Original subtitles

I've dedicated myself

to pursuing not only the obvious offences, but the hidden ones.

-(GASPING) Cosette. -I will find her.

If we were to part with her we'd want some compensation.

-Are you my papa? -If you want me to be.

Marius Pontmercy, my grandson.

PONTMERCY: Let me spend some time with my little boy.

Never. He will be brought up to curse your very name.

-Mon père. -There was a man called Thenardier.

He saved my life.

You ever meet him, do the best you can.

-(DOG BARKING) -JAVERT: This man is Jean Valjean.

I beg you, care for this child.

-(BANGING ON DOOR) -JAVERT: Police!

He will never get away!

You may stay here,

and you will be able to see the child, every day.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Look at Marie Claire. She can't wait till Friday.

-What's happening on Friday? -Oh, she's leaving, of course.

Oh, I didn't realise it was so soon.

Don't you wish you could, Cosette?

I don't know.

All the pretty dresses and parties.

Dancing and falling in love.

-And getting engaged. -And doing that.

Germaine, whatever are you saying?

GERMAINE: Okay, look. (GIGGLES)

That's my cousin. Isn't he handsome?

I'll be seeing him on Saturday.

GERMAINE: Oh, poor Cosette.

Why poor me?

You're going to be a bride of Christ, aren't you?

GERMAINE: Look.

Such a shame. You're far too pretty for that.

Girls! No more chatting.

(CHURCH BELL RINGING)

-(GRUNTS) Oh! -Oh, Father, not so tight.

You'll squish all the breath out of me.

Why, you're such a fragile little thing, then?

You forget your own strength sometimes.

Forgive me. I just cherish our Saturday afternoons so much.

-(LAUGHS) -Come on.

What is it?

Come on, speak.

Am I really going to take the veil?

Well, that's what we discussed with the Abbess and Sister Simplice.

-Have you changed your mind? -No.

I don't know.

I'm sorry. Please don't be cross with me.

I could never be cross with you.

It's just I've seen nothing of the world yet.

You have seen the world.

The inn at Montfermeil and that family.

Lies, violence, cruelty.

That's the world.

I don't believe it's all like that.

(SIGHS)

I... I thought...

I thought we'd found a home here, together,

where you could grow up, and I could grow old.

And you could grow old, and I'd die here,

and we'd never be separated.

I'd be locked away.

And I don't want that.

MAN: The police force of Paris has established a standard of excellence

that is an example for the rest of France and the world.

I call upon Inspector Javert to accept the Medal of Honour

for his exceptional achievements as a thief taker.

(ALL APPLAUDING)

RIVETTE: It's a great honour, sir.

Reflects well on us all.

I can take no pleasure in it.

Not while that man is free.

RIVETTE: I beg you pardon, sir, what man?

JAVERT: You know the man.

Père Madeleine, Jean Valjean,

whatever else he calls himself now. That man.

RIVETTE: That's one man out of hundreds.

That was a decade ago.

-He could have been dead for years. -No.

No.

I am convinced that he is still alive and here, in Paris,

laughing at us.

And I shall never be at peace until he is back in chains.

(MABEUF GRUNTS)

-(GROANS) -Monsieur.

(CHUCKLING) Thank you, young man.

I...

I've seen you at mass, haven't I?

Yes.

Monsieur Pontmercy, isn't it?

Yes.

Marius Pontmercy.

My name is Mabeuf.

Could we speak a few moments?

I used to watch a poor man who came here regularly

to see his child.

And it was the only way he could,

because of a family arrangement.

Little boy knew nothing of it.

There was a rich old father-in-law,

who threatened to disinherit the boy if the father made any contact with him.

So, the father always stayed behind that pillar there.

I'd watch him gaze at his son and weep.

Poor man. He so adored that child.

It's a very touching story, monsieur.

He was one of Napoleon's bravest colonels.

His name was Pontmercy.

MABEUF: Your father.

"Saved ten Cossacks at Arnay-Le-Duc

"and saved the life of his corporal.

"Twenty-seven burned splinters extracted from his left arm alone."

And listen to this one.

"A ship carrying General Joubert

"ran into a hornet's nest of eight English ships.

"Rather than flee or hide, Sub-Lieutenant Pontmercy

"ran the tricolour up the flagstaff, and sailed proudly past."

I never knew.

You lied to me.

You told me lies about my father.

-I am your father. -Don't talk nonsense.

I have discovered that my father was a humble and heroic man

who died forgotten and neglected because of you.

I never knew him because of you.

And I never knew him, and never wanted to.

Or any of his kind.

They were all villains, murderers,

revolutionaries and thieves.

All of them. Traitors who betrayed their King.

Then I say down with the King.

What did you just say?

I said, "Down with the King."

Young man, I see that you and I

cannot remain under the same roof any longer.

Get out! I never want to see you again!

Now what have you done?

(STUTTERING) He'll be back with his tail between his legs,

you mark my word.

(HORSES TROTTING)

I fear for you.

The world outside has changed.

There is anger and unrest in the streets.

What about that police officer, the one who came here?

Thank you for your concern, Sister,

but I have everything prepared.

S'il vous plaît, mademoiselle, monsieur.

S'il vous plaît.

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

MAN: Mademoiselle.

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(CHURCH BELLS PEALING)

Is it really ours, Papa?

Come and have a look inside.

(COSETTE EXHALES)

This is Toussaint.

Mademoiselle.

Bonjour.

My piano!

-Thank you. -Monsieur.

(PLAYING PIANO)

(DOG BARKING)

God, look at this place.

Well, better apologise and make your peace with Grandad, then.

No. I shall never go back there.

Well, there you go.

All home comforts.

-You're disgusting. -(LAUGHS) Yeah, I know.

Right, look, I've got to go.

Why don't you get settled in, and come have a drink at the Café Musain later?

Thank you, Courfeyrac.

You're a good friend.

(MAN SPEAKING FRENCH)

Just the thing for a studious young man.

What is it you're studying at the university?

Law, madame.

Well, then you'll understand that as the principal tenant,

I am empowered to see that you behave yourself.

No young ladies in your room, except by special permission.

Of course.

-Thank you. -I'll leave you to settle in now.

Bonsoir, monsieur.

Bonsoir.

-WOMAN: Bonsoir, monsieur. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Alors. Bonsoir, monsieur.

Marius.

Here he comes. Large as life, our very own pet royalist,

Baron Pontmercy.

Let me introduce you to these fellows.

Grantaire, Enjolras, Bossuet.

I have to say, first, I'm not a royalist any more.

-What are you now, then? -I'm a Bonapartist and a democrat.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Now, then, sir, a step in the right direction.

Napoleon was a defender of the republic.

-Before he made himself emperor. -(ALL LAUGH)

Well, have a drink!

COURFEYRAC: Yes, have a lot of drinks.

(SINGING IN FRENCH)

-I say, down with all nations. -(GRUNTS)

And down with all kings.

What about emperors?

(LAUGHS) An emperor is just a king by another name.

Only worse.

I won't have it. Napoleon made this country great.

He brought reforms through his conquests.

What a joy to serve under such a man as that.

-What could be greater? -To be free.

COURFEYRAC: Yeah. Hmm.

I want to be a citizen of the Republic, not a subject of the King.

Or an emperor.

And one day,

we'll all be fighting to the death about that

on one side or another.

And what side will you be on, my friend?

(KNOCKING ON WALL)

EPONINE: Psst! Monsieur.

Monsieur, I'm here.

Look through the peephole.

(HUMMING)

(CONTINUES HUMMING)

Do you want to see more, monsieur?

-No, I... -(SPEAKS FRENCH)

Nighty-night.

COSETTE: Papa.

What was my mother like?

(SIGHS) Don't make me speak of it.

She was one of my workers.

And I dismissed her.

What for?

For nothing, for concealing the truth.

What truth?

About you.

And after that, she fell into poverty,

and she was ill,

and I tried to make amends but it was too late.

And she died.

So now you see why I want to protect you.

