The Count of Monte Cristo (DVD, 2002)

This is one of the best action movies of all times! After watching it you want to go kick someones butt who did you wrong :) It's very good and very action packed and yet sentimental. I highly recommend it and think everyone should watch it!

This is one of my favorite movies of all times. You have suspence, action, betrayal and romance all rolled up into one movie. Also it is a family movie since it doesn't have the garbage in it like most movies do. I will warn you about one scene in the beginning, the romance gets a little heavy when they are outside laying on the ground, but you don't have to worry about it for the rest of the movie.

I love this movie because it twists and turns more than any movie I've ever seen. It is a classic story of love, revenge and honor. It's a family movie, a movie to watch on a date, or alone. It's a classic no mater what movies you have a preference to. ENJOY!

I have never felt more passionate about a movie as much as the count of monte cristo. My number one movie of all time, I watched at least 15 times and I fall move in love with it every time.
its one of those movie that you would rent, then buy right away so you can watch it again and again.

I always liked the book of "The Count of Monte Cristo," which plays to two of my favorite subjects, "revenge," and "power," and does them well. It's been re-done as a movie a few times, and I was interested to see how it would be adapted through modern eyes.

As it turns out, Mike Reynolds, Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, and the rest of the cast do an excellent job. There was a good deal of fiddling done with the plot and characters to condense a lengthy book into a two-hour picture. They also tightened a complicated plot, eliminating the subplots of Maximilian Morrell and Villefort's murderous wife. Edmond Dantes' struggle for revenge is also cut down to exposing his three adversaries in a tighter and linked manner. In the book, their destruction requires separate operations.

In the book, Dantes hacks at each nemesis indirectly, nailing Fernand first, forcing him to commit suicide when his son Albert and wife Mercedes run out on him. Villefort goes insane when he finds his wife has killed off his whole family, with Dantes working behind the scenes to do so. Finally, Dantes bankrupts Danglars, who is a millionaire banker. Dantes then goes off with his new girlfriend.

In the movie, Dantes cons the unholy trio into thinking they are going to steal his gold, and instead brings Danglars and Villefort to justice for conspiracy and murder. Dantes nails Fernand directly -- a final swordfight. Most importantly, Dantes gets back Mercedes, learning that Albert is his son. More satisfying, tighter, more colorfully told. There is also redemption in Dantes ending the film having regained the family he deserved to have and the life he should have had. The movie has the swordplay that the book lacks.

There is also clever subtlety...Frenand dislikes his son Albert, and won't even give a toast to him at the big party, which is left to Dantes as the Count of Monte Cristo. Dantes unknowingly but movingly gives a superb father-to-son tribute, whose views are realized in the climax.

Luis Guzman, as Dantes' sidekick Jacobo, has a small and powerful role, serving as Dantes' confidante and conscience, an interesting twist of fate for a man introduced as a "maggot" and thief. J.D. LeBlanc, as captain of the smugglers, has another small role, but is truly hilarious and effective. The late Richard Harris, as the Abbe Faria, Dantes' mentor and coach, gives his usual powerful performance. He was good just reading the phone book.

Dagmara Domanczyk, a new name and face, doesn't have much to do as the loving and trapped Mercedes. Her best moment is on the "deleted scenes" section of the DVD, but one can see why everyone wants her. James Frain makes a sly Villefort.

Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce dominate the screen, of course. Pearce was asked to play Dantes, but only wanted to play Fernand. Pearce does so with gusto, making him flamboyant, amoral, charming, and callous, all at the same time. Caviezel makes an astonishing transformation from the idealistic but ignorant Dantes to the worldly, obsessed, and cold Count of Monte Cristo.

The DVD includes deleted scenes, cast interviews, background on how the film was made, and director's commentary. All of them are extremely interesting, and the director's commentary shows you how good Caviezel is...doing scenes as Dantes in prison one day, Dantes at liberty the next, Dantes as the Count the third. Astonishing transformations.

I highly recommend this film.

I saw the movie with my husband and loved it. There was nothing to dislike about the movie. I have watched it several times since I bought it.

A classic tale that my whole family enjoys, depicting extraordinary characters, circumstances, and prevailing lifestyles of the era. Some parts of the movie may be inappropriate for younger viewers but OK for teenagers w/parental involvement. Following the movie parents may also want to discuss with their children the importance of why revenge should never be an option and how it makes you a bitter & vile person that nobody wants to be around.

Hope you enjoy the movie as much as we do!

One of my all-time favorite movies, it has everything in it. My original copy "walked off" somewhere so I turned to half.com to replace it immediately. Thank you for a fast shipment.

