The Liam Neeson movie... oh, yes. The Force is strong with Valjean! And Cosette is hysterical and Marius is... well... actually Marjolras.
But Geoffrey Rush steals the show. That movie made me a Javert-fan.
Movies I've seen:
1957 Gabin - awwwww. Great. Gabin is Valjean Incarnate. And Bourvil!Thénardier is a dirty little rat, that is, genius.
1978 Jordan, Perkins - This is a must see for all LotR fans, because it has Gollum Fantine, Bilbo Thénardier, and Marius was Frodo's voice in that Bakshi (sp?) animation... Plus Norman Bates!Javert. That is, his soul is pretty complicated and filled with opressed desires. And soooo much Valjean/Javert gazings. And sometimes, Javert looks like Spock. And he's hot.
1982 Ventura - another great and very book-faithful version, a little surreal and very artistic. And dark. A lot of adorable little book moments. Plus a Javert who looks like a Bergman hero and has a beautiful speaking voice. And an Éponine who's ugly and dirty.
1998 - well, as a movie, it's good, as an adaptation...
I mean: Valjean slapping Cosette? That is Valjean, the super-saint almost-angel. Javert threatening Cosette with a gun? Okay, this Cosette was annoying, but still.
Thank God Rush saved the movie.
2000 miniseries - worst. version. ever. Valjean: "I love Cosette." Marius: "Yes. As a father." Valjean: "No. I LOVE Cosette."
Plus: Emo Éponine in a ball gown. Malkovich with a Snape Hairdo and leather coat. And he hisses all the time and speaks veeery slooowly. Über-ugly Marius with an eyeliner. Oh, and everyone has sideburns EXCEPT Javert.