The Count of Monte Cristo (2024)

[Drunk Monk]

A bit longer trailer for The Count of Monte Cristo. From the same people who did Three Musketeers.

If you haven’t tuned into these new French made Dumas films (and since none of you have added reviews to my reviews) you are truly missing out. Like the Three Musketeers films, Dumas is better in French. These are beautifully crafted film, loyal to the period and the source, with lavish locations and costumes. 

This was France’s most expensive film last year - their Oscar submission & an entry in Cannes. It’s long - 3 hours nearly, but I only felt that in the first hour which was all about the ‘Count’ in prison. At hour two, it takes off into the world of France’s uber rich as the Count psychotically charts his revenge. There’s some suspension of belief with his Mission Impossible masks, but to his credit, the lead actor (Pierre Niney) plays all the roles in makeup. What works is how the intrigue builds, and who scrupulously his plot unfolds, all set in magnificent mansions and landscapes in sumptuous costumes with precise cinematography to show it all off. 

It’s a long road to the sword fight. That’s the final act. And while not epic, it’s satisfactory. 

D00M recommended (but see the musketeer films first). 

Seen on Hoopla.