Jean Valjean

"The origin story of one of literature’s greatest heroes."

2025 1h 39m FR

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 38

DramaHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Jean Valjean is released from prison after nineteen years of hard labor, violence, and suffering. Filled with anger and a deep sense of injustice, he has become a dangerous man who trusts no one and nothing. When he arrives in a small village in Provence, he is repeatedly turned away. Desperate, he unknowingly finds refuge at the house of Bishop Bienvenu, who lives simply, with his sister and a single servant. There, he is surprised by their warm welcome, and his inner demons start to waver. But the temptation to be what society sees in him still haunts him, and he steals the Bishop’s silverware. When the police ultimately catches him, the Bishop forgives him and gifts him the candlesticks. This acts becomes the starting point of Jean Valjean’ transformation into a new man who reclaims his humanity.

“The origin story of one of literature’s greatest heroes.”

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Cast

Grégory Gadebois
Jean Valjean
Bernard Campan
Bienvenu Myriel
Isabelle Carré
Baptistine Myriel
Alexandra Lamy
Madame Magloire
Dominique Pinon
Boîte à Mots
Albert Dupontel
Claude Gueux
Laura Behague
Une paysanne
Romane Libert
La gamine

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Éric Besnard
Writers: Éric Besnard
Languages: French
Countries: France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 47% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Éric Besnard, shot by Laurent Dailland. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Christophe Julien. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Lydia Decobert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Grégory Gadebois and Bernard Campan and Isabelle Carré carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The origin story of one of literature’s greatest heroes.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt35363310 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Éric Besnard directs. Laurent Dailland behind the camera. Christophe Julien scores. Lydia Decobert cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 47% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released last year.
3Directed by Éric Besnard, shot by Laurent Dailland. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Christophe Julien. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Lydia Decobert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Grégory Gadebois and Bernard Campan and Isabelle Carré carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "The origin story of one of literature’s greatest heroes.".
8IMDB entry: tt35363310 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 38 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
10Classified under 10 themes, including "forgiveness", "provence", "transformation", "redemption".
11Released under 10 different titles around the world.