Barnes & Noble

One of the best of the many adaptations of Alexander Dumas’ beloved novel, this lavish 2002 version offers swashbuckling adventure of the highest order. An innocent man, Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel), is imprisoned for years on a godforsaken island while the friend who betrayed him (Guy Pearce) takes Dantes’ ravishing fiancée (Dagmara Domincyzk) for himself. Dantes eventually escapes, recovers a fortune in buried pirate treasure, transforms himself into the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo, and methodically goes about exacting his revenge. This sumptuous production does a splendid job of re-creating the novel's 19th-century French setting: The costumes, locations (the film was shot in Ireland and Malta), and lush cinematography are breathtaking. Caviezel and Domincyzk are equally gorgeous (especially since neither of them appears to age one whit over the course of 16 years); Pearce makes a memorable bad guy; and Richard Harris is excellent as Abbé Faria. Director Kevin Reynolds has a real feel for action, and he manages to infuse the frequent sword fights with tension and drama. Most important, the scenes in which Dantes exacts his long-plotted revenge offer the deep, cathartic satisfaction that has made The Count of Monte Cristo such an enduring classic. Kryssa Schemmerling

All Movie Guide

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. Karl Williams

Village Voice

A gorgeously photographed, sumptuously designed adaptation of the Dumas swashbuckler...Jessica Winter

Washington Post

Old-form moviemaking at its best. Stephen Hunter

San Francisco Chronicle

This new movie version of the Alexandre Dumas classic is the stuff of high romance, brought off with considerable wit. Bob Graham

Product Details

• UPC: 786936165395
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: THX-Supervised Mastering, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 2:11:00
• Sales Rank: 573

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