It's the Middle Ages. Nobody is happy. Horrible misshapen ugly guy falls in love with girl, saves her, then lets her go with the guy she loves.

Except as far as I can tell, nobody ever filmed that sucker the way it was written, because it's INTERMINABLE. Mr. Otter and I loved Les Miserables, read it to each other for nine months...but we just oculdn't get through this one. Maybe I'll give it another try someday...

This was the third movie from our traditional New Year's Day videofest (theme: 1939), the (justly) famous Charles Laughton version, and if you haven't seen it, you should go out and get it right now! Laughton's makeup is horrible and compelling, the plot is wonderful, the scenes are lovely, it's a real treat. Even Maureen O'Hara is good in this one, a real cutie. Lots of nuance and gorgeous filming, I could go on and on but I won't. And Laughton is amazing...this is one of his best roles.

Interesting to compare Louis XI in this with the Louis XI from If I Were King, may have to watch that again soon...(and here it is!)