Claude-Michel Schönberg
The First Attack
[VALJEAN, dressed as a soldier, climbs over the barricade.]
[JOLY]
Here comes a man in uniform
What brings you to this place?
[VALJEAN]
I come here as a volunteer
[JOLY]
Approach and show your face
[PROUVAIRE]
You wear an army uniform
[VALJEAN]
That's why they let me through
[JOLY]
You've got some years behind you, sir
[VALJEAN]
There's much that I can do
[JOLY]
You see that prisoner over there?
[GRANTAIRE]
A volunteer like you!
[COMBEFERRE]
A spy who calls himself Javert
[GRANTAIRE]
He's gonna get it, too
[SENTRY #1]
They're getting ready to attack!
[ENJOLRAS gives the unarmed VALJEAN a gun.]
[ENJOLRAS]
Take this and use it well
But if you shoot us in the back
You'll never live to tell
[SENTRY #2, spoken]
Platoon of sappers advancing towards the barricade!
[SENTRY #1, spoken]
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!
[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
Fire!
[FEUILLY, spoken]
Snipers!
[VALJEAN shoots a sniper that is aiming for ENJOLRAS.]
[LESGLES]
Look how they turn and run!
[GRANTAIRE]
And so the war was won!
[ENJOLRAS]
They will be back again
Make an attack again
[To VALJEAN.]
For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you, Monsieur
When our battle is won
[VALJEAN]
Give me no thanks, Monsieur
There's something you can do
[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
If it is in my power
[VALJEAN]
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him
[JAVERT]
The law is inside out
The world is upside down
[ENJOLRAS]
Do what you have to do
This man belongs to you
[To the others.]
[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
The enemy may be regrouping
Hold yourselves in readiness
Come, my friends, back to your positions
[ENJOLRAS]
The night is falling fast
[VALJEAN]
We meet again
[JAVERT]
You've hungered for this all your life
Take your revenge
How right you should kill with a knife!
[VALJEAN cuts JAVERT's bonds.]
[VALJEAN]
You talk too much
Your life is safe in my hands
[JAVERT]
Don't understand
[VALJEAN]
Get out of here
[JAVERT]
Valjean, take care
I am warning you
[VALJEAN]
Clear out of here
[JAVERT]
Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal
You would trade your life for mine?
Yes, Valjean, you want a deal
Shoot me now for all I care!
But if you let me go, beware
You'll still answer to Javert!
[VALJEAN]
You are wrong, and always have been wrong
I'm a man, no worse than any man
You are free, and there are no conditions
No bargains or petitions
There's nothing that I blame you for
You've done your duty, nothing more
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again
[VALJEAN, spoken]
Go!
[JAVERT leaves. VALJEAN fires his gun in the air.]
[ENJOLRAS]
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody keep the faith
For certain as the eagle flies
We are not alone
The people too must rise
[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
Marius, rest