‘Les Miserables’ was first written by a French novelist, Victor-Marie Hugo in 1862. Then, a movie based on the novel was released in 1982 in France. In the 1980s, its musical version was a major success in London. After another movie by Bille August was released in 1999, yet another movie in musical form by Tom Hooper was widely loved by many people. Let us find out the secret of its charm, which has lasted over a hundred years, while we review some memorable scenes and lyrics.
Fantine: There was a time when men were kind, when their voices were soft, and their words inviting. There was a time when love was blind. And the world was a song. And the song was exciting. There was a time. Then it all went wrong. I dreamed a dream in time gone by, when hope was high and life worth living. I dreamed that love would never die. I dreamed that God would be forgiving. Then I was young and unafraid. And dreams were made and used and wasted. There was no ransom to be paid. No song unsung, no wine untasted. But the tigers come at night with their voices soft as thunder. As they tear your hope apart, and they turn your dream to shame. He slept a summer by my side. He filled my days with endless wonder. He took my childhood in his stride. But he was gone when autumn came. And still I dream he’ll come to me. That we will live the years together. But there are dreams that cannot be. And there are storms we cannot weather. I had a dream my life would be, so different from this hell I’m living, so different now from what it seemed. Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
(Valjean enters)
Valjean: Oh, Fantine, our time is running out. But Fantine, I swear this on my life.
Fantine: Look, M’sieur, where all the children play.
Valjean: Be at peace, be at peace evermore.
Fantine: My Cosette...
Valjean: Shall live in my protection.
Fantine: Take her now.
Valjean: Your child will want for nothing.
Fantine: Good M’sieur, you come from God in Heaven.
Valjean: And none shall ever harm Cosette as long as I am living.
Fantine: Take my hand. The night grows ever colder.
Valjean: Then I will keep you warm.
Fantine: Take my child. I give her to your keeping.
Valjean: Take shelter from the storm.
Fantine: For God’s sake, please stay till I am sleeping. And tell Cosette I love her. And I’ll see her when I wake.
People: Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Somewhere beyond the barricade, is there a world you long to see? Do you hear the people sing? Say, do you hear the distant drums? It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes! (the rest omitted)
source: Working Title Films
Kim Hyeon-ji Reporter
s004405@uos.ac.kr