(note: mostly based on the musical)

Jean Valjean: Spends 19 years on the chain gang for stealing a loaf of bread. When he’s paroled, he meets the Bishop of Digne and steals his silver. The bishop lies to save him, and Valjean breaks his parole. He goes to Montreuil-sur-Mer, changes his name to M. Madeleine, and becomes Mayor and factory owner. He reveals his true name after an attack of conscience, and goes on the run again. He takes Cosette from the Thénardiers and runs to Paris. He hides in Paris from Javert. He goes to the barricades to save Marius, meets Javert again… gets away again, and then brings Marius to Cosette. After Marius and Cosette get married, Valjean dies. 

Javert: Chases Jean Valjean through the years. He tries to arrest Valjean at Montreuil-sur-Mer, but instead gets hit over the head with a chair leg. He then follows Jean Valjean to Paris. He goes to the barricade to spy, but is exposed by little Gavroche and tied to a pole and condemned to be shot. Jean Valjean, however, comes along and ruins these plans by setting Javert free. Javert then jumps off a bridge over the River Seine, overwhelmed by Valjean’s kindness, and dies. 

Fantine: She has an illegitimate child, named Cosette, and leaves her with the Thénardiers. Fantine gets a job at M. Madeleine’s factory. The other women at the factory find out about Fantine’s child, and she gets fired. Fantine becomes a prostitute to support her daughter, and gets in a fight with a prospective customer. The mayor keeps her from getting arrested by Javert. Fantine is taken to a hospital, where she dies. 

Cosette: Her mother leaves her with the Thénardiers who abuse her as a child. Valjean takes her away from them and brings her to Paris. She grows up into a beautiful young woman, and falls in love with Marius, a student. Marius  and Cosette get married after Marius recovers from the wounds he got at the barricade. 

The Thénardiers: They abuse Cosette until Valjean pays them to take her off their hands. Their inn goes bankrupt, and they move to Paris. They meet Valjean and beat him up. Thénardier tries to rob Valjean’s house, but the attempt is foiled by Éponine. They steal from the students killed at the barricade. They try to blackmail Marius at his wedding, but he finds out the truth and gets rid of them. 

Gavroche: A young street urchin who goes to the barricade and dies. 

Enjolras: The very handsome leader of the student revolution. During the second attack, he tries to return the flag to its place atop the barricade, but he gets shot in the attempt and dies. 

Marius: A dreamy student who falls in love with Cosette. He gets wounded at the barricade. When he recovers, he and Cosette get married. 

Éponine:  The Thénardiers’ daughter. She falls in love with Marius, but he ignores her. She follows him to the barricades and gets shot, and in Marius’ arms, she dies.

Grantaire:  A cynical drunk, he admires Enjolras, but Enjolras snubs him. He, on the barricade, also dies. 

The students: They fight for freedom, and every one of them, besides Marius, dies.