- It was really difficult because I felt that it was so important to get this right, and you've only got one moment, one glance, really, in which to show him opening his heart again, after years of persecution, and aggression, and violence.
Before every scene, I could look at the book and read exactly what Valjean was thinking.
Written by one of the greatest writers of all time, in great length.
In the book, that moment is he lying down, and he remembers his mother.
It's not in our version.
You see the sun in the trees.
- I did write a scene in which Jean Valjean remembers, and we actually see Jean Valjean as a toddler in his mother's arms.
I personally quite liked to see what it looked like if we had had the flashback, but then it wouldn't be Dominic's performance that was working it's magic on us.
- What's happened is, the bishop has started something in him, emotionally.
He's shown him love, which Valjean has not experienced for 19 years.
What's wonderful is the catalyst is a small child, who, in his former character, he chooses to exploit because he's weak, and in his transformation, he realizes that he is there to protect the weak, and the miserables are the important people in the world.
Petit-Gervais!
Strength has a responsibility towards the weak, but also that the weak give the strong people so much.
They give them their humanity.
(gentle orchestral music)