I don't want you to suffer in the way that she did.

So you're planning to keep me locked away here?

No, no...

Yes, Papa.

This isn't what we discussed at the convent. Or did I misunderstand?

You don't know what the world is like, Cosette.

You've said that before.

But I want to see for myself.

I'm lonely here, Papa.

I was better in the convent. At least I had the other girls to talk with.

(COSETTE SIGHS)

(PLAYING PIANO)

All right, all right, um, I understand.

Tomorrow we can go to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Oh! Thank you, Papa.

Papa, I need new clothes.

Everyone looks so smart.

If you say so.

(GIGGLES)

Papa!

-Now, monsieur... -Fauchelevent.

Monsieur Fauchelevent,

it has been quite a pleasure for me to dress your young friend.

-My niece. -Oh.

Well, yes, your niece, of course she is.

Such a lovely figure. It would be a shame not to show it off.

I'm sure you'll agree with me.

Mademoiselle.

Mademoiselle, come. Come, come, come.

There.

Turn, turn.

Do you like it, Papa?

"Papa," that's so charming.

Uh...

I preferred you in your old one,

-but if it pleases you... -WOMAN: Well, men. What do they know.

Shall we show him the others?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(GIRL SPEAKING FRENCH)

MARIUS: Mademoiselle.

(INAUDIBLE)

Thank you.

(CHUCKLES) It's not mine, it's my father's.

-(CHUCKLES) -Oh.

What's your name?

Cosette.

Marius Pontmercy.

Goodbye.

-There. -Where did you go running off to?

JEAN: Who was that?

I don't know. Just a young man.

Papa, what's the hurry?

I... It's... It's turning chilly. I want to get home.

What's the matter?

My wrist. It's sore. You were holding it so tightly.

Here, let me kiss it better.

Why did you get into such a state?

Cosette... (SIGHS) You have to understand.

Not everyone you meet has your best interests at heart.

But nor is everyone I meet a villain, surely.

No, but there are plenty of young men about.

Pleasant enough in manner and appearance

whose sole aim in life is to debauch young women.

"Debauch"? What does that mean?

To... (SIGHS) To lead them astray.

Well, I don't think Marius was that sort.

How'd you know his name?

Well, he told me his name,

and he asked me mine. What's wrong with that?

-And you told him? -Yes.

-You told him your name? -He didn't mean any harm.

What makes you think you know that? You know nothing of the world.

Because you want to protect me from knowing anything!

I'll tell you one thing. We won't be going back

to the Luxembourg Gardens for a while.

This place is like a prison.

You have no idea what a prison is.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Come on! Get that down you, huh?

(COUNTING IN FRENCH)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

-Any better? -Worse, if anything.

(SIGHS) Well, come on, does anybody else know a better cure for love?

-Revolution. -(BOTH LAUGH)

Come on!

Soldiers who spilled their blood for France are living as beggars.

I mean, your own father, a hero, died a pauper.

Look at the slums, (STUTTERS) look at the children starving,

while a fat king sits on the throne.

Paris is a tinderbox. It'll only take a spark to set it off.

That's it! (LAUGHING)

Put your passion into the fight for freedom.

Then, once the regime has withered away,

equality for all.

We can all take turns on that nice girl of yours.

-(GRUNTS) -No, Marius, he's joking.

(LAUGHING)

I apologise.

Truly, sincerely, I...

I have felt what you're feeling now.

All emptiness and despair.

We must struggle. We...

We must overcome these feelings.

How?

We could take him to the Chaumière at Sceaux.

Yeah, and the place where all the lost women can be found.

(LAUGHS) Right? You might even find yours there.

An excellent idea.

-We will all go. Hmm? -You can count me out.

I've got better things to do with my time. So should you.

-(GRANTAIRE LAUGHS) -Count me out, too.

COURFEYRAC: Uh, no chance. You're coming.

Even if we have to drag you.

(GRANTAIRE GRUNTS AND LAUGHS)

(VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYING)

(GRANTAIRE LAUGHING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-Settle down. -Stop.

Marius.

(INAUDIBLE)

Do you want me?

For you, I'll make a special price.

-No. -Hmm?

(SPEAKS FRENCH)

Psst, monsieur. I wouldn't have thought to find you here.

(VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYING)

MADAME THENARDIER: Get out of here, you good for nothing rogue.

GAVROCHE: All right, all right, I'm going.

-(DOOR SLAMS) -All right, monsieur?

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

(FLOORBOARD CREAKS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Kiss it.

You know you want to.

Monsieur.

-Kiss it. -(BOTH MOANING)

(PANTING)

(KNOCKING)

I was thinking of walking outdoors at sunrise.

I thought you might like to come with me.

To the Luxembourg Gardens?

No.

Get ready. I'll wait for you.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

COSETTE: Why this place, Papa?

JEAN: There's something I wanted you to see.

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING IN DISTANCE)

What's that?

(WHIP CRACKING)

(POLICEMEN SHOUTING IN FRENCH)

(WHIP CRACKING)

(POLICEMEN SHOUTING IN FRENCH)

COSETTE: Papa, who are those men?

They're convicts from the prison hulks.

-(POLICEMAN SHOUTING) -Can they really be men?

Yes, they are men.

-(SHOUTING CONTINUES) -They're men like me.

-(SHOUTING IN FRENCH) -(PRISONER YELPS)

-(WHIP CRACKS) -(PRISONER GROANS)

-(BREATHING HEAVILY) -Cosette.

I think if I was to pass one of those men, I would die.

Just from looking them in the face.

What are you doing here? What do you want?

It's a bit chilly in here.

Can I get in with you?

(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) No.

(FLOORBOARD CREAKING)

I've got a letter for you.

Really? Who from?

My dad.

Give it here.

Jondrette, is that your name?

Sometimes it is.

He says your family is starving. Is that true?

We don't eat very often, monsieur.

Go fetch my purse, there on the table.

(COINS JINGLING)

Here, I can spare that much.

You don't have to. He tries it on with everyone.

It's for you, not him.

Here.

Thanks.

How do you live in this place?

I live like this.

Get what I can, how I can.

I go out in the evenings, and sometimes don't come back at night.

Do you know what I mean?

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Five franc. (LAUGHS) A shiner.

You're a star. Are you sure?

I'm sure.

What a gent.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

Au revoir, monsieur.

This is too stale for you now. Can I have it?

Thanks.

(THENARDIER MUMBLING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

You know what, that Monsieur Marius is a gent.

(LAUGHING) I knew that letter was a good one.

Ain't your letter that done it. I done it.

I told him my tale and he took pity on me.

-He likes me, Monsieur Marius. -AZELMA: Did he do you, then?

No, he's not like that.

-He's all pure at heart. -THENARDIER: Come here.

Come here, please. There's a good girl.

-What have you got in that hand? -Nothing.

-Come on, open up. -Show your pa what you've got.

(LAUGHING)

That was for me, not you.

(GRUNTS)

(EPONINE GASPING)

THENARDIER: Leave it well.

EPONINE: You're a thieving old bugger. I hate you.

THENARDIER: Any more of that, and you'll really get one.

-I'm not scared of you. -THENARDIER: (SHOUTS) Oh, yeah?

All right, you've been a clever girl.

Just don't get above yourself.

Scum, the lot of them.

Swanning around in their golden coaches.

What about me, eh?

Eh?

Suffering here in squalor.

Just get him here. Can you do that, Eponine, Azelma?

-The old fellow with the young daughter? -THENARDIER: Yeah, that's the one.

You said he looked like a soft touch.

And don't come back without him this time.

Oh...

Oi!

Those terrible men.

To think of the things they must've done to be punished so.

Why did you take me there?

Is it because you were angry with me? Did you want to frighten me or...

-No, no, Cosette, no... -Monsieur, mademoiselle.

My poor father has written you a letter.

Please read it and take pity on us.

-A letter for me? -He knows you're a kind man.

You have nothing more than this to wear?

No, sir, this is it.

I know the house.

We'll come. Tell your father we'll be there later.

