Rating: 
Summary: The best adaptation of Dumas' classic novel of revenge.
Review: "The Count of Monte Cristo" has been treated better by the movies than Dumas' other classic swashbuckler, "The Three Musketeers". Both the Donat and Chamberlain versions are nice, feature length adaptations of Dumas' long, convoluted novel. This mini-series, however, is just plain magnificent. The care taken with details and sub-plots, the haunting performance of Depardieu as Edmond Dantes, the authentic look of the sets do justice to Dumas' classic. If only the producers would give us a 3 Musketeers adaptation! My only complaint? Alas, as most other adaptations, the ending is changed to, perhaps, lighten the very dark story or romantize it more. Still, one of the greatest mini-series ever produced. Do not miss it!
Rating:
Summary: The best adaptation of Dumas' classic novel of revenge.
Review: "The Count of Monte Cristo" has been treated better by the movies than Dumas' other classic swashbuckler, "The Three Musketeers". Both the Donat and Chamberlain versions are nice, feature length adaptations of Dumas' long, convoluted novel. This mini-series, however, is just plain magnificent. The care taken with details and sub-plots, the haunting performance of Depardieu as Edmond Dantes, the authentic look of the sets do justice to Dumas' classic. If only the producers would give us a 3 Musketeers adaptation! My only complaint? Alas, as most other adaptations, the ending is changed to, perhaps, lighten the very dark story or romantize it more. Still, one of the greatest mini-series ever produced. Do not miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: umm...yeah.
Review: 'The Count of Monte Cristo' is my favorite book. The first time I read it, I was 13. I am 19 now and I have read the book at least 15 times. It is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written. I have seen a few of the movie adaptations, and I was greatly disappointed. So, when I heard about this adaptation, I was really excited! 8 hours long. Surely the writer/director will be able to cover the entire book without leaving anything out. Wow. Important scenes were changed, events were left out, events that never happened in the book were added, and the ending was changed. I realize that the movie cannot include everything, but I was really disappointed. There are many things that bothered me, but I'll only name a few. Morrel does not die the day that Edmond saves him and his family. And where is Julie and Emmanuel? Bertuccio is not the Count's friend. He is his servant. Bertuccio does not convince Monte Cristo to save Albert's life. Monte Cristo does it to have someone to introduce him into Paris society. WHO is this woman that Monte Cristo is sleeping with? He buys the house in Auteill; it does not belong to some woman. Where is Eugene Danglars? Where is Villefort's son, Edward? His death in the book plays a big part. It makes Monte Cristo realize that he has taken his revenge too far. Monte Cristo does NOT, NOT, NOT end up with Mercedes in the end. He tries to start a new life with Haydee. She does NOT marry Franz d'Epinay. Anyways, most people who have read the book will probably think that it goes along with the book pretty much. It does. I just strays off when it is completely not necessary. It irritates me because I love the book so much, and I think it's perfect the way it is. But go ahead. Waste $..., like I did, on a movie that is sort of like the book.
Rating: 
Summary: After Seeing Castaway, This Dantes Seems A Bit Chubby...
Review: (...) First, I have to say I really liked this production. I confess I am at heart a romantic, and I enjoy Dumas thoroughly, particularly his flair for description. In his books, teeth are pearls, eyes flash, diamonds gleam, etc. In this production it seems no cost was too much. The sets, costumes, actors, extras, etc etc were gorgeous! I loved hearing the dialogue in French. The actors were great, from the greasy weasels to the "doll" mistress. Not knowing the faces of these actors let me fall into the story. I kept missing parts on Bravo and having to stay up late to catch up. I waited and waited for it to be rerun only to miss bits again. Arrgh!So, how much should an actor suffer for his art? Compare Tom Hanks in Castaway (completely believeable) to Gerard (uh, yeah, MAYBE he missed a shower, shave and breakfast). Come on, M. Depardieu, couldn't you at least give Slimfast a try for a week? Depardieu's acting went from gloriously passionate to the occasional stiff and awkward. His talent is obvious, though; how much he communicated with a glance, the twitch of an eyebrow! As for the changes in the story, well, I was at first a bit disappointed. The novel was fine as it was, did they really need to change it? I agree with snipping out a bit or two, but ADDING more? I especially dislike the beginning, the relationship with Abbe Faria is barely touched upon. Surely they could have spent 5 minutes showing the friendship develop as time passed! They instead focused on how Edmond's relationships with others (servant, mistress) softened his heart and made him human again. However, I have always felt that in the book, Danglars (for example) wasn't punished enough. Apparently those writing the screenplay felt the same as they added scenes to lay it on thicker all around. (...) For as much as this DVD cost, the quality is poor and there are few extras. The powers that be should be ashamed of sending this beautiful lady out into the world in such a shabby dress.
