The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Drake T

  
  A somewhat promising first half, but the films "climatic" end unfolds like a terrible TV-drama so convenient in its staging and so static in its direction. YOU ONCE CALLED ME FRIEND, YOU BETRAYED ME, HE IS YOUR SON, BLAAAAAAAH! Seriously? The casting was great, but the… More
  A somewhat promising first half, but the films "climatic" end unfolds like a terrible TV-drama so convenient in its staging and so static in its direction. YOU ONCE CALLED ME FRIEND, YOU BETRAYED ME, HE IS YOUR SON, BLAAAAAAAH! Seriously? The casting was great, but the un-profound script and cliche themes of classicism completely fails to give the story any credible depth. Nothing but a polished period piece of rehash.

• Kase V

  
  'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a well-made film with great performances from all its actors. The movie fails, however, with its pacing issues and boring dialogue. It should earn credit for achieving what it set out to do, but it loses so much entertainment value along the… More
  'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a well-made film with great performances from all its actors. The movie fails, however, with its pacing issues and boring dialogue. It should earn credit for achieving what it set out to do, but it loses so much entertainment value along the way.

• Jeff "

  
  The Count Of Monte Cristo is a terrific film filled adventure, action, deception and of course revenge. Based on Alexandre Dumas' work of the same name, Count Of Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantes an honest sailor who is betrayed by his best friend who wants to steal Edmonds… More
  The Count Of Monte Cristo is a terrific film filled adventure, action, deception and of course revenge. Based on Alexandre Dumas' work of the same name, Count Of Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantes an honest sailor who is betrayed by his best friend who wants to steal Edmonds fiancee for himself. Edmond is accused of conspiring against the French government after he encounters Napoleon on the island of Elba. For this he spends thirteen years in misery in the prison Chateau D'if. Edmond meets a priest in the prison who reveals that he stole a treasure. Dantes vows to escape and find the treasure and use it to exact revenge. He finds the treasure and becomes the Count of Monte Cristo. James Caviezel gives an electrifying performance as Edmond Dantes. Starring alongside Caviezel is Guy Pearce who is equally impressive in his role of Fernand Mondego, Edmonds best friend that betrayed him. Pearce gives a chilling, intense performance. I read Dumas book, and the film is fairly different of course, but both the book and this adaptation are action packed, thrilling and makes you want more. The Count Of Monte Cristo is an underrated film that should get more praise because it's a solidly acted film with good pacing. Both the book and this film are enjoyable, sure some key elements are missing, but like every book adaptation, things are changed to fit a two hour film instead of a three hour film. If every single detail of the book was in the film, you'd have a film thats 3 hours in length. A solidly paced, well acted and entertaining film thats a delight everytime I watch it. Count on revenge.

• Randy T

  
  Polished and over-produced but still better than I expected it to be. A pretentious, slightly hammy facsimile of the classic literature from which it sprang.

• Jennifer D

  
  Revenge is best served cold. Now, granted I've never read the book. In fact I think my only exposure to the story is the Wishbone version which greatly sweetens somethings. However, I actually really liked it. Revenge, Guy Pearce, swordplay, young Henry Cavill, what's not to… More
  Revenge is best served cold. Now, granted I've never read the book. In fact I think my only exposure to the story is the Wishbone version which greatly sweetens somethings. However, I actually really liked it. Revenge, Guy Pearce, swordplay, young Henry Cavill, what's not to like?

