COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO, THE
(directors/writers: Matthieu Delaporte/Alexandre de La Patellière; screenwriter: based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas; cinematographer: Célia Lafitedupont; editor: Célia Lafitedupont; music: Jérôme Rebotier; cast: Pierre Niney (Edmond Dantes), Bastien Bouillon (Fernand de Morcerf), Anaïs Demoustier (Mercedes Herera), Anamaria Vartolomeï (Haydee), Laurent Lafitte (Gerard de Villefort), Pierfrancesco Favino (Abbe Faria), Patrick Mille (Danglars), Vassili Schneider (Albert), Julien De Saint Jean (Andrea), Lily Dupont (Suzanne, Drowning Lady), Adèle Simphal (Angele); Runtime: 178; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Dimitri Rassam; Pathe Films; 2024-France-in French with English subtitles)
“Can still entertain modern-day viewers with its timeless revenge tale.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
The still relevant revenge swashbuckling adventure story published in 1844 is magnificently adapted to the screen from Alexander Dumas’ classic novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, a book of 1,200 pages–that spans many years and features many characters. It’s made into a big-budget epic that’s finely condensed and filmed by its French co-directors and writers Matthieu Delaporte (“The Best is Yet to Come”/”What’s in a Name?”) and Alexandre de La Patellière (“The Best is Yet to Come”/”What’s in a Name?”).
It gets a star performance from its lead, handsomely played by Edmond Dantès, that reminds us of the time Hollywood was celebrated for making such blockbusters.
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The sailor Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney) is condemned to life imprisonment when betrayed by his friends and the prosecutor (Laurent Lafitte), and by a vile magistrate. He’s arrested before he can marry his sweetheart Mercedes (Anais Demoustier) and is falsely charged with treason for rescuing a drowning woman at sea (a spy for Napoleon that he was unaware of) when she fell overboard from his boat. The lowly sailor was promoted to be a captain for his heroic act while the ship’s cowardly captain (Patrick Mille) was demoted. But by raising his social status, it causes her cousin Fernand de Morcerf (Bastien Bouillon) to be resentful and be against the marriage. With no one to defend him over a phony letter sent to Napoleon, the innocent Dantès is imprisoned as a spy and left to rot in prison.
After 14 years Dantès escapes the French island prison and finds a fortune, and returns to France disguised as the “Count of Monte Cristo,” an identity through which he plans to exact vengeance on those who ruined him.
In prison Dantès is befriended by Abbe Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino), from whom he learned how to converse in multiple languages and was tipped off on where to find the hidden treasure.
Returning home a rich man, he finds Mercedes married to his former friend Morcerf. But Dantès has become a master of disguises and is not recognized by Mercedes or the three scoundrels who double-crossed him: the husband of Mercedes, Moncerf; the vengeful captain Danglars; and the corrupt prosecutor Villefort.
No longer driven by love, but by revenge, Dantès elicits the support of his proteges to help him carry out his retribution scheme. They are the former slave, Haydee (Anamaria Vartolomeï), and his boy apprentice, Andrea (Julien De Saint), the evil son of the prosecutor who framed him.
Mercédès and Fernand also have a son, Albert (Vassili Schneider), who is the same age as the other Albert but of a much nicer temperament.
After a three hour running time, the Count of Monte-Cristo realizes his revenge plan will not only destroy his enemies but also himself.
It’s a fascinating classic film that can still entertain modern-day viewers with its timeless revenge tale.
It played at the Cannes Film Festival.
REVIEWED ON 7/4/2024 GRADE: A-