THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO Wraps Filming
By Movieguide® Contributor
A new THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO movie is underway, and a first look at actor Pierre Niney as the main character just dropped.
Per Variety, “The film is directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière and is a big screen adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ renowned masterpiece revolving around Edmond Dantès, a young sailor who was falsely accused of treason and is imprisoned without trial in the Château d’If, a grim island fortress near Marseille. After many years of captivity, he finally escapes and, under the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, plans to take revenge on those who have wrongly accused him.”
“The aspiration and strength of this project are both our commitment and our inspiration,” Niney said. “We aim to make an epic adventure film, with exceptionally strong characters, and at its core… a story of revenge.”
“’The Count of Monte Cristo’ one of the greatest stories ever told,” said Delaporte and de la Patellière. “It’s a veritable myth that allows us to cross several cinematic genres: adventure, thriller, against the backdrop of a great love story. Our film will follow the point of view of Edmond Dantès, the first French superhero, who goes from light to shadow, and becomes the embodiment of the masked avenger.”
“We’re fortunate to be working with an extraordinary team, and to have Pierre Niney at our side, who will be a Monte-Cristo like you’ve never seen before,” they added.
The film, which just wrapped its five-month shoot, comes from the same producers behind THE THREE MUSKETEERS.
Producer Dimitri Rassam reflected on the challenge that comes from adapting the iconic French novel to the screen.
“’MONTE-CRISTO is a formidable challenge. We are humbly taking on this extraordinary fresco comprising adventure, romance, thriller and vengeance,” Rassam said. “Pathé and I are thrilled to work once again with Matthieu and Alexandre, who had the talent needed to respect the DNA of this masterpiece, even as they came up with a modern and truly cinematic vision.”
A version of THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO came out in 2002. Movieguide® praised it as a “powerful, redemptive tale.” Part of the review reads:
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is the story of a naïve sailor who is wrongfully imprisoned and escapes to take revenge on his betrayers only to learn that there is a better way. Edmund Dantes (Jim Caviezel) is a commoner whose plans to marry the beautiful Mercedes are shattered when his best friend, the noble Mondego, who wants Mercedes for himself, deceives him. Unlawfully sentenced to the island prison of Chateau D’If, Edmund must endure a 13-year nightmare. Over time, he abandons God and becomes consumed by revenge. With the help of another inmate, Faria (Richard Harris), Edmund manages to escape and transform himself into the mysterious, wealthy “Count of Monte Cristo.” He cleverly insinuates himself into French high society and sets about to destroy those who so cavalierly enslaved him.
Filled with Christian allegories which are slightly diminished by pragmatic perspective, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is entertaining, exciting and thought-provoking. The story and production values are masterful. Filled with Christian truths and a strong apologetic defense of the existence of God, this movie is marred by implied sexual activity and intense violence. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is a powerful, redemptive tale.
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