Customer Reviews

The Count of Monte Cristo Box Set (Miniseries) [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have long ago dispelled the notion that any movie production faithfully reproduces a book as written. For those zealots who desire this, see George C. Scott's rendition of Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Alexander Dumas did not write the Count of Monte Cristo as a single novel, but rather as a long series of chapters in a French periodical of the time, hence its almost 1500 page length which would require a movie in excess of 800 hours.

I have always enjoyed Gerard Depardieu in whatever role he portrayed, either in English (Porthos, Columbus) or in his French films. It was said that Depardieu did not portray the stature of Edmund Dantes, but let's face it, Gerard is a big guy. Even Dumas does not describe Dantes as a sickly wretch, even though his food was described as "maggot ridden slop". To paraphrase this, no actor has ever portrayed a role as one invisions when reading a novel, least of all, any actor that ever portrayed Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables.

Le Comte De Monte Cristo captures the essence of the book which concerns a man bent on revenge, yet not so totally consumed that he looses his sense of humanity. I have recently re-read many of the classics that were part of my father's literary collection and must say that the movie ended on a happier note than the book.

The scenes and demeanor of the gentry were extremely faithful to the time frame of the novel, as were the portrayal of the suporting cast of character. Although the movie is presented in French with English subtitles, I feel that this should not dissuade one from seeing it. Since movies are to be entertaining, I feel that this one fits the bill. If one wants the purity of the original, read the book

This movie was recently shown for 4 nights on tv - it was so beautifully filmed, gorgeously costumed, and touchingly acted that we were riveted every night. For the French students in our house the language was a chance to practice what they were learning in school. For the parents it was an historically accurate trip to the early 19th century, as well as a philosophical journey guided by Victor Hugo. By all means, watch this production.

The Count of Monte Cristo story has always interested me and I had been curious about this version since I first heard about it. I sat down to begin watching it and spent the next almost seven hours drawn to the tale all over again in a new way. An old story told once again, this time with fuller and richer detail and more compelling than ever. The Bravo version is far superior to any version from Hollywood. At first I was disappointed by the English sub-titles but now I must say the movie was better for it - I enjoyed the French dialogue (it immersed one more in the setting) and the sub-titles forced me to focus much more on what was happening. Gerard Depardieu was a very believable Edmond Dantes and the writers did wonders with the script. While this version is too long for someone looking for a quick movie fix it is worth every minute of it when you take the time to see it all.

Gerard Depardieu's protean presence dominates several recent DVD transfers of French films inslcluding Alexander Dumas' beloved novel of love and revenge which was adapted as a mammoth, four-part French TV miniseries. "THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO" (Fox Lorber,...), is the story of sea captain Edmond Dantes (Depardieu), who, in 1815, is falsely imprisoned in solitary confinement for nearly twenty years, then escapes, finds a huge treasure, takes on a new identity, gets a girlfriend and wreaks vengeance on those who betrayed him; in the process, exchanging one kind of prison for another. Filmed on numerous European locations, this was the most-watched miniseries in the history of French TV.

Richly detailed with interwoven subplots, this movie is great looking and involving, especially for those not familiar with the novel. For starters, Depardieu's plump, beardless departure from prison where he ostensibly had only bread, watery soup and no barber, is an eyebrow raiser. The screenplay adaptation by Didier Decoin is at variance with Dumas in many other instances. Characters, relationships, events and motivations are, in some cases significantly, altered, as is the ending. And these aren't improvements. They are arbitrary changes the screenwriter chose for unclear personal reasons. After all, it was not for a shortage of running time, this version runs just over five hours. Josee Dayan, a well known European director, approaches this material with moments of brilliance mixed with apparent indifference. The end result is an intriguing, watchable epic that's a fractured reflection of Dumas' great tale, but not a true mirror image. Full frame, in French with English subtitles.

