I miserabili - Stagione 1 (2018)

Based on Victor Hugos classic novel comes a two part adaptation of one of cinema and theatres most enduring tales, Les Miserables. Starring two of the greatest actors of their generation Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Charlotte Gainsbourg (Melancholia) and Virgine Ledoyen (The Beach). The scene is set during the French Restoration at the beginning of the 19th century. Jean Valjean (Gerard Depardieu), a galley slave sent to prison for stealing food, is now released after serving nineteen long years. At first he only encounters mistrust and closed doors; with only the saintly Bishop Bienvenu treating him kindly and giving him refuge. The Bishop's truly Christian compassion and humanity not only restores Jean Valjean's faith in humanity, but also prepares his return to civilised life. As Monsieur Madeleine, Valjean becomes a wealthy industrialist as well as a popular citizen, even becoming the mayor of a small provincial town. His good fortune departs, however, when he meets Fantine (Charlotte Gainsbourg), one of his workers, an unmarried mother who tragically dies of consumption. The well-intentioned Valjean then frees Fantine's illegitimate daughter Cosette (Virgine Ledoyen) from the clutches of her insidious foster parents, and looks after her like a father. When Valjean reveals his true identity, in order to prevent an innocent man from being sold into a life of slavery, he is yet again convicted. Valjean, however, succeeds in escaping and manages to live under a false name in Paris for a few years. When Cosette, now a blossoming young lady, falls in love with the young attorney Marius, Valjean forbids the coupling, because he has now fallen in love with the young girl himself. At this point, however, Marius finds out about Valjean's disreputable past and about his love for Cosette and has no choice but to distance him from her. Valjean, thinking of his former benefactor Bishop Bienvenu, now makes the ultimate sacrifice - he resolves to live without Cosette. A short while later Valjean falls seriously ill, but in the face of death he leaves a message of love to the young couple "There is only one thing in the world that is important - and that is to love each other".