Le Comte de Monte-Cristo

Alexandre Dumas’ epic 19th century novel is a tale of one man’s righteous revenge that is meticulously plotted and gradually executed. What can go wrong? Everything! This fast, vigorous, rousing adaptation stays true to the intricate narrative, and mixes historical detail with modern cinematic techniques.

In Le Comte de Monte-Cristo an unfairly persecuted man returns (as it seems) from the dead to ingeniously plot bloody revenge, one by one, upon those who wronged him. Yet revenge rarely runs smoothly: there are always obstacles, complications and surprising reversals of fortune. The rich, mysterious Count – formerly the humble Edmond Dantès – demands eternal loyalty from his young, wily accomplices, but events may influence them otherwise. Ultimately, Dumas asks: can another emotion, more noble and powerful, replace the lust for vengeance?

Filmmakers Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière inject this saga with pace and vigour. Dumas’ intricate narrative demands fine attention to what each character knows or doesn’t know at any given point, and this adaptation is up to the task. Combining a stirring orchestral score with contemporary cinematic devices (handheld and drone camerawork), Le Comte de Monte-Cristo manages to be at once classical and modern. Pierre Niney conveys the many ages, moods and masks associated with the title role, and he is surrounded by a uniformly superb ensemble cast.

– Adrian Martin

Trailer

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