THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2002) MOVIE REACTION!! FIRST TIME WATCHING!! Full Movie Review

[@ReelRejects]

Set sail for that *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* kzbin.info - *Full Reaction* Watch Along & MORE For *SS* Rejects: www.patreon.com/thereelrejects

[@donaldmacias4634]

You should watch “Sleepers” with Brad Pitt and Jason Patric. It’s also based on The Count of Monte Cristo and supposedly a true story. It has a stellar cast. I’ll let you be surprised by it. If you decide to watch it. It’s also quite disturbing 😳. It may make you cringe.

[@ulricaandrae4381]

Go to Venice! They have a mask festival every year, a tradition since the 18th century 😀

[@DarthKilaj85]

It's a great movie we all need a friend as loyal as Yakapo

[@DarthKilaj85]

Fun fact this was Louise Guzman's favorite role

[@ulricaandrae4381]

@@jeffreydavid6794 More like another take on the book?

[@bakedAK85]

"Is this gonna turn into some crazy revenge movie?" My dude, this is THE crazy revenge movie

[@ianjardine7324]

So true the way he uses his enemies greed and weakness to utterly ruin them before crawling into their heads by revealing why they were doomed. That is why he wouldn't just let them die he needed them to know why they were suffering and exactly who had punished them. It's why the story is considered a masterpiece and set the benchmark for every revenge thriller ever since. You have to establish every characters motivation to justify your hero's actions before you can make a great revenge story your hero has to be more than a violent thug and your villains need to be more than paper targets for him to knock down.

[@tomJ1.1-3]

was about to make this comment 🤣

[@starhawk63]

That's almost weird for word what I said out loud when they said that. 😁

[@BG_StuartJ]

I had the exact same reaction

[@moxiemaxie3543]

It's A crazy revenge movie

[@TiboFPS]

When I was young, I saw this movie with my family on our Friday movie night. The following morning I biked to the library and asked in soft voice if they had the book "The Count of Monte Cristo," the librarian smiled at me and asked if I had seen the movie the night before. I nodded and she handed me the copy she had just been reading.

[@starhawk63]

I saw a TV movie version in 1975 starring Richard Chamberlain, which inspired me to read the book. And I love this version even more.

[@grayscales1864]

The Count of Monte Cristo is my absolute favorite book! The Robin Buss translation is the best

[@lareineii]

Beautiful ♡

[@davidrichards6509]

I gotta know...did you ask her for "The Count of Monte Cristo" or "The Count of Monty Crisco"😂? Every one of the movies "name dropped" in The Shawshank Redemption IS AN ABSOLUTE "BANGER" starting with the one Red is watching in the "rec room" the evening Andy comes down and asks him if he can get him Rita Hayworth. Incredibly gorgeous actress ... great sense of humor ... really really tragic abusive life story. I choose to believe there might not have ever been a "Marilyn Monroe" if Rita Hayworth had never "made" a motion picture.

[@davidrichards6509]

​@@starhawk63I remember watching Richard Chamberlain in the TV miniseries adaptation of Shōgun ... far far far FAR superior adaptation than that Japanese language piece of crap on Hulu that I guess my roommates and I have lost all interest in since we haven't watched another episode of it in a couple of months.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

"Why not just kill them? I'll do it! I'll run up to Paris, bam bam bam bam, I'm back in a week, we spend the treasure! HOW IS THIS A BAD PLAN?!" Luis Guzman's tone makes that line even funnier, like he's offended that anyone could think that's not the best plan.

[@frankgunner8967]

Know doubt a horse and carriage drive by Bam Bam Bam

[@ItsTeeAyy]

I remembered having the exact same thought process as to why I found that scene so hilarious the first time watching the movie with my grandfather. I was like 11 and a half or 12 at the time. Still in my list of best movies of all time honestly. Couldn’t have picked a better cast too honestly. I could imagine what an experience it would’ve been for a much younger Henry Cavill at the time on top of that.

[@tiagocouto2153]

best quote of the movie haha

[@edmunddantes7097]

Such a great character/relationship that didn't exist in the book.

[@gsparkman]

All I could think of when he said that was is Scott in Austin Powers scolding his dad, Dr. Evil.

[@billbillinger2117]

My favorite iteration of this story. Everyone involved did such a phenomenal job... even young Cavill.

[@sarinap.1636]

I usually tell people this is what I first saw Henry Cavil act in, and the majority haven't watched or heard of it before. Such a great classic movie.

[@lucieudem]

The best one in my opinion is the mini series with Depardieu (too bad Depardieu is a pig)

[@evanmiller4502]

imo the best one is surprisingly the one that deviates most from the original, but at the same time somehow adheres the most to it. it's the gankatsuo (idk how to spell it, this definitely isn't right but it's close) anime

[@TurboGauchiste]

I assume you don't speak french because I can assure you this iteration is far from be the best, especially since the best iteration just dropped a few months ago in cinéma in France

[@Ahasveros7674]

They butchered the ending.

[@lchigoKurosaki]

The hot air balloon scene where he just introduces himself and walks off is always great.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

Cavill was born in '83. He's 41 now. He would've been around 17 or 18 when he actually filmed the scenes...19 when it was released. Probably 16 or 17 when cast for the role.

[@vickijackson5547]

He was 16 when he was cast. His first professional gig, even though Laguna was released first. MC was delayed a bit for the ending to be re-shot in a green field.

[@CrownlessKing88]

One of the saddest things is that his father hanged himself believing his son was a traitor.

[@hellfish2309]

A bit extra, but seeing as Edmond’s mother had passed too, I can imagine …

[@edmunddantes7097]

In the book he starved to death and depression. I think this was a better outcome.

[@kazs6529]

@@edmunddantes7097 I was just about commenting on that. His father's death in the book is described so sadly that I felt Edmund's despair, sadness and desolation as my own. Dumas is extraordinary translating feelings into words.

[@perkinsat]

Edmond, "you killed my father prepare to die". I know that in both movie and book that's not how it happened but the father still passed because of the actions of the bad guys so.. still works I think

[@desertstar35]

Yeah, I kind of wish they'd had a bit more closure there (visited his grave, something like that).

[@joecarr5412]

You mentioned Andy Dufrane - in Shawshank ,when he starts library ,he gives prison mate the book "Count of Monte Cristo" stating is about a prison break.😊

[@mariaghiglieri78]

Best joke is Red saying “we oughta put book that in self-help, too!”

[@vvreno]

"Andre Dum-ass" 😆

[@SuperPiratesfan]

Edmund Dantes: proving that revenge is both an art AND a science.

[@dx315]

And also that it is ultimately meaningless and will only hurt you more in the end, as you lose sight of your actual loved ones and what’s important in life, in pursuit of your enemy.

[@thedarkemissary]

Fernand Mondego: proving paternity tests should be mandatory.

[@DestinyAwaits19]

@@dx315 Exactly. In the end it was not revenge that killed the bad guy, it was fate.

[@edmunddantes7097]

You have no idea how right you are if you've not read the book. He regretted his vengeance in the end, but it was a wild ride 'til then.

[@Wanttowrite]

​@@edmunddantes7097And there it took the death of a child and his best friend begging him for help to finally make him reconsider.

[@cjpatz]

The reason she though Edmond was dead was because, back when she, Mondego and Edmonds father went to Villefort to plea for Edmonds life, Villefort told them he was guilty of treason and murder, they then received a letter that Edmond had been executed. That was the letter she was reading just before she ran into Mondego’s arms.

[@professormoriarty]

23:08 "Is this going to turn into some kinda crazy revenge movie?" Sir, this is the best of revenge movies.

[@Rahul_Sen97]

"Yes."

[@gtjohns220]

Its even crazier that this book was written by a son who wished his father had the opportunity to get revenge against the ones who put him in prison unjustly, poisoned him, stole his home, and military pension.

[@claratenzs]

It’s the original modern revenge story!

