In this extended finale, the various story threads get wrapped up.
The revolutionary firebrands have barricaded themselves. They are holding Javert and are face to face with the government's soldiers. The outcome is bloody. The BBC certainly staged the battle scenes well.
Valjean turns up looking for Marius. Instead he finds Marius fighting bravely and getting seriously injured.
Valjean takes him to safety even though he knows that once Marius recovers he will take his beloved Colette away from him. Valjean even gets to Javert and releases him first. He tells Javert that he is willing to give himself up.
There are some big emotional moments, chiefly Javert realising the errors of his understanding in the human condition. Marius meanwhile rushing to save Thenadier's son from the firing soldiers. Even Marius's grandfather reconciling with his grandson. when he arrives gravely injured. The biggest moment is the coming together of Valjean, Marius and Colette, by which time all of them have learned the truth about each other.
Dominic West has revelled in human suffering, never have I seen a character who wanted more like some Oliver Twist asking for an extra helping of gruel. David Oyelowo had to move from blind obsession to confusion as he sees the value of kindness for its own sake.
It was largely a successful series but like the name of the novel, you are looking at the wretched slice of life of the underclass. I did think the finale would had been better with its normal running time.
The revolutionary firebrands have barricaded themselves. They are holding Javert and are face to face with the government's soldiers. The outcome is bloody. The BBC certainly staged the battle scenes well.
Valjean turns up looking for Marius. Instead he finds Marius fighting bravely and getting seriously injured.
Valjean takes him to safety even though he knows that once Marius recovers he will take his beloved Colette away from him. Valjean even gets to Javert and releases him first. He tells Javert that he is willing to give himself up.
There are some big emotional moments, chiefly Javert realising the errors of his understanding in the human condition. Marius meanwhile rushing to save Thenadier's son from the firing soldiers. Even Marius's grandfather reconciling with his grandson. when he arrives gravely injured. The biggest moment is the coming together of Valjean, Marius and Colette, by which time all of them have learned the truth about each other.
Dominic West has revelled in human suffering, never have I seen a character who wanted more like some Oliver Twist asking for an extra helping of gruel. David Oyelowo had to move from blind obsession to confusion as he sees the value of kindness for its own sake.
It was largely a successful series but like the name of the novel, you are looking at the wretched slice of life of the underclass. I did think the finale would had been better with its normal running time.
