MovieChat Forums > Les Misérables (1998) Discussion > Question about Éponine

Question about Éponine

posted 11 years ago by matheusmarchetti
5 replies | jump to latest

I know Éponine supposedly only appears in this film as a child, but upon recently rewatching it I noticed something. There is a young woman who seems to be a part of the ABC Society, and is executed alongside them during the fall of the barricades. Considering how this film seems to be somewhat based on the 1935 film (which puts Éponine as Marius' secretary, and thus a more active participant of the group), I wonder if this "mysterious" lady is supposed to be her?
Also, it seems that parts of the film have been cut (there are stills of a scene with what appears to be Petit Gervais), so I wouldn't call it impossible that there was more to this character than it exists in the final film (perhaps establishing her relationship with Marius).

[–] hodie 11 years ago

In the musical Eponine was a poor girl who knew the students at the ABC Society and was in love with Marius. She died with the others in the attack.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] matheusmarchetti 11 years ago

Thanks for the reply, though I think you might have misinterpreted my question. I've seen the musical (stage and film) and read the book, so I now what her character is supposed to be like. I am asking in regard to this particular adaptation, which (apparently) has removed her character.

[–] sanders_mike25 11 years ago

It's possible. Shortly before the movie hit theaters, it was said that Eponine would only appear in the form of one of the students of the ABC.

[–] JCrewgirl 11 years ago

It's very possible since Eponine is the only female involved with the ABC Society that was killed even though they never said it was her in the film but I'm guessing there just wasn't anytime for character development which is why they didn't develop her further.

"Don't they know they're making love to one already dead?!"

Love Les Miserables!!!

[–] etvoila 10 years ago

It's possible she could have been a depiction of Musichetta, Joly and Legles' mistress, as well. Although Musichetta was not killed in the book, she was loyal to the ABC Cafe and she could have participated in the barricade battle in some small way, tending to wounds, keeping guns stocked and loaded, etc.

Then again, it could have been Eponine as well. It's a shame that, if it was Eponine, her part was cut so short. She was such an interesting character, so cutthroat but so easy to identify with and a very solid example of how terrible 1830s Paris was for those not among the elite few.