Prisoner 24601, known as Jean Valjean, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.
During the French Revolution, convict Jean Valjean is released on parole by prison guard Javert after serving a nineteen-year sentence. He is offered food and shelter by the Bishop of Digne, but later steals the Bishop's silver dishes after everyone is asleep. He is caught by the authorities, but the Bishop states that he gave the convict the silver and demands that Valjean be set free. Ashamed of his crimes against the generous holy man, Valjean breaks his parole and vows to start a new honest life under a new identity.