FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The Count Of Monte Cristo [DVD] [2002]

The Count Of Monte Cristo [DVD] [2002]
enlarge	Director: Kevin Reynolds Actors: James Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris, James Frain, Dagmara Dominczyk Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£19.99~~ Buy New: £3.08 as of 25/11/2009 07:17 GMT details You Save: £16.91 (85%) New (12) Used (7) from £2.25 Seller: selectcheaper Rating: 24 reviews Sales Rank: 3932 Format: PAL Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Subtitled) Rating: Parental Guidance Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 125 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5017188885447 ASIN: B000063W1R Theatrical Release Date: January 25, 2002 Release Date: February 3, 2003 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: The Man In The Iron Mask [DVD] [1998] The Count Of Monte Cristo [DVD] [1975] The Three Musketeers [DVD] [1994] The Count of Monte Cristo [DVD] [1998] The Musketeer [DVD] [2002]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Retelling a story that has made it onto the silver screen more than most, this latest adaptation of IThe Count of Monte Cristo/I makes yet another swashbuckling attempt to win over a new generation of cinema goers. A dashing James Caviezel takes the role of the Count, who is driven by a desire for revenge after being betrayed by his best friend Fernand (played by a dishevelled Guy Pearce) and landed with 16 years of solitary confinement in Chateau D'If, a damp cavernous prison. Thus the scene is set for a good old-fashioned romp. p The trouble with this "re-imagining" (to borrow a phrase from Tim Burton's IPlanet of the Apes/I) is that it's never quite sure whether to take itself seriously or not. Alexandre Dumas's original story is a traditionally melodramatic tale of deceit and double-crossing, with clear-cut bad guys and a moral lesson to be learned at the end. Here, director Kevin Reynolds appears unsure about whether to stick with tradition or bring the story up to date and turn it into a post-modern play on the old Victorian values and style. When the Count and his heavy-breathing loved one are reunited, their kiss is actually framed as a cameo. Both lead actors are also prone to heavy bouts of overacting, garnishing their performances with exaggerated baroque gestures. p Clearly this is a film in which the actors could over-indulge themselves and (almost) get away with it, were it not for the fact that--bar Richard Harris as the "Priest"--none of them seem to have the faintest idea about how to conduct themselves in a period drama. This ICount of Monte Cristo/I will leave the audience a little confused as to whether they should cry along with the story or laugh along with the actors. --INikki Disney/Ip BOn the DVD:/B IThe Count of Monte Cristo/I on disc offers no escape from the dry drawl of director Kevin Reynolds, who features in almost every element of the extensive extras package. With a shy studio disclaimer before his commentary, he's got a refreshingly frank attitude to explaining a movie's making. Also included are details of the ambitious swordfight choreography, the origins and adaptation of Dumas's classic book and how the sound was developed as well as a behind-the-scenes feature on location. Quite often the footage feels like a tourism promo for Malta. The 5.1 sound mix is superbly utilised (when Reynolds isn't talking) and the transfer (1.85:1) is as pristine as you'd hope and expect. --IPaul Tonks/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 24 1 2 3 4 5 Next » The Count Of Monte Cristo August 22, 2005 Rich Milligan (Thatcham, Berkshire) 7 out of 7 found this review helpful Having read many other reviews of this film, it would seem that the general consensus is that the film has managed to capture the Saturday matinee feeling of the great epic adventure films of yesteryear almost perfectly. I'm more than happy to echo this sentiment and say this was one of the most entertaining films I've seen in a while.pBased on the classic Alexandre Dumas book of the same name, it is the story of lowly born Edmond Dantes who, whilst diligently working his way up the social ladder by hard work and honesty is betrayed by his so-called fiend, the Count of Morcerf Fernand Mondego. Mondego is green with envy and more than a little enraptured by Dantes's fiancée, the stunning Mercedes Iguanada and once Dantes is out of the way he wastes no time in moving in on the now available Mercedes.pPoor old Edmond is not only out of the way, he is sent to the infamous prison castle of Chateau D'If where the prisoners are beaten every year on their anniversary of incarceration to remind them of the time they have been behind bars. Fortunately for Edmond he receives a "visit" by fellow prisoner Abbe Faria, an ex-soldier and priest, who not only is digging a tunnel out of the prison but also undertakes to teach the naïve Edmond lessons in subjects as diverse as sword fighting, economics, unarmed combat and reading and writing.pTo tell any more of the plot would ruin the film, but suffice to say that what follows in a entertaining roller coaster ride of fun and adventure as Edmond, recreated as the Count of Monte Cristo, plans to extract his revenge on those who have betrayed him.pOne of the best things about the film is that the cast, whilst being fairly familiar to cinema fans, are not big major stars. There's no grabbing of the limelight here by some big name about whom the screenplay has been designed. James Caviezel is great as the misfortunate Edmond with a real wide-eyed innocence about his performance. Likewise Dantes's nemesis Fernand Mondego is superbly sneering played by Guy Pearce. There also some great support from Luis Guzman as the Count's hilarious and entertaining sidekick Jacopo the Maggot, JB Blanc as the smuggler boss and the gorgeous Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes. Possibly stealing the show is the much-missed Richard Harris as Edmond's prison friend Abbe Faria.pAnother great plus point of the film is that it combines the elements of action, romance, sentiment, intrigue and storyline in exactly the right amounts, so it doesn't become a sloppy piece of period romance nor a unfathomable mess of plot and counter-plot. Great viewing for the family and thoroughly entertaining. "you must look into that storm" May 20, 2004 Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California) 12 out of 13 found this review helpful Based on the Dumas story, this fabulous adventure about a naive, illiterate young man in 19th century France whose fate embroils him in treachery and vengeance, is well written with wit and intelligence, and abridges a complex plot into a cohesive 131 minute film.brThe location cinematography in Malta and Ireland is spectacular, though my one and only complaint about this film is that occasionally some of the indoor sequences tend to be a little murky. brThe soundtrack by Edward Shearmur is also top-notch, and adds a lot to the film.brThe cast:brJim Caviezel brilliantly captures the essence of the Dantes/Count character; believable both as the innocent Edmund and the worldly Count of Monte Cristo, with his swashbuckling prowess and elegant style.brRichard Harris as the priest who mentor Dantes is marvelous; wily and wise, it's a perfect part for Harris, and he makes the most of it.brOther standout performances come from Guy Peerce as Fernand, Michael Wincott as Armand Dorelac, the Warden of d'If, and most of all, Luis Guzman as a very funny Jacopo.pThis is terrific family viewing, free of the plague of foul language and heavy breathing between the sheets that have made films so tiresome in recent years. This film will feed your brain, delight your eyes, and raise your heartbeat a little with its fast-paced exploits about "kings and pawns, emperors and fools". amazing March 25, 2003 kathy barnfield (Knutsford, Cheshire United Kingdom) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful Alot of you seem dissapointed because it wasn't close to the the book. However I have not read the book so I guess I was more open to the story and I found the film amazing with amazing actors. I thought that the fim was very well written and put together. I think this film is best appreciated by those whose minds are not distorted by the book. It's the best. April 29, 2005 M. Junho (Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo Brazil) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful I simply loved this new version of Count M. Cristo ! It's stunningly acted , quite real cause the photograpy and places are fascinating !br Sorry R. Chamberlain and G.Depardieu but this time ,you American and French guys truly lost ! Fantastic film. January 7, 2008 Leyton Stone (East London) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful A tale about an illiterate man who is betrayed by his best friend, framed by a corrupt official and has his life and beliefs torn to shreds. After a turn of fortune and period of self-development he executes his calculated and chilling revenge. Showing reviews 1-5 of 24 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.