The classic novel by Alexandre Dumas receives an epic new adaptation with The Count of Monte Cristo. Young sailor Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney) is promoted after risking his life to save a woman named Angèle (Adèle Simphal), against the orders of his captain Danglars (Patrick Mille). This promotion allows Edmond to propose to his love Mercédès (Anaïs Demoustier), the cousin of Edmond’s best friend Fernand de Morcef (Bastien Bouillon).
However, on his wedding day, Edmond is arrested and accused of being a sympathizer of the exiled Napoleon, though in reality Edmond is being made a scapegoat for the prosecutor Gérard de Villefort (Laurent Lafitte), whose rescued sister Angèle was the real sympathizer. Both Danglars and Fernand de Morcef end up betraying Edmond, and he is sent to prison, where he spends the next 14 years. After escaping with the help of fellow prisoner Abbé Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino), Edmond is led to a vast Templar treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, which he uses to plan his revenge.
The Count of Monte Cristo Synopsis
The Count of Monte Cristo is the latest adaptation of the 19th century novel by Alexandre Dumas, written and directed by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, who previously wrote a pair of 2023 films based on Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. Pierre Niney plays the protagonist Edmond Dantès, who undergoes a two decade quest for vengeance after being betrayed a falsely imprisoned. Disguising himself as a wealthy foreign count, using the vast treasure he is led to, Edmond is joined by fellow vengeance-seekers Haydée (Anamaria Vartolomei) and Andréa (Julien De Saint Jean) to get his revenge against the trio of Gérard de Villefort, Danglars and former best friend Fernand de Morcef, the latter of whom ended up marrying Edmond’s love Mercédès.
My Thoughts on The Count of Monte Cristo
Unlike The Three Musketeers, there have been fewer film adaptations of Alexandre Dumas‘ The Count of Monte Cristo, with me having previously seen the 2002 adaptation starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce. This new French adaptation by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte seeks to be one of the more definitive adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo, with a running time of just under three hours.
While this version of The Count of Monte Cristo retains the 19th century setting of the novel, this adaptation feels decidedly modern. Part of this comes from the gritty production design, which ironically comes across as inspired by V for Vendetta, a film that heavily references one of the earlier adaptations. This adaptation also frequently feels like a spy thriller, complete with the Mission: Impossible-style masks that Edmond Dantès wears to disguise his appearance.
A common element present in all adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo is the swashbuckling finale. However, Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte presents the final sword fight with a bloody viciousness. This helps to emphasize Edmond Dantès as a man consumed by vengeance.
Despite the three-hour length, The Count of Monte Cristo is a film that does not drag. Even if Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte’s version doesn’t end up being the definitive adaptation, it still ends up being one of the more entertaining ones. As such, The Count of Monte Cristo is a film that I greatly recommend.
Buy the Book on Which The Count of Monte Cristo is Based
