Jon Mirsalis on Piano (Note: Parts III and IV of Les Misérables are presented on Sunday, February 22.) "This is the first time Les Misérables has been presented complete in this country. It makes a fascinating counterpart to the current musical show, for this version has a quality lacking in all others; it was filmed in the locations described in the novel when they still looked as they did when Victor Hugo knew them. Henri Fescourt has brought to the film a love for the characters which imbues the simplest close-up with a remarkable intensity. Gabriel Gabrio was born to create Jean Valjean and Sandra Milowanoff plays a double role (as Fantine and her daughter Cosette) with great poignancy. The keynote of the treatment is simplicity, and yet there are surprises-rapid cutting, subjective camera, even animation. Those who love the novel will find that Fescourt shares their passion-he fought the producers who wanted to commit the customary atrocities on the story and insisted on a film of four parts. Before the Cinémathèque's restoration, I was only able to see the first half. It was so moving and absorbing, I cannot wait to see the rest, when the workers clash with government troops at the Barricades." (Kevin Brownlow, for the National Film Archive, London, 1/87)