"Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo - Every adaptation

A poor wanderer in the middle of winter is that no one helps him except the priest of a parish who gives him food and room to sleep. But the homeless man pays for it by stealing valuables from the church.

The present subject deals with the imprisonment of Jean Valjean and the incidents immediately following his release. He is first shown in his humble home, his family utterly destitute. Half-crazed by hunger and the sufferings of his wife and children, Jean breaks the window of a bake shop and steals a single loaf of bread, with which he hurries home to his little ones, who eagerly seize the crusty loaf as the gendarmes arrive to apprehend the thief. Condemned to serve in the galleys, his sentence is prolonged by his frequent efforts to escape, but at last the governor of the prison sends for him. He is given his passport, on which is entered the evil record of this law-made criminal, and with a few coins in his pocket he is given his liberty, clad in filthy rags, with matted hair and beard and without a friend in the world. The money avails him little, for the people will have naught to do with a jailbird and they turn him from their doors. He at last arrives at the home of the good bishop, who makes him welcome at his own table and offers him a bed for the night, greatly to the alarm of the women of his household. The clock striking three rouses the ex-convict, and. stealing into the bishop's room, he robs the good man of the household silver. He escapes from the house without detection, but any passing police officer has the right to inspect his passport, and Jean's appearance makes him an object of suspicion to all; no seeks to escape by flight, but is caught and confronted with the bishop in the latter's home. The officers are proud of their capture, but the man of God denies the theft, well knowing what Jean's fate will be if he is returned to the galleys: and to make more convincing his denial of theft, he hands to Valjean his silver candlesticks. "I gave these too," he declares, "You must have forgotten them." The abashed officers retire with the bishop's blessing, and his fervent prayers affect the stony heart of the convict, who kneels in prayer beside his benefactor.

This second incident deals with the unfortunate Fantine and Jean Valjean, now a respectable member of society, thanks to the generous action of the good bishop, and Mayor of the town, is known as M. Madeline. Fantine, betrayed and deserted, is forced to leave her little girl, Cosette, with the evil Thenardier, who abuses the unfortunate child and persistently bleeds the mother with demands for money. She is unable to obtain work and is forced to sell her beautiful hair for ten francs to send Thenardier, who declares that Cosette needs warmer clothing. Later she is told that Cosette is ill and that money is needed for medical attendance. She cannot supply the sum, but encountering a traveling dentist, who is searching for sound teeth from which to construct false plates, she sells her teeth for the needed sum. She is exhausted by the shock of the extraction and Javert, the cruel Inspector of Police, jeers at her. She has refused his advances and he is determined to win her, persecuting her with his attentions. M. Madeline saves Fantine from his importunities and incurs the enmity of Javert. In exerting his prodigious strength to release the citizen Fauchelevant from beneath an overturned cart, he arouses the suspicions of Javert, who was a keeper in the galleys where Jean served his sentence. Javert recalls Jean's almost superhuman strength and, to test his theory, tells M. Madeline that he suspects Champmathier of being Jean Valjean. He arrests Champmathier and brings into court a number of convicts to testify to his identity, which they do readily enough. Jean, unwilling to see an innocent man suffer, discloses his identity, freeing himself but bringing upon himself the rigors of the law. His arrest is so great a shock to Fantine, now deprived of her benefactor, that she falls dead as Jean once more is held in the grasp of the law.

The third in the series of films de luxe based upon incidents of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Cosette will be found to be a worthy successor to The Galley Slave and Fantine. Although telling a complete story in itself, the action forms a continuation of the earlier releases. Jean Valjean has escaped from the galleys at Toulon and is supposed to have been drowned, but he is seen emerging from the sea and concealing himself in the thicket. He makes his way to the little village of Montfermeil, where, when eluding the police after the galley slave bad been recognized as M. Madeleine, the Mayor of his town, he buried the money be withdrew from the Paris bank. Provided with funds be makes his way to the inn of the Thenardiers, where poor little Cosette, the child of the dead Fantine, is the slave of the brutal innkeeper and his still more callous wife. Jean purchases Cosette's freedom, but Thenardier repents his bargain and the letter given Jean by Fantine, to whom he had promised the release of her child, is produced. Jean hurries away with the child and makes for Paris, but here he is again recognized by Inspector Javert and is pursued by the police. He seeks safety in scaling the wall of the Convent of Little Picpus, and here he finds Fauchelevant, whom be bad befriended in the old days. The old man secretes him in the coffin prepared for the dead nun as the soldiers demand admittance. To evade suspicion old Fauchelevant accepts the proffered aid of the soldiers in burying the coffin, and though each spadeful of earth brings the cold sweat to his brow, he continues his task until the soldiers retire and he is able to break open the coffin and remove the insensible man.

