I am a fervent fan of the book and have seen most of its film adaptations. This version is alternately the best and the worst. *SPOILER* The movie practically starts from Dantes' escape; he escapes perhaps within the first thirty minutes of a six hour movie. We hardly meet the Abbe Faria. The rest of the film involves Dantes' elaborate revenge scheme. This scheme is remarkably accurate and is fully satisfying in its step-by-step depiction. This, for me, was the film's best aspect-- a reenactment of the book.
In other ways, however, I was severely disappointed by the film. Although I greatly admire Gerard Depardieu as an actor, Dantes and the film in general lacked true emotional involvement. I didn't feel the rage of Dantes, his connection (good or bad) with others, nor his gradual degeneration. With the exception of Maximilien/Valentine and perhaps one scene with Camille de Richardais, I did not feel at all emotionally invested in the movie. In this, even the rather deplorably inaccurate versions are, in fact, better movies, even if they are inaccurate adaptations.
In sum, see this movie if you're a fan of the book and want to see very accurate adaption. Except for the very end, it was remarkable in its faithfulness. The movie lacks emotional connection, however, and is not a great movie outside of its connection to a great book.
In other ways, however, I was severely disappointed by the film. Although I greatly admire Gerard Depardieu as an actor, Dantes and the film in general lacked true emotional involvement. I didn't feel the rage of Dantes, his connection (good or bad) with others, nor his gradual degeneration. With the exception of Maximilien/Valentine and perhaps one scene with Camille de Richardais, I did not feel at all emotionally invested in the movie. In this, even the rather deplorably inaccurate versions are, in fact, better movies, even if they are inaccurate adaptations.
In sum, see this movie if you're a fan of the book and want to see very accurate adaption. Except for the very end, it was remarkable in its faithfulness. The movie lacks emotional connection, however, and is not a great movie outside of its connection to a great book.