By: Renae Richardson
What determines the authenticity of a story, and is it worth revisiting a creative work just to explore nuanced alterations, specifically in casting choices? That is what lovers of Victor Hugo’s artistic masterpiece, Les Misérables, are about to find out.
A Fresh Adaptation on the Horizon
Les Misérables is getting a new facelift after more than a decade since the release of the feature film starring Hugh Jackman. This newest project has been undertaken by Studio Canal, with the adaptation credited to Fred Cavayé. Per ComingSoon.net,
“The studio unveiled the teaser for its upcoming Les Misérables adaptation starring Vincent Lindon and Tahar Rahim.”
The Historical Truth Behind the Story
To fully appreciate why this story continues to inspire adaptation after adaptation, we have to look at where it truly began. Les Misérables is a historical portrait of the social and political upheaval in France during the 1800s. It is often attributed by many as being set during the French Revolution, but this is not quite true. The French Revolution is noted to have begun in 1787 and ended around the late 1790s, roughly 1799. Les Misérables is actually predicated on another period of rebellion known as the June Rebellion. Per The Collector,
“The June Rebellion occurred on June 5–6, 1832, in Paris, France. It was an attempt by the republicans of Paris to resist the newly-established monarchy of Louis Philippe, who tried to institute hardline reforms, including ending public works programs to provide for the unemployed.”
This became the inspiration for Les Misérables.
Victor Hugo’s Firsthand Experience
Building on that historical foundation, it is said that Victor Hugo was within earshot of a skirmish in his younger years. According to The Collector,
“During the June Rebellion, when the gunfire started, Victor Hugo was nearby in the Tuileries Gardens, working on a play. He decided to follow the sounds. Unaware of the barricades that were erected everywhere in Les Halles, he found himself in the center of the heated fighting. When he started working on Les Misérables in 1845, he decided to incorporate the events of the June Rebellion he witnessed as a young man.”
That became the rich experience that gave the world one of the most inspired and celebrated works in literary and theatrical history.
A Global Theatrical Legacy
From those lived experiences, the story took on a life of its own on the stage. According to Playbill, the theatrical run began in the mid 80s, first running in London before making its way to Broadway. By its first run in 1987, the work was widely experienced across the globe.
“It had been running in London since 1985. Soon enough, it would blanket the globe, eventually being produced in 42 countries and translated into 21 languages. “
Since then, it has had multiple returns to Broadway and was adapted into a feature film.
What Sets This Version Apart
Les Misérables. Image source: Christophe Brachet (Courtesy of Variety)
Now, another adaptation is in the works, and this time with an entirely French cast.
“StudioCanal’s sales division said the movie will benefit from the very well-established audience of the musical while offering a new, realistic interpretation with a stellar French cast that is attractive for international audiences. “
Leaning into the changes, it is also reported that this version veers away from a musical presentation of the work.
“Instead of musical numbers, it trades them for prison sequences, sword battles, and smoke-filled revolutionary scenes.”
Is Another Adaptation Truly Necessary?
Now to the question at hand. Is revisitation necessary given the breadth of the work that has already been interpreted and adapted for audiences for decades? The answer is emphatically no; it is not necessary. However, audiences are vast, and their preferences mirror that diversity. Furthermore, what inspires one creative artisan may not inspire another. While this is, in essence, a move to reclaim the work and return it to its foundations, it also offers a different perspective, one that might have been lost on viewers who could not find the story buried within the music of the former feature film.
The Case for Retelling Great Stories
There is often a complaint about reworks and adaptations, but great stories that embody a universal, timeless message serve the very purpose for which they were created. They were created to make an impact. They were created to instruct and inspire. They were created so that people don’t forget. If you forget where you come from, you will always lose sight of where you are going. With that in mind, hopefully fans will welcome this new adaptation with open arms, not with comparison but with a willingness to look at the work through someone else’s eyes, perhaps awakening in the viewer something missed in other iterations.
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