Rating: 
Summary: An impossible task, well done
Review: The actting and sets were exceptional. The main problem is that the Count of Monte Cristo is too rich a story to fit in a mere 400 minutes. The book deserves a longer treatment, say on the order of magnitude of I, Claudius. The DVD makes the Count a much softer character, compresses the time between his escape and his revenge, downgrades the importance of the wonderful character Haydee ( while promoting the Ali Pasha to a Sultan) and rewites the ending. It's a 5 star production if you haven't read the book. My only complaint about the DVD is that you do not have the option of turning off the subtitles. Read the book; the 1400+ pages fly by.
Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece...
Review: Even though this movie is in french and you have to read subtitles, once you are into the film it is so GOOD that you forget the movie isn't in english. Perhaps the best movie I have ever seen. 8 hours long and yet it seems short, leaving me yearning for more. This film has it all ....action,humor,wit,great acting,chemistry,betrayal,revenge,and one heck of a love story.
Whether you are a fan of Indiana Jones action movies,or you are more into "touchy feely" flicks, in any respects this movie is
one of those hidden gems that you don't hear much about, but once you watch it wonder why. If you are a fan of movies such as Brave Heart, Rob Roy, The Patriot or Schindler's List, then a this movie will be especially appeal to you. This is a movie you will truly cherish forever. Get this movie!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Best Film I have seen !!!
Review: I would highly recommend this film to anyone, whether they are interested in the "historical fiction" genre or not. We watched this in French class over a period of a few weeks and almost the entire class wanted to stay after each day and continue watching. I have never read the novel, so don't know what was changed, but I loved the numerous subplots. I think Depardieu is excellent as le Comte; he gives the character the perfect blend of ruthlessness and tenderness. The actor who plays Bertuccio adds an almost comic aspect to an otherwise serious movie. My only caveat is that the romance between le Comte and Camille seems somewhat contrived. However, overall this is a wonderful film, and is definetly one of the best movies that I have had the priveledge of viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Movie
Review: This movie was very well done. The acting was incredible, and the set locations were spectacular.There was what I feel to be a significant amount of modification to the original story. Some of these things are justified for the sake of keeping the movie from being too long (such as leaving out a few minor characters). However, it only would have taken a few extra minutes to expand on Faria's role in educating Dantes at the beginning of the film, as well as Danglars' punishment at the end (more on this shortly). What I didn't like were the additions that were made to the script. These were done to make the count a more "friendly," likeable character, when in fact his darkness was part of the appeal of the book. I didn't like how they changed his role in giving the poison to Heloise Villefort to make him less "evil," playing less of a role in Albert de Morcerf's abduction by Luigi Vampa, his lack of a role in the building up of Villefort/Hermine Danglars' son and using him to destroy Villefort's career, taking away his intention to actually see Villefort's daughter poisoned, and cutting the amount of time Danglars' suffered in Vampa's custody to nothing (did I miss anything?). Overall, I feel that off the 4 characters that were the subject of the Count's revenge, they only stayed true to Caderousse's and Fernand de Morcerf's. The fate of Danglars' was going along great until that last scene which I mentioned. I feel that they took out any part the Count played in Villefort's misfortune. This, as I said, was probably to make the Count a friendlier character. Another thing that perturbed me was the addition of Madame de Richardais' character. As a caveat, I must say that I really liked her character and the actress who played her. But unless I'm suffering from a memory lapse, I don't ever remember her in the book! Part of the cold-heartedness and darkness portrayed in the book stemmed from the fact that he was so alone. And what's with him getting back together with Mercedes at the end? While that's a nice thought, it changes things quite a bit. As you'll notice, in spite of all these complaints, I give the movie 5 stars. The additions they made to the love interests of the story were "nice," and you still got an idea of his vengeful nature, and the brilliant acting and screenplay will still hold your attention throughout the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo's COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is a solid adaptation
Review: This French mini-series, co-produced by the Bravo network and starring Gerard Depardieu, is probably the most complete version of the Dumas tale to date. Of course, this is the classic yarn of Edmond Dantes, the sailor sent to prison unjustly, and who escapes to avenge himself on those who put him there. With solid production values and a good cast, this classic tale of romance and revenge is given a performance that is both involving and moving, with a literate screenplay that does justice to the original source.
Despite being a bit too beefy for the role, Depardieu (in his first television role) turns in a stalwart and stern performance in the title role. It's a mannered performance that contrasts to some of the more bombastic roles that he has done in American films like THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. It might not be the definitive performance of the role, but Depardieu does justice to it.
