Search - The Count of Monte Cristo [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Questionable for Children, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 09/10/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 11 mins Studio: Walt Disney Video Members Wishing: 31 Genres: Adventure, Costume Adventure, Escape Film, Period Film

The classic tale of swashbuckling adventure by the senior Alexandre Dumas comes to the screen in its umpteenth incarnation, this time from Kevin Reynolds, directing his first feature in five years. James Caviezel stars as Edmond Dantes, an honest sailor who plans to marry his beautiful lover Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). Edmond doesn't know that his best friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) secretly desires Mercedes for himself and schemes with fallen aristocrat Villefort (James Frain) to frame Edmond for a crime he didn't commit. Sentenced to life on the remote island prison of D'If, Edmond becomes consumed by plans for revenge. Thirteen years pass and he meets a fellow innocent convict, Abbe Faria (Richard Harris), who becomes Edmond's mentor in swordfighting, finance, and escape, confiding that a vast treasure awaits a discoverer on the island of Monte Cristo. Eventually, Edmond is able to get away using Faria's tunnels and makes his way to Monte Cristo, where he retrieves the fortune and uses it to make himself over as the wealthy "Count of Monte Cristo." With the help of a loyal sidekick (Luis Guzman), Edmond insinuates himself into French royalty and sets about getting revenge on Villefort and Fernand, who is now married to Mercedes. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) also stars Michael Wincott and Albie Woodington. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

James Caviezel - Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo
Guy Pearce - Fernand
Dagmara Dominczyk - Mercedes
Richard Harris - Abbe Faria
Luis Guzman - Jacopo

Based on the Alexander Dumas extended novel of the same name, -The Count of Monte Cristo is a difficult story to adapt because of it's length. The DVD has a commentary track from director Kevin Reynolds, a feature on the writing of Dumas, a feature on the choreography of the fight scenes, and a feature on the production design. There are also deleted scenes, choreography on the final duel, an examination of the sound design of Edward's escape, and more. The film is in widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio and audio is THX certified with English 5.1 and French 5.1 Surround Sound, and Spanish subtitles. ~ Sharon McRill, All Movie Guide