An amazing early 2000s period action-thriller is officially back on Prime Video, and ready to delight fans of The Mummy and other late ’90s/ ’00s action-adventure films. 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo was a new adaptation of the classic tale by Alexandre Dumas, directed by Kevin Reynolds, best known for ’90s adventure films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld. The revenge-fueled flick starred Jim Caviezel as Edmond Dantes, a young man, falsely convicted, who embarks on a path of vengeance by transforming into a charismatic and mysterious count. The movie also features Henry Cavill, who would later go on to become the iconic Superman in Man of Steel and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, in his major breakout role. It’s time to unpack this epic action-adventure thriller.
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Brings a Contemporary Voice to Classic Literature
Kevin Reynolds excels in updating classic tales and period settings, as seen in his work with Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves — and The Count of Monte Cristo is no exception. He imbues Dumas’ original story, first published in book form in 1846, with a fresh look; while the story is still set in the past, Reynolds and screenwriter Jay Wolpert infuse the movie with more contemporary language, so the story feels both accessible to a modern audience, yet traditional and timeless.
Throughout the story, Reynolds exceptionally depicts Edmond Dantès harrowing journey, beginning as a young man and merchant sailor who has his promising future ripped away from him, and is forced to endure a harsh imprisonment at the Château d’If after being framed for treason by his best friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce), who desired Dantès’ fiancée, Mercédès (Dagmara Domińczyk). During his imprisonment, Dantès experiences a fateful meeting with another prisoner, Abbé Faria (the late Richard Harris), who trains and tutors Dantès while they plan a daring escape. Although Faria dies before they can bring their plan to completion, Dantès escapes, using a map from Faria to collect a treasure of vast wealth, which he then utilizes to create a new identity, the Count of Monte Cristo, which allows him to plot his revenge against all the parties who wronged him.
16 years after his false imprisonment, Dantès returns to Paris, infiltrating high society to target Mondego and city magistrate Villefort (James Frain). Though his desire for vengeance consumes his heart, Dantès learns that revenge bears a cost — but that doesn’t make his strategic, calculated revenge sequences any less juicy and satisfying. The movie’s revenge sequences truly shine as The Count of Monte Cristo’s best moments, as Reynolds and his crew shoot them immaculately and give them room to breathe. They are staged as if Monte Cristo is playing a game of cat and mouse with his prey, baiting his enemies into a trap. Once the trap is sprung, the fun truly begins.
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Features Henry Cavill in His Breakout Role
The Count of Monte Cristo notably featured a then 18-year-old Henry Cavill in his first major breakout role. Cavill portrays Albert Mondego, the teenage son of Dantès’ most hated enemy, Fernand Mondego, and Dantès former lover, Mercédès. Although the movie features Cavill in more of a minor supporting role, he makes the most of his screen time, showing impressive charisma and presence. This movie put Cavill on Hollywood’s radar, helping him eventually win him the role of Kal-El, aka Clark Kent/Superman, in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.
The movie does make one shocking and major change for Albert later in the movie, which suits the purpose of the story as a modern Hollywood adaptation of Dumas’ classic tale. It’s a good role for Cavill; his work in The Count of Monte Cristo certainly heralds the stardom that could come in the years to follow from his work in films and shows like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and The Witcher.
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Is a Great Companion Piece for Fans of ‘The Mummy’
Lately, we’ve been exploring period action-adventure movies like The Mummy, which currently has a new installment in the works, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz set to reprise their iconic roles. Fans of swashbuckling, sweeping, romantic, and epic period action-adventure who enjoy movies like The Mummy, The Phantom, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, or The Pirates of the Caribbean will definitely want to give The Count of Monte Cristo a look. Although The Count of Monte Cristo doesn’t feature any supernatural elements and harbors a more serious tone by exploring themes of revenge and divine justice, it’s no less fun and thrilling than other contemporary period adventure flicks of the 1990s and 2000s.
Besides the likes of Caviezel and Pearce, the movie also features a dynamite cast with the hilarious Luis Guzmán portraying some great comic relief as Dantès loyal bodyguard and aide-de-camp, Jacopo. Richard Harris also provides tremendous prestige and surprising energy and humor to the movie as Dantès’ unlikely friend and teacher, Abbé Faria. Faria forms a unique bond with Dantès, gifting him with knowledge and swordsmanship that become crucial in the protagonist’s overall journey. However, Faria also cautions Dantès not to commit the crime for which he serves the sentence, which becomes the main crux of the movie, making for a compelling journey. The Count of Monte Cristo provides a fantastic experience of which we don’t see enough of these days, and it’s definitely worth your time to stream now on Prime Video.
