Plot
A young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge
Release Year: 2002
Rating: 7.6/10 (57,183 voted)
Critic's Score: 61/100
Director:
Kevin Reynolds
Stars: Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris
Storyline 'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a remake of the Alexander Dumas tale by the same name. Dantes, a sailor who is falsely accused of treason by his best friend Fernand, who wants Dantes' girlfriend Mercedes for himself. Dantes is imprisoned on the island prison of Chateau d'If for 13 years, where he plots revenge against those who betrayed him. With the help of another prisoner, he escapes the island and proceeds to transform himself into the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo as part of his plan to exact revenge.
Writers: Alexandre Dumas père, Jay Wolpert
Cast: Jim Caviezel
-
Edmond Dantes
Guy Pearce
-
Fernand Mondego
Richard Harris
-
Abbé Faria
James Frain
-
J.F. Villefort
Dagmara Dominczyk
-
Mercedès Iguanada
Michael Wincott
-
Armand Dorleac
Luis Guzmán
-
Jacopo
Christopher Adamson
-
Maurice
JB Blanc
-
Luigi Vampa
Guy Carleton
-
Mansion Owner
Alex Norton
-
Napoleon
Barry Cassin
-
Old Man Dantes
Henry Cavill
-
Albert Mondego
Aliaz Moufid
-
Holga
(credit only)
(as Zhara)
Brendan Costello
-
Viscount
Taglines:
Prepare for adventure. Count on revenge.
Release Date: 25 January 2002
Filming Locations: Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
Box Office Details
Budget: $35,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $11,376,150
(USA)
(27 January 2002)
(2007 Screens)
Gross: $75,395,048
(Worldwide)
Technical Specs
Runtime:|
Spain:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The beige dress with paisley bodice worn by an extra on the Marseilles wharf early in the film is the same costume Sabina Franklyn (Jane Bennet) wears at Longbourn in
Pride and Prejudice, Rachel Fielding (Mrs. Benson) wears in
Princess Caraboo, Julie Cox (Annabella Milbanke) wears to read Byron's poetry book in
Byron, and Freema Agyeman (Tattycoram) wears on the Marseilles wharf in
Little Dorrit. The same costume is also worn by a guest at Fanny's wedding in
Miss Austen Regrets.
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible:
After the last sword fight in the wheat field, as Edmund retreats back into the building, a crew member can be seen in one of the windows.
Quotes: Luigi:
So, mi amici, I would ask who you are, but in view of your shredded clothes and the fact that the Chateau d'If is two miles away... what's the point? As for me, I am Luigi Vampa, a smuggler and a thief. My men and I have come to this island to bury alive one of our number who attempted to keep some stolen gold for himself instead of sharing it with his comrades. Interestingly enough, there are some of his more loyal friends who are insisting that I grant him mercy. Which, of course, I cannot do, or I would quickly lose control of the whole crew. That is why you are such a fortunate find. Edmond:
Why is that? Luigi:
You provide me with a way to show a little mercy to Jacopo - that maggot you see tied up over there - while at the same time not appearing weak. And as a bonus, the lads will get to see a little sport as well. Edmond:
How do I accomplish all this? Luigi:
We watch you and Jacopo fight to the death. If Jacopo wins, we welcome him back to the crew. If you win, I have given Jacopo the chance to live, even if he did not take advantage of it, and you can take his place on the boat. Edmond:
What if I win and I don't want to be a smuggler? Luigi:
Then we slit your throat, and we're a bit shorthanded.
[pause]
Edmond:
[smiles after consideration]
I find that smuggling is the life for me, and would be delighted to kill your friend the maggot! Luigi:
Oh, and by the way, Jacopo is the best knife fighter I have ever seen.
[...]
User Review
Box Office does not equal greatness in this case
Rating: 10/10
The Count of Monte Cristo is such an under-rated gem. Great performances,
exciting story, and a fun wit, this film has everything that was terrific in
Dumas' original novel and then twists it all up to adapt perfectly to the
screen but doesn't stray to far.
But is perfectly to strong a word? Of course not. Monte Cristo boasts the
talent of both Guy Pearce and Jim Caviezal as former friends who have turned
against each other in the epic-set Napoleanic French era. As Caviezal grows
more throughout the film, Pearce becomes more and more a monster basking in
his own greed.
The late Richard Harris is very bold in one of his final performances and
Luis Guzman is perfect as Monte Cristos right-hand man.
See this film and reccomend it. It truly deserves better than what
audiences gave it last year.
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