Product Description

Acclaimed actor Gérard Depardieu stars in the adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale of love, intrigue and revenge.

The Count of Monte Cristo tells the dramatic story of Edmond Dantès, a young French sailor who is falsely denounced as a traitor and unjustly imprisoned for eighteen years without a trial. After a daring escape, Dantès secures a treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo bequeathed to him by a dying inmate. Using these riches, he assumes a new identity and devises a plan to seek vengeance against all those who betrayed him.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16646 in DVD
• Brand: Koch International
• Released on: 2005-12-06
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Content/Copy-Protected CD, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 400 minutes

Customer Reviews

"I'm Number 34 ~ When Vengence is Allied With Justice"
Note: French with English subtitles.

The French adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo' released in '99 as a television mini-series is a daunting 6 six hour and 54 minute production that is at times a little challenging to stay with, but overall will prove to be a satisfying and enjoyable watch. Gerard Depardieu is superb as the brooding and calculating Edmund Dantes proving once and for all that he is truly one of the best actors in the world today. The locations and sets are magnificent, the acting excellent and the women beautiful (Julie Depardieu as Valentine, Florence Darel as Camille, Ines Sastre as Princess Haydee and Ornella Muti as the beloved Mercedes).

Word of advice, take your time to watch this feature over a period of several sittings. If you tire at any given point turn it off and come back again later, you'll enjoy the subtle nuances that permeate this extaordinary film much more if you're rested and focused.

My rating: 4 1/2 Stars.

An Amamzing Production
This is a superb translation of the Dantes classic, quite possibly the best one to date. Gerarde Depardieu delivers a deep and moving performance as the count, and the star laden international cast does not disappoint either. I must admit it is difficult to perceive the 200+ pound Depardieu as a starving prisoner in the Chateau-Dif, but this is part of where a viewer must suspend belief and let the story be told, and it does this in such a wonderful manner. This is the first version of the story I have ever seen that does not try to abbreviate the tale, or make characters into composites of people from the book in an effort to save time. Albeit there are always some changes in a screen-play from a book, but this so far is the truest adaptation of Dantes work. For those who are learning French, or already know it and want to keep your language skills sharp what better way then to do it while watching a movie you will definitely enjoy. For those intimidated by subtitles, don't be with this film. The story is so easy to follow you could turn them off and still understand what is going on. You can't go wrong with this movie it's a sure winner for any fan of classic stories.

Very enjoyable
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite books of all time so I was hesitant to see it translated on film. I purchased this version as opposed to the newer/American one, because I thought a French production would lend a certain authenticity to it. Not surprisingly, the dvd leaves parts of the story out; that's the harsh reality of translating a book into film. There were a few cheesy images--like a small boat surrounded by whipping waves but the boat didn't really move. Oh well. It's not perfect. But it is VERY good. I would rather rationalize a large Gerard Depardieu as a starved prisoner than watch a version that purports to condense a fabulous story like this one into a two hour movie. Very well acted and I highly recommend.