• paul s

  
  Let me preface this review by saying that this film is a prime example of how what you want in a film effects how one will rate it. It's silly, often absurd, with a script painting the message in very broad strokes, but... if you are looking for good, old fashioned Earl Flynn… More
  Let me preface this review by saying that this film is a prime example of how what you want in a film effects how one will rate it. It's silly, often absurd, with a script painting the message in very broad strokes, but... if you are looking for good, old fashioned Earl Flynn type adventure, with just enough intrigue and swordfights to keep things going; then this film works very well. Of course what one expects from a film should be obvious when considering it's source material (if you have any liberal arts education you should be well aware of Alexander Dumas, who in the mid 1800's penned this and such other well remembered and often filmed tales as The Man In The Iron Mask and the classic tale about a candy bar; the 3 Musketeers...hmm, a book about a candy bar and this one about a sandwich maker - if only the Iron Mask was renamed the Iron Chef - we'd definatly have a theme going on here). Roger Ebert gave this film high praise and I was looking for some escapist fare, which the film delivered. The sets were marvelous and the scenery breathtaking. The scene in which the Count makes his arrival into Paris society by descending from an air baloon while fireworks explode in the backround is a wonderful piece of classic filmmaking. The acting, for the most part was solid, from James Caviezel in the lead, to his slimey friend, the silver spooned count aptly portrayed by Guy Pierce. But it's two minor roles that really shine - the first "the Priest", another unfortunate soul unjustly imprisoned in the same hell hole as Caviezel, is a captivating performance by long time thespian Richard Harris, while the second is a fine comic performance by Louis Guzman who, after Caviezel saves him from death, swears fealty on the souls of his dead relatives and "those who aren't feeling so good". There is enough story here to keep you intrigued, with just enough dash and comic frivolity to remind you that this is just a bedtime story, and not something dripping in gravitas. The only times that the film really stumbles are mainly due to the source material - plot points that cannot be avoided, yet are just too pat and obvious, including the prequel to the final swordfight, nicely staged in a series of ruins, that unfortuntely has to include all of the main charactors, each with secrets to reveal. That the film rebounds with the nice final battle amongst the tall green fields is a testament to the directorial hand, giving you an approving nod to the film, especially if you are willing to simply settle in and be entertained in the good old fashioned way. I was only hoping that the Count of Monte Cristo at some point had a confrontation with the Earl of Sandwich - what an epic battle that would have been.

• Thomas J

  
  This was one of the classics I never read. It was interesting to see how revenge can drive a person.... even my vengeance cannot motivate me like it did this guy! I wish I had read the book and will go back and do that because if I enjoy the book more than the movie like usual it… More
  This was one of the classics I never read. It was interesting to see how revenge can drive a person.... even my vengeance cannot motivate me like it did this guy! I wish I had read the book and will go back and do that because if I enjoy the book more than the movie like usual it will be a great read.

• Ginny  

  
  review to follow

• Rachel F

  
  One of my favorites. It's based off of a book that I haven't read, so I can't compare the two, but I loved the film. It's heartbreaking at times, but the story ends in a fantastic way.

• Lafe F

  
  Superb, high-quality version of this literary classic. It's very well done. I really got into the well-acted characters. The musical score is awesomely dramatic. The direction was top-notch. I really got involved in the story of revenge. The grungy dungeon scenes were a bit long,… More
  Superb, high-quality version of this literary classic. It's very well done. I really got into the well-acted characters. The musical score is awesomely dramatic. The direction was top-notch. I really got involved in the story of revenge. The grungy dungeon scenes were a bit long, but 13 year confinement needed to be stressed. Great sword fighting. The scenery is lovely. Napoleon could've been better depicted. The love story was dynamic and believable. Kids in school should be watching this quality drama. A powerful adaptation; I'm sure crappier film versions of this exist, but this isn't one of them. I'm surprised I didn't remember this being at theatres.

• Film C

  
  i really enjoyed this movie it was recommened to me which was luck really becuase i would never have watch this otherwise!! this is a brillantly acted written and directed movie with a fantastic plot! its about edmond who gets framed and imprisoned only so the lead chief inspectors… More
  i really enjoyed this movie it was recommened to me which was luck really becuase i would never have watch this otherwise!! this is a brillantly acted written and directed movie with a fantastic plot! its about edmond who gets framed and imprisoned only so the lead chief inspectors dad doesnt get hanged for treesone!!but when he escapes hes out for revenge and leads us through a clevery written story ! This movie s relly worth a wtch !!

• Jon L

  
  Good flick. Nice fight scenes.

• Lady D

  
  The best revenge story ever. A great adaption of the book. Performances were great all around, but the performance has to be Guy Pearce for being believably arrogant and a character that compells you to hate with a vengence

• xGary X

  
  Edmond Dantes naively accepts a letter from Napoleon and is consequently betrayed and imprisoned for 13 years. Upon his escape, he sets about destroying those responsible. The Count Of Monte Cristo is a solid, reasonably faithful adaptation of Dumas' literary classic with a… More
  Edmond Dantes naively accepts a letter from Napoleon and is consequently betrayed and imprisoned for 13 years. Upon his escape, he sets about destroying those responsible. The Count Of Monte Cristo is a solid, reasonably faithful adaptation of Dumas' literary classic with a strong cast who all put in decent performances. The best part of the film is probably the interaction between Caviezel and veteran actor Richard Harris as his prison bound mentor although I would like to have seen more made of this relationship. Freddie Jones and Michael Wincott also do well with parts that barely qualify for cameo status although Guy Pearce's Fernand is so irredeemably caddish he seems a little two dimensional. It has a certain authenticity however, with beautiful locations and fine costumes but it is a little lacking in the kind of flair exhibited by the best examples of the genre. Not bad though.

