The Count of Monte Cristo Film
A Review for Adventure Lovers
The Count of Monte Cristo - The Film
Sometimes you discover a film while scrolling late at night on a streaming platform that you hadn’t noticed before (despite the algorithms) that has Romance, Revenge, Politics, Mystery and Crime rolled into one story. It could only be a historical drama written by Alexander Dumas creator of THE THREE MUSKETEERS in his book, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. The dangers of cliche, overacting or over-designed versions of this story are everywhere. Thankfully, this film version of Monte Cristo does not commit any of these errors and instead has just enough ‘swash’ and ‘buckle’ for even the most skeptical. The French taste for casual period details with characters in well worn clothes set against grand locations make this film a treat. The elegant acting and direction opens up this novel in a fresh new way. As a viewer, we’re almost standing in the rooms with the characters in the intimate scenes like witnesses. The larger scenes with grand panoramic vistas of the sea, mountains or coastlines open up the story. Also, if you have never seen the South of France, this historic view of Marseilles harbor and surrounding areas are much the same today.
This film was recently nominated at the Cannes Film Festival (2024) is currently available on streaming platforms like AMAZON prime video. (*promotional link)
A New Version of an Old Tale
As a historical novelist, Alexandre Dumas had a unique career in French literature; with elements of history, drama, romance and political righteousness he appealed to French audiences of the time. This story is set in the period after the fall of Napoleon, about 1815. Against the backdrop of political instability when spies and collaborators were everywhere, we meet a young man who is a sailor on a ship that has recently arrived in Marseilles. An incident aboard the ship shows his heroic nature and also his moral character. Returning home to his father, he shares his new promotion to Ship Captain that will promise him a future and a marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Mercedes Herrera. But this happiness is brief as the story unfolds.
Who is our hero?
A young man, Edmond Dantes is wrongly accused of being a spy for Napoleon is charged with treason. The soldiers arrive at the church during his wedding ceremony and take him to the local Prosecutor. It soon becomes clear that there is a conspiracy afoot. A corrupt politician, the captain of the ship (who believes he was wrongly fired) and his own cousin secretly band together to destroy Edmond. Each has a dark reason to testify against him. This sets our hero onto a path he never imagined.
Author, Alexander Dumas
This story is considered one of the greatest ‘revenge’ novels and Dumas was a master of depicting both good and evil with the varying shades in between. His three most famous historical novels are the THREE MUSKETEERS, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO and THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. The Musketeer novels were so successful that DUMAS bought the Château de Monte-Cristo now a writer's house museum located in Le Port-Marly, France. It was originally built as a residence but you can now visit and explore the home and gardens inspired by his novels. Dumas was known to be a big spender and often found himself dodging his creditors. His outsized personality was also well known in society. His son Alexander Dumas Fils also became a successful author in his own right. All the DUMAS novels today remain the basis for countless films, TV series and stage plays highlighting the universal themes of heroes, romances, family, politics and crime or mystery. And finally, stories of revenge that vindicate the heroes and heroines. In these times, you will also notice themes that resonate even today in politics or social issues with family dynamics that are central to this timeless story.
See the Trailer Here:
Note: Photos courtesy of the production marketing department for the film.
Thanks for posting. I wasn't aware it had been redone again. I particularly liked the version with Jim Cavezel in the lead role. The supporting cast is excellent too