BRITANNIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 347, 7 May 1928, Page 15

BRITANNIA

“LES MISERABLES” “Les Miserables,” the film of Victor Hugo’s great story, will be shown at the Britannia Theatre to-night. The role of Jean Valjean, ex-convict and mayor, is played by a veteran French actor, Gabriel Gablio, who renders a remarkable portrayal. When he emerges from the grey walls after his long imprisonment he presents a figure that is forbidding indeed, for the remaining spark of human sympathy in the man has been buried deep under the hardened lava of hate. The striking transition that takes place after the kindness of Father Myriel has fanned the dying spark of love into a fire of regeneration is portrayed by Gabrio with matchless art. The sensational scenes at the barricades when the soldiers of the Empire storm the stronghold of the communists, are exciting in the extreme and filled with pulsating drama. Throughout the entire length of the stupendous production one is held in the grip of interest, sympathy and heightened suspense. It is a really great picture. Work on Reginald Denny’s next picture. “Be Yourself,” by Harry O. Hoyt, cannot start for another week owing to Denny’s injury in fire fighting in the San Bernardino Mountains, where his mountain cabin was threatened with destruction. Three of the cast, however. have been chosen—Mary Nolan, because of her excellent work in “The Foreign Legion” and “Thoroughbreds”;

William Davidson and William Tooker. William A. Sciter again handles the megaphone.