The rebellion of 1832 is on. There is rioting and barricading in the streets. Marius in despair, and in the hope that a bullet will soon end his life, joins the mob and becomes a fighter in the ranks of the insurgents. Javert gets orders to investigate the extent of the insurrection. He assumes a disguise, and goes to a tavern, the headquarters of the rebellion, He is quickly recognized and seized. They search him and tie him to a wooden pillar. Documents on him reveal his identity, and the rioters condemn him to die if the barricade is taken. Martial law is proclaimed, and the people are ordered to disperse. They refuse, and a volley is fired. Eponine, in the mob, dies at the first fire. Marius thinking his death to be at hand, writes a note to Cosette, telling her where to find his body in case he is killed. Gavroche is sent with the note, but Valjean gets it at his home. He sees that this love affair is deeper than he bad supposed, and he goes to the scene of the rioting to find Marius. Gavroche is killed while trying to secure ammunition for the revolutionists in searching dead soldiers for cartridges. Fierce fighting follows and the rioters, realizing that they are losing ground, order the execution of Javert. Valjean interferes and tells them that Javert's life belongs to him. Taking Javert outside, Valjean frees his hands, fires a pistol in the air, and lets Javert go, thereby sparing his life. The military take the barricade by storm. Marius badly wounded, is picked up by Valjean, who disappears into a sewer opening and escapes with him underground. Javert, in the streets, comes upon Thenardier robbing the dead. In pursuit of this man, he comes upon Valjean emerging from another part of the sewer. Javert drops Thenardier and arrests Valjean. Valjean shows him the note of Marius to Cosette concerning the disposing of his body, and he begs permission to take Marius to the home of his grandfather before submitting to arrest. Javert consents, but accidentally drops upon the ground the order of arrest for Jean Valjean, which he has carried on his person, Thenardier pounces upon the order and keeps it for future blackmailing purposes. He also follows Valjean and Javert to the home of the grandfather of Marius. Javert observing the God-like character of Valjean, is overcome with remorse, and for the first time in his life departs from his path of duty and allows his prisoner to escape. He then writes his resignation to the police, and, as a public acknowledgment of his mortification and weakness, he ends his own life. The grandfather of Marius is deeply grateful for the boy's safe return. He sends for Valjean and asks the hand of Cosette for Marius. This Valjean grants, and transfers his property to Cosette. The lovers are married at the church, at which time Valjean shows the first signs of failing health. Thenardier thinks the time now ripe to commence blackmailing with the order of arrest. He negotiates with Marius, who buys it from him for a good sum. Marius goes to see Valjean to question him about the paper, but finds him low in health, and fondling Cosette's little dress of other days, the place lighted with the good priest's candlesticks. Marius hands him the order of arrest. Valjean feebly acknowledges it, and tells the story of his persecutions. Cosette arrives as Valjean is dreaming of the good priest who helped him to be a better man, and soon he expires peacefully in the arms of his two children. -- Moving Picture World synopsis