Les Miserables trailer
About.com
The story of Les Miz begins in 1815, more than two decades after the start of the French Revolution. According to The DK History of the World, the revolution began in 1789; it was "a deep-rooted revolt by many classes against the whole order of society." The impoverished were infuriated by their economic hardships, food shortages, and the callous attitudes upper class. (Who could forget Marie Antionette's infamous line about the public's lack of bread: "Let them eat cake"?) However, the lower classes were not the only angry voices. The middle class, inspired by progressive ideologies and America's newly won freedom, demanded reform.
Storming the Bastille:
Finance Minister Jacques Necker was one of the strongest advocates of the lower classes. When the monarchy banished Necker, public outrage ensued throughout France. People viewed his banishment as a sign to come together and over-throw their oppressive government. This provides a striking contrast to the events in Les Miserables, in which the young rebels erroneously believe that the masses will rise up to join their cause.
On July 14th, 1789, several days after Necker's banishment, revolutionaries overtook the Bastille Prison. This act launched the French Revolution. At the time of the siege, the Bastille maintained only seven prisoners. However, the old fortress held an abundance of gunpowder, making it both a strategic as well as a politically symbolic target. The prison's governor was ultimately captured and killed. His head, and the heads of other guards, were skewered onto pikes and paraded through the streets. And to top things off, the mayor of Paris was assassinated by the end of the day. While the revolutionaries barricaded themselves in streets and buildings, King Louis XVI and his military leaders decided to back-off to appease the masses.
So, although Les Miz does not take place during this era, it is important to know about the French Revolution so that one can understand what is going through the minds of Marius, Enjolras, and the other members of the Paris Uprising of 1832. About.com. Wade Bradford, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. <http://plays.about.com/od/
musicals/a/Les-Miserables-Historical-Background.htm>.
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- One of the longest novels in history: 1,900 pages in the original French, 1,400 in English.
- 365 chapters long.
- One of the “half-dozen greatest novels of the world,” said Upton Sinclair.
- Packed with 11 major and 40+ minor characters.
- The book that launched at least 60 film versions (#61 coming soon to multiple multiplexes near you).
- The source of countless dramatic adaptations, including the musical, which has played in 42 countries to about a billion people.
- An ever-flowing fount of video games, unofficial sequels and prequels, adoring websites, comic books, radio shows, spoofs and satires, festivals, full-length cartoons, academic dissertations and an inordinate plethora of 24601-themed swag. (For the uninitiated, 24601 was protagonist Jean Valjean’s prison number.)
- The inspiration for many modernized versions, including the TV series The Fugitive and every story about misunderstood revolutionaries. The Last Poets, N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton and Rage Against the Machine all pay homage to author Victor Hugo.
The story of Les Miz begins in 1815, more than two decades after the start of the French Revolution. According to The DK History of the World, the revolution began in 1789; it was "a deep-rooted revolt by many classes against the whole order of society." The impoverished were infuriated by their economic hardships, food shortages, and the callous attitudes upper class. (Who could forget Marie Antionette's infamous line about the public's lack of bread: "Let them eat cake"?) However, the lower classes were not the only angry voices. The middle class, inspired by progressive ideologies and America's newly won freedom, demanded reform.
Storming the Bastille:
Finance Minister Jacques Necker was one of the strongest advocates of the lower classes. When the monarchy banished Necker, public outrage ensued throughout France. People viewed his banishment as a sign to come together and over-throw their oppressive government. This provides a striking contrast to the events in Les Miserables, in which the young rebels erroneously believe that the masses will rise up to join their cause.
On July 14th, 1789, several days after Necker's banishment, revolutionaries overtook the Bastille Prison. This act launched the French Revolution. At the time of the siege, the Bastille maintained only seven prisoners. However, the old fortress held an abundance of gunpowder, making it both a strategic as well as a politically symbolic target. The prison's governor was ultimately captured and killed. His head, and the heads of other guards, were skewered onto pikes and paraded through the streets. And to top things off, the mayor of Paris was assassinated by the end of the day. While the revolutionaries barricaded themselves in streets and buildings, King Louis XVI and his military leaders decided to back-off to appease the masses.
So, although Les Miz does not take place during this era, it is important to know about the French Revolution so that one can understand what is going through the minds of Marius, Enjolras, and the other members of the Paris Uprising of 1832. About.com. Wade Bradford, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. <http://plays.about.com/od/
musicals/a/Les-Miserables-Historical-Background.htm>.
Paste
- One of the longest novels in history: 1,900 pages in the original French, 1,400 in English.
- 365 chapters long.
- One of the “half-dozen greatest novels of the world,” said Upton Sinclair.
- Packed with 11 major and 40+ minor characters.
- The book that launched at least 60 film versions (#61 coming soon to multiple multiplexes near you).
- The source of countless dramatic adaptations, including the musical, which has played in 42 countries to about a billion people.
- An ever-flowing fount of video games, unofficial sequels and prequels, adoring websites, comic books, radio shows, spoofs and satires, festivals, full-length cartoons, academic dissertations and an inordinate plethora of 24601-themed swag. (For the uninitiated, 24601 was protagonist Jean Valjean’s prison number.)
- The inspiration for many modernized versions, including the TV series The Fugitive and every story about misunderstood revolutionaries. The Last Poets, N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton and Rage Against the Machine all pay homage to author Victor Hugo.