#LM 1948 spoilers

[pilferingapples]

A screencap I couldn't use in the longer post :

[pilferingapples]

well 1948 Les Miserables continues to amaze, astonish, stun, and horrify

spoilers under a cut because you do NOT know what this movie is gonna do, no you don't

Remember how last time Valjean had a conversation with Science Simplice in her kickass Science Lab, to decide if he should turn himself in?

Well this week he writes a note to Javert explaining that He Is Jean Valjean and uh.. I ...

ok look I'm not gonna try to puzzle out the series of events that leads to this, because he tells Simplice he'll be gone a while and then he writes a letter and then he's with Fantine

and so yes! they cut the whole trial sequence! they cut even the NEED for a trial sequence! And you know what , I'm not opposed in theory! LM is ridiculously well known, an adaptation can choose to cut some of the more well-known sequences for time, or even symbolism! I could really like the parallel of Valjean and Javert both "resigning" with a letter!

In this case: we are cutting the trial sequence, and smashcutting to Fantine's surprisingly book-accurate death, so that we have time for the all-important FOUNDRY SCENE

you know When Javert arrests Valjean and takes him through the foundry? You know, the foundry attached to the hospital? like you do?

[ID: Javert, Valjean and several assorted cops walking into a dramatically lit room, while Javert says " Let's go through the foundry, it will attract less attention. "] Right! that dialogue, such deathless prose! so of course they go to the foundry . a room designed along the lines of a Batman: The Animated Series room, with lots of huge spaces for dramatic action sequences:

[ID: Valjean , Javert and the assorted police in a hugely tall factory room, with , again, very dramatic lighting. / end ID] and then an old guy there gets his OSHA on

[ID: an older workman in a work apron and overalls yells "No! Mayor! Beware the casting!" while turning the gears of some machinery. /end ID]

so Javert SHOOTS HIM DEAD

[ID: Javert firing a gun!/end ID] which sets the whole place

[ID: the same tall factory room as before, now with bright, molten metal pouring down from a high point in the wall! /end ID]

ON FIRE

[ID: Valjean and Javert surrounded by leaping flames!/ID]

the rest of today's installment ft.: Terrible Adoptive Dad Valjean (seriously AWFUL I hope Cosette gets away from him wth), Valjean trying to pretend he's blind (and being very bad at that too) , and Sister Simplice in the convent...with Javert! Other versions have done this but I think this might be the earliest?

I cannot wait for next week, the barricades are gonna be utterly unhinged

[pilferingapples]

Addendum:

A screencap I couldn't use in the longer post :