Diagonaldi Very well executed

CheerupSilver Very Cool!!!

Kodie Bird True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Dave from Ottawa Perhaps more watchable than the better known recent version with Liam Neeson, this made for TV adaptation of Hugo's classic novel makes for interesting viewing. Those familiar with the musical will note that many episodes not used for set pieces in that adaptation are here, with the effect that this plays like a slightly different story. The emphasis here is on forward story momentum rather than moments of high drama, and the cat-and-mouse story of Javert's pursuit of Valjean moves along at a fair clip. The period look is less lush than in the more recent version, but convincing and appropriate on its own, and the performances of Richard Jordan as the harried Valjean who wants only to do good, and of Anthony Perkins as the relentless and uncompromising Javert are spot on. Les Miz is a great story that can be effectively adapted any number of ways and the choices made here were good ones.

Umar Mansoor Bajwa This TV serial adaptation with Richard Jordan as the protagonist rises above the earlier version of 1952 and the latest release, as well.The great novel by Victor Hugo corresponding to the tumultuous times of the French Revolution, serves to underline the starkly moribund consequences that directly result when there exists a colossal disparity of moral and economic values between the privileged class and the commoners. The screenplay is vivid and emotional outpourings are soul wrenching, but above all, it is Richard Jordan as Jean Valjean who has portrayed the patriarchal and lofty character created by Hugo to its complete magnitude. The story is bred with great upheavals of the turbulent revolutionary era which add epic dimensions to this memorable novel.The novel is the crowning glory of Victor Hugo and the TV serial adaptation is the highest mark of Jordan's career who steals the show, many a times by his smoldering performance, while leaving Perkins (Javert) far behind.

TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews Having never actually read the original, seen any other film adaptation or even watched it performed(due to a general lack of interest in the world of theater), I didn't know much about this before watching. What I did know has all been explained enthusiastically by a friend of mine who loves musicals and plays. As me and the rest of Philosophy class sat down to watch this, I quickly noticed several promising names in the opening credits - including that of Anthony Perkins - and I found myself even more interested in watching it. Though it is arguably less visually impressive than it could have been(and, I'm presuming, than the 1998 version), it's got fairly good direction and it goes into the themes of crime and punishment, dealing with what can cause crime... and what punishment may cause. It was interesting and involving throughout. Running at two and a half hours, it never loses neither momentum nor the audience's attention. The class-room was not always silent as the film's plot played out before us, but I didn't see anyone disinterested or not paying attention. The acting is quite good, though there are a few exceptions. I was surprised by, given that his name was in the credits and how skilled an actor he is, how small a part Ian Holm had. The man can't have been on-screen for more than a few minutes. Perkins is perfect as Javert, the embodiment of law, of order by discipline and punishment for misdeeds. His personal vendetta carries some of the film, alongside the good-hearted acts of Valjean. For anyone who knows the story, knows how the chase ends, I will say that I found the execution of it somewhat under-dramatized herein. My earlier mentioned friend, the theater aficionado, described how he had seen it achieved in a live performance, and I would choose that over the budgeted version we see here. Some of the cinematography also leaves a bit to be desired. However, all in all, I'd recommend this film to anyone interested in the themes it involves and/or a depiction of France leading up to the revolution. I recommend this to any fan of the original story and anyone interested in its well-delivered points about the traditional view on crime and punishment. 7/10

drkriley I just watched a portion of the 1998 video and thought "I don't remember it being with Liam Neeson, since Jean Valjean isn't white-haired after the trial of Champmathieu. And now I found that yes this version is the one I remembered before...which was EXTREMELY fascinating the first time I saw it...which is why I am now reading the book...both movie versions are good, but the 1978 one is better...I need to see it again to compare more accurately with the characters of Cossette and Fantine...the 1998 version is not satisfying about Cosette being a selfish little child in the escape from Javert, nor as a spoiled teen in Paris, ...but I haven't read far enough to make greater comment...KJR