What makes it different from others?

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Based upon Victor Hugo's classic nineteenth century novel is this lavish epic about humanity's many levels of compassion, selfishness, brutality and love. In short, the good and evil of mankind.One can immediately appreciate writer/director Claude Lelouch's passion and sincere admiration for Hugo's story, as he lovingly relates to us the story of Henri Fontin, a man whose miserable beginnings yet big heart parallel those of the famed Jean Valjean.Lead actor Jean-Paul Belmondo is thoroughly enjoyable as the generous spirited Fontin, also playing on occasion the heroic Jean Valjean in flashback. Strong support comes from Michel Boujenah and Alessandra Martines as a fugitive Jewish couple who turn to Fontin for help. Lelouch's daughter Salome plays the couples' tragic child who is left in a Catholic orphanage to hide her true identity. Clementine Celarie is moving in her brief role as Fontin's mother, and playing "Javert" is a convincing Philippe Khorsand. All this intense acting and Lelouch's passionate direction ensure a most involving, highly rewarding film.Cinematography is often inspired (again Claude Lelouch), capturing rural France. Art direction from Jacques Bufnoir is solid, and music comes from Francis Lai, Erik Berchot, Didier Barbelivien, Michel Legrand and Phillipe Servain. Helene de Luze provides the editing.Monday, March 24, 1997 - Hoyts CroydonClaude Lelouch lovingly tells this war time variation on Victor Hugo's novel. Purists and fans of the musical may not get a great deal from this translation, but lovers of quality, epic cinema will.All credit must go to Lelouch for the way he nurtures this film, delivering excellence in all areas throughout the entire running time. Acting performances range from solid to riveting, and the entire technical crew astound also. The music came from several sources.By far the best French film I have ever seen.Monday, November 27, 1997 - Video

I saw this movie several years ago and remember it being extremely well done and very moving. Brilliant characterizations and acting.Opening the movie is one of the most moving ballet solos I have ever seen. It was absolutely spell-binding. What a fabulous way for two leading characters to meet. Worth seeing the movie just for that.Recalls the brilliant dancing of Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov in White Nights. Different of course but another fabulous movie dance moment (W.N. was not such a fabulous movie but still very watchable). And if you love dance and haven't seen H & B dancing together, well then...

This is a truly beautiful film, remarkable for it's simple elegance in unraveling the story of it's principal characters which belies the many complex layers that lie underneath, as Hugo's original characters make their increasing presence felt as the story progresses. It would be highly advantageous to have a good grasp of the characters and plot/line of Hugo's "Les Miserables" in advance of watching the film in order to fully appreciate the universality and agelessness of the human situations which are re-encountered in this particular World War II setting. Both Hugo's novel and the film fully empathize with our universal human experience, and what are still the central concerns of our lives: pleasure & pain, the love and hate present in our relationships, and at the most fundamental level, simple survival. It can leave the viewer personally identifying one moment with Jean-Valjean, and yet in the next with Fantine or Cosette, and inevitably (disturbingly), with Javert. This is an exquisite exploration and contrast of our human capacities both to bring about almost unlimited destruction, and to build life and inextinguishable hope. Very special.

Running parallel to the famous Victor Hugo classic, this movie introduces us to very complex characters in our recent past, the Twentieth Century. Many unexpected twists and turns will lead you to contemplate the combination of good and evil in each of us, and how -- beyond those who seemingly don't possess humane qualities -- many others are capable of betrayal once goodwill towards their fellow humans threatens to encroach on their own well-being and happiness. Also, this film illustrates very well how persons may be forced to act against their principles by others who have temporarily gained control of their lives. Yet there will always be the heroic ones who will defy evil to the point of risking being tortured or losing their lives. Still others balance in between.By the end of the film, you may find yourself a bit exhausted at all the events -- some disturbing -- that suspensefully unfold in quick succession, and at different locations with different characters. Only at the end does it come together. The closing scene was one which left me with a feeling of hope for mankind. This is a very interesting and finely crafted movie. You should see it, but make sure it is Les Miserables of the Twentieth Century, and that it was filmed in French in 1995.