THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

FOUR STARS A man is wronged. Years later, armed with a new identity, he seeks revenge.

PERIOD DRAMA FRANCE French #MONTECRISTO Starring Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillion

Another Alexandre Dumas page-turner has been given a vivid and, at three hours long, epic treatment by the directing couple who last year gave us four, swash-buckling hours with THE THREE MUSKETEERS. This time THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO tells his lengthy tale of muskets and misdeeds, incarceration and revenge.

There’s more than a touch of matinee-adventure about the character arc of Edmond Dantes (tbka The Count), a sailor who becomes the victim of jealousy when he takes command of a cargo ship. On trumped up charges of treason he is banished to an island prison (on his wedding day no less - oh foul villains!) where, for the next 14 years, he plots reprisal on those who did him wrong. A fellow prisoner furthers Dantes’ education and convinces his new friend to look for a hidden treasure trove when he escapes the prison. Dantes does and before you can say Indiana Jones, he discovers a vast wealth of gold and jewels. Now impossibly rich and armed with a new identity, he enters Parisian society vowing to avenge himself. 

You might think three hours of pistols and period makeup quite an ordeal yet in the hands of Alexandre de La Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte - masters of pomp and pace - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO surges along at a cracking pace, never losing its audience nor leaving them in search of the exits. Instead we’re treated to a summery set up in which Edmond meets his fiancee, a suitably dour middle act in the bowels of a truly grim prison and a riveting MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE styled resolution as The Count takes down his foes with the help of 19th century prosthetics. It’s borderline silly (seriously, did no-one recognise him until it was too late?!) but such is French literature’s beloved adventure novel (see above re page-turner). 

Adding to the enjoyment is the glowing production Delaport and de La Patelliere apply to the film. As they did with MUSKETEERS, MONTE CRISTO is alive with lavish settings and sumptuous costumes that support brisk performances from all involved. Although much palace intrigue, endless subterfuge and frequent facial updates requires your constant attention - keeping up with who’s doing what to whom and why can be slippery - it's all in service of one very important question: will the Count do good with his new found fortune, or will hate fill his heart? Finding out is one of this year’s great movie treats.

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