First look: Les Miserables trailer

Cape Town - The first teaser trailer for the much anticipated musical Les Miserables has been leaked.

Based on the award-winning stage musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, which in turn was based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper (The King's Speech).

The trailer opens with a wintry landscape as Anne Hathaway, who plays French working class girl Fantine, mournfully sings the musical's signature song "I Dreamed a Dream".

Brief scenes offer glimpses of the story's rich plot, which tells of ex-convict, Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman), who escapes prison and seeks redemption, but is unable to escape his dark past as he reinvents himself as a wealthy businessman.

The musical is told against the backdrop of social unrest, poverty and revolution in 19th century France.

The movie's star-studded cast also includes Russell Crowe as lawman Javert who is in pursuit of Valjean, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thénardier and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier .

Les Miserables is set for release in South Africa on 18 January 2013.

Watch the Les Miserables teaser trailer here: