It is based on the Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables and stars Gino Cervi as Jean Valjean, Valentina Cortese as Fantine and Cosette, and Hans Hinrich as Javert.

In France, Jean Valjean tries to steal a loaf of bread to feed his grandchildren, but is immediately taken by the police and sentenced to five years in prison, which becomes 18 due to his numerous attempts at escape.

After his sentence is served, he is turned away by everyone, with the only positive gesture being given to the bishop of Digne, from whom he had stolen two candelabras, who convinces him to change his life.

The Thenardier family runs an inn where Mario, the young revolutionary, is staying, and with whom their daughter is secretly in love.

Mario is injured and brought by Valjean to his father's home, police minister also thanks to Javert,[clarification needed] who finally understands his mistake and leaves him free, but kills himself by leaping into the Seine.

"[4] Freda originally conceived of adapting the novel when on a taxi ride with fellow directors Mario Soldati, Renato Castellani and Guido M.

[5] The newspaper Corriere d'informazione spitefully commented on Freda's decision to adapt the story, stating that there was a lack of adventurousness in film makers and producers who were often adopting plays and books, with Arturo Lanocita stating, "The Bottom has been reached with director Riccardo Freda, who after thinking about it for a long time, decided to shoot the 39th version of Les Misérable, a novel which perhaps you've heard of.

[5] The trio's script makes specific changes to the story: Marius becomes the son of the Ministry of Police and in the end Jean Valjean is killed by Tenardier.

[7][8] Valentina Cortese reflected on her role in the film, stating that "Freda was a temperamental filmmaker: one day we were shooting a scene depicting the revolutionary uprisings, tomato sauce everywhere, shoots, extra running en masse, and Freda gave me a shove so as to push me into the frame under a restive horse.

[9] It was submitted to the board of censors in December 1947 as two separate films, which were released in Italy within the space of one week.

[9] The film was also distributed abroad, including in France where it was titled L'évadé du bagne and cut to 110 minutes without consultation with Freda.