Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

This is the type of movie that I always hope will be good, you know the wonderful looking period pieces based on literature. Usually I am disappointed, but not this time. This was an excellent film, a love story, spiced with a revenge plot and sword fighting. The plot was good--the acting and cinematography were wonderful. Jim Caviezel(Angel Eyes, Frequency)was especially good.

The plot was well executed. It didn't drag or add anything unnecessary to the story. I am actually inspired to read the novel. The basic plot is that Edmond Dantes, son of a clerk, has everything. A beautiful and loving fiance,Mercedes, a promotion to ship captain, and a good friend (or so he thinks). On a previous voyage, the ship's captain gets sick and they stop on the island, Elba, where Napoleon has been exiled. While they are there, Napoleon gives Edmond a letter that he says is personal in nature and would he deliver it? Edmond agrees, and his noble friend, Fernand, finds out. Fernand is jealous of Edmond's life and wants to punish Edmond for having such a good life, so he turns Edmond into the French government for treason. They send him to a far off prison on the middle of an island, and tell his family that he was executed and his fiance marries the friend who betrayed him. Edmond spends several years in jail, and then makes a friend of an old priest who was also falsely put in jail. The priest educates Edmond and teaches him how to use a sword. They plan to escape together, but the old man gets injured and dies before they can escape. Before he dies, he tells Edmond where a great treasure is hidden. Edmond escapes, goes and retrieves the treasure, changes his identity to the Count of Monte Cristo(island where the treasure was hidden) and then plots his revenge. The plot moves fairly well, it never drags and is very well scripted. It really is a study of human nature. Complete with complicated emotions such as love, jealously, innocence and the loss of innocence.

The acting is very well done. Jim Caviezel was great as Edmond. He has a face that was made for the kind of expression you need for this particular movie. He can look innocent, and lost as his character was in the beginning, or wise and calculating as his character grew to be. This character goes through a lot of change and Caviezel is an actor up to the challenge of playing a character like this. I hope to see a lot more of this actor in the future. Mercedes, Dagmara Dominczyk, doesn't have a big part. She trades insults with Fernand at one point--but she is more an object to be fought over. She has a few good lines and delivers those well. Guy Pierce was great as Fernand, the betraying friend who is a spoilt nobleman's son. You just love to hate him. He is very arrogant, he played his character nicely. Richard Harris added to the cast nicely as the fellow inmate that educates Edmond. He is a kind, gentle, and wise man who gives Edmond hope and also wants to help Edmond find peace. Luis Guzman is excellent as Edmond's loyal friend after he gets out of jail. He faithfully serves and protects Edmond--even from himself. He plays this role wonderfully, he was just perfect for it.

The cinematography is wonderful. There are some nice shots during duels and sword fights which are choreographed very well. There are some beautiful homes and interiors as well. There is a wonderful bit with fireworks and a hot air balloon when the high society is first introduced to the Count of Monte Cristo. The period clothing was nice as well.

This was wonderful film. Often period movies or movies based on novels like this one, end up with bad or slow plots that kill the film. This film succeeds where others have failed. I can find nothing to criticize about this film. If you like movies set in this time period then you will love this film.

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older