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In 1935, American audiences were treated to two simultaneously released versions of Les Miserables, one made in Hollywood, the other in France. Much the same thing happened in 1952. While 20th Century-Fox's Les Miserables, starring Michael Rennie as beleagured ex-convict Jean Valjean, was making the rounds, a second version, lensed in Italy, was also showing up in selected theatres. Running a fast 112 minutes (hardly enough time to do full justice to the novel), U.S. release of the Italian adaptation starred Gino Servi as Valjean, whose "new" life as a man of position and respect is forever threatened by dogged detective Javert. Valentine Cortese costars as Cosette, Valjean's adopted daughter. English-language prints of the the Italian Les Miserables credit the direction to "Robert Hampton"; in fact, direction was handled by prominent European filmmaker Riccardo Freda.

Genres: History

Starring: Gino Cervi, Valentina Cortese

Released: January 21, 1948

Runtime: 188.0

Popularity Rating: 0.487

Lux Film

Italy

Jean Valjean Gino Cervi
Fantine Valentina Cortese
Javert Hans Hinrich
Thenardier Luigi Pavese
La Thenardier Jone Romano
Marius Aldo Nicodemi
Eponine Delia Orman
Un rivoluzionario Marcello Mastroianni

Camera — Director of Photography: Rodolfo Lombardi
Directing — Director: Riccardo Freda
Production — Producer: Carlo Ponti