The convict Jean Valjean is freed from a French prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread and for his attempts to escape from prison. When Valjean travels to the town of Digne, no one is willing to give him shelter because he is an ex-convict. When Valjean knocks on the door of M. Myriel, a kindly bishop, he invites him in and gives him shelter and food. Valjean repays the bishop by stealing his silverware. When the police arrest Valjean, Myriel covers for him, saying that the silverware was a gift. The police let Valjean go and Myriel makes him promise to become an honest and good man. Willing to fulfill his promise, Valjean masks his identity and enters the town of Montreuil-sur-mer. Under the assumed name of Madeleine, Valjean invents an ingenious manufacturing process that brings the town prosperity. He eventually becomes the town’s mayor.
Fantine, is a woman from Montreuil, and lives in Paris. She falls in love with Tholomyès, a wealthy student who seduces and impregnates her and then abandons her. Fantine returns to her home with her daughter, Cosette. On the way to Montreuil, Fantine recognizes that she will never be able to find work if the townspeople know that she has an illegitimate baby. She meets the Thénardiers, a family that runs an inn. The Thénardiers agree to care for Cosette as long as Fantine sends them a monthly allowance.
Fantine finds work in Madeleine’s factory. A coworker finds out about Cosette and has Fantine fired. The Thénardiers begin to require more money to support Cosette, and Fantine has resort to prostitution to make ends meet. One night, Javert, a police chief, arrests Fantine. She is to be sent to prison, but Madeleine intervenes for her. Fantine has fallen ill, and when she longs to see Cosette, Madeleine promises to send for her. He must first talk with Javert, who has discovered Madeleine’s criminal