Classic (The Count Of Monte Cristo (DVD))

Member Name: sue26

Product:	The Count Of Monte Cristo (DVD)
Date:	01/11/01 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent storyline

Disadvantages: Subtitles

I know this section is for the book, but as the film is the same story and there are only 3 ops in this category, then I thought it made more sense to put it here rather than wait weeks for dooyoo to put up a seperate category, especially as it seems likely that my op would be the only one in it.


The count of Monte Cristo is a french film with subtitles, no, it`s more than that, it`s a literary masterpiece. Now I don`t usually go in for subtitled films, but this one with Gerard Depardieu playing the lead role of Edmond Dantes, had me completely hooked.

I watched this film last christmas, and it was shown in about 7 parts running consecutively. Each part was about 90 minutes long, so it must have been good to keep me interested for that long.

The story begins on the wedding day of Edmond Dantes. He is all set to marry the love of his life, the beautiful Mercedes, when he is unexpectedly arrested for treason. Unable to prove his innocence, he is sentenced to life imprisonment on the well known Chateau D`if, which is on an island surrounded by raging seas.

Once inside he meets a priest by the name of Abbe Faria, who tells him of a treasure which he inherited and buried on the small island of Monte Cristo. The two of them try to dig their way out of the prison, but while doing so, the priest dies.

Edmond then hides Faria`s body, and zips himself up in the priest`s body bag. The bag is then thrown off the island into the sea. Edmond manages to release himself, and swims to the nearest shore. A bit unbelievable I know, but it`s a clever idea that makes for excellent viewing.

Once back in his home town, he discovers that his father, who was also a priest, died when he was incarcerated. This is the reason he then sets out on a journey of revenge against the four people who set him up to be wrongly jailed.

Edmond manages to get a ride on a boat to the island of Monte Cristo, where he finds the treasure,
enough to set him up for life. Once safely back on dry land, he acquires all the necessary clothes and equipment, and sets himself up in society as the Count of Monte Cristo. After this point you really do need to concentrate, because the film incorporates lots of clever little twists and turns, and becomes quite complicated to follow.

After making himself several disguises, he then proceeds to mingle with with the rich and famous to make himself well known. Very soon, anybody who is important enough has heard of the count, and knows of his wealth.

He then goes on to wreak his revenge, by causing the successive downfall of the men who wronged him. This is where the plot is ingenious, as he manages to accidentally make friends with his enemies in order to ruin them without them knowing it was he who set them up. How he does this without them recognising him is a bit far fetched, but nonetheless makes the film more appealing.

Because of the clever way this is written, at no point will you be able to second guess it, so it will keep you captivated right until the end. I won`t tell you how the film concludes because that wouldn`t be fair, you`ll just have to find out for yourself by watching it.

As I`ve already mentioned the film stars a lot of French actors so don`t ask me to name who was in it, because apart from the lead actor I wouldn`t have a clue.

If you have seen this film, and my recollection of the story isn`t fully accurate, then bear in mind that trying to watch a subtitled film, that is in effect about 10 hours long, with 3 excited children trying to compete for your attention, is by no means an easy task.

This film first appeared as a novel, written by the author Alexandre Dumas. I don`t know how the film compares to the book because I haven`t read it yet, but after enjoying the it so much I have bought the book, it`s just a matter of finding the time to read it.

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