Jean Valjean, a good and decent man who has nevertheless been convicted of a crime, escapes incarceration and lives for years shadowed by the vindictive and merciless man of the law, Javert.

Jean Valjean, hardened and embittered but newly released from prison is transformed by his interaction with the Bishop of Digne.

Dramatized from Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables." This film deals with the second chapter in the reformed life of Victor Hugo's hero, Jean Valjean, whom we first met in "The Price of a Soul." It deals with the arrival of the convict, Valjean, at the factory which in later years he comes to own. After the prologue where this is shown the action proceeds after an interval of twenty years, showing the unfortunate Fantine and her child, Cosette, their arrival at the inn of the Thenardiers and her leaving Cosette in their keeping. Next comes her application for work in the factory which is now owned by the Mayor, the man whom we know as Jean Valjean, the convict. Of course his past record is unknown in the town where he has risen from the humble position of a workman to that of chief magistrate. We see Fantine discharged later from the mill for some petty offense and, receiving a letter from the custodians of her child demanding money for a doctor for the little one, driven by desperation into the street. We see her attacking a citizen, who mistreats her, and then, in the Police Station, brought face to face with the Mayor. Believing that he is responsible for her discharge from the mill and her subsequent downfall, she thinks that he jests when he bids the officers release her, and, flying into a rage, she insults him. But his great heart is proof against such treatment and he makes her understand that she has misjudged him, and that henceforth she will be cared for. Here another interesting figure enters the story, that of Javert, the inexorable Inspector of Police. He has a suspicion that the Mayor much resembles a certain convict, Jean Valjean, whom he saw in former years. Inquiry confirming the belief, he sends a letter of denunciation to the State authorities; but the arrest of a peasant for stealing apples and the testimony of three galley-slaves to the fact that he is Jean Valjean, lead Javert to apologize to the Mayor and acknowledge that the real Jean Valjean has been found. Then follows the terrible struggle which Jean Valjean has with himself. Shall he let an innocent man suffer for his old convict record or shall he announce his own identity and thus sacrifice all his years of happiness and all of his present power and position? His promise to Fantine to bring her child to her makes his decision all the harder, but, remembering the good bishop who had taught him the better way and had bought his soul for good, he makes the sacrifice. In a powerfully dramatic scene he appears in the court room just as sentence is about to be pronounced on the other man, announces his own identity, and later, at the bedside of Fantine, submits to arrest at the hands of the relentless Javert.

As in the two previous films this story, though complete in itself, is really another incident in the life of Victor Hugo's hero, Jean Valjean. It begins with his heroic rescue of an unfortunate sailor who has fallen and hangs suspended between sea and sky from the yardarm of a man-of-war. Jean Valjean, the convict, gets permission from the officer and, climbing the rigging, rescues the man. His feet having been set free to perform this office, he takes advantage of the fact and pretends to accidentally fall from the yardarm into the sea. Once there, he disappears from view, and the careful search of the officers and sailors results in the decision that the man has drowned. But we see him reappear in the forest where he has before his arrest secreted clothing and funds, and we see him find the unfortunate Fantine's little daughter, Cosette. She has been sent by the brutal Thenardiers to bring water from the spring, and when the giant convict reaches down and takes the heavy pail from her hands a new chapter is opened in both her life and his own Jean returns with her to the inn, and, after saving her from a whipping at the hands of Madam Thenardier, he offers to take the child from them. They drive a hard bargain, making him pay expenses far in advance of what has been actually incurred for the child, but he takes her with him. Regretting that they have not driven a still more advantageous bargain, the Thenardiers decide to attempt to secure more money for her release, and Thenardier himself pursues Jean and Cosette, overtaking them in the woods. Jean refuses to take back the money and relinquish the child, and, when Thenardier grows insistent, he produces the deathbed order from her mother, proving his right to the child. He does this with full knowledge of the risk he runs of being traced by the authorities, but sees no other way out of it. The result is that Thenardier and his wife make the case known to Inspector Javert, the inexorable officer who has pursued our hero throughout the story. Javert follows him to Paris, where he and Cosette have taken humble lodgings, and, after satisfying himself that Jean is really the convict he is searching for, he secures gendarmes and follows him. In attempting to escape, Jean and Cosette find themselves in a close alleyway almost surrounded by high walls, the only entrance being that through which the soldiers are coming. Jean takes advantage of the dexterity learned as a convict and succeeds in climbing an angle of the stone wall, and pulling Cosette up after him, drops over into the convent yard just in time to baffle his pursuers. Javert and the soldiers linger in this part of the town and the danger is by no means past. Jean finds, in the gardener of the convict, an old employee, whose devotion prompts him to secrete Jean from the nuns until an opportunity occurs to get him safely away. This opportunity comes through the desire of the nuns to bury one of their number beneath the altar, which is in direct disobedience of a city ordinance. To seem to comply with the ordinance they must send a coffin supposed to contain the nun to the cemetery. The faithful old employee is entrusted with this task and as a reward for its successful carrying out, is promised a position in the convent employ for his brother and his brother's little daughter. Jean Valjean is thus secure of a future for himself and Cosette. In the coffin Jean Valjean travels safely past Javert and his soldiers to the graveyard, where Cosette, who has been carried out in the old employee's basket, meets him. But the grave-digger at the cemetery insists on carrying out the duties of his office and burying the casket, and it is only through a clever ruse on the part of the faithful old servitor that the grave-digger is gotten out of the way and Jean finally released. This film contains more dramatic incidents than either of its predecessors, and the touching story of the young child's loving influence in the life of the great-hearted Jean Valjean will make a direct and moving appeal to everyone.

