After serving a nineteen year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread, criminal Jean Valjean is released from a French prison. Upon arriving to the small town of Digne, Valjean learns that none of the townspeople are willing to offer him shelter because of his criminal past. Seeking refuge, Valjean comes across the home of the bishop Myriel, who offers him kindness and a warm place to stay. Not quite used to life outside of the prison, Valjean steals silverware from the bishop and is later arrested. However, upon his arrest, the bishop lies to the police, insisting that he gave the silverware to Valjean as a gift. Being spared what would have undoubtedly been a return trip to prison, Valjean promises the bishop that he will do whatever he needs to do in order to become an honest, law abiding man. With the intent of keeping his promise, Valjean recreates himself as the inventor Madeleine and endeavours to create a new life in the town of Montreuil-sur-mer. While there, Valjean creates a unique manufacturing process that brings great wealth to the town and is later elected as mayor.
Fantine, a beautiful young lady from Montreuil, has relocated to Paris. While there, she meets and falls in love with Tholomyes, a student from a prosperous family who romances the young Fantine but eventually abandons her after she falls pregnant. Being left with no way of supporting herself or the daughter she must now raise alone, Fantine makes the decision to return to her homeland with her infant daughter, Cosette. During her journey, Fantine comes to the sobering realization that she will never be capable of finding employment if the people are aware of her fatherless child. While travelling through Montfermeil, she encounters the Thenardiers; they are the keepers of the local inn. The Thenardier family agree to take care of Cosette in exchange for a regular monthly allowance.
While in Montreuil, Fantine seeks out employment at the factory owned by Madeleine. However, upon learning about her daughter, Fantine is fired. In turn, the Thenardier family request an increase in allowance in order to continue caring for Cosette. Spurned by an inability to support herself or her daughter, Fantine turns to prostitution. Eventually, Fantine is arrested by the local police chief, Javert. Had it not been for the intervention of Madeleine, Fantine would have been sent off to prison. Having fallen ill, Fantine asks to be able to see her daughter, Cosette, and asks that Madeleine send for her. However, before he is able to do so, he must appease Javert who has discovered the truth about his identity. Javert informs Madeleine that they have found a man who has been accused of being the criminal Valjean and later prompts a confession by Madeleine. As Javert arrives to arrest Valjean, Fantine dies.
Several years later, Valjean escapes from prison and ventures towards Montfermeil where he buys Cosette from the Thenardiers. It is revealed that the Thernardiers were an awful bunch who neglected and abused Cosette while treating their own daughters like royalty. Valjean takes Cosette and moves to a destitute area in Paris. However, after having been discovered by Javert, the pair must flee. They are lucky to find refuge in a convent, and Cosette receives an education while Valjean earns a tidy wage as a gardener.
Marius Pontmercy, the grandson of wealthy M. Gillenormand, has been estranged from his father due to their differences in political affiliation. However, after the passing of his father, Marius learns more about him and comes to relate to his democratic views. Angry with his grandfather for having kept him away from his father, Marius moves out of the house and adapts to life as a struggling law student. While in school, Marius befriends a group of radicals known as the Friend of ABC, who are spearheaded by Enjolras. One day, Marius encounters Cosette at a local park and is immediately smitten. However, Valjean is immensely protective of the girl and tries to prevent the two young people from meeting. However, their paths eventually cross once more when Valjean makes a social welfare visit to the Jondrettes, Marius’s lower class neighbors. As it turns out, the Jondrettes are actually the Thenardiers, who after having lost their inn, were forced to relocate to Paris under a new identity. When Valjean leaves, Mr. Thenardier announces his plan to rob Valjean. Disgusted by the announcement, Marius contacts the local police to inform them of the crime that is about to happen. Unfortunately, the police inspector is none other than Javert. Javert arrests the Thenardiers, but Valjean is able to slip away before he is recognized.
Eponine, the daughter of Thenardier, is in love with Marius and assists him in locating Cosette. After successfully contacting Cosette, the two declare their feelings for each other. However, the excitement is cut short. Valjean fears that he will lose Cosette and doesn’t want her mixed up in the political unrest that plagues the city. The two make plans to move to London, England. Out of pure desperation, Marius seeks the assistance of his grandfather and asks for his permission to marry Cosette. Their encounter ends in a fight. Marius later learns that Cosette and Valjean have gone. Broken hearted, Marius decides to accompany his radical friends, who have begun to revolt. Armed with pistols, Marius sets out for the barricades.
The political uprising appears to be frivolous, however, Marius and his friends refuse to stand down and continue on in their fight for freedom and democracy. The students soon learn that Javert has infiltrated their group. Labeling him a spy, Enjolras captures him. The army has begun to fight against the group, and in the heat of it all, Eponine jumps in front of the bullet of a riffle to save the life of Marius. As she lays dying in Marius’s arms, she hands him a letter written by Cosette. Marius pens a reply and asks a boy named Gavroche to deliver it.
Valjean intercepts the note, and after reading it, sets out to save Marius. When Valjean reaches the barricade, he volunteers to execute Javert. However, instead of executing him, he lets him go. When the army reaches the barricade, Valjean drags the wounded Marius through the sewers in order to escape. After the pair emerge, Javert arrests him without hesitation. However, Valjean convinces Jalvet to allow him to escort Marius, who is dying, to the home of his grandfather. Javert is plagued by the thoughts of doing the right thing; should he uphold his commitment to the law, or should he uphold his debt to Valjean? In the end, Javert releases Valjean and commits suicide by jumping into the river and drowning.
Marius recovers fully and reconciles with his grandfather, who later consents to the marriage of Marius and Cosette. Their wedding is a joyous celebration, however, joy turns to fear when Valjean confesses his past to Marius. The news of his criminal past alarms Marius, who still has not learned that it was Valjean who saved him at the barricades. Marius attempts to prevent Cosette from seeing the man who loved her like a daughter, and this throws Valjean into a deep depression. Marius later learns from the Thenardiers that it was Valjean who saved him and he sets out to correct his wrongdoing. He discloses everything to Cosette and the pair rush off to see Valjean just before he takes his final breath. Happy to have his daughter by his side once more, Valjean passes away with a full heart.