Better than Dumas

The battered boat creaks beneath the weight of a loathsome vagabond, half starved, and staring through his tattered hair. His shredded clothing falling off his bones, as he squints at the sight of freedom; a sight he hasn't seen for 13 years. Choked with tears he beats the water with his hand pushing his craft toward the beautiful French shore. This and many other descriptive scenes await in Alexandre Dumas' book, The Count of Monte Cristo.

I have been studying this story for the past month and have seen two major versions of the motion picture. I have found it all fascinating and would like to recommend the 2002 version of the movie, directed by Kevin Reynolds. Here is some insight to both forms and some reasons why the newer production is even better than the book.

Edmund Dantes, the star of “The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)” played by Jim Caviezel (Jesus, in “The Passion of the Christ”) is, in my opinion, one of the most well thought of figures ever created in French Literature. His feelings are so parallel with most of humanity that watching his story unfold invites emotions of joy and laughter, and pain of sadness all within its two hour viewing.

The story starts with Edmund Dantes, the second mate of a transport ship and his friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) rowing to the island of Alba to seek medical help for their fevered captain. Little did they know the future trouble this would bring as the Emperor Napoleon, imprisoned there, would convince Edmund to deliver a letter for him, a letter which would falsely convict him of treason and have him imprisoned in the Chateau d'If.

In the 1975 version, with Richard Chamberlain and Kate Nelligan, the show starts when the ship pulls into the dock at Marseilles and Edmund reports that the captain is dead. In this version, as well as the 2002 version, one of Edmund's priorities is to reunite with his girlfriend, Mercedes. After reporting to M. Morel, the ship owner, he is promoted to captain. Mercedes is ecstatic by the promotion because now they will have the money needed to marry. However, Fernand Mondego is extremely jealous because he also loves Mercedes. The ship's first mate, Danglars, is also upset as he gets passed by for the position as captain.

This time of mixed emotions among Edmund's friends in the newer rendition (2002), is one of my favorite parts. Even though jealousy is raging, Mercedes and Edmund run off in their new found joy and spend several days together on a secluded beach. This is the last time they will see each other for many years.

However, in the 1975 version, the plot goes from the shipyard to Edmund's family at his wedding rehearsal wherein his rivals have him arrested and brought before De Villefort, a prosecutor. De Villefort, having motives of his own, has the betrayed thrown in the island prison, The Chateau d'If. Both movies, though different, land him here where he spends 13 years wondering why he was so falsely accused. While imprisoned he meets the Abbe Faria, a priest who was imprisoned years earlier for being anti-Napoleon. Strangely enough, Edmund was convicted for the opposite reason. The Abbe educates him, and in the 2002 version, teaches him to fight. He also tells the younger prisoner of a buried treasure on the isle of Monte Cristo and entrusts him with a map before he dies. In the 1975 version, most of these communications were made by voices speaking without the actors mouths moving, as if they were in deep thought or were telepathic. I found it a somewhat amateur avenue to convey the relationship these two people had while imprisoned together.

The story then moves to Edmund's escape and finding of the treasure. After obtaining it he starts
to seek revenge on all those who stole so many years of his life. For anyone who has ever sought
revenge this is a satisfying portion to watch, especially in the newer film. The older version follows the book more closely but the revenge is confusing and not easily followed. The 2002 version makes it sweeter and better understood, leaving out unnecessary details and adding to the intensity of the film.

The pros and cons are easy to identify between the two films because each one leaves you with a different feeling. The 2002 version provides psychological closure by improving small details of the plot. The 1975 version follows the book, but leaves you feeling like the revenge was never complete; those Edmund loved were unable to forgive and the pieces were never quite put back in the puzzle.

The older version is almost comical because of the poor quality of filming and costume design. For instance the gray hair that Edmund emerges from prison with looks like what it is, a gray wig, which doesn't in any way match his natural facial hair. The Abbe who would appear to be a much older man then Dantes looked to be about the same age, and yet poses as a father figure while imprisoned.
The only real pro is that it does follow the book very close and would therefore not confuse anyone who has read it.

The new version not only boasts fantastic actors, namely: Jim Caviezal, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce, and Richard Harris, but also features the spectacular cinematography of Ireland and the UK

I highly recommend “The Count of Monte Cristo” to anyone with a thirst for viewing talent and adventure.