stay here.

It's his room.

You're caught!

Nobody.

I don't understand. I took him here myself.

Shut up. We have to search all rooms.

Not here, it's a married couple.

Be careful, watch the doors.

Don't be afraid. I am taking you with me. You want to?

Quietly or the Thénardiers would take you back. Come.

- Come on. - And Catherine?

Where did you leave her? Downstairs?

Hide here, I'll go look for her.

There is this. It leads to the stable. She may have gone that way.

He cannot escape. He is trapped. I am going.

- Show me the way. - Nothing is burning!

If you are here, say it, we'll negotiate.

What a surprise.

Let's share and I'll shut up.

There is no one in the stable. He didn't go this way.

Virgile!

And this room, what is it'?

My little girls' room. I was just there.

I am downstairs, where are you?

What's the matter? You have him?

What are you doing downstairs?

Wait.

Come on my shoulders. Go on.

Some horses and a carriage, quickly!

Go to Paris. 62 Rue de Picpus,

at the convent of the sisters of Saint-Benoit.

Tell the Reverend Mother that I am sending you.

You will tell her... the name I abandoned 20 years ago.

Eugénie de Blémeur.

The convent's groundskeeper was wearing on his knee

a bell that was chasing the nuns away,

because they were forbidden to look upon a man, even from far.

Cosette! Come!

Come!

I am sorry, Mother.

Don't apologize, Mr. Fauchelevent. Fatherly love is blessed by God,

but nevertheless...

You shouldn't distract her from her studies.

First, she has to forget she has been very unhappy.

Where would be better than here to forget?

You know, life is so hard.

Here, she'll be safe, away from the world's temptations.

She'll become a good servant of God.

In any case, she'll be ugly.

Not far from there,

another groundskeeper was also dreaming

while taking care of his flowers.

He used to be an officer of Napoleon,

Colonel Pontmercy.

Since the Restoration, he was getting half his pay

and was forbidden to wear his Legion of Honor.

He was only allowed to show his scars.

His father-in-law, an ultra-royalist, had told him,

"I will raise your child. He will be my heir,

but on one condition: that you disappear."

The officer was poor. For his son's sake, he had accepted.

Marius Pontmercy had become a man

without having seen his father again.

Mr. Marius's grandfather asks for Mr. Marius in the living room.

After 50 years in this house, I change servants very often,

and their name is Nicolette.

It's more practical to keep the same name.

Your name will be Nicolette and you will have 50 francs per month.

For the service, you will ask

for Mademoiselle Gillenormand, my daughter.

What is your nephew doing? Go check.

In the room of this young man?

The height of prudery is to multiply defenses

in the places least likely to be attacked.

- Yes... - You asked for me?

Marius!

Your father writes to us. He says he is sick, he wants to see you.

You want me to go there?

I know what you think, my poor child.

It's not your fault if you are the son of one of these scoundrels

who killed our king and bled France.

But it's our duty to defend the family's traditions.

It looks serious. It's not him who writes, it's the doctor.

It's your father.

Even if he was in the galleys, you would have to go.

You will take the stagecoach tomorrow morning at six.

This letter has been in my pocket for two days already.

When he arrived in a dark room, he found three men.

One was standing up. One was sitting down.

And a third one was laying down

and didn't wait for him anymore.

And facing this deceased man Marius learnt who was his father.

Simple soldier, one arm broken fighting beside General Kleber,

Second Lieutenant in Lodi,

Legion of Honor in Austerlitz,

one of the three survivors of the Eylau cemetery.

Captain in Friedland for his 12th wound,

Colonel at Waterloo.

The Thénardiers were also at Waterloo.

The wife was canteen keeper and he was sergeant.

Can I come out? ls there any danger?

- No. - And what's going on?

The English are still resisting.

Wait. I want to see this.

Come! It seems to be going badly for the Emperor.

Each of these lines is a regiment?

And these others who walk and shine under the sun,

it's the white cuirasses.

It's at least 60,000 Prussians.

And they are all fresh.

The guard!

Lay down or you'll go to your death if the officer sees you!

- It's his last reserve, he is done. - Be quiet.

Tomorrow, sweetie, we'd better become royalists.

Close the ranks!

Close the ranks!

Close the ranks!

Close the ranks!

Hold firmly!

And the night fell on 60,000 corpses.

Great, an officer.

Who won?

The English.

I have a broken leg. Don't let them take you.

Me, I am done, but you, go away.

They don't scare me.

I'll get you out of here.

I could even find a carriage, but I need money.

- Your name? - Sergeant Thénardier, and you?

Colonel Pontmercy.

I will never forget.

Don't worry.

There.

For my son.

At Waterloo, a man saved my life.

His name is Thénardier. I could never find him again.

If my son meets him, he has to be as generous as possible with him.

The Emperor made me a Baron on the battlefield.

The Restoration is contesting me this title.

My son will take it, and he will carry it,

and he will deserve it.

Baron! You are baron, now? What does that mean?

My father bequeathed me this title, earned with his blood.

And I will be proud to carry it.

Your father? It's me!

My father is a man who gloriously served the Republic,

the Emperor, and France.

And he made only one mistake:

to love too much two ingrates, his homeland and myself.

Marius! Abominable child!

All these people were rogues, murderers, red bonnets!

Thieves! Baron!

You are about as much a baron as my slipper!

All bandits who betrayed their king

and served Robespierre and Bonaparte!

All cowards who ran away

from the English and the Prussians at Waterloo.

Traitors and cowards, all of them!

All of them, you hear?

Down with the Bourbons, and this pig, Louis XVIII.

A baron like Monsieur and an old emigrant like me

cannot stay under the same roof.

I am asking you to leave this house today.

I'll be thrilled to do so.

Father, you are quite right.

Daughter, you are an ermine of stupidity

without one stain of intelligence.

Marius, without any money,

went to live in a shack, not far from the gate of Italy...

not far from the district of the horse market.

Without quitting his law studies,

started doing translations to earn his living.

But his neighbors didn't respect his work.

Are you going to shut up?

One cannot work here! You'll see, if I lose my temper!