Shunned on leaving jail, Jean Valjean is tempted back into crime. Dramatisation of Victor Hugo's epic novel with Joss Ackland.

France 1815: Jean Valjean - sentenced to 19 years hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread - is finally released from prison.

Given shelter by the kind-hearted Bishop of Digne, he's tempted to carry out one more criminal act.

Victor Hugo's epic story of social injustice, dramatised in 25 episodes by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Lin Coghlan.

Starring Roger Allam as Jean Valjean, Joss Ackland as Victor Hugo, David Schofield as Inspector Javert, David De Keyser as Bishop Myriel, Marlene Sidaway as Mme Magloire, Christopher Godwin as Landlord / Official 1, Peter Darney as Guard 1 / Pascal, Jonathan Forbes as Policeman 1/ Official 2/ Waggoner 2 and Carl Prekopp as Guard 2 / Policeman 2 / Waggoner 3.

Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2001.