Les Misérables (Miserables)

So long as poverty and misery still exist on earth,

works such as this may not be in vain.

Film One - TEMPEST IN A SKULL

They ought to thank the man.

- Not a convict! - Feeding them is enough.

You're free.

Your shoulders earned you that much.

The mayor asked that you be rewarded

for your exploit with the town hall statue.

Your sentence was due to end October 1st.

We're releasing you today.

Go change and pick up your passport.

Good.

Aren't you happy?

Sure.

"Jean Valjean, convict. Released 8 September 1 815.

"Profession: tree trimmer.

"Sentenced at age 25 to five years' hard labor on 2 March 1 796,

"for breaking and entering and theft.

"Additional sentences of 14 years for four escape attempts.

"This man is very dangerous.'

Your passport must be stamped in every town you pass through.

Is that clear? They have to know who you are.

It's clear. So it never ends?

After the chains comes the passport.

Here's your due.

109 francs and 15 sous.

Sign.

I counted 171 francs.

Yours is not to count.

The State counts for you, and it's never wrong.

Now sign.

Remember: one repeat offense and you're back here for good.

I know. Thanks.

- How much? - Four sous.

That's at least 15 years of pay!

Nineteen years.

And they cheated me.

- There's two sous missing. - Sorry.

Where you headed?

Pontarlier.

There's laboring work there.

It pays well, but it's far.

Far?

The farther, the better.

Nineteen years of hard labor!

I need to exercise these. I need to walk.

- Which way is it? - Pontarlier?

Head north. Pass by Grasse, then Riez,

until you get to Digne. Then head for Briançon.

Once you get there, ask the way.

- Is that Digne? - Sure is.

Where's the town hall?

Behind the church. You can't miss it.

No, thanks. I have money.

Why can't I get a meal or bed in this town?

- No one would help? - They turned me out everywhere.

Did you knock on that door?

- Which one? - Over there.

Knock on that door. They'll take you in.

Come in.

Come in, my friend.

It's like this:

my name is Jean Valjean. I'm a convict.

I stole a loaf of bread from a bakery.

I was caught and resisted arrest. I got five years.

I tried to escape four times.

I got another 14 years. I spent 19 years in prison.

I got out four days ago.

I walked 12 leagues today.

No one will put me up around here due to my yellow passport.

An old woman said you'd take me in.

What is this here? An inn?

I can pay.

I have 109 francs and 15 sous I earned for 19 years of labor.

I'm tired...

and hungry.

Can I stay?

Mrs. Magloire, set another place.

What?

Didn't you hear what I said?

I'm a convict just out of prison!

Ever see this paper? It closes all doors to me.

Can you read?

"Nineteen years of hard labor.

"This man is very dangerous.'

You hear that?

I'm very dangerous!

Mrs. Magloire, make up the bed in the alcove with fresh sheets.

Sir, we're just about to have supper.

Your bed will be made up while you eat.

You're letting me stay?

A bed...

with a mattress and sheets like ordinary people have?

It's been 19 years since I slept in a bed.

You invite me to supper

and call me "sir"?

Just who are you?

I'm a priest who lives here.

Set your things down, my friend.

Mrs. Magloire, this lamp doesn't give much light.

Do be seated.

There seems to be something missing from this table.

I'll show you to your room.

Good night.

Say... are you crazy?

Putting me next door to you?

A criminal?

How do you know I'm not a murderer?

That's the Lord's concern.

The man's gone! He stole the silver!

He's gone! He stole the silver!

Was that wise, Monseigneur, taking in a man like that?

Good thing he only robbed us!

Good Lord! What a terrifying thought!

Come in.

Monseigneur...

"Monseigneur"! He's a bishop?

You arrested this man?

You've made a mistake. He's not a thief.

The silver.

I gave them to him last night,

along with two silver candlesticks.

He's terribly poor. I had nothing else to give him.

Why didn't you take

your candlesticks?

Mrs. Magloire, go fetch them.

He has employment in Pontarlier. Let him go.

You mean we should release him?

You must.

Here you are, my friend.

Go in peace.

Should you pass this way again,

you'll always be welcome.

The front door is always unlocked, day and night.

And now...

I can wish you luck...

because I know

you will use this silver to become an honest man.

I'm convinced of it.

Good-bye, my friend.

And all alone, I went my way

Light of heart, with nothing to hide

If good fortune walks by my side

One and all will have their day

Mister, my coin.

My coin, mister, please. Give me back my coin.

My 40-sous coin!

- What is it? - It's mine, mister.

Give me my coin. I want my coin!

It's under your foot.

Take your foot away!

Run along, you little brat!

What's this?

Hey, boy!

Hey, boy! Here's your 40 sous!

Where'd he go? Hey, boy!

Come back!

Come back here! I can't keep your money!

What have I done?

What a wretch I am!

Forgive me, Monseigneur.

CONVICT'S PASSPORT

The chains!

The chains again?

Enough is enough.

You promised me the next quadrille.

I promise.

Twice with the same partner... how sinful!

He's a nice dancer.

Your little blonde's not bad-looking. I wouldn't mind trying my luck.

No use, old man. She's virtuous.

- She sent you packing? - I'll tell you if she does.

She's the only one who won't allow familiarities.

She comes every Sunday with the other seamstresses.

She's saving herself for the great romance.

Believe me, I tried myself.

I made a conquest, but he's got a long beard.

Say, they can't take their eyes off you over there.

Me? You think so?

Just for a kiss, you'd have to promise to marry her.

I'll promise her whatever she wants.

And if there's a child?

You're so naive!

Let me have your dance. Introduce me. What's her name?

- Fantine. - Fantine what?

Plain Fantine.

She's an orphan from Montreuil. She has no last name.

Come on.

Don't you think...

Allow me to introduce one of our brightest law students,

my good friend Felix Tholomyès.

He's begged me to let him have the next dance with you.

Mr. Tholomyès...

Miss Fantine.

Yes, I'll say it again.

In five years, our little city of Montreuil-sur-Mer

has been entirely transformed.

A dying community in 1 815,

it now ranks with the most prosperous regions in the land.