Jean-Paul Le ChanoisCast
Jean Gabin 
Bernard Blier Bourvil
Plot
Jean Valjean, an ex-convict imprisoned for stealing bread, is changed by an act of mercy from a bishop and builds a new life as a respected factory owner and mayor. The relentless Inspector Javert, who knows his past, pursues him through years of struggle, and Valjean cares for the orphaned Cosette. Jean-Paul Le Chanois's 1958 French adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel stars Jean Gabin as Valjean and Bourvil as the villainous Thénardier, and is a faithful rendering of the classic.
Sinekatalog’s take
Jean-Paul Le Chanois's lengthy French version of Hugo follows Jean Valjean, redeemed by mercy and pursued by Javert. Jean Gabin and Bernard Blier are superb in a sturdy, humane and affecting retelling.Sinekatalog’s own editorial review – not a user or critic quote.
Ratings
IMDb: 7.4 / 10 (2,173 votes)
IMDb rating and vote count from the IMDb ratings dataset (October 2026). Scores change over time.
If you liked this
Picked by director, genre, era and shared cast. Titles only, no spoilers.
- The Case of Dr. Laurent 1957 · Jean-Paul Le Chanois · IMDb 6.5 · Same director
- Le Dossier noir 1955 · André Cayatte · IMDb 6.9 · Shared cast & crew
- Pickpocket 1959 · Robert Bresson · IMDb 7.5 · Viewers also liked
- Army of Shadows 1969 · Jean-Pierre Melville · IMDb 8.1 · Viewers also liked
- Les Tricheurs 1958 · Marcel Carné · IMDb 7.0 · Same movement
- Cries and Whispers 1972 · Ingmar Bergman · IMDb 7.9 · Similar genres