The story begins during the French Revolution, at the end of the 18th century. Jean Valjean steals a loaf of bread to feed his younger sister and ends up imprisoned for it. Released many years later, he tries to start his life anew and redeem himself. He becomes a rich man, but always lives in the shadow of his "criminal" past. While trying to escape the pursuit of Inspector Javert, Jean meets the poor girl Cosette. Treated as a slave, he takes her into his home to raise her as his daughter.