Product Description Les Misérables 1935:Victor Hugo's most acclaimed novel comes brilliantly to life in this impeccably performed, magnificently filmed screen adaptation. Frederic March stars as Valjean, the ex-convict who rises against all odds from galley slave to mayor. Charles Laughton is Javert, the fanatical police inspector who dedicates his life to recapturing Valjean. A vivid depiction of the appalling poverty and social strife of 19th-century France, this version of Les Misérables does splendid justice to the original novel.Les Misérables 1952:Michael Rennie, fresh from his success in the sci-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still cuts a very handsome figure as Jean Valjean, and Debra Paget, who would later reteam with Rennie in four more films, makes for a stunning Cosette in this powerful retelling of the classic epic. Costars include Robert Newton (Treasure Island), Edmund Gwenn (Miracle On 34th Street), Cameron Mitchell (How To Marry A Millionaire), Sylvia Sidney (Mars Attack!) and Elsa Lanchester (The Bride Of Frankenstein)! .com Victor Hugo's massive novel Les Miserables has spawned many adaptations in many forms over the years, and Twentieth Century Fox can count two respectable versions from its studio heyday. Both are included on this single-disc release. The superior version is the lavish 1935 take, for which producer Darryl F. Zanuck marshaled the studio's resources. While evocatively staged by director Richard Boleslawski and smartly condensed into punchy, vivid scenes, the movie is remembered for its indelible central performances: Fredric March as the hunted Jean Valjean and especially Charles Laughton as his letter-of-the-law pursuer, Inspector Javert. March, a sometimes stagey actor, is at his committed best, notably in the sequence where (in a single-scene second role) he plays the simpleton mistaken for the fugitive Valjean. But Laughton is completely fascinating: cruel and unforgiving, yet neurotic and weak; and Laughton brings out a tortured sexual undercurrent to Javert's pursuit. (Laughton didn't get an Oscar nomination for his performance, but he bagged one the same year for Mutiny on the Bounty; the film itself was nominated in four categories, including nods for Best Picture and Gregg Toland's cinematography.) The 1952 production is similarly handsome, and director Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) an even more talented filmmaker than Boleslawski. But it misses classic status because of the elusive alchemy of casting. The story may be told serviceably, but Michael Rennie's Christlike Valjean and Robert Newton's steadfast Javert don't catch the magic, giving the result a sort of "Classics Illustrated" quality. But Laughton will haunt your dreams. --Robert Horton
W**R
I Would Recommend It!
Les Miserables must be very hard to adapt to the screen, however these 2 films have pulled it off well.1935 VERSIONThe story itself is much grander and told much better than any other film adaption I have seen. Sir Cedric Hardwicke stands out as the Bishop. The film flows from each part of his life very well. Frederic March stars as Valjean and is very moving. The plot is very involved from the day Valjean is imprisoned to the day he is supposedly 'going to England'All in all, an impressive array of many talents collaborate in a fantastic film that tells a great story.1952 VERSIONThis version is perhaps a bit more mainstream, with more hints put in as if it were made for a slightly less intelligent audience than the 1935 version. It stars Michael Rennie as Valjean and is slightly unconvincing. It also stars many more stars like Sylvia Sidney, Robert Newton and Edmund Gwenn. This version lacks the style the previous version had.All in all, a slightly duller film then it's predecessor and with a lot less plot.
J**O
BEST Les Miz Yet
This set is a mixed bag. Two versions of the classic story of Jean Valjean & Javert, 17yrs. apart in their making. One is superb with the other paling in comparison. Hard to believe both versions made by the same film company. The 1935 Fredrick March, Charles Laughton version is THE quintessential Les Miserables and quite simply the best ever made. Laughton & March are at their best. The mark of a great actor is to be able to portray a real s.o.b. strangled by his own code of ethics and somehow in the process, make you feel sorry for him. Laughton pulls this off with this mesmerizing portrayal of Javert. March will make you cry with his portrayal of Jean Valjean, touch your core with both his humility and humanity, all the while stirring your blood with his triumph of the human spirit. Since this version is only available at this writing as a two version set, it's worth it to get this one superior version over the other, rather than no version at all. Small price to pay for greatness.
A**N
Michael Rennie gives a fine performance as Jean Valjean
Much better than Les Miz. Valjean never would have slapped Cossette!
P**N
ORIGINAL MOVIE W/FREDERICK MARCH AND FULLY CLOSED CAPTIONED
Been looking for this for a long time. OTHER COPIES ARE NOT CLOSED CAPTIONED- THIS ONE IS CLOSED CAPTIONED AND DONE VERY WELL. Excellent restoration copy. A MUST SEE before ever going to Broadway or viewing Hugh Jackman and Russ Crowe movie. It makes these much more enjoyable and fills in many blanks which Victor Hugho has in the original book. Best 9 bucks I've spent in a long time. Trust me.
A**R
Broken case
Disk appears to be in good shape have not watched yet, butbroken case/ripped cover sleeve is not like new or very good condition.
S**E
Les Miserables without the music !
If you want to watch the story "Les Miserables" without the music, the 1952 version of the two films offered in this DVD is very good. It is a serious telling of the story and Michael Rennie carries the role expertly - giving us introspection and quietly leading us to examine systems that seem to be in place - usually for some set of reasons involving the exploitation of people - He portrays the death of the human spirit, until rescued when he rescues a woman - He then begins to come back to life, but will always be changed from his imprisonment and brutal treatment. This is a heavy and serious film and a good one to share with someone - inviting discussion afterward.
R**N
Classic presentation of a Classic
Two films well worth seeing of a novel well worth reading. The 1935 that I missed as a two year old is far better than most of the films in the theatres today. Fredric March ought not be missed. Great actors, telling a great story. The book is better, but then you have to spend much more time with it. The film gives you a feeling of many parts of life and history with out the pain that was there. You are a prisioner with out the hunger, is the revolution without the blood and in court without the horror. The 1952 film tells the same story almost as well. If you have to choose one make it the 1935.
A**R
Les Miserables
I think it is important to say, first, that this is NOT a 2-disc set so people who order it are not upset--there is the 1935 version on one side (side A) and the 1952 version on the other side (not quite so obvious but side B). I rec'd this yesterday, 28 Dec 2012. I have watched side A tonight and ensured that side B is functional before writing this review--it is. With the newest remake of Les Miserables coming out recently, I ordered the Cliff notes and these older versions of this classic film about Redemption. It makes me grateful to live in a day and age where these things do not happen in this manner. The pendulum may have swung too far the other way, however. The classics are good to review and compare life as we know it and do our best to not be part of the problems of life. So sad, the ending but it fit the man's personality. Thank you for having this available.
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