Beaucoups de Libertes!

I enjoyed this version of one of my most favorite books, hence my rating. I loved Bertuccio, who even added some unexpected humor to the proceedings. Another character that was given way more screen time than in the book was Camille who was gorgeous and had a quirky personality. Actually this character was not even in the book. Odd that they shortchanged one of the most important and exciting characters, the Abbe Faria, but had the time to insert a character that was non-existent in the classic novel. Same with Haydee, who was the Count’s fascinating mistress. At least she was included, although her most powerful scene in the courtroom was cut out.

Unfortunately, film makers are incapable of ending this story without Edmund Dantes getting back with Mercedes, instead of using the poignant yet fairly happy ending that Alexandre Dumas wrote. Also, the actor playing Ferdnand Montego was horribly miscast, looking like a clown instead of the proud hateful husband of Mercedes. Thus his downfall is not as effective as it should have been.

June 18, 2019