Similar to the 1998 film which came 20 years later, this adaptation is not Les Mis, it is the story of Jean Valjean. As it is only 2 hours long it makes significant cuts and this version does this by trying to transplant all of the themes about poverty and hardship onto Valjean as the only conduit. There is very little inclusion of les miserables, the wretched poor, the victims.
However, as the story of Jean Valjean it is quite good. I particularly liked that the first 20 minutes is of Valjean's time in prison, scenes that are only ever given lip service in other adaptations because they happen before the novel proper begins. This enabled us to really see the hardship that Valjean went through in prison and how this forms who he later becomes. This was a real joy and is the one thing it does better than other adaptations. Richard Jordan was a good Valjean, and the makeup was really good because the story spans many years and often it is not clear how much Valjean has aged in other adaptations but this version really got that across. Anthony Perkins was a good Javert too. But ultimately without inclusion of les miserables and the poor and their revolution it is not hugely affecting. It is enjoyable for its runtime but should only be watched by those who have a complete understanding of Les Mis from elsewhere and can appreciate what this version left out and why it did so and what it was trying to achieve. On its own it is hugely incomplete.
However, as the story of Jean Valjean it is quite good. I particularly liked that the first 20 minutes is of Valjean's time in prison, scenes that are only ever given lip service in other adaptations because they happen before the novel proper begins. This enabled us to really see the hardship that Valjean went through in prison and how this forms who he later becomes. This was a real joy and is the one thing it does better than other adaptations. Richard Jordan was a good Valjean, and the makeup was really good because the story spans many years and often it is not clear how much Valjean has aged in other adaptations but this version really got that across. Anthony Perkins was a good Javert too. But ultimately without inclusion of les miserables and the poor and their revolution it is not hugely affecting. It is enjoyable for its runtime but should only be watched by those who have a complete understanding of Les Mis from elsewhere and can appreciate what this version left out and why it did so and what it was trying to achieve. On its own it is hugely incomplete.