Les Miserables

Main Plot

In Glenn Jordan's adaptation of "Les Miserables," the story follows Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, who is released after 19 years. Despite his attempts to lead an honest life, he is relentlessly pursued by the zealous Inspector Javert. Valjean's journey intertwines with that of Fantine, a destitute woman forced into desperate circumstances to provide for her daughter, Cosette. Valjean promises to care for Cosette, and their lives become entangled with the revolutionary fervor of 19th-century France. The film explores themes of justice, redemption, and the struggle for a better life against the backdrop of social and political upheaval.

Characters

• Richard Jordan played Jean Valjean, a former convict who seeks redemption and becomes a force for good, while being pursued by Inspector Javert.
• Anthony Perkins played Javert, a relentless police inspector determined to capture the fugitive Jean Valjean. His unwavering pursuit drives much of the story's conflict.
• Cyril Cusack played the character of Bishop Myriel, whose act of kindness transforms Jean Valjean's life, setting the story's central redemption theme in motion.

Ending Explained

In the 1978 film adaptation of "Les Misérables" directed by Glenn Jordan, the conclusion centers around the resolution of Jean Valjean's tumultuous life. After years of evading capture, Valjean's past catches up with him when Inspector Javert, who has been relentlessly pursuing him, finally apprehends him. However, during the climactic barricade scenes of the June Rebellion, Valjean has the opportunity to kill Javert but instead chooses to spare his life, demonstrating his moral transformation and commitment to mercy. Javert, unable to reconcile Valjean's act of kindness with his rigid belief in justice, is thrown into a crisis of conscience. This internal conflict leads Javert to take his own life by jumping into the Seine River, unable to live with the moral ambiguity. Valjean, now free from Javert's pursuit, focuses on ensuring the safety and future of Cosette, his adopted daughter. He reveals his true identity to Marius, Cosette's lover, and receives Marius's gratitude and respect. In his final moments, Valjean dies peacefully, surrounded by Cosette and Marius, having redeemed himself through his acts of compassion and love. The film closes with a sense of resolution and redemption, highlighting the themes of forgiveness and the enduring human spirit.