First feature length French film adaptation of the story of former convict Jean Valjean who is hunted down by ruthless inspector Javert in mid 19th century France. Released in four parts, like a serial.

Jean Valjean, a good man convicted of a minor crime, escapes from imprisonment and spends the rest of his life running from the vindictive and implacable man of the law, Javert.

Jean Valjean, guilty of a minor theft of food, is pursued and hounded for years by a relentless lawman, Javert.

The Thenardiers and their small daughter, Eponine, and young son, Gavroche, are seen at their dingy country tavern. Here little Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, is seen performing drudgery and menial tasks. The Thenardiers are treating their own children kindly, but are cruel to Cosette. One day she is sent for water with a heavy pail. On the way she passes a toy store, and longingly admires a doll. On her way back she meets Jean Valjean, who asks her the way to the Thenardiers. Cosette leads him toward their place. On the way she looks longingly at the doll once more, and her action is observed by Valjean. He has learned by her talk that she is Fantine's child, whom he is seeking. Cosette runs ahead, and Valjean enters the tavern while Cosette is being scolded. He remonstrates with the Thenardiers, and goes out to the toy store and buys the doll for Cosette. Returning, he informs the Thenardiers that he has come to pay the child's board bill, and take her away. They gleefully accept the money and Valjean departs with the little girl. Thenardier, thinking he might have got more, follows him, but Valjean shows him the note that Fantine had written before she died, telling him to take care of the child. Valjean realizes a sum of money on securities, and decides to live in an obscure house in the poor quarter of Paris with little Cosette, away from the prying police. But the janitress of the house becomes suspicious of her new tenants and calls in the police after peeping and observing Valjean counting money, an unusual thing in that quarter of Paris. Javert by this time has been appointed to the detective force of Paris. He considers this case worthy of his personal inspection and goes to Valjean's lodgings and secrets himself in the garret above Valjean's room. Valjean takes alarm at Javert's boring through the ceiling. He leaves quickly, carrying Cosette, but is followed by Javert and his men. He is cornered in a blind alley, but makes his escape with a clothes line by the thrilling and dramatic feat of scaling an almost perpendicular wall. After a night of suspense he finds himself biding in the grounds of a convent. Here he meets the old gardener, Fauchelevent, whom he assisted from under the wagon and obtained for him his present position. The old man shows his gratitude by giving them asylum and getting Valjean a position as assistant gardener. The old man introduces him to the nuns as his brother, and thereafter Valjean is known as "Fauchelevent." Javert gives up the hope of capturing Valjean. Years after, Valjean still known as "Fauchelevent," is living in quiet ease with Cosette, now grown up, as his daughter. The Thenardiers have moved to Paris and are living in poverty, under an assumed name. In the next room to them dwells Marius, a student. Thenardier frequently appeals to him for money, and usually gets some. Eponine, Thenardiers daughter, also grown up, has fallen deeply in love with Marius, unbeknown to him. Marius walks and studies in the park, and there for the first time sees Cosette, sitting with her "father" Valjean. The two young people are attracted by each other at once. A little later Valjean is accosted by Eponine who is begging. She tells a pitiful story and Valjean and Cosette decide to go to her home and investigate the condition she has told concerning her family. Arriving there, Valjean leaves his coat and money, but neither he nor Cosette are recognized by any of the Thenardiers. As they leave the place, Marius is just returning home and he again comes face to face with Cosette, an incident which Valjean does not seem to like. Cosette accidentally drops a rose, Marius quickly picks it up and presses it to his lips. This action is observed by Eponine who becomes intensely jealous. Valjean has left his address with the Thenardiers in case they should need any further assistance. Marius demands of Eponine to give him the address, and this she does in a spirit of self-sacrifice. Marius starts at once to the house where Valjean and Cosette reside. He writes a note declaring his love, and puts it on a garden bench where Eponine has informed him Cosette lingers every evening. At this moment Cosette appears, reads the note and is surprised by Marius who has stepped behind the bushes at her approach. Valjean coming, suspects something, though Marius gets out of the way, and Cosette is taken to task by her foster father for the first time in his life. Marius has a wealthy grandfather who dotes on the lad provided his wishes are followed. The young man writes him of his love for Cosette and begs his sanction to an early marriage. The grandfather sends for Marius and tells him he cannot consent. .Marius repudiates him then and leaves in high anger. -- Moving Picture World synopsis

The rebellion of 1832 is on. There is rioting and barricading in the streets. Marius in despair, and in the hope that a bullet will soon end his life, joins the mob and becomes a fighter in the ranks of the insurgents. Javert gets orders to investigate the extent of the insurrection. He assumes a disguise, and goes to a tavern, the headquarters of the rebellion, He is quickly recognized and seized. They search him and tie him to a wooden pillar. Documents on him reveal his identity, and the rioters condemn him to die if the barricade is taken. Martial law is proclaimed, and the people are ordered to disperse. They refuse, and a volley is fired. Eponine, in the mob, dies at the first fire. Marius thinking his death to be at hand, writes a note to Cosette, telling her where to find his body in case he is killed. Gavroche is sent with the note, but Valjean gets it at his home. He sees that this love affair is deeper than he bad supposed, and he goes to the scene of the rioting to find Marius. Gavroche is killed while trying to secure ammunition for the revolutionists in searching dead soldiers for cartridges. Fierce fighting follows and the rioters, realizing that they are losing ground, order the execution of Javert. Valjean interferes and tells them that Javert's life belongs to him. Taking Javert outside, Valjean frees his hands, fires a pistol in the air, and lets Javert go, thereby sparing his life. The military take the barricade by storm. Marius badly wounded, is picked up by Valjean, who disappears into a sewer opening and escapes with him underground. Javert, in the streets, comes upon Thenardier robbing the dead. In pursuit of this man, he comes upon Valjean emerging from another part of the sewer. Javert drops Thenardier and arrests Valjean. Valjean shows him the note of Marius to Cosette concerning the disposing of his body, and he begs permission to take Marius to the home of his grandfather before submitting to arrest. Javert consents, but accidentally drops upon the ground the order of arrest for Jean Valjean, which he has carried on his person, Thenardier pounces upon the order and keeps it for future blackmailing purposes. He also follows Valjean and Javert to the home of the grandfather of Marius. Javert observing the God-like character of Valjean, is overcome with remorse, and for the first time in his life departs from his path of duty and allows his prisoner to escape. He then writes his resignation to the police, and, as a public acknowledgment of his mortification and weakness, he ends his own life. The grandfather of Marius is deeply grateful for the boy's safe return. He sends for Valjean and asks the hand of Cosette for Marius. This Valjean grants, and transfers his property to Cosette. The lovers are married at the church, at which time Valjean shows the first signs of failing health. Thenardier thinks the time now ripe to commence blackmailing with the order of arrest. He negotiates with Marius, who buys it from him for a good sum. Marius goes to see Valjean to question him about the paper, but finds him low in health, and fondling Cosette's little dress of other days, the place lighted with the good priest's candlesticks. Marius hands him the order of arrest. Valjean feebly acknowledges it, and tells the story of his persecutions. Cosette arrives as Valjean is dreaming of the good priest who helped him to be a better man, and soon he expires peacefully in the arms of his two children. -- Moving Picture World synopsis

Jean Valjean, a good and decent man who has committed a minor crime, is imprisoned but escapes. He is pursued thereafter for years by Javert, the cruel and implacable arm of the law.

A series of twelve short films re-enacting highlights from famous novels. Individual titles are: #1: Trilby; #2: Les Miserables; #3: Sappho; #4: Nancy; #5: Fagin; #6: La Tosca; #7: Scrooge; #8: Vanity Fair; #9: East Lynne: #10: A Tale of Two Cities; #11: Moths; #12: David Garrick.

Jean Valjean is a good man who is nevertheless convicted and imprisoned for a minor offense. When he escapes, he is pursued for decades by the unrelenting lawman, Javert.

Very early sound version of a one-act play based on the "Bishop" sequence in Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables". The first filming of any portion of "Les Miserables" with sound.