Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3585 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-03
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 125 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Retelling a story that has made it onto the silver screen more than most, this latest adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo makes yet another swashbuckling attempt to win over a new generation of cinema goers. A dashing James Caviezel takes the role of the Count, who is driven by a desire for revenge after being betrayed by his best friend Fernand (played by a dishevelled Guy Pearce) and landed with 16 years of solitary confinement in Chateau D'If, a damp cavernous prison. Thus the scene is set for a good old-fashioned romp.

The trouble with this "re-imagining" (to borrow a phrase from Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes) is that it's never quite sure whether to take itself seriously or not. Alexandre Dumas's original story is a traditionally melodramatic tale of deceit and double-crossing, with clear-cut bad guys and a moral lesson to be learned at the end. Here, director Kevin Reynolds appears unsure about whether to stick with tradition or bring the story up to date and turn it into a post-modern play on the old Victorian values and style. When the Count and his heavy-breathing loved one are reunited, their kiss is actually framed as a cameo. Both lead actors are also prone to heavy bouts of overacting, garnishing their performances with exaggerated baroque gestures.

Clearly this is a film in which the actors could over-indulge themselves and (almost) get away with it, were it not for the fact that--bar Richard Harris as the "Priest"--none of them seem to have the faintest idea about how to conduct themselves in a period drama. This Count of Monte Cristo will leave the audience a little confused as to whether they should cry along with the story or laugh along with the actors. --Nikki Disney

On the DVD: The Count of Monte Cristo on disc offers no escape from the dry drawl of director Kevin Reynolds, who features in almost every element of the extensive extras package. With a shy studio disclaimer before his commentary, he's got a refreshingly frank attitude to explaining a movie's making. Also included are details of the ambitious swordfight choreography, the origins and adaptation of Dumas's classic book and how the sound was developed as well as a behind-the-scenes feature on location. Quite often the footage feels like a tourism promo for Malta. The 5.1 sound mix is superbly utilised (when Reynolds isn't talking) and the transfer (1.85:1) is as pristine as you'd hope and expect. --Paul Tonks

From the studio
• Deleted Scenes

• Sword Choreography

• Multi-angle Featurette

• Sound Design Featurette

• Audio Commentary

Synopsis
In this highly entertaining, beautifully photographed rekindling of the classic French novel by Alexandre Dumas, director Kevin Reynolds choreographs a fantastic adventure replete with breathtaking scenery, fiery swashbuckling battles, lavish costumes, and, above all else, sweet revenge. In 19th-century Marseille, Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel) is the optimistic but uneducated son of a sea captain. He cherishes his friendship with the son of a count, Mondego (Guy Pearce), and is deeply in love with his fiancee, Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). Young Dantes is so innocent and naive that it is positively shocking when Mondego turns on him, accusing him of treason, and having him sentenced to life in the dreary dungeon of Chateau D'If. Years of isolation and torture nearly defeat the revenge-thirsty Dantes, but with the help of invaluable lessons from the Abbe Faria (Richard Harris), his luck slowly changes. An incredible prison break starts Dantes on his way to a new life, and from there Reynolds' COUNT truly takes off. Battles with pirates lead to hunts for sunken ocean treasure, and soon Dantes is living in Marseille as the transformed, newly rich, self-proclaimed Count of Monte Cristo. Installed in a ritzy chateau, he slowly unfurls his excrutiatingly careful plans to exact his revenge on Mondego and all those who ever wronged him.

Customer Reviews

enjoyable if slightly sugar coated
I enjoyed this movie and thought it was well acted. It does take enourmous liberties with the book and the ending is completely different to the book! the book is bittersweet whilst this did gloss over the darker aspectsof the book.

Fantastic film.
A tale about an illiterate man who is betrayed by his best friend, framed by a corrupt official and has his life and beliefs torn to shreds. After a turn of fortune and period of self-development he executes his calculated and chilling revenge.

What is it about James Caviezel....
Ever since watching The Passion of the Christ I have a huge respect for the diverse acting abilities of James Caviezel (I refuse to call him Jim - he is not 50 year old with a beer gut and an active member of the Darts club down my local!!) ...who am I kidding.. I have the biggest crush on this seriously hot bit of totty who also happens to be a fantastically eclectic Actor!!And he is superb as Edmund in this film. The change from the young innocent blue eyed boy Edmund to the bearded, hardened Count seeking revenge is brill. As previous reviewers have highlighted although this film doesn't really explore the depths of the original book or focus too much on taking itself seriously and/or the darker side of the story - it is extremely colourful, Guy Pearce rocks and above all it kind of covers, love, hate, humour and action as well as keeping up with its own pace. If you enjoyed Dangerous Liaisons (my FAVE film of all time ecxcept maybe Bram Stockers Dracula with my other future husband Mr Gary Oldman), Man in the Iron Mask - the original - or the 3 Musketeers then you will love this. Let me know if I am the only 28 year old to feel a strange pull within at those tortured looks of anguish that JC (omigod they even have the same initials!!!) perfects playing this The Count of Monte Cristo. They made him the perfect choice for TPOTC... I was in pieces both times round...LOVED IT!!