Because of the length of the series, many of the plotlines of the original are left untouched. Of course, if you're not used to foreign films with their subtitles and the long mini-series format (this series runs almost 400 minutes), you might find yourself getting impatient with this production. However, this is a fine production that I heartily recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: How awful !
Review: This is an insult to the book. This grotesque work has nothing going for it. Written with the left foot and photographed with the right one, this is arguably one of the worst adaptation of the fabulous work of Alexandre Dumas.
Half the characters have been scraped, Depardieu is laughable at best as the revenge-driven Dantes (I mean, come on, we see a frail young guy go in the worst prison of the time, and 14 years later he reappears with Depardieu's face and after having gained 100 pounds? Give me a break here), and all this farce stinks of self-importance. For the definitive, ultimate film version of Dumas' book, see the TV adaptation of 1979, a gorgeous French/Italian/German co-production, with Jacques Weber, who IS the Count, forever in my opinion. All the dramatic tension, sadness and suspense, not to mention EVERY character from the book, are present in that version, whilst all this is completely absent here. Avoid at all costs!! I wish I could give this piece of trash zero stars, really.
Rating:
Summary: Depardeu at his best
Review: This film remains true to Dumas' orginal story in it intensity and dark obsession for revenge and justice. Depardeu crafts a sensitive and powerfull performance, and creates an impression of the period that remains indelible to the viewer. A must see! An absolute necessity for any collector of serious film.
Rating:
Summary: After Seeing Castaway, This Dantes Seems A Bit Chubby...
Review: (...) First, I have to say I really liked this production. I confess I am at heart a romantic, and I enjoy Dumas thoroughly, particularly his flair for description. In his books, teeth are pearls, eyes flash, diamonds gleam, etc. In this production it seems no cost was too much. The sets, costumes, actors, extras, etc etc were gorgeous! I loved hearing the dialogue in French. The actors were great, from the greasy weasels to the "doll" mistress. Not knowing the faces of these actors let me fall into the story. I kept missing parts on Bravo and having to stay up late to catch up. I waited and waited for it to be rerun only to miss bits again. Arrgh! So, how much should an actor suffer for his art? Compare Tom Hanks in Castaway (completely believeable) to Gerard (uh, yeah, MAYBE he missed a shower, shave and breakfast). Come on, M. Depardieu, couldn't you at least give Slimfast a try for a week? Depardieu's acting went from gloriously passionate to the occasional stiff and awkward. His talent is obvious, though; how much he communicated with a glance, the twitch of an eyebrow! As for the changes in the story, well, I was at first a bit disappointed. The novel was fine as it was, did they really need to change it? I agree with snipping out a bit or two, but ADDING more? I especially dislike the beginning, the relationship with Abbe Faria is barely touched upon. Surely they could have spent 5 minutes showing the friendship develop as time passed! They instead focused on how Edmond's relationships with others (servant, mistress) softened his heart and made him human again. However, I have always felt that in the book, Danglars (for example) wasn't punished enough. Apparently those writing the screenplay felt the same as they added scenes to lay it on thicker all around. (...) For as much as this DVD cost, the quality is poor and there are few extras. The powers that be should be ashamed of sending this beautiful lady out into the world in such a shabby dress.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and engaging. Worth the time!
Review: One of the frequent complaints against filming classic tales, is that the film-maker did not following the authors vision. I will beg veiwers to remember that film is an art, just as writing is an art. The film-maker and the crew are working to convey an impression of another artists' (Dumas is this case) art work. This version of Le Comte.. is no exception. I feel the vision was fresh, engaging and fun. Depardieu is excellent, as always. Ornella Muti, as Mercedes, is ravishing and worth 20 years in solitude! It is easy to see why, in this interpretation of the tale, that Mercedes is the ultimate revenge! Good music score and costumes complete the film. Very good quality overall. I enjoyed the transitions and flash backs. I feel more flash backs would have added much.
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't deserve the title.
Review: When I saw Dantes shaved so clean in his cell, I know this is not going to be a real one. This is not the greatest novel, not at all. The touching scenes and subtle feeling are all gone. The added fake stories and dialog just created a new and not compelling Dantes I never saw from the book. It may be a mediocre drama base on a new novel, instead of an adaptation. In either case, it doesn't deserve the title, 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. If you never read the book (full edition), I suggest you do not rate with so many star, because:
1. You'll find you need 10 star to rate the book if you read it.
2. It makes the fan of the book, like me, waste the money and time on these two pieces of plastic.
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