In early 19th century France the paroled prisoner Jean Valjean seeks redemption, regains his social standing, and rises to the rank of mayor. He encounters a beautiful but desperately ill woman named Fantine and cares for her daughter, Cosette, after her death. All the while he is obsessively pursued by the policeman Javert, who vows to make him pay for the crimes of his past.

Two escaped convicts' only prayer is to pass themselves off as clergymen. As men of the cloth, they are able to pass right through a police blockade at the border and into the safety of Canada.