Les Misérables Synopsis

Les Misérables follows Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who is shown mercy by an archbishop after stealing silver. Inspired by the archbishop’s kindness, Valjean starts a new life and eventually becomes a wealthy factory owner and mayor.

At his factory, Fantine is fired when her secret is revealed: she has a daughter, Cosette, who lives with cruel innkeepers. Desperate to support her daughter, Fantine becomes a prostitute. Before she dies, Valjean promises to care for Cosette. He rescues her from the innkeepers and raises her while being relentlessly pursued by the policeman Javert.

Years later, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a young revolutionary. During the June Rebellion, Marius and the students fight at the barricades, where Éponine and Gavroche are killed. Valjean joins the fight to protect Marius and spares Javert when given the chance to kill him. After the rebellion fails, Valjean rescues the wounded Marius. Unable to reconcile his duty with Valjean’s mercy, Javert takes his own life.

Marius recovers and marries Cosette. Valjean reveals his past and withdraws from their lives. When Marius learns the truth about Valjean’s sacrifices, he and Cosette rush to see him before he dies. Valjean dies peacefully, reunited in spirit with Fantine, the archbishop, and those who died at the barricades.