Original subtitles

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.