When I was in high school, I spent the better part of a year plowing through the unabridged version of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. I’d pick it up and put it down and read three books between every chapter, but I read every word.
When I was through, I was devastated. It was one of the most beautiful, redemptive stories I have ever read. It was worth wading through the cryptic jabs at long-dead French politicians for that story.
Start ’em young
There’s a part of me that is very, very attached to the Victor Hugo version of Les Misérables. There is a part of me that never wanted to see the musical on stage or on film.
But now I’ve seen it. And now, there’s a bigger part of me that thinks everyone should see it
It’s not perfect, at least not for a read-it-unabridged-or-go-home kind of girl like me. But it is a powerful story worth telling (or, singing, as the case may be), even if some parts must be considered for their contribution to stage rather than their adherence to page.
It is a powerful enough story that most of those little things don’t matter at all. Are there some unnecessary crude parts I wish weren’t there? Yes. Should Russell Crowe consider singing in another musical ever again? No.
But then there is Anne Hathaway, whose relatively untrained voice makes her character even more poignant. There is Hugh Jackman, who transforms Jean Valjean over and over again as the character develops and leaves me awed.
And there is that story, that haunting story of redemption that even a singing Russell Crowe can’t diminish. It is the story that compels me to say everyone should watch this film.
That story comes straight out of my beloved book.
Few can craft a story like Victor Hugo. He tells it a little longer than most people but that’s probably because he didn’t have the benefit of Twitter training to help him keep things concise. But that story has transformed the course of literature and helped to shape history. Even if you don’t have time to read the book, you should familiarize yourself with a story that has remained captivating for 150 years.
If you do, you will find it is a story worth hearing. It is a story worth watching. It is a story worth engaging in a very deep and personal way because it is the most powerful story of all; it is the story of redemption.
There’s a whole bunch of sin and a whole lot about the miserable struggle, but then, doesn’t that make the redemption more beautiful? Doesn’t that make the story more like…mine. And yours? Because my life of redemption isn’t always Sunday-best. It’s Monday-morning. It’s Jean Valjean struggling to turn himself in when a perfectly good scapegoat has been caught. It’s making idols out of good things like beloved little girls, fighting for and against justice, wishing you could do more, finding you often do less, and wondering, at times, if you can bear up under grace.
It is my story. It is your story.
A story like that can be as powerful as a sword or as dull as yesterday’s news. It’s all in what you do with it.
That is why I hope all Christians watch this film. But not just watch it–think about it. Talk about it. Discuss it. It can be a force in the hands of real Christians who know the power of redemption and who have real-life stories to back up the Hollywood theatrics. You can even download a free discussion guide put together by Allied Faith and Family to help you get started. In fact, if you e-mail them, they will even send you hard copies to use at church or in home study groups.
But first, you have to watch the film, and I would love nothing more than to get you a copy for free. All you have to do is enter below. You have until Wednesday, March 27th to rack up all kind of Rafflecopter points. You can enter once, or you can come back every day to share the giveaway and increase your chances of winning.
But that’s not all! My friend Gretchen, who saves my bacon when the blogging goes bad, is giving away a copy on her site. Hop over there, tell her thank you for keeping Kristen’s blog afloat, and enter to win a copy of this hot new release!
I’d love to have a chance at winning this Thanks!
I saw it and I loved it. I admit there were a few parts when I thought , “for pete’s sakes can they not just say ONE line?” but I loved it! You can’t get a better story line, the redemption and forgiveness is unparalleled. I read it in high school too.
Hi Kristen! 🙂
I fisrt fell in love with Les Mis in high school, (longer ago than I’m going to tell. ;-)), through singing selections from the show in Chorus. A few weeks ago my hubby and I went to see the movie, and I fell in love with it all over again! I never finished reading the book when I tried it in college, but I have it on my Kindle now, and I’m determined to finish it…loving it so far! Hubby asked for some Les Mis piano music for his birthday last week, so I’ve enjoyed hearing him playing each evening. Truly, a great story!
Thanks!
< Bethany
I actually haven’t seen this yet OR read the book… but both are on my to-do list! Isn’t it THE movie? My dad loved it. 🙂
I haven’t seen it yet, or read the book, but I’ve listened to various versions of it, multiple times, plus, my friends tell me it is good!:)
that.would.b.awesome!
