In 1815, Jean Valjean is released on parole by police inspector Javert. After being offered food and shelter by the Bishop of Digne, the Bishop saves Valjean's life when he is captured. Humbled by the Bishop's kindness, Valjean breaks his parole. Eight years later, Valjean assumes a new identity as a factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. Fantine, one of his worker, gets into a fight after the other workers discover that she is sending money to her illegitimate daughter Cosette. Valjean breaks up the argument and the foreman dismisses Fantine. She soon becomes a prostitute and reflects on her broken dreams about her lover. During an argument with an abusive customer, Javert arrests Fantine, but Valjean takes her to a hospital. Valjean gets Fauchelevent out of a runaway cart, reminding Javert of his strength. Javert assures that Valjean has been arrested recently. After Valjean reveals his identity to the court, he promises a dying Fantine to find and look after Cosette. Unable to convince Javert to find the girl for three days, he flees.
In Montfermeil, Thénardier and Madame Thénardier abuse Cosette while indulging in their own daughter, Éponine. As Cosette dreams of a better life, the Thénardiers cheat their customers in various ways, and after Valjean finds Cosette, he pays them to let him take her. Javert vows to recapture Valjean. Ten years later, Paris is in upheaval because Jean Maximilien Lamarque is gravely ill. Gavroche, a street urchin, mingles with the prostitutes and beggars, while students Marius Pontmercy and Enjolras discuss the general's demise. The Thénardiers prepare to ambush Valjean, whom Thénardier recognizes as the man who took Cosette. Despite Éponine's warning to keep away, Marius runs into Cosette and immediately falls in love. Javert thwarts the Thénardiers's attempt to rob Valjean and Cosette, not recognising him until after he escapes.
At a cafe, Enjolras prepares a group of idealistic students for a revolution, and Gavroche announces of the death of Lamarque. Valjean, despite realizing that Cosette is an adult, refuses to talk about his past or her mother's. Éponine leads Marius to Cosette, who returns his love, and she prevents her father's gang from robbing Valjean's house. Valjean, thinking that Javert is here, decides to flee with Cosette. After learning about Cosette and Marius's relationship, Éponine laments that her love for Marius will never be reciprocated. Valjean prepares to go into exile; Cosette and Marius leave in despair; Éponine mourns the loss of Marius; Enjolras encourages Paris to join the revolution; Marius joins the other students as they prepare for the upcoming conflict; Javert briefs his soldiers he reveals his plans to spy on the students; and the Thénardiers look forward to robbing the corpses of those who will be killed.
On the day of the June Rebellion, the students interrupt Lamarque's funeral and they attack an army. The students begin a barricade when Javert, disguised as one of the rebels, volunteers to "spy" on the government troops. When Javert tells the students that the government will attack, Gavroche exposes him as a spy. Éponine is shot as she returns to the barricades and professes her love for Marius before she dies. Valjean arrives at the barricades in search of Marius, as the first battle begins, and saves Enjolras by shooting a sniper. Despite being told to execute Javert, Valjean releases him. As the students reminisce for the night, Valjean prays to God to save Marius from the oncoming assault.
Realizing that the people of Paris have abandoned the rebels, Enjolras sends away women and fathers of children but resolves to fight on. Gavroche is killed and Enjolras and the students realize that they will probably die. After refusing a final warning to surrender, the rebels are killed by the army and Marius is wounded. Valjean takes him into the sewers. Thénardier steals Marius's ring, but escapes when Valjean wakes up. Valjean runs into Javert, telling him that he will bring Marius to a doctor. Unable to bring himself to arrest Valjean, Javert commits suicide by throwing himself into the Seine. Marius mourns for his friends, wondering who saved him from the barricades. Cosette comforts him and they reaffirm their love. Revealing to Marius that he is a convict, Valjean must go away because his presence endangers Cosette. Valjean makes Marius promise never to tell Cosette, and Marius attempts to hold him back. Marius and Cosette soon marry, but the Thénardiers crash the reception and testify that they saw him carrying a corpse in the sewers after the barricades fell. Marius soon realises that Valjean saved his life and has the Thénardiers thrown out. Meanwhile, as Valjean prepares for his death, the spirit of Fantine arrives to take him to heaven. Cosette and Marius rush in to bid farewell and Marius thanks him for saving his life. Valjean gives Cosette his confession to read, and the souls of Fantine and the Bishop guide him to paradise, along with those who died at the barricades.
Word Count: 838 words (WP:FILMPLOT suggests 400-700 words)