The Count of Monte Cristo Review

This is one of my favorite go-to movies and yes, Henry Cavill has a very small role in it.  “The Count of Monte Cristo” is a historical adventure film adaptation from the 1844 novel of the same name. A captivating tale of betrayal, revenge, and hidden treasures. This movie is the reason why I can’t stand Guy Pierce to this day.  He’s just evil. Great actor, clearly but he will always be Fernand. 

Picture this: it’s 1815, Edmond Dantes (played by Jim Caviezel) serves as the second mate of a French merchant vessel. His Fernand Mondego (Guy Pierce), a representative of the shipping company, is also on board.  They’re seeking medical help for their captain when they encounter none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, exiled on the same island. Bonaparte intervenes to save their lives and asks Edmond for a favor: deliver a letter to someone on the mainland in exchange for medical assistance. 

Here’s where things take a dark turn. Fernand witnesses the exchange and his jealousy grows exponentially.  When they return to Marseille, the company owner praises Edmond for his bravery and promotes him to caption over his first mate. Edmond even states his intention to marry his girlfriend, Mercedes, whom Fernand secretly lusts after. 

Fernand, consumed by envy, starts resembling an evil version of the Green Giant. He teams up with his shady accomplice, Danglars, to concoct a wicked plan. Their target? Edmond Dantès, who’s blissfully unaware, living his best life and planning for the future. Little does Edmond know that he’s unwittingly carrying a letter that could aid Napoleon’s escape.

But fate takes a dark twist. The chief magistrate, suspecting Edmond’s involvement, has him arrested. Edmond, thinking he’s merely a messenger, hands over the letter. And then, the bombshell: the letter implicates the magistrate’s father, Monsieur Clarion, as a “Bonapartist.” Panic ensues. The magistrate burns the letter and condemns Edmond to the infamous Château d’If—a private island prison that makes Alcatraz look like a cozy retreat.

Now, let me paint the grim picture: stone walls from top to bottom, no beds, and the prisoners clad in whatever they wore upon arrival. It’s a place where hope goes to die. And every year, on their anniversary, they receive a brutal reminder—the lash of a whip. 

Six years pass, and fate intervenes. A priest, tunneling his way to freedom, stumbles into Edmond’s cell. Their unlikely friendship blooms as they dig together, sharing secrets and skills. The priest teaches Edmond to read, fight, and reveals the truth behind his imprisonment—a refusal to betray Bonaparte’s secret.

Now, fueled by vengeance, Edmond thirsts for justice. But here’s where it gets intense: the priest, injured by a cave-in, entrusts Edmond with knowledge of the Spada family treasure. Edmond escapes, washed ashore like a tempest-tossed hero.

But wait, there’s more! Pirates await—grim executioners ready to dispatch one of their own, Jacopo. The pirate leader, ever the showman, pits Edmond against Jacopo in a fight for survival. Edmond’s prison-honed skills serve him well, and he overpowers Jacopo. Yet, instead of taking a life, he strikes a deal: both survive, both serve.

From that pivotal moment, Jacopo becomes Edmond’s loyal right-hand man. Together, they journey to Marseille, where a family friend reveals the shocking truth: Fernand and Danglars were partners in crime, orchestrating Edmond’s downfall. To add salt to the wound, Edmond discovers that his beloved Mercedes is now married to Fernand. Talk about a tangled web!

But Edmond isn’t one to wallow in misery. No, siree! He’s on a mission—to unearth the lost treasure. And guess what? He strikes gold—literally! With Jacopo by his side, they uncover a fortune that would make Scrooge McDuck jealous. But Edmond doesn’t stop there. He transforms himself into a Count, using the priest’s teachings to infiltrate high society.

Now, picture this: a lavish party, glittering chandeliers, and unsuspecting guests. Edmond lures the very men who betrayed him to this grand soirée. But there’s a catch—getting close to Fernand, now a father to Albert (played by the dashing Henry Cavill), requires some creative maneuvering. So, Edmond stages a daring kidnapping and rescue, setting the stage for his ultimate revenge.

As the pieces fall into place, Edmond methodically dismantles each enemy. But hold onto your hats, my friends! There’s an unexpected twist lurking in the shadows—one that might just leave you breathless. I won’t spoil it, but trust me, it’s worth the suspense. 

This movie is just over 2 hours long but it flows very well. There aren’t any slow moments in my opinion because there was drama at every turn. I highly recommend you add this to your watchlist. I give this movie 5 out of 5 acorns.