MovieChat Forums > The Fugitive (1963) Discussion > Lieutenant Gerard / Inspector Javert

Lieutenant Gerard / Inspector Javert

posted 14 years ago by MrEdnablackadder
10 replies | jump to latest

Do you think that the Gerard character could have been inspired by Javert from "Les misérables"? Both men are pursuing an innocent man (Richard Kimble and Jean Valjean) in order to arrest him for a crime he hasn't committed. They both rigorously serve the law in a ruthless way, becoming almost obtuse in their close-minded approach to their assignment. Gerard, Javert .. the two names can have a similar sound, especially if (mis)pronounced with certain's people heavy American accent.

Thoughts?

[–] sabunassar 14 years ago

Roy Huggins has already admitted that The Fugitive was inspired by Les Mis.

[–] waldenpond88 14 years ago

I thought it was inspired by the famous Shepard murder case.

[–] sabunassar 14 years ago

It's was a combination of different elements that inspired The Fugitive. I believe the story of a doctor killing his wife came from the Sheppard case. The theme of the show..an innocent man on the run from a police detective obsessed with his capture...is from Les Mis.

I'm sure there were other inspirations to The Fugitive and, if I remember correctly, "The Fugitive Recaptured" book did discuss this topic. It's been a while since I've read my copy.

[–] loughsprng 14 years ago

According to Roy Huggins the Sam Sheppard case had nothing to do with the creation of this show. The real inspiration for it was he wanted to make a contemporary version of the old western with the main character (Dr. Kimble) moving around from place to place.

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[–] Geoffsj 13 years ago

Richard Kimble was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted and sentenced, but Jean Valjean wasn't. Valjean was sentenced to five years for stealing bread for his starving family, and his sentence was extended for escape attempts. He discards his parole papers, another violation.

The punishment that Jean Valjean received wasn't just, but he wasn't innocent.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 13 years ago

Valjean was sentenced to five years for stealing bread for his starving family, and his sentence was extended for escape attempts. He discards his parole papers, another violation.
The punishment that Jean Valjean received wasn't just, but he wasn't innocent.

Yeah, but that wasn't what Javert was chasing Valjean for. As far as Javert knew, Valjean had already paid for that crime. Now, I suppose I should have made myself clearer in my explanation. Technically Valjean had commited another crime, as he hadn't eventually given back the coin to the child. But it was a misunderstading, he genuinely hadn't noticed the coin under his foot and eventually tried to give the coin back, but the child was gone already. So, he may have not been entirely innocent like Kimble, but in the end he got pursued by a fanatical man for a misunderstanding.

[–] roximunro 12 years ago

There was an episode marathon, on the Detroit station that played it in syndication for years in the 80s and 90s, that was hosted by Barry Morse and he also said his character was based on Javert, pointing out the similarity of the names. I think I still have it on videotape somewhere.
I was always intimidated by him as a kid, especially on Space: 1999. The funny thing is I never saw him play Gerard until years later in my teens in reruns.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 10 years ago

Yes, in a Morse interview included in the special features of "The Most Wanted Edition", he says the same thing. I agree that he could be a very intimidating presence. He was a great actor.