Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo‘ is one of the most compelling works of fiction ever penned. Its themes of love, hatred, jealousy, and revenge can be applied in any given situation across any given period of time.
A casual reference in “The Shawshank Redemption” brought me to the literary classic which became one of my favorite reads. In 2002, Dumas’ work was made into a motion picture that adequately retells the tale in an exciting and fun way.
The setting is a period piece, and well done in scope of costumes, character appearance, and location, taking us back to France, 1815. We’re introduced to our hero, Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel), a simple man who can’t read, write, or sufficiently defend himself in battle. The childlike innocence of Dantes is displayed well by Caviezel.
Edmond has a desirable life; youth, good looks, and a beautiful fiance, Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). He serves as a sailor alongside his childhood best friend Fernand, and is oblivious to the brewing resentment his happy life is causing to others. Edmond is framed for a crime by those he would least expect as adversaries, and sent to an island dungeon to be locked away in an archaic cell for good.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” has a bevy of themes that range across the spectrum from the good like keeping faith and not giving up, to the bad such as jealousy, resentment, and revenge. Watching helplessly as Edmond has his life snatched away from him is tough. The years he spends inside the walls of the notorious Chateau d’If make for a hell far worse than any one can envision. One particularly emotional scene depicts him attempting suicide, saved only by his driving force to right the wrong that has been besieged upon him. He meets an elderly prisoner (Richard Harris) who becomes his friend, teacher, and savior all in one. The scenes between the two are some of the better parts of the story.
The movie boasts some great villains along the way, such as James Frain (TV’s ’24’) and the incomparable Michael Wincott as the Chateau d’If’s sadistic warden. As if being locked away in a dank and dark dungeon aren’t bad enough, the warden makes his mark with barbaric annual lashings. “God is never in France this time of year.” He scoffs at Edmond upon offering his first beating.
Leading the bad guys is Guy Pearce as Fernand. His envy is what fuels the entire plot, when jealousy over Mercedes turns to him callously betraying his best friend. “I’m not supposed to want to be you.” He sneers as Edmond is carted away by the authorities. Pearce does a masterful job as an aristocratic snake.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” is an action packed movie with sword fights and (SPOILER ALERT) a prison escape that’s one for the ages. My biggest complaint is the length of the film. It runs in at 131 minutes, and while Dumas’ novel is no quick read by today’s impatient standards, the movie could have trimmed a bit here and there to make for a better finished product.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” is quite possibly the original prison escape story. The fantastic book has been successfully translated into an excellent movie.
by – Matt DeCristo