I’ve loved this story for as long as I’ve known it. After seeing a couple older movie versions, listening to Focus on the Family’s audio drama, and the musical soundtrack; I finally read the unabridged version of this epic tale. *whew* 😉
I haven’t seen the new musical, so I’d love to, of course! 🙂
I’m almost through reading (or rather, listening on Librivox) the unabridged book. I started reading it before i knew anything about the movie. LOVE. I’m an unabridged or go home girl myself, but when I heard Ann Hathaway sing I dreamed a dream, I knew I wanted to see the movie.
I was really disappointed to miss the movie when it came out. ‘Life happened’, as they say!
Hopefully in the next few months I’ll get to my goal of reading the book. 🙂
I’d love to win this giveaway because I read the book in high school and loved it. I am excited to see how it was adapted for the movie. The cast is stellar so I have no doubt it will be great.
Please enter me again, thanks!
I too read the book & love the story. I would love to see how they have made the story come alive 🙂
Unforgiveness and revenge meets the face of grace and forgiveness…and grace wins. Never cried so hard in a movie before in my life!
I saw the first 5 minutes, and never got to finish it. But those 5 minutes were AMAZING!
I have seen an older version of the movie and would love to see the new one! Plus I love musicals! 🙂
Saw the PBS music-only version, would love to see the movie and read the book. The songs are so great!
I loved this movie so much! I actually wrote a review on my own blog, which is just for my family and friends. Whether I win a free copy or not, we’ll wind up owning this movie!
I love the cast.
I loved the older version with Liam Neeson. It is such a beautifully redemptive story and I would love to get this version and see it all again 🙂
I have had so many friends rave about this story that I think it’s high time I experience it as well!
I’ve seen a previous version of Les Miserables, but I’d love to see this one as well. It’s a great story!
Haven’t seen it yet but would love to. Thanks for the giveaway!
I look forward to the beautiful voices singing in this film!
Love THIS movie!!!
I, too, read the unabridged version. …’cause I’m hardcore like that, LOL! I recommend the book to everyone I meet…but do warn them that they have to plow through a couple chapters of, seemingly, barely related French history and something like a whole chapter of commentary on the wallpaper at the Bishop’s.
I love that, for the movie, they cast Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop. I believe he originated the role of Valjean on Broadway.
I am familiar with the author and know it’s been a theatre hit for decades, but I’ve never read the book nor seen the play or movie. Your review, and Gretchen’s, makes me understand I should, at the very least, see the DVD soonest. Thank you.
I love musicals, I was a voice major in college. I have yet to see Les Mis and I really want to see it! Thanks for your blog, I love reading about your life with your babies and your perspective on things. God bless you!
I got to see this in the theater and I cried. A lot. I’ve seen numerous versions of it, but this one is powerful! I didn’t even mind the Singing Russell Crowe.
I read the book as a young teen (maybe 13 or 14?) and my grandma was flabbergasted. “But surely, you’re skipping things, right?” I was totally appalled that she would think I could possibly skip so much as a word. I always read every word of everything.
Please enter me to win again, thanks!
Great review! I love this story, would love to see the movie!!
Love your review. Every word. AND THE PICTURES! So cute. 🙂
But amen–it is the story of redemption, and THAT is what makes it a story that we all must experience.
I’ve heard great things about this movie and really want to see it!
I love the way this book portrays redemption and forgiveness in the face of betrayal.
Love Les Mis! I was fortunate to see it on Broadway 🙂 Love the book and the movie!!
I haven’t seen the movie, but I’ve heard great things about it. Actually, I’m pretty sure the old musical version of it was on Broadway the year I lived in NY … but I’ve never seen that one either.
I’ve seen it on stage – oh my!!! Just the thought of having it on DVD to watch whenever I want makes my heart pound. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Would love to see it! I didn’t catch it in the theatre.
I’ve been reading the book since December (about a third of the way done!) so I enjoyed your comments about Hugo’s penchant for non-brevity! I’ve always loved the musical – my family listened to it a lot growing up, and now I’ve got my kids singing the songs (although some of the lyrics make me cringe, thankfully my kids haven’t picked up on the bad language yet)
I agree that the movie needs to be seen by everyone. The book is too long to be practical for most people, but the movie makes this grace-filled story of redemption accessible to everyone. Can’t wait to see it again!