[@MaggieAAdams]

This movie teaches so many great lessons for life! The first being, being ignorant and innocent will not protect you from the cruelty and injustice of the world. Knowledge is power and being able to read people's intentions towards you will save your life

[@Darkstar72SR]

If anything, those qualities make you a target 😞

[@TheWebcrafter]

100% - I weep for GenZ.

[@gtjohns220]

The author knew that too well. Napoleon took everything from his family bc he feared his father the General Alex Dumas. General Dumas almost led a mutiny during the Egypt campaign. Dumas would tell Napoleon off to his face and the Egyptians would refuse to surrender until General Dumas arrived on the battlefield.

[@jessicaloveridge2759]

If she hadn’t married when she found out she was pregnant it would have ruined her child’s life. She suffered married to this jerk all this time to protect her child. It was her own kind of prison.

[@Thor-d9x]

Albert is Fernand's son in the book. And even if he was Edmond's son, it doesn't mean he would marry Mercedes. Alexandre Dumas, 4 years before writing The Count of Monte Cristo, wrote a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte. And Napoleon had children with several of his lovers, such as Marie Walewska, but he didn't marry them. The one who had an illegitimate son was Villefort and the count exposed this in court.

[@edmunddantes7097]

​@@Thor-d9x Fernand's downfall in the book is one of my favorite scenes ever.

[@brianalambert1192]

I find it very funny watching reactions from modern day people when viewing historical dramas. A lot of them seem to forget that sex outside of marriage and a single unmarried mother were major taboos in those time periods. One that comes to mind is reactions to Seven Samurai when the father catches his daughter with one of the samurai and starts beating her. I've seen so many reactors who go "She didn't do anything wrong, why are you acting like that?" I don't know if it's just that our culture today didn't educate kids that this was a thing even prior to 1950 or if people don't realize how people reacted to that kind of thing at the time

[@AnnekeOosterink]

@@brianalambert1192 Yeah, the best Mercedes could hope for would be to run away and either give her child to an orphanage and try and make a living as a servant somewhere no one knows her, or pretend to be a widow and go and live where no one knows her. That would be best case scenario, more likely would be that she would become homeless and/or end up in prostitution (in a time when both of those thing were illegal too) because she wouldn't have any other options. She would be socially ostracised and even her direct relatives who (presumably) love her would be hard pressed to help her. Like, very rich families would hide away the children of affairs like these and maybe provide some kind of schooling, but the best these children could hope for would be to not be completely written off as a bastard child. Just being known as an illegitimate child was a burden, and carried a lot of stigma that could result in being fired for example. A respectable (even if only in name) husband would save her life effectively, and ensure her son would live as well, and not starve as the illegitimate child of a sex worker or in an underfunded orphanage. Like, even now, being an unwed mother is looked down upon. Surely people can understand that the stigma and the social consequences would be way more severe in the past?

[@Tooba-K123]

​@@brianalambert1192 fr it always amuse me that people really seems to neglect the early mindset when watching historical movies.

[@jasoneitemiller978]

His entrance in the hot air balloon is such an awesome flex!

[@joshuabarnett88]

The revenge in this movie is incredibly satisfying. I love it so much.

[@Rhythmattica]

As is the book

[@Kniffmaster]

56:38 "They don't know that he died" As you can see at 22:45, she got a letter that he got executed. First rule of Chateau d'If is, you don't talk about Chateau d'If.

[@moxiemaxie3543]

Though it's not their fault, tey don't truly know he's alive. Read between the lines. You're a very petty person to go out your way to feel smart whilst trying to put someone down passively

[@LiberPater777]

​@moxiemaxie3543 Tf?... Lest they edited something out in their comment, they just pointed out the mistake the guys made. No biggie. It's weird how something so simple would trigger you so much.

[@Nazareneprotestant]

​@moxiemaxie3543 huh?

[@Metaljacket420]

@@moxiemaxie3543 "Read between the lines. You're a very petty person to go out your way to feel smart whilst trying to put someone down passively" Uhh you mean, kind of like you just did?

[@monolithofwoe4366]

@@moxiemaxie3543 Your lack of self awareness is astounding.