My little brother recommended this and I thought...oh no. Something star trek. No offense to Trekkies, it's just not my thing. So I watched it and was AMAZED, I have since seen it probably 10 times. It's soooo good. We get everyone who vacations at our house to watch it and 100% say it's so good! They all love it. It starts off great, gets way better and the last 1/2 is superb! Beautifully done, wonderful scenery and on and on. But it's got something for everyone..suspense, romance, intrigue, it's even got some humor! I mean if you have not seen this, and you are looking for a movie that is already out..you have seen it all.. RENT THIS OR BUY IT. You will NOT NOT NOT be disappointed. The folks we know like all sorts of movies, from one end of the spectrum to the other. No one has been disappointed in this movie.

This is my sister's favorite movie, even though I had never even heard of it. I bought it for her birthday and she lent it to me. I really liked it, more than I thought I would. This movie has a good story and a great ending of justice being served to the people who deserved it. It is a good love story that ends good. It is worth watching.

We already love the movie, just needed it on DVD now. Excellent story showing the results of evil deeds and God's faithfulness to those who are faithful. Thanks so much.

Beautifully filmed, beautifully acted, beautiful film treatment. It is a movie I can watch over and over. The betrayal, the growth and trimphant of Edmund Dumas is gripping and exciting. Many good life values to be learned. I throughly enjoy the video.

Great family movie of a classic book. I reccomend it to everyone! The characters are great, the plot and action superb. You can't ask for a better movie.

This is one of my all time faves! The story of an innocent man betrayed by his best friend and sent to prison for almost 13 years. Only because of jealousy!
As fate would have it he was able to escape that miserable place with the help of a priest who was also imprisoned there. During their time in prison the priest taught him how to read and write, do math and economics. Unfortunately the priest died in the final moments before their escape, but left him with a map leading to untold wealth. The young man returned home to find out that his father had hung himself after he was sent to prison. His girlfriend married his best friend and those who sent him to prison led wealthy livestyles. He became the Count of Monte Cristo and started out to get his revenge. This movie was well put together and is very tasteful! The scenes were beautiful and Jim Caviezel was brilliant in his role! I can watch this movie over and over and it never gets boring. I can totally recommend this movie to anyone who wishes to see a wholesome family movie!!!

A very good movie with excellent plot writing, action, romance, adventure and more. You finish the movie feeling good. Everyone loves a happy ending.

This is one of my favorite movies
ever on a rainy day i will plug it in. My favorite part is were the Count buys the bank that his exfriend does business with to pay him back for the mean things he has done to him. If you haven't seen this one it is great.You have to watch this.

Not many movies do justice to the book that originated the story. This one does!

Jim Cavaziel, who later played Jesus in the "Passion of the Christ," plays Edmond Dantes in this story of revenge. Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce), his supposed best friend, tells lies about an innocent meeting they had with exiled Napoleon. Thus, Edmond ends up in a horrible prison, where we are introduced to Priest (Richard Harris), another inmate in the inescapable prison. Priest teaches Edmond how to survive until Priest's death, which allows Edmond to escape the prison through a ruse in who is in a makeshift bodybag tossed over the cliff into the sea.

Eventually, with the help of pirates, Edmund finds treasure at the bottom of the sea. Now rich, he returns to Marseilles, where the treachery occurred. Masquerading as the Count of Monte Cristo, he finds Fernand married to his love, Mercedes, and they have a teenage son. Edmund loves the son and saves him from a horrible experience.

How the movie ends I won't tell you. But believe me, this is one movie that will not disappoint. The ending gives the story true justice. It makes you want to read the original book by Dumas.

Glamorously photographed, this movie begs to be viewed on a large screen. The whole thing is beautiful, but especially the scene where the Count of Monte Cristo introduces himself to the people of Marseilles. They have no idea who he really is.

Why this movie did not receive some Academy Award nominations I do not understand. It's in my top movies of all time list.

I love this action-filled adventure movie. The actors are superb and keep you on the edge of your seat, anxiously awaiting the next scene. I bought the movie for the excellent cast and never fail to enjoy it, immensely.

the dvd wont play past the 1:36 mark so i never got to finish it. I emailed the seller and they never got back to me...i got screwed

This movie is one of my favorite movies. The plot is very well constructed by the script writer. The action is plentyful, while the deceit and trickery keeps you on your toes. I definitely recomend this movie for the people who like a little mystery and thinking.

Very good! I had borrowed it from a friend, and liked it so much I decided to buy my own copy. Jim Cavielzel is a convincing Edmund Dantes, Guy Pearce is very good as the despicable Fernand, and the cinematography is excellent!

James Caviezel in his best performace ever - a movie of great betrayal and revenge. Its one of those movies where the main character gets betrayed and you start to get angry while watching it. Guy Pearce is the ultimate villian - manipulative and evil you just want to strangle him. This movie was beautifuly shot with great actors and a great story line. I highly recommend it.

This is a great movie, filled with love, suspense, and lots of action! Sword fighting, pirates, betrayal, loyalty - it's all in this film.