The Count Of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Alexander Dumas and first published in 1844, is a classic story of love and revenge.

Countless adaptations have been made of the novel, one of which is the movie version directed by Mel Gibson and released in 2002. The story revolves around Edmond Dantés, the fiancé of the beautiful Mercédés and newly appointed captain of the ship, Pharaon.

Everything changes quite quickly when Fernand Mondego, who is in love with Dantés's fiancé, and Danglars, who wants Dantés position, come into the picture. Together, they get him arrested on trumped up charges, where the deputy prosecutor sends him to Chateu D'If, even though he knows he is innocent.

In prison, Dantés meets the Abbé Faria who helps him escape. Before dying, the abbé bequeaths an immense fortune to Dantés. Free, and extremely wealthy, Dantés worms himself into Parisian society under the title of the Count of Monte Cristo with revenge in mind.

Before his fourteen years in prison, Dantés had a cheerful, light-hearted attitude. He was extremely naïve and thought the best of others. Because of this, he could not understand how he ended up in jail until the Abbé helps him uncover the truth.

Once he escaped, he was an entirely different person. He was no longer young and naïve: he was an intelligent man with a cold heart. When he first looked in a mirror after escaping Chateu D'If, he observed, "...his eyes themselves were imprinted with deep sadness, behind which from time to time could be seen dark flashes of misanthropy and hatred" (p. 214).

This is exactly who Dantés had become, leaving out only one detail. Dantés believed that only God was above him; he was a perfect being among the flawed. He also believed that it was his duty to exact his revenge against his wrongdoers. If he did not, he thought he would have been wasting the gift of freedom that God had given him.

The Edmond Dantés in the movie, played by James Caviezel, is not quite like this. For a time Dantés no longer believed in God and wanted revenge merely for his own satisfaction. However, he shared many attributes with his book counterpart. He was dark and mysterious, becoming a part of Parisian society with his vast skills, intelligence and fortune.

The differences between Dantés in the book and the movie were small -- it was his actions that were largely altered. However, the Dantés in the book seemed to be a much deeper character. There was more insight into the way his mind worked, and the Dantés in the movie did not seem to change from his time in jail as significantly as Dantés in the book did.

His tool for spring-boarding himself into the Parisian society happened to be the son of one of the men he wanted revenge against. He was Albert Morcerf, a young man with a naivety not unlike the naivety Dantés once possessed. When Albert first met the extremely mysterious and charismatic Count of Monte Cristo in Rome, he immediately considered him a friend and had no suspicion towards his character. When his friend, Franz, brought up the suggestion that he should be suspicious of Monte Cristo, Albert replied with: "You are mad to suggest it!" (p. 435). This was also said with full knowledge that Monte Cristo had close connections with a bandit that had kidnapped Albert.

As the story progressed, Albert began to wise up. Events made him grow suspicious of his friend the Count. It began when Albert's father was disgraced by information that was released to the newspaper. Albert was able to piece together that it was the Count that supplied it. As was customary, Albert challenged the Count to duel. After his mother, Mercédés, told Albert the truth of Monte Cristo, he apologized to Dantés and the duel did not take place. It took a tremendous amount of courage for Albert to apologize -- especially in front of his closest friends.

In the movie, Albert, who was played by Henry Cavill, was much more naïve than he was in the book. Albert also took the place of Maximilien, who the Count viewed as his own son. In the movie, Albert actually was his son, though he did not know it.

"I bought this place thinking one day... I would tear it down... but now the only things I care about are... walking off this island with me... let's go home"...

Category:

Film & Animation

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[mar7dong]

God Will give me Justice. Count Monte Cristo is a Wonderfull Movie ever.

how did i escape with difficulties,how did you??? with pleasure nice nice is the revence part of danglar,velleport & bolly Mondego. Bravo Bravo Bravo..

[blackchineygal85]

"God has everything to do with it. He's everywhere. He sees everything."

[emjay1264jr]

This movie sucks big time compared to the book but if i had not read the book this would have been an okay movie to watch.

[Poliperchon]

American film version of the book is f**** up. It's not compatible with book.

[1234thequickbrownfox]

such a nice video! i love it...can you post the whole movie? thanks..

[jnadreth]

I agree completely....I even bought the book...which is a reall rariety with me..me buying a book lol!!!!!

[flightdogg]

GREAT movie. Underrated in my opinion. Gotta love a good story of revenge.

[jnadreth]

Vangelis-Conquest of paradise:D

[jnadreth]

Thanx for the awesome vid....whats the name of the music being played...I'd really appreciate the name...tis awesome...Thax;)

[sscutellatus]

so true