Papa will be so happy when I tell him.

-Papa. -What?

I don't think we should go.

Why not?

That girl, I just have a bad feeling about her.

Her family needs help, Cosette. And I can give it.

You wish to know what the world is like? You will come, too.

(DOG WHIMPERING)

They're coming.

Ah, douse the fire, Rosalie. You, candles.

And you, break the window.

Well, go on, put your fist through it. Go on!

Monsieur, monsieur.

(GASPS) Oh, Azelma.

(AZELMA CRYING)

Come on, don't cry, it'll only make him more anxious.

No, no, no, no, on the contrary... On the contrary, bawl the place down.

We want him to see suffering. You, in bed.

That's it, that's it.

-Oh, that's it. Good girl, keep crying. -(GROANS LOUDLY)

-(AZELMA CRYING) -THENARDIER: That's it, keep crying.

Good girl, good girl.

-(KNOCKING ON DOOR) -THENARDIER: That's a good girl.

Psst, go on.

-(AZELMA CRYING) -THENARDIER: Come on.

Monsieur, mademoiselle.

THENARDIER: Oh, welcome. Welcome, sir, to my humble abode.

Oh, and your charming daughter, too. Come on, come in.

Come on.

JEAN: I bought you some clothes, monsieur.

Just some woollen stockings and blankets.

Oh, my angelic benefactor is more than generous.

A thousand thanks, kind sir.

No, no, no, I wish you... I wish woollen stockings

could, uh, pay the rent.

But, uh, I thank you, with all my...

Papa.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I see you are much to be pitied, monsieur...

Fabantou.

JEAN: You don't sign your letters Genflot?

THENARDIER: My name is Genflot Fabantou.

Of course.

Oh, you see, monsieur, all I have to cover myself is this chemise.

And my wife's sick and my daughter injured.

And six months rent in arrears, that's 60 francs.

If not paid by tonight, we're all out in the street.

Once I was a respected man,

and then, one day, a man came,

and stole my daughter from me.

Oh, if I could meet that man again.

I'd have something to say to him.

Do you know what I'm saying?

Oh, mademoiselle, it is such a shame for such a one as you,

to be exposed to such unpleasantness.

I have five francs. I'm helping.

There are people in this city that'll pay a lot more than that

to see you, I'm sure.

JEAN: I'm taking my daughter home.

EPONINE: Don't forget your coat, monsieur.

No, I'm leaving it. It's yours.

I will return this evening at 6:00 with 60 francs.

Noble sir, we'll be expecting you.

JEAN: Cosette, are you all right?

Are you going back to that man?

Excuse me.

JEAN: I have to go back to get him out of our lives.

I won't let him hurt you, trust me.

Rue Plumet.

(MARIUS PANTING)

Oh, you're down in the dumps.

What's the matter?

You brought them here, didn't you?

-The old man and the girl. -Yeah, what about it?

So, you know where they live.

I don't know the actual house, Monsieur Marius.

But you could find out for me, couldn't you?

Depends. What do I get?

Anything you want.

Well, anything for you, Monsieur Marius.

But he may not live very long, the old man.

What do you mean?

-My dad's up to no good. -THENARDIER: He's got

-another thing coming. -Got to go.

Ah, there you go, monsieur, all right.

Oh, if you hear a bit of noise later on,

don't worry, we're having a little party for a few friends.

Bonsoir, monsieur.

All right. Tonight's the night.

He thinks he can get away with 60 francs,

he's got millions stashed away.

We'll put the screws on him and get the lot.

You two, clear out. I want you out of the way.

MADAME THENARDIER: What, her, with her bad hand?

Fresh air will do it good.

Go on, hop it!

-Get off. -Go on.

(DOOR SHUTS)

Did you recognise him?

-Him? -The man that took the girl.

Oh, my God!

What, that horrible fine young lady

who looked at my girls with pity in her eyes?

Her. Has to be.

I would give her a good kick in the guts with my clogs on, I would.

Yeah, well, you may, my dear.

With my blessing. I've got a couple of pals coming around

and we'll have some fun with him.

