The Count of Monte Cristo

Murder. Deception. Duels. Knife Fights. Fireworks. Carnival. Pirates. Love. Loyalty. Justice. Revenge. Things that help make a movie great. You can find all this, and more, in The Count of Monte Cristo. The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of Edmond Dantes. Dantes is accused of being in league with Bonaparte after a ship mate sees Bonaparte ask Dantes to deliver a letter for him while he is in exile when Dantes and his crew have to seek refuge on Elba. Dantes is unfairly imprisoned without a trial. While in prison, he meets a priest who gives him an education, a means to defend himself and a means to escape through a tunnel that the priest has been digging during his time in prison. He also helps Dantes to realize and understand why he was put in prison. The escape plan doesn't happen exactly as planned, but Dantes does escape soon after his failed attempt and is rescued by some smugglers, who take Dantes under their wing. They do eventually return to France and Dantes after having 13 long years in prison. I would talk more about the story, but that would spoil the movie for you if you haven't seen it quite yet. Let's just say that Dantes does live happily after he is done exacting his meticulously planned revenge on everyone.

The characters are well-developed and their stories are well told. It is easy to develop a kinship of sorts with several of the characters, liking those who are more positive, such as Dantes, the priest and Jacopo, one of the smugglers, and disliking, even hating, former friends who are deserving of Dantes' vengeance. There is a definite master/student kinship that is evident in the interactions between Dantes and the priest, but there are often times when the friendship between Dantes and Jacopo steals the show. There is a true brotherhood that is conveyed in their interactions, showing that although they were brought together through an interesting scene involving a knife fight to the death, true friends can be found anywhere, which causes Jacopo to say to Dantes when his life is spared that 'I swear on my dead relatives, and even on the ones that are not feeling too good, I am your man forever.' In fact, Jacopo is crucial in the ending, saving the life of someone dear to Dantes, saying correctly that 'God watches you out the corner of His eye.'

While this movie has been made and remade quite a few times, I have only ever seen the 2002 version, with James Caviezel in the role of Dantes. However, if you have the option (and the patience), I would definitely recommend reading the book. But make sure that it is an unabridged version. It can be quite hefty, but it is worth the approximately 800 page read. While the movie follows the general plot of the book, many aspects, such as relationships and scenes, specifically the ending, are changed, simplified or omitted altogether. If you don't have the patience to read it, the movie is still fantastic. It's a good date night movie to watch with your special someone, or even by yourself.