The Count of Monte Cristo [VHS] (2002)

Based on the classic Alexandre Dumas book of the same name, it is the story of lowly born Edmond Dantes who, whilst diligently working his way up the social ladder by hard work and honesty is betrayed by his so-called fiend, the Count of Morcerf Fernand Mondego. Mondego is green with envy and more than a little enraptured by Dantes's fiancée, the stunning Mercedes Iguanada and once Dantes is out of the way he wastes no time in moving in on the now available Mercedes.

Poor old Edmond is not only out of the way, he is sent to the infamous prison castle of Chateau D'If where the prisoners are beaten every year on their anniversary of incarceration to remind them of the time they have been behind bars. Fortunately for Edmond he receives a "visit" by fellow prisoner Abbe Faria, an ex-soldier and priest, who not only is digging a tunnel out of the prison but also undertakes to teach the naïve Edmond lessons in subjects as diverse as sword fighting, economics, unarmed combat and reading and writing.

To tell any more of the plot would ruin the film, but suffice to say that what follows in a entertaining roller coaster ride of fun and adventure as Edmond, recreated as the Count of Monte Cristo, plans to extract his revenge on those who have betrayed him.

One of the best things about the film is that the cast, whilst being fairly familiar to cinema fans, are not big major stars. There's no grabbing of the limelight here by some big name about whom the screenplay has been designed. James Caviezel is great as the misfortunate Edmond with a real wide-eyed innocence about his performance. Likewise Dantes's nemesis Fernand Mondego is superbly sneering played by Guy Pearce. There also some great support from Luis Guzman as the Count's hilarious and entertaining sidekick Jacopo the Maggot, JB Blanc as the smuggler boss and the gorgeous Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes. Possibly stealing the show is the much-missed Richard Harris as Edmond's prison friend Abbe Faria.

Another great plus point of the film is that it combines the elements of action, romance, sentiment, intrigue and storyline in exactly the right amounts, so it doesn't become a sloppy piece of period romance nor a unfathomable mess of plot and counter-plot. Great viewing for the family and thoroughly entertaining.

This is Wolpert's first movie screenplay. Previously he worked as a writer on the television series "The Lot," having mostly been a producer of television games shows such as "The Price is Right" and "Match Game." So it is rather surprising that his adaptation is so strong. I would not have minded if the film had more of an epic heft to it, but I do understand the Hollywood mentality that depends such films come in under two hours. Wolpert's dialogue also has some wonderful moments, such as when Dorleac strings up his new prisoner, Edmond, and says: "Now you're thinking, just now 'Why me, O God?' The answer is, God has nothing to do with it. In fact, God is never in France this time of year." Later on Jacopo (Luis Guzmán), the smuggler turned valet who serves the Count, tells his master "God sees you out of the corner of his eye." There are several gems like this throughout the film, which balance the more pedestrian lines and the several anachronistic examples of street talk that intrude on the tale. This version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" is not a great film but it is a very good adventure story, whether you know the original tale or not (unabridged or not).