I have never read the book "Count of Monte Cristo", so I can't say how closely the film follows it. But I caught this flipping through channels one night and got hooked. I'm stunned at how good this is: great cinematics, costuming, casting -- first rate production that takes its time developing like "I, Claudius" or other classic lit pieces. But what's fun about the story is that the Count(Depardieu)is like an early detective -- a cross between Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. He's a wonderfully enigmatic and complex character -- out for revenge yet unable to help being a decent guy. He dabbles in alchemy, swoops through the night, dons various disguises. The story contains several sub-plots that are like mini "cases" the Count resolves, all within a longer, continuing theme. The count's side-kick, Bertuccio, was a wonderful character as well, played by a charmingly original actor. All in all, this is one worth buying and playing over and over, whether you're into costume dramas, A&E Mysteries or romance. And if you're a Depardieu fan, you're *really* in for a treat. He's wonderful in this.

This adaptation of Alexander Dumas' work by Didier Decoin and Josee Dayan is one of the best to come to the screen in a long time. The episodes follow the traditional tale of revenge by Edmond Dantes after his betrayal by auhtorities and so-called friends.

Although Gerard Depardieu's physique hardly fools anyone as to his true identity, his acting skills truly shine in this series. Depardieu plays every nuance of the complex character's emotions and inner thoughts with the same brilliance as his performance of Cyrano de Bergerac several years before. The cast includes a variety of European actors who bring their own talent to the series.

This is probably the best rendition of Dumas' famous story to reach the screen in a long time. Being originally a mini-series, Dumas' plots and themes are treated much better than adaptations made for a 2-hour film. Even though this film's ending significantly deviates from the original story, its French origin allows it to capture the minute details of the period's mannerisms, fashions, and culture as depicted by Dumas like no other production has done so far. I strongly recommend this mini-series to those who want to see a more detailed adaptation of the original story.

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.

This is possibly the best version of the Cristo story ever made, perhaps even surpassing the 1934 film version with Robert Donat. Gerard Depardieu is marvellous as the innocent sailor who is the victim of a cruel plot by four men who all, for different reasons,want him destroyed. Imprisoned for years in a bleak island fortress, he finally escapes and sets out to get his revenge on the ones who wronged him. It is wonderful to watch him meticulously destroy his former tormentors one by one. All the other performers in this series are also excellent, and there is an authentic period atmosphere. The series gives the story a more upbeat ending than the original novel, but that's all right with me, I prefer happy endings. Absolutely enthralling from beginning to end.

'The Count of Monte Cristo' is my favorite book. The first time I read it, I was 13. I am 19 now and I have read the book at least 15 times. It is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written. I have seen a few of the movie adaptations, and I was greatly disappointed. So, when I heard about this adaptation, I was really excited! 8 hours long. Surely the writer/director will be able to cover the entire book without leaving anything out. Wow. Important scenes were changed, events were left out, events that never happened in the book were added, and the ending was changed. I realize that the movie cannot include everything, but I was really disappointed. There are many things that bothered me, but I'll only name a few. Morrel does not die the day that Edmond saves him and his family. And where is Julie and Emmanuel? Bertuccio is not the Count's friend. He is his servant. Bertuccio does not convince Monte Cristo to save Albert's life. Monte Cristo does it to have someone to introduce him into Paris society. WHO is this woman that Monte Cristo is sleeping with? He buys the house in Auteill; it does not belong to some woman. Where is Eugene Danglars? Where is Villefort's son, Edward? His death in the book plays a big part. It makes Monte Cristo realize that he has taken his revenge too far. Monte Cristo does NOT, NOT, NOT end up with Mercedes in the end. He tries to start a new life with Haydee. She does NOT marry Franz d'Epinay. Anyways, most people who have read the book will probably think that it goes along with the book pretty much. It does. I just strays off when it is completely not necessary. It irritates me because I love the book so much, and I think it's perfect the way it is. But go ahead. Waste $..., like I did, on a movie that is sort of like the book.

"The Count of Monte Cristo" has been treated better by the movies than Dumas' other classic swashbuckler, "The Three Musketeers". Both the Donat and Chamberlain versions are nice, feature length adaptations of Dumas' long, convoluted novel. This mini-series, however, is just plain magnificent. The care taken with details and sub-plots, the haunting performance of Depardieu as Edmond Dantes, the authentic look of the sets do justice to Dumas' classic. If only the producers would give us a 3 Musketeers adaptation! My only complaint? Alas, as most other adaptations, the ending is changed to, perhaps, lighten the very dark story or romantize it more. Still, one of the greatest mini-series ever produced. Do not miss it!