Based on the Alexander Dumas extended novel of the same name, The Count of Monte Cristo is a difficult story to adapt because of it's length. The DVD has a commentary track from director Kevin Reynolds, a feature on the writing of Dumas, a feature on the choreography of the fight scenes, and a feature on the production design. There are also deleted scenes, choreography on the final duel, an examination of the sound design of Edward's escape, and more. The film is in widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio and audio is THX certified with English 5.1 and French 5.1 Surround Sound, and Spanish subtitles.
Customer Rating
3
Sloppy Ending
on March 16, 2008
Posted by: Zakarius
from Riverside, CA
The real stength of Dumas' novel was in it's themes of moral right and wrong. In this movie Dantes doesn't start off quite innocent enough. When he becomes the Count he isn't nearly sinister enough. As a result the movie starts off well with the encounter at the Island of Elba, but when Monte Cristo shows up in a hot air balloon you realise quickly that the film has lost it's direction. It's too bad that the Richard Chamberlain version isn't available on DVD.