The Count of Monte Cristo
by Jos?e Dayan
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DVD details
Actor: Florence Darel, G?rard Depardieu, Jean Rochefort, Ornella Muti, Pierre ArditiDirector: Jos?e Dayan
Brand: Koch International
Cinematographer: Willy Stassen
Editor: Dominique Roy
Producer: Doris Kirch
Producer: Jacques Bar
Producer: Jean-Pierre Gu?rin
Writer: Alexandre Dumas p?re
Writer: Didier Decoin
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: French (Original Language); English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, Content/Copy-Protected CD, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 400 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-12-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Koch Lorber Films
DVD Reviews of The Count of Monte Cristo
DVD Review: Can't ANYONE get this story right?
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Count of Monte Cristo" is one of the most beloved and best-selling books of all time. It has been filmed at least ten times (at least four of those times in English). It has been abridged into I don't know how many versions of less than 400 pages, but the full 1,000 + page Dumas text is an absolute marvel, although I was limited to the English translation.
It is impossible to adequately convey the full spectrum of plot and subplot in a two hour movie, and most of the English versions are far too short. I don't mind reading subtitles, so I finally decided to take a chance at this seven hour French production starring Gerard Depardieu as the title character.
As I expected, the fleshed out running time allowed for a more detailed depiction of some of the frequently omitted sub-plots: the last hour "saving" of Morrel and Sons with the miraculous appearance of the lost at sea Pharoan, the kidnapping of Albert de Moncerf and rescue from the Bandit Vampa, the luncheon where Monte Cristo tells the true horror story of the buried alive child of two of the luncheon guests.
This version also does a better job of depicting The Count as a master of disguise as Depardieu dons an even larger nose to portray Abbe Busoni and grey sideburns as Lord Wilmore. He is also depicted as a master of poisons and potions, figuring in a pair of subplots which also involve Monte Cristo displaying a logical crime-solving technique that would make Sherlock Holmes proud.
Alas - much is bungled with no gain.
Dumas sets up the rest of the story expertly in the opening pages of the original book: Just promoted to Captain and about to marry Mercedes, the most beautiful girl in Marseilles, Edmond Dantes is instead unjustly imprisoned in France's Alcatraz - the Chateau d'If - after being falsely accused by envious conspirators. Danglars envies Edmond's job, Fernant Mondego wants Mercedes. Slimy Caderousse helps them write an anonymous letter accusing Dantes of treason, trying to help Napoleon return from exile. The letter goes to Villefort, the son of a notorious Bonapartist. Villefort imprisons Dantes rather than risk family scandal. During his eighteen years of captivity Dantes meets a kindly priest, the Abbe Faria, who gives him a first-rate education and helps him figure out the circumstances of his arrest and imprisonment.
Without knowing the world of opportunity that is opening to Edmond Dantes, and the circumstances of his unjust imprisonment, the audience member has no clue of his motivation. This film opens with Edmond in prison. (Huh?!) We find out about the dastardly deeds of the conspirators in bits and pieces, some in extremely tired flashbacks.
So - the first thirty minutes of this film are disjointed and would leave the novice Monte Cristo enthusiast with almost no understanding of the background and motivations for Edmond Dantes for the remainder of the story, and I would argue that this is mandatory information.
The middle five hours or so aren't bad, as I stated before, with better than typical versions of the Count's adventures in Italy and Paris, with a single inexplicable oversight: The character Benedetto, the illegitimate offspring of Villefort and Danglar's wife, is introduced and forgotten. (More time is given to a fictitious woman who is beheaded for performing abortions.) In the 1975 English version Louis Jordan portrays Villefort and the public unmasking is one of the most satisfying scenes of the film. It is inexplicable that the circumstances of Benedetto's birth is covered in detail, then we are introduced again to the adult criminal Benedetto, but the climactic courtroom scene is omitted.
The ending is complete Hollywood, which seems odd for a French production. No, no, no, no, NO! The Princess Haydee is introduced, and has an excellent scene denouncing Mondego, but we're told off-hand that she is pairing off with journalist Beauchamp. (I curiously thought of the journalist with the same name in Clint Eastwood's masterpiece "Unforgiven." Were both brought in as a sort of Greek chorus, to comment on the on-screen story for those who may not otherwise "get it"?) A non-Dumas character, a widower, is introduced to fall in love with the Count, only to give him up at the end so that he may reunite with his beloved.
