VICTOR HUGO NOVEL

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 3

VICTOR HUGO NOVEL

An adaptation of Victor Hugo’s great novel “Les Miserables” has been made by the 8.8. C. It is in 10 parts, and it will begin screening from CHTV3 at the end of this month.

Jean Vai jean is a man convicted of petty crime forced upon him by the indifference and callousness ff the state, and he is made to endure a life time of punishment by an unforgiving society. The story opens in 1815 in France where Jean Valjean

has been released after 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister and her family, and for attempting to escape. Innkeepers refuse him food and lodging because his yellow passport reveals him as a former convict. However, he comes to the house of the Bishop of Digne who feeds him and gives him a bed.

During the night Jean steals the Bishop’s silverware and flees but is captured by the police who return him

and the stolen silver to the Bishop. The Bishop pardons him, gives him the silver as a gift, asking only that he use the silver to lead an honest life.

Jean changes his name and does attempt to lead an honest life, eventually becoming the loved mayor of a small town. A girl named Fantime, with an illegitimate child, becomes involved in his life and a police inspector, Javer, with a fanatical attitude to duty, weaves further tension into this complicated story.