I've never read the book, and saw the 2002 version and it became one of my all time favorite movies. Recently, I've watched the 1975 and 1934 versions. They are all similar, but there are some major differences. For example, in 1934 and 1975, Morrell and the ship's captain were a Bonaparte supporter. In 2002, they were not...well, Morell was not, but the captain may have been. In 34 and 75, Mondego and Dantes were rivals. 2002, they were friends. In 75, Mercedes was a ***** who never forgave Dantes. In 34 and 02, they are together at the end of the movie. In 75 and 34, Dangalars became a major financial guru. In 2002, he ran Morrell our of business and took over. In 34, Mondego killed himself. 75, he was arrested, 02, Dantes killed him. 34 and 75 both had courtroom scenes. 34, Mondego was on trial, 75, Villefort was on trial. In 34 and 75, Abbe told Dantes that he knew of the treasure right off the bat. 2002, he told Dantes on his death bed. So, I'm wondering how the book goes, and which is the most accurate. Anybody know?
It's my favorite book of all time. If you like intrigue, you won't want to put it down and the 2002 movie pales in comparison, as is usually the case. All of those points above are really of minor importance. The story centers on how Dantes starts out as your basic nice guy who gets wrongly imprisoned and harbors deep bitterness and resentment. He then goes on take revenge against those who conspired against him. Mondego and Dantes are enemies in the book. Since Dantes is a nice guy who doesn't hate Mondego, but because Mondego wants Mercedes, he despises Dantes. Danglars amassed a fortune. I don't remember, but do think that Mondego killed himself. Mercedes was a sweet girl who becomes a nun at the end. I don't remember a lot of other details.
I'm going to have to check it out. Going on a road trip, so I might look into the audio book. As far as the movies are concerned, I do like Jim Caviezel's Dantes the best. He seemed to fit more with the nice guy Dantes. The other 2 were very upbeat, and strong spoken/educated. So, it was more of a progression of sorts when JC's Dantez became Monte Cristo. Also, Luis Guzman was awesome as Jacobo. EDIT: If Mercedes becomes a nun, then the 1975 version was somewhat correct with her at the end. She did leave France to go to Africa to be a missionary to get away from Dantes.
I dont remember the 75 version that well. In the novel, I do know that Mercedes choses not to be with Dantes near the end because she hated what he became.
The French television miniseries with Gerard Depardieu is the best, IMO. It's available with English subs on DVD from being re-broadcast by Bravo.
The book is about how an obsession with revenge, no matter how justifiable, will end up destroying you. The movies tend to be bowdlerise the story and give it a happy ending. Fortunately Hollywood hasn't completely trashed Dumas' story with Le Comte de la Monte Christo the same way the have with the Three Musketeers and the Man in the Iron Mask.
^^^ the 2002 version touched on that when Jacopo said to him "I'm still your man, Zatara and I will protect you...even if I have to protect you from yourself."
if anyone is interested, there is a great book by William Blake (not the same guy) called The World Is Mine which is an early 20th century remake kind of the count of monte cristo. great book and great read
Guy pearce is great. I'm hoping him and chris nolan will work together again Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk