Les Misérables (1958): cast, story & where to watch
1958 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1958, Les Misérables is a drama and history film directed by Jean-Paul Le Chanois, running about 210 minutes.
What it’s about. Victor Hugo's monumental novel Les Miserables has been filmed so often that sometimes it's hard to tell one version from another. One of the best and most faithful adaptations is this 240-minute French production, starring Jean Gabin as the beleaguered Jean Valjean. Arrested for a petty crime, Valjean spends years 20 in the brutal French penal system. Even upon his release, his trail is dogged by relentless Inspector Javert. Valjean's efforts to create a new life for himself despite the omnipresence of Javert is meticulously detailed in this film, which utilizes several episodes from the Hugo original that had hitherto never been dramatized. Originally released as a single film, Les Miserables was usually offered as a two-parter outside of France.
Who’s in it. Les Misérables stars Jean Gabin as Jean Valjean / Champmathieu, Danièle Delorme as Fantine, Bernard Blier as Javert (père et fils) and Béatrice Altariba as Cosette, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Les Misérables has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Les Misérables page.
If you liked it. Fans of Les Misérables tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Les Misérables (1958)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Les Misérables change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Les Misérables worth watching?
- Les Misérables holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Les Misérables?
- Les Misérables stars Jean Gabin, Danièle Delorme, Bernard Blier, Béatrice Altariba and Giani Esposito.
- When was Les Misérables released?
- Les Misérables was released in 1958, with a runtime of about 210 minutes.