Dumas isn't rolling over in his grave as strongly as at some of the other versions, but I daresay the definitive film version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" has yet to be produced.
DVD Review: Excellent French Adaptation
Summary: 5 Stars
To begin, I have read Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo." The novel is very long, nearly 1,000 pages. It contains an incredibly large number of subplots and characters, which may either add or detract from the reading depending on the preference of the reader.
This film adaptation, nearly 420 minutes, certainly makes an attempt to stay relatively loyal to the novel. There are places where it compresses action, scenes, or subplots so as to prevent a 15 hour very BBC-like miniseries. However, this French film was very interesting to me and loyal enough - it contains most of the Count's revenge scenes (which are often greatly changed by other film companies). [Note: The whole last 0.80 of the James Caviezel 2002 version is drastically changed.]
One of the main drawbacks to this film for me was the French dialogue. While I understand French moderately well, it was still difficult sometimes to follow what each character was saying. The English subtitles were not a large help because every time I wasn't certain what a character was saying, seeing an English translation was only moderately helpful. (It would have been easier for me to have French audio with both French and English subtitle options).
Otherwise, I really do not have any major complaint with the film. I would have liked to see M Noitier de Villefort have a greater role, but I realize that would be difficult since the book "claims" M Noitier communicated by blinking his eyes, which does not seem very practical to show on film. Therefore, while Dumas paints M Noitier as a relatively major character in the novel, I can see why he was given a much smaller role in this film.
I can also say that I greatly enjoyed G?rard Depardieu's acting as Edmond Dantes. (Note: Depardieu plays in "102 Dalmatians" and "Le Placard" as well as many other French films.) In my opinion, Depardieu was a more realistic Dantes than James Caviezel in the 2002 American Buena Vista version. The same I find true with the actors who played the Prosecutor Villefort, Fernand Mondago, and Danglars.
DVD Review: Wonderful and delightful
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderful, delightful, and engaging. BUT...why can't they ever follow the book? This is probably the best film adaptation I know of and being in French just adds to the authenticity. But why change the story line? Granted, it is not radically different, but I just wish (unrealistically?) that film makers would trust the story given to them by the brilliant authors.DVD Review: Best and most authentic adaptation of the book
Summary: 5 Stars
Fantastic mini-series starring Gerard Depardieu. Haunting soundtrack, wonderful settings and in French. If you're buying this then you've probably already seen it so I need go no further. Read the book by Alexandre Dumas. 5-stars.DVD Review: Missing a star or two
Summary: 3 Stars
Almost everything that needs to be said about this version has already been said by other reviewers. I will only add three things which may explain my painful three stars instead of the five I would desperately like to give.
Firstly, as already mentioned, but needing emphasis in a big way - the physical quality of the two disks I got were atrocious. I had to rip and re-burn them to enable me to watch the whole series without interruption, and even then I had a hard error which I could not recover. Come on!!! This isn't the 1930's and we aren't talking about 45rpm scratchies. Not good enough!
Secondly, as a keen intermediate level student of French, I looked forward to being able to pick up a few gems while enjoying this magnificent story presented by a superb cast. It would have helped if the idiots who created the subtitles actually translated what was being said instead of just making some of it up themselves. (Example: "Donc, tu est s?r de ne pas pouvoir aimer une autre femme que Valentine de Villefort?" translated to "You're sure that Valentine is the one?".) I know, I know. Subtitles are always a problem, but gee, give us a break.
The final problem is the ending. It's ridiculous and has nothing to do with the original story. The ending for Monte Cristo was not some idyllic return to the past with his long lost love, who incidentally also betrayed him, but an attempt by an emotionally and physically exhausted man to find some happiness with a woman, the princess Hayd?e, who was also betrayed and who also suffered terribly as a result. The faux ending must have been created as a feel-good finale with an eye to the American market, or something like that. It does leave a bad taste in the mouth though.
With all this in mind, you should still buy this version. It has lots and lots to offer and you will, as I have, enjoy hours of splendid viewing.
Description of The Count of Monte Cristo
Acclaimed actor G?rard Depardieu stars in the adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic tale of love, intrigue and revenge.The Count of Monte Cristo tells the dramatic story of Edmond Dant?s, a young French sailor who is falsely denounced as a traitor and unjustly imprisoned for eighteen years without a trial. After a daring escape, Dant?s secures a treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo bequeathed to him by a dying inmate. Using these riches, he assumes a new identity and devises a plan to seek vengeance against all those who betrayed him.
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