[@darkamora5123]

Ok, guys this is going to blow your mind...a count was a rank in European nobility that ruled a county. While it did not mean what it does for us in America the idea is roughly analogous. It was a large portion of a country (In our case a state) but small compared to the overall country. In English terms the equivalent would be an Earl, and it is roughly in the middle of nobility rankings with the ones below being (From lowest to highest) baron, and viscount, and those above marquis and duke. Before the title of King became widespread Duke was the ruler of a country, with Say King Arthur being Dux Bella or Duke of War, or king of kings for all of England during a time of war, but not otherwise.

[@SCBUFC]

Mask of zorro was inspired by count of monte cristo.

[@jimtams]

and batman was inspired by zorro

[@taniar523]

I actually saw this at the cinema with a bunch of friends when it first came out. We did not expect it to be THAT GOOD! It was also the first time I saw Jim Caviezel AND Henry Cavill! It's now 2024 and I still LOVE this movie!! So happy you guys reacted to it! 😊

[@michaelriddick7116]

YES!!! Dumbledore teaches Jesus Christ how dance, defeat his rival Aldrich Killian and reunite with his son ... Kal-El 😁😊😂🤣😂

[@michaelriddick7116]

The hot air balloon entrance is always such a boss fk'ing entrance! 👍😎👍

[@StevenHouse1980]

Oh the 6 degrees of separation with Actors and Films is a fun insane game. The game is vastly harder if you try to avoid the Big intellectual propertys like MCU, DCU, StarWars, StarTrek, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

[@serenitymuszings]

and the the backhanded, "Welcome" - coupled with the unbothered walk off. Choice!!🤌🏾

[@MrBoyYankee]

What you just quoted, all true, all awesome.

[@kylebucheri9370]

The Cavillierine when he was young

[@claudiaiwv7815]

Alexandre Dumas wrote one hell of an adventure novel, and this adaptation flies over soooooo many more intricacies and amazing plot lines (the revenge is way more layered and thorough), but for a single movie, it does a very decent job! Always nice to watch :)

[@TheWebcrafter]

My favorite version is the 1975 movie adaptation starring Richard Chamberlain. Another of my favorite stories adapted to movies also by Dumas is 'The Three Musketeers'. I've seen multiple versions and would still watch any new adaptation released.

[@gsparkman]

How can you say that this story “borrowed” anything? Dumas publish the original story in 1844.

[@Tacitus-s1w]

The Chamberlain version is excellent and more faithful, lasting 2 hours. The screenwriter seems to have tried to adapt Homer's Odyssey, but he gave the name to the Count of Monte Cristo. The ending with Edmond and Mercedes together, Albert being the Count's son, refers to the Odyssey.

[@GhostWatcher2024]

The Chamberlain film is still the best one. The Gerard Depardieu miniseries in 1998 is the most faithful to the source, but Depardieu himself kept taking me out of the story.

[@GhostWatcher2024]

Iirc, The intro leading to Dantes getting into trouble didnt happen that way in thr book.... The Captain himself was charged to deliver the letter, and passed it on to Dantes. Dantes was NOT berated for the sidetrip and he did NOT meet with Bonaparte himself... Mondego and Denglar accused Dantes of being a Bonaparte sympathizer, which at that time just being accused is enough to get you arrested. It was just unlucky that the letter WAS so damning. And of course Dantes could read... he couldnt be promoted 1st Mate if he couldnt.

[@samturner6061]

One of my favourite movies. Many of us first introduction to Jim Caviezel.

[@CollegeBaby17]

My first was Frequency. Watched that movie so many times. Then this one, then Person of Interest

[@h3n_z3r]

For me it was The Lonely Island

[@polivepea]

He's great in frequency

[@polivepea]

​@@CollegeBaby17❤

[@the_nikster1]

Richard Harris' presence elevates every film he is in. RIP to the GOAT. 😇

[@Darkcrawler3000]

Still my favorite movie of all time. Wanted the Count’s entrance theme to play at my wedding reception when we got there but my wife smiled at me and very politely said “no” when I suggested it. I still regret not having it play to this day haha

[@DocuzanQuitomos]

Renew your vows... and don't ask this time XD. Just kidding, but probably you may want to sneak the theme in some formal meeting you might have in the future, like X'mas or New Years Eve :P.

[@joewillsart]

Antonio Banderas was not Catherine Zeta-jones father in Zorro, They were love interests, Anthony Hopkins was Catherine Zeta-Jones' father. Cheers! 😁😁

[@joshuabarnett88]

Missing the reveal of the Father being Napoleon's confidant AND Mercedes receiving the letter notifying her of Edmond dying.... I'm crying over here.

[@heesoo18]

Imagine watching a great reaction and picking out the two instances where they didn’t catch something on the fly… couldn’t be me… you’re the real count mondego lol

[@moxiemaxie3543]

You're not going to catch everything. That's why movie reviewers watch the movie 2x. They're multitasking

[@jenr5426]

"Unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent" - Cary Elwes.

[@VictoryArtz]

Oh. THIS MOVIE!!! I watched this movie back in High School, and it was one of the coolest experiences of MY LIFE.

[@Joyboy9891]

Same here, my psychology teacher showed it to us, such a good movie!

[@gtjohns220]

The Count was inspired by a real person General Alex Dumas the former Count Alexandre Dumas

[@Jordashian93]

The very best telling of the classic revenge tale by Alexander Dumas.

[@milkachugina]

Villefort lady is the mother of Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies

[@amity9033]

And aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders.

[@lordmortarius538]

Sadly she passed in 2021

[@beatyz2]

Oh. My Gosh!!! I don't think I ever would have realized that! ❤❤😂

[@DanielaDormiaru-ih9xf]

RIP Helen McCrory.

[@reinrose82]

I love how Dante’s doesn’t have to fabricate anything to take his enemies down, he just struts in with his arms open and says ‘go ahead, screw me again’!

[@ianjardine7324]

A lot of people miss the significance of meeting Napoleon to the story. What really hurt Fernand was that Napoleon a man so dangerous his enemies built a prison on an island and guarded it with troops trusted Edmand not him.

[@mckenzie.latham91]

Not just that but Fernand was akways jealous of Edmund Edmund and his father have a relationship that fernand hasn't with his Ferand is jealous that Edmund is akways so happy with the little he has When fernand is miserbale despite having everything

[@ianjardine7324]

@@mckenzie.latham91 All true but Fernand's biggest problem was his complete inadequacy and Napoleon was famous for spotting talented men and raising them up. His choosing Edmund proved to Fernand his friend was destined for the greatness he himself could never hope to achieve. His own self loathing drove him to destroy Edmund before he could prove he was the better man.

[@hellfish2309]

Really Edmond’s failing was unknowingly taking a Napoleonic address to the magistrate’s father - sedition and treason are nothing compared to proving to be a liability to the magistrate’s perceived allegiance to the state

[@gregsteele806]

This book was written by the same person who wrote The Three Musketeers. There was a version made back in the 70's with Richard Chamberlain that has a very different take on the story.

[@gtjohns220]

The guy that wrote those books 909il who was the Calvary General under Napoleon. General Dumas also happened to be a former slave who was given the title of Count until he renounce it to join the French Army.

[@derekmccasky6189]

I always thought Caviezel would have been perfect as Doctor Strange based on the blimp scene entrance

[@laurabrewes1422]

Definitely. And he was apparently on the short list for the role. He's been on the short list for a lot of big roles, from what I remember.

[@whynow4306]

Maybe would be good as Dr. Doom as well

[@laurabrewes1422]

@whynow4306 I could definitely see that.

[@aricaj.3006]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Every performance is absolutely stellar

[@malachiphoniex8501]

You mad lads did it! A Count of Monte Cristo Reaction wasn't on my bingo card but I'm still happy.

[@rizzyknows]

The letter that Mercedes reads earlier in the movie says Edmond has been executed

[@daijishinomori9161]

Fun fact: Jim Caviezel and Dagmara Dominczyk (who played Mercedes) had a reunion of sorts in one episode of Person of Interest. Loved seeing your reactions to this movie. It was really good, and I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves.