Rating:
Summary: closest version to the novel
Review: After reading the novel, I thought the plot dealt on the highest degree of revenge I have ever experienced. Alexandre Dumas has great skill for describing the inconceivable. I liked how he intertwined history with his story and I liked that he would allude to other great writings (e.g. Arabian Nights). This French mini-series is the closest film version I have found of the Count of Monte Cristo. If you really like the book like I did, then you will find a way to track a copy of this mini-series down to watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Grandiose Movie
Review: Apart for this movie being a very long movie, it is superb. Gerard Depardieu plays his role with excellence, like he did in Cristophe Colombus few years ago. What really adds to this movie is the collection of great french actors who can be found in it (ex: Jean Claude Brialy, etc...). From my personal knowledge no other French movies contain such a rich array of great french actors combining their talents on one movie. This movie definetly makes Dumas story much more interesting. Who ever read Dumas novels will understand me.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good!
Review: As a big fan of the novel, I did not know what to expect with this adaptation, but I was pleasantly surprised. Gerard Depardieu would not be my first choice for Dantes, but he does a fine job, and the supporting cast is excellent. Overall, the movie remains fairly true to the book. A great viewing experience if you are a Monte Cristo fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Where is the Meat?
Review: At least that is the feeling I was left with when I finished watching this movie. The movie focused just enough to scratch the surface but nothing more. Obviously when a book is translated into a movie, there will be a fair amount of "creative interpretation" and editing by the producer and director due to time and budget which is understandable and I was willing to accept that. But the book spends a fair amount time focusing on Edmond's relationship with Abbe Faria but the movie barely scratches the surface on that matter. I don't think this is something that should have been addressed lightly. This is a critical point when Edmond "the kid" becomes a "man" in the Chateau d'If. From innocent youth to the bitter and vengeful "count", this is what the producers/directors did not allow us to share with the main character. Abbe Faria, a friend, a father figure, turns this naive young Edmunds into a "man" by imparting knowledge (not to mention the location of the treasure) which would play a critical part in Edmond's revenge. If you never read the book, then perhaps you may not be as critical as I have become but if you read the book even with the understanding that the tv version was edited for time, it left me feeling empty. And one last thing, did anyone else think it was funny when Edmond (played by Gerard Depardieu) remained heavy set after escaping from the worst prison in France almost two decades later? Either prison life was good or the producer/director forgot to think about that, ha!
Rating:
Summary: Where is the Meat?
Review: At least that is the feeling I was left with when I finished watching this movie. The movie focused just enough to scratch the surface but nothing more. Obviously when a book is translated into a movie, there will be a fair amount of "creative interpretation" and editing by the producer and director due to time and budget which is understandable and I was willing to accept that. But the book spends a fair amount time focusing on Edmond's relationship with Abbe Faria but the movie barely scratches the surface on that matter. I don't think this is something that should have been addressed lightly. This is a critical point when Edmond "the kid" becomes a "man" in the Chateau d'If. From innocent youth to the bitter and vengeful "count", this is what the producers/directors did not allow us to share with the main character. Abbe Faria, a friend, a father figure, turns this naive young Edmunds into a "man" by imparting knowledge (not to mention the location of the treasure) which would play a critical part in Edmond's revenge. If you never read the book, then perhaps you may not be as critical as I have become but if you read the book even with the understanding that the tv version was edited for time, it left me feeling empty. And one last thing, did anyone else think it was funny when Edmond (played by Gerard Depardieu) remained heavy set after escaping from the worst prison in France almost two decades later? Either prison life was good or the producer/director forgot to think about that, ha!
Rating:
Summary: Well done and great fun
Review: Certainly this is the best adaptation of any Dumas novel that I have seen. Although it doesn't follow the novel precisely, I felt that it accurately captured the spirit of the original, with one exception: When I read the novel I was captivated by the scenes of communication in code between Edmond and the Abbe Faria that take place while Edmond is imprisoned in the Chateau D'If. Almost all of that is omitted from the movie. On the other hand, unlike some other reviewers, I thought the change in the ending was an improvement -- in fact I think it is one that Dumas would probably have endorsed. In his time it might have been considered completely unromantic to have the hero end up with a widow in her forties who is the mother of a grown son, even if she is the love of his life, so Dumas, as I recall, has her choose, however painfully, to spend the rest of her life in a convent. In this movie, the small, but pivotal, role of Mercedes is played by Ornella Muti, who must surely be one of the world's great beauties and who, judging by this performance, is also a very capable actress. When I saw the movie, my only complaint was that she looked too young for the part. Then I learned that she was 43 when the movie was made -- exactly the age of her character. Anyway, having Edmond end up with Mercedes seemed to me much more credible than having him end up married to the nubile Haydee, who is young enough to be his daughter. Gerard Depardieu doesn't look anything like what one might imagine of the Count of Monte Cristo. However, it doesn't matter. He is a great actor, with a wonderful voice, who completely owns the part.
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