watch

Sunday Classics: ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ turns 20

A revenge story for ages

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas has been adapted on screen several times but for modern audiences, the 2002 version directed by Kevin Reynolds is perhaps the most memorable. The swashbuckler film that turns twenty this month, stars Jim Caviezel as the unjustly incarcerated Edmond Dantès, falsely accused of treason and turned in by his envious crew members. Dantès escapes prison to re-enter Parisian society as the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo to avenge himself. 

The film lines up motifs of passion and stays true to the essence of the novel. It also manages to wrap up a sweeping revenge tale in under two hours which is no mean feat. Guy Pearce stars as Fernand Mondego, Edmond’s arch-rival and The Tudors star James Frain stars as the double-dealing magistrate De Villefort. If that’s not enough reason for you to rewatch this gem, the movie is also The Witcher star Henry Cavill’s sophomore project!