I would *love* to see this movie! I’ve been a huge fan of the unabridged book and the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre rendition as well for many years.
Thank you for offering the opportunity to win! 🙂
I am so looking forward to seeing Les Mes! I have been anticipating the DVD release for months! Could not make it to the theater. : ( It is an encouragement to hear how the movie~musical keeps true to our real redemption story! Can hardly wait!
i want it so bad! i love the lyrics, music, everything!!
I actually never quite finished Les Mes (can’t remember whether it was the unabridged version or not, but it was LONG. *hangs head in shame
I would love to win the copy of the movie, though, because I couldn’t quite seem to talk my husband (who had read the whole book) into going to theater and watching people sing it (and, yes, I’ve hard Russell Crowe is terrible).
In other words…pick me, pick MEEEEE!
This movie is absolutely fantastic. It’s not very often that Hollywood offers up a story of true grace, mercy, and redemption. It is incredibly powerful and moving. My husband and I burned through a pack of kleenex in one sitting!
I too loved the redemption story line. Didn’t mind that it was 99.99999999999 percent a musical either! Well done IMHO! 🙂
Although I’ve not seen the movie, what I love about it is the fact that all the songs were recorded live. BRILLIANT!
I love musicals and I love this story…so I really want to see the movie! 🙂
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I LOVE the stage version. I’m so excited to see it!
Don’t we all need to experience the biblical grace of God in our lives to empower us for the journey so that we can see how bound up we’ve been in legalism, dead works and religion? Victor Hugo painted a picture to which we can all relate. This story shows how naked and blind, wretched and poor we all are and how the Lord can turn it all around if we will turn to Him. The grace to forgive and be forgiven and redemption that brings life to what was lost…….pictures of true justice!
I’ve only see the Liam Neison version of the movie and read the unabridged book….looks like I need me a Les Mis education!
would love to see this movie red the book!!
sorry read the book loved it
I have never been into these kind of books or movies, but I have been hearing such great things about this movie. I would love to win it and see it for myself and pass it along to others to view and enjoy!
I too loved the book, and broadway musical. This movie is really powerful, especially the ending.
Honestly the music is amazing! I find myself humming the songs long after I’ve seen the movie!
I have never seen the movie, but I have seen the theatre production 3 times. I’ve been hooked since high school, too. I love how the characters just keep struggling, fighting even when life is really, really hard. They don’t give up.
I would love to see this movie because I love to watch movies that are inspiring!
I’ve loved the music for years, and it is such a wonderful story of grace and redemption. I cried my way through it.
I loved the portrayal of grace in so many scenes.
I felt the exact same way when I read the unabridged version. I remember being on the last page and thinking… “I might just go back to page 1 and start over because I can’t bear to be finished with this story!”
I love the story, and the songs are so well-written and really draw one into the mood of the story! I had never heard of it until I married my husband, and we are both big fans! Can’t wait to see the movie 🙂
I can’t think of any modern story that reminds me of the love of my Father quite like Les Mis.
Nice. I love the book! I was afraid the movie would be so different from the book that I would hate it.
The “redemption” theme definitely has me intrigued to want to see it now!
Would love to win this!
This was a beautiful portrayal of the ugliness of sin and the beauty of redemption! I so appreciated the reality of our need for mercy as shown in this story…
I’ve not seen it, but heard about it a lot. I’m also in the process of considering adoption in the midst of raising my own two daughters.
Haven’t seen the movie or even read the book. Aren’t you appalled?? I think it would be a great thing to do with the boys and then use the discussion guide.
I love this story of redemption and grace. It convicts of the times when I have been like Valjean and times when I need to extend God’s love to those hurting.
My husband has been trying to convince me that this musical wont be any good, but I know that it’s a classic and we will be watching it.
I haven’t seen it yet, but LOVE musicals so I think I would enjoy it!
Haven’t seen it yet.
I want to see the movie because I love the story, so inspiring!
I have adopted kids, and I love the way this movie portrays adoption!