Available on DVD and Blu-ray from Mon 08 Dec

Raymond Bernard / France / 1934 / 300 mins

One of the most powerful – and lengthy – novels of the 19th century, Les Misérables has long been eclipsed by its various theatrical and celluloid incarnations. It’s perhaps not surprising then that releases such as the 2012 film version of the tiresome stage musical and the Oscar-nominated Charles Laughton adaptation have, in turn, eclipsed this wonderful and hugely under-seen French take.

Victor Hugo’s novel is a vast portmanteau of interlinked stories and Bernard’s film concentrates on the most famous: Jean Valjean is imprisoned for years for stealing bread, changes his name and does good for the town of which he is later elected mayor. His past catches up with him and he is threatened with exposure in court. Meanwhile, he tries to reunite good-girl-gone-bad Fantine, dying of tuberculosis, with her abandoned daughter. Part two of this very long film pivots on the Paris Uprising of 1832.

Bernard’s movie is a real contrast to the sweeping crane shots of the musical remake and it doesn’t look dated at all. The magical cinematography – even with its overuse of Dutch tilts – is deep and high in contrast. It almost plays as cinéma vérité, like a newsreel. The characters and locations are so well realised, you often have to remind yourself that this is a movie and not a recording of actual events.

The cast is excellent, especially Harry Baur as Valjean and Charles Vanel as Inspector Javert, his nemesis and an upholder of the law who doesn’t understand justice. In a world of food banks and street riots, Les Misérables is as relevant today as ever – and the film sparkles thanks to Pathé’s new 4k digital restoration. An excellent addition to Eureka’s Masters of Cinema series.