• Alice S

  
  Grippingly paced and adrenaline-packed sword fights. Jim Caviezel utterly transforms himself from a good-hearted naif to a sexy, brooding, mysterious sociopath. *chills* The Hollywood paternity-switch reveal defeats the purpose of the book's revenge-doesn't-pay ending,… More
  Grippingly paced and adrenaline-packed sword fights. Jim Caviezel utterly transforms himself from a good-hearted naif to a sexy, brooding, mysterious sociopath. *chills* The Hollywood paternity-switch reveal defeats the purpose of the book's revenge-doesn't-pay ending, but it doesn't bother me so much because Cavill, Dominczyk, and Pearce are so good in that scene.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Prepare for adventure. Count on revenge."</i> The classic tale of swashbuckling adventure by the senior Alexandre Dumas comes to the screen in its umpteenth incarnation, this time from Kevin Reynolds, directing his first feature in five years. James Caviezel… More
  <i>"Prepare for adventure. Count on revenge."</i> The classic tale of swashbuckling adventure by the senior Alexandre Dumas comes to the screen in its umpteenth incarnation, this time from Kevin Reynolds, directing his first feature in five years. James Caviezel stars as Edmond Dantes, an honest sailor who plans to marry his beautiful lover Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). Edmond doesn't know that his best friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) secretly desires Mercedes for himself and schemes with fallen aristocrat Villefort (James Frain) to frame Edmond for a crime he didn't commit. Sentenced to life on the remote island prison of D'If, Edmond becomes consumed by plans for revenge. Thirteen years pass and he meets a fellow innocent convict, Abbe Faria (Richard Harris), who becomes Edmond's mentor in swordfighting, finance, and escape, confiding that a vast treasure awaits a discoverer on the island of Monte Cristo. Eventually, Edmond is able to get away using Faria's tunnels and makes his way to Monte Cristo, where he retrieves the fortune and uses it to make himself over as the wealthy "Count of Monte Cristo." With the help of a loyal sidekick (Luis Guzman), Edmond insinuates himself into French royalty and sets about getting revenge on Villefort and Fernand, who is now married to Mercedes. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) also stars Michael Wincott and Albie Woodington. <b><u>Review</u></b> The Count of Monte Cristo, like Les Miserables, stands as a great achievement in world literature by a Frenchman. The truest English translation yet became available in 1996, and the movie echoes its vibrance with a lucid plot and multi-dimensional characters that do the old master (Dumas) proud. Jim Caviezel is the brightest spot in this great production that eschews the more depraved violence of the novel for an aesthetically and morally pleasing vengeance. Whole plots are left out, and those kept are cut down to their bare bones, but so pleasantly that the movie feels right, even to this jaded reviewer. Romance is the order of the day in this production; pregnant pauses, knowing servants, and failing marriages help balance the implacable Count in his pursuit of revenge. Richard Harris as the Abbe Faria brings a welcome touch of anti-gravitas to the role. One unpleasant touch to the whole movie: there is a ludicrous scene of torture that serves to mark time in Dantes's imprisonment at the Chateau D'If. At the time it is totally extraneous, but once Dantes begins his revenge, the film resolves it nicely.

• Manu G

  
  Just an excellent film, really magnificent!! Dashing young sailor Edmond Dantes is a guileless and honest man, whose peaceful life and plans to marry the beautiful Mercedes are abruptly shattered when his best friend Fernand, who wants Mercedes for himself, deceives him. Set up to be… More
  Just an excellent film, really magnificent!! Dashing young sailor Edmond Dantes is a guileless and honest man, whose peaceful life and plans to marry the beautiful Mercedes are abruptly shattered when his best friend Fernand, who wants Mercedes for himself, deceives him. Set up to be unlawfully sentenced to the infamous island prison of Chateau D'If, Edmond is trapped in a nightmare that lasts for thirteen years. Over time everything he ever believed about right and wrong is abandoned and replaced by all-consuming thoughts of vengeance against those who betrayed him. With the help of an equally innocent fellow inmate, Dantes plots and succeeds in his mission to escape from prison, whereupon he transforms himself into the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. With cunning ruthlessness, he cleverly insinuates himself into the French nobility and systematically destroys the men who manipulated and enslaved him.

• Mark H

  
  Brilliantly executed version of this classic tale.

• Lenny M

  
  Probably the 11th remake of the film, more people are partial to the older ones such as V, I thought this version was a great rendition.

• Tim S

  
  Terrific film. Wonderful performances by all.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings