Les Misérables Miniseries on BBC: A Promising Beginning

If you missed the excellent first episode of the new Les Misérables miniseries, you can now watch it for free online. I was very impressed with the production, especially the scope of the opening scene at Waterloo. I have been telling my students for years that if I were ever put in charge of directing a Les Mis movie I would begin with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, then transition to Fantine giving birth to Cosette, then finally move to Jean Valjean’s release from prison. I think that would be a dramatic way to open the story and introduce the audience to all the major characters. The first episode of this miniseries does something very similar, moving back and forth between the different character arcs early in the story. I think it works very well. And as far as I can remember, this is the first adaptation of Les Mis that actually includes Fantine’s background. Newcomers to the story may feel that it moves a little slowly, but I liked the pace.

All in all, this is a very promising beginning. Watch the first episode online and catch future episodes on Sunday evenings on Masterpiece on your local PBS station.