(STUTTERS) And then we'll take his money.

-All of it. -(THENARDIERS LAUGHING)

Then what?

Well, I think we'll have to do him in, my dear.

The Gorbeau Tenement, you say.

Yes, you know it?

I do.

Take these.

Go home, hide in your room, keep watch.

Let them carry on for a while.

We have to apprehend them in commission of a crime.

You say you're a lawyer, you'll understand that.

I'm a law student, Inspector.

Well, you'll just have to do.

(EXHALES) When it's gone far enough,

fire a shot, in the air.

Are you frightened?

Uh, I'm a little nervous.

Well, everything depends on you.

6:00, you say?

THENARDIER: Warm it up a bit, for our friend, eh?

Yeah. (LAUGHS) Well...

(CHURCH BELL RINGING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Right. This is it.

I knew you wouldn't let us down. God bless you, sir.

Where's the child that was injured?

Yeah, her sister's taken her to the doctor.

We thought it best.

Children, more expense than a hole in your wallet,

aren't they, eh? (LAUGHS)

Here.

This should cover your rent and your immediate expenses.

There's more where that came from.

Paris is not the right place for you and your family.

You should move to the countryside.

I can help you with that.

Yeah, no, that's very...

That's very thoughtful of you, monsieur, certainly.

I will certainly consider your kind offer. But do you like paintings?

(FLOORBOARD CREAKS)

Who is he?

Just a neighbour.

As... As I was saying.

If you like, uh, I have a painting

I might be induced to sell to the right buyer.

Just neighbours.

-Now feast your eyes on this. -(OBJECTS CLANKING)

A masterpiece by my own hand,

depicting Sergeant Thenardier, a hero of Waterloo.

And where is this hero now, eh?

Here!

In this very room!

It was I, Thenardier, who saved the life of Colonel Pontmercy,

and never had so much of a word of thanks for it.

And you're the bastard that stole my little girl.

Seize him, boys, put him down!

Want me to release you, my man? I don't want a lot.

200,000 francs should do it,

if you really want no harm to come to your pretty daughter.

Isn't that what you call her?

My friend Montparnasse here,

he could slip up behind her in a park and cut her throat.

(ALL LAUGH)

I'd slit yours, too, for two sous.

You dare to threaten my Cosette?

-(GRUNTS) -Grab him.

(SCREAMING)

(GRUNTING)

You think you can do anything that'll impress me?

Look!

(MADAME THENARDIER GROANS)

Now, do your worst!

(CLANGS)

(BARKING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

(GRUNTING)

(MADAME THENARDIER SCREAMS)

-Do it. -(BOTH GRUNTING)

(JEAN GRUNTING)

Go on!

JAVERT: All right, take them away, lock them up.

Throw down your weapons and surrender.

(MEN SPEAKING FRENCH)

(MEN SPEAKING FRENCH)

-MADAME THENARDIER: Ow! -Mama!

Don't touch my mum. (GRUNTS)

No! (SCREAMS)

-Ow! Ow! Ow! -Cuffs! For assaulting an officer.

MADAME THENARDIER: Ow!

The man you lured here, where is he? Tell me.

He's not here.

Shame you missed the real prize, Inspector.

(THENARDIER LAUGHS)

(DOG BARKING)

(DOG BARKING)

RIVETTE: Two got away, sir.

(EXHALES)

(DOG BARKING)

(CHUCKLES)

(CLEARS THROAT) Seen you before.

You're that gent my sister's sweet on.

Gavroche, son and heir.

There's nothing to nick in here, if that was what you were thinking.

Oh, I'm not a thief.

Ain't you? I am!

If no one's gonna help you, you gotta help yourself, don't you?

Well, I'm off.

-Where will you go? -Oh, don't worry about me.

Got friends all over this place. So long, Monsieur Marius.

(HUMMING)

(INAUDIBLE)

-Papa. Papa. -(GROANING)

(CRYING) Papa. Papa.

JAVERT: Hello, old friend. You and I are going to have a little talk.

And you're going to tell me everything.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)