[@rhiannasanford6160]

Yes, that's right! I loved that they did that! That was once of my favor TV shows before it went off the rails in later seasons.

[@kawmedia]

One of my Favorite Films of all time. I never get tired of watching it.

[@chefskiss6179]

"Yes, but have you named them...?" oof! SO good. Absolutely loved watching you two get into this one. And ironic you brought up the recent Napoleon outing, Ridley's recent flick. A lot of these movies really owe a lot to, ironically, Ridley's first film, The Duellists (1977). It still holds up magnificently and would be a worthy watch on this channel.

[@beatyz2]

1:05:39 Oh I love the confused expression on Villefort's face when he says "Dantes?" It's 10 star acting, I love it every single time, for, I guess 20 years 😵‍💫 but I really like how his expression can really drive home how he only met Edmund once. ONE TIME!! at least on screen. And yet you also have to believe to recognize someone a little, even if it's months after you've been reintroduced, that you saw once 16 years ago 😳, Edmund's face must have been BURNED into his brain with guilt.❤

[@CrownlessKing88]

I believe Mercedes received a letter saying that he died. So she thought he was executed. while everyone else knew he was in prison still.

[@fumzsimmer1992]

This movie is on of my favourites, my family and I watch it every new year as we first watched it on new years when i was 15 and im 23 now. It's a fabulous movie and introduced me to the legendary Jim Caviezel and baby Henry Cavill

[@LiaaaaaaaaAAAAAHH]

This was our go to movie at sleepovers 😂 “How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.” 💅

[@L77045]

I will always watch something about The Count of Monte Cristo. Highly recommend everyone reading the full unabridged version. It's long, it's slow by today's standards, and there's nothing surprising because all the tropes have been done so much since then...but it's so incredibly well made and the payoffs are amazing.

[@oldcdog91]

Guys, Villefort sent a letter saying that Dantes had been executed for his crimes. That’s why Mercedes thought he was dead. Sometimes they put things on the screen that you have to read 😉

[@Dilirium23]

If these guys could read they would be very upset!

[@gavanhill5132]

One of my favourite movies ever, and I've been to a lot of the places they filmed, in Malta. The external shots they used for the Chateau d"if were on the little island of Comino at Santa Marija Tower, and a fair few other shots were from Valetta (the current capital city) and Vittoriosa. The Elephant structure is also real and you can see it yourself if you take a boat tour of the coast of Malta. The cave where Edmond goes swimming to find the treasure is called the Blue Grotto - we visited, but the weather wasn't good, so we couldn't go inside to see just how beautiful it is in person - an excuse (as if I needed one) to visit again if I ever find myself back in Malta sometime in the future. They have naturally phosphorescent sea caves there in amazing colours and you can go snorkeling when the weather permits. A lot of the large estates and mansions that were filmed are in Ireland.

[@goodfellabadguy257]

Malta is definitely on my list of places to visit. Too many movies with beautiful shots were filmed there

[@silkypnub]

The emotions run high with this movie. My entire family loves this movie and story. Another great reaction in the books boys.

[@commanderkorra3316]

This movie is one of my all time favorites. The cast and characters did an amazing job. The planning, the revenge, the quotes. I'm a priest not a saint/ I'm a count not a saint. Also besides Inigo Montoya, this is one of the greatest tales of revenge.

[@edmunddantes7097]

Do yourself a favor, read the book. If this is your favorite movie then that will become your favorite book. For a first read through I'd suggest having a pen/paper to keep characters in order.

[@commanderkorra3316]

@@edmunddantes7097 Thank you, it is a book I have been wanting to read at some point.

[@akiva2112]

Glad to see you guys react to this movie. One of my Personal Favorites. If they every adapted the book more directly. You would be so shocked on how more complex and intricate of a web he weaves.

[@edmunddantes7097]

I can't tell you how bad I want to see a modern portrayal of Fernand's downfall.

