Instead of coming from a filmmaker whose last movie had won Picture and Director Oscars, this version hailed from Bille August, a Danish cinematographer turned director with few English language credits (among them, The House of the Spirits and Smilla's Sense of Snow), who would subsequently return to working in his native Scandinavia. It opened on May 1st, far from awards consideration. Unlike 2012's incarnation, this 1998 film did not have Oscar bait written all over it. Already at just a 7.6, however, it remains to be seen whether it will be able to best the 1998 movie's 7.3 average user rating. Wielding Broadway clout and the star power of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway, Universal Pictures' big wide release is certain to overtake the 1998 version in visibility and votes. The classic 1939 Hollywood version of Hunchback starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara comes third and a variety of Les Mis, Hunchback, and other adaptations follow, only a few in the 1,000+ vote range that could defend an old movie against 'obscurity' claims. Currently, the 1998 version is the second most voted-on title in Hugo's 160-credit IMDb filmography, trailing only Disney's 1996 animated musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

A new version was then rolled out almost every decade, if not in America then in France and once in Italy. They began as early as a 1909 American silent movie. Shot in the Czech Republic and France, this international 1998 production was the twelfth feature film adaptation of Hugo's historical novel. But there are many other versions calling themselves the same thing. Having experienced only the last of those, I can say that while I think expectations of Oscar glory aren't the most well-founded, it is likely to become one of the best-known holders of that title. The title more obviously calls to mind Victor Hugo's 19th century novel, the highly successful and long-running 1980s stage musical, and now the major feature film adaptation that will open in theaters on Christmas Day. It is unlikely for you ever to be able to say the words ' Les Misérables' and have people know that you are talking about the 1998 dramatic film.

1998 les miserables full movie