Henry Cavill, James Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Dagmara Dominczyk in "The Count of Monte Cristo."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film an: Stars: Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris Director: Kevin Reynolds Rated: PG-13, with violence and implied sex Length: 124 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(January 25, 2002) -- How much do filmmakers love The Count of Monte Cristo? Let me count the ways. Since 1908, 13 versions of the classic swashbuckler by Alexandre Dumas have graced the screen, nearly equaling the popularity of his Three Musketeers. But that doesn't mean there isn't always room for another Count, especially since the most recent was in 1988 -- and it was in Russian.

What's not to like about a rousing saga of injustice, betrayal, revenge and righteousness, played out over decades, in exotic locations, by elegantly costumed characters who frequently cross swords?

To his credit, director Kevin Reynolds takes a traditional approach to the material. This is not one of those recent period films jazzed up with rock songs.

Certainly, Reynolds allows a few anachronisms, especially in dialogue. For example the hero, Edmond Dantes, tells one character, "You don't get out much, do you?"

But more often than not, viewers will feel comfortably in the throes of a romantic, old-fashioned Hollywood epic. You know -- the kind they don't make anymore.

The Count of Monte Cristo is set in the post-Napoleonic period in France. Dantes (the handsome Jim Caviezel) is unjustly imprisoned for life in a rock fortress on a Mediterranean island.

He's been done dirty by his jealous, long-time friend Fernand (Guy Pearce), who then marries Dantes' fiance (Dagmara Dominczyk).

In prison, Dantes is befriended by an aged priest (Richard Harris), who becomes his mentor for reading, writing and swordplay. He also tells him the location of a treasure trove.

Sixteen long years later, Dantes escapes, finds the treasure, assumes the false identity of the count of Monte Cristo and begins his juicy revenge against Fernand.

Among the actors, Caviezel impressively conveys Dantes' increasing maturity and carries himself well in the Count's elegant clothing and as a swordsman after his escape. Pearce hams entertainingly as the villain, while Harris brings the film much-appreciated warmth and humor.

Director Reynolds keeps this sprawling epic moving along crisply and makes effective use of evocative locales in Ireland and Malta.

All in all, count this as an entertaining enterprise.