[@seamusburke639]

1:06:10 Not only was that super cold, that apparently was an addition from focus groups. They showed early cuts to audiences, and they unanimously agreed it'd be WAY colder if the pistol wasn't loaded.

[@connorp8408]

Someone watched the directors commentary ;)

[@hiSPACEmango]

"I'm a priest, not a saint." What an awesome movie. One of my favorites. - mango

[@k.delpino1124]

From the age of romance and adventure. By the great Dumas and first published, 180 years ago. So many adaptations of this story have become films, musicals, radio presentations and tv series for eons. This 2000s retelling was my first watch of the story on film and it was released around my birthday. Great cast of actors here. Guy Pierce as Mondego (totally hated of course). Dagmara Domińczyk as Mercédès is so beautiful and I seen her in the movie, Rock Star (2001). I forgot that Richard Harris was Abbé Faria in one of his final roles (great as always). I forgot that Luis Guzmán (Jacopo) was in this too, so funny even in something this serious. But of course Jim Caviezel as Dantès, very good. His going through literal h*** all because his friend wants to get ahead in life and having to become someone else yet hardly changing to strike at his former friend. A great, traditional looking film. Locations, sets, wardrobe, etc. Proof that even then, older stories can be kept in their era and still look good without modernization. It really is a true, distinguishing tale of Justice and Revenge. Are they different?, are they the same?, is one stronger than the other or is one weaker? Funny things come full circle. The director Kevin Reynolds makes 2 films with Kevin Costner, Kevin Costner portrays Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel (2013), Superman is portrayed by Henry Cavill who has one of his earliest roles in The CofMC as his first film with an American studio.

[@reconsoldier135]

Great movie, nothing quite like a well conceived, well executed revenge plot

[@preciousodyssey]

She was sent a communication reading that he was executed just before she ran from the house crying into the best friends arms to be comforted.

[@Zero-mn8bt]

Guy Pearce is so good at playing a scumbag. The MCU wasted him

[@serial92989]

Lawless took full advantage of

[@andysmith107]

Don’t forget Sir Guy of Gisbourne from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves!

[@ruthsaunders9507]

And Rochefort in The Three Musketeers.

[@brianalambert1192]

"And now... farewell to kindness, humanity, and gratitude. I have substituted myself for Providence in rewarding the good; may the God of vengeance now yield me His place to punish the wicked" Most people can agree that nearly all revenge stories borrow from Count of Monte Cristo in some way shape or form. I can't say it's the first revenge story, but it is considered to be one of most iconic/influential revenge stories. The movie takes liberties from the original novel to the point that it pretty much changes the tone and even some of the messages. The ending of the book has a sense of emptiness, like he got his revenge. So what? Which is great for what the book was going for. The theme of the story is all about the lengths someone will go to for revenge and what it does to you. The movie captures that wonderfully, but it frames it differently. The other thing I find to be a significant change is that Ferdinand and Edmond were not friends. They barely knew each other. Ferdinand just wanted Mercedes. The reason I bring this point up is that in that iteration of the novel, it's not a betrayal of two close people. Rather it's a situation where all these men who conspired against Edmond, he was a nobody to them. He meant nothing. And so they forgot about him. It's a different kind of cruelty compared to a sheer betrayal. There are other changes as well, namely Albert not being Edmond's son, though it's a twist that I'm sure Dumas himself would say "Damn, why didn't I think of that?", and there is a ton of stuff left out, but in all fairness if they included it a) Edmond may come across as a slight sociopath though understandably so and b) it would be a 4 hour long movie This is not me criticizing the movie; not by a longshot. And this is not me saying that one or the other is better. This is one of the movies that is a key example of how to do an adaptation. You can change things from the source material if it still builds to the theme, message, and tone

[@Sigurd-n8o]

It is unlikely that Edmond and Mercedes would work out because he had changed so much to the point of being unrecognizable to her, Mercedes says in the chapter. 112 of the book that the man she loved no longer exists. Alexandr Solzhenitsyn says that he spent years in a concentration camp: “The day of liberation? What can it give us after so many years? We will be changed beyond recognition, our relatives will be changed beyond recognition, