Eureka! Entertainment have announced the release of Les misérables [The Wretched], a 4K restoration of Raymond Bernard's 5-hour adaptation of Victor Hugo's famous novel, widely regarded as the best version of Les misérables ever made. With unforgettable performances from an enormous cast, including Charles Vanel (The Wages of Fear), and stunning art direction, Les Misérables will be released for the first-time ever on Blu-ray & DVD in the UK as part of the Masters of Cinema Series in December.

The most thorough of all film adaptations of Victor Hugo's immortal novel, Les misérables was a triumph for director Raymond Bernard, one of the more overlooked filmmakers of the early French cinema.

Originally released in quick succession as three separate features in 1934, Bernard's film recounts the story of the ex-convict Jean Valjean (Harry Baur) harried by the wicked Inspector Javert (Charles Vanel); of the virtuous Fantine (Florelle, née Odette Rousseau) who sells herself into prostitution for the welfare of her daughter Cosette (Gaby Triquet as the young girl Cosette, and Josseline Gaël as the young woman); and of intersections of these threads and more in an impressive rendering of Hugo's stately tapestry.

Newly restored in 4K at its original length by Pathé, Les misérables is a major accomplishment on the level of storytelling, and a major component in the history of French film.

Les misérables will be released on UK Blu-ray and DVD on 8th December 2014 at the RRP of £19.99 for either package (neat!).

The extra features will include:

• 40-page booklet with new and vintage writing, rare archival material, and more!

• A host of additional extras to be announced