The Petit Gervais episode does not occur. The Thénardier family appears only when Valjean redeems Cosette. As mayor, Valjean is aided by a junior police official more loyal to him than to Javert.
Many details of the plot are faithfully reproduced, including the trial at Arras and the death of Gavroche, while entire segments of the plot are eliminated. The film changes the names of secondary characters and places to make them more readily understood by an English-speaking audience.
Valjean arrives at court where the man is being tried and reveals his identity that he is the real Valjean.
Later, Valjean receives word that another man is mistaken as being him and is about to be arrested. However, the Thénardiers continue to extort more money from Valjean and Fantine on the pretence of Fantine's daughter being ill. Valjean nurses Fantine back to health, and promises her that she will have her daughter back. Citing his authority to do so as mayor, Valjean insists on her release and she is let go. Fantine is attacked by some customers, and when she retaliates, Javert beats and arrests her, planning on sending her to prison. Javert starts to suspect that the Mayor and Valjean are the same person. Thénardier for looking after her daughter Cosette, turns to prostitution. Fantine, in desperate need of money to pay the extortionate demands of Mr. However, Valjean is preoccupied with the arrival of Inspector Javert, who previously served as a guard at the prison in which Valjean was held. Fantine, a single mother working at one of Valjean's factories, is fired when her manager learns she has had a daughter out of wedlock. Nine years later, Valjean is now a wealthy industrialist and a mayor. Myriel then reminds Valjean that he is to become a new man. When the police arrest Valjean for stealing and drag him back to Myriel, Myriel tells them that the silverware was a gift and scolds Valjean for forgetting to take his candlesticks as well. In the night, Valjean, interrupted by Myriel while stealing his silverware, strikes him and flees. Valjean explains to Myriel that sleeping in a real bed will make him a new man. When no one is willing to allow a convict to stay the night, Bishop Myriel kindly welcomes him into his home. Jean Valjean, a man arrested for stealing food, is released after spending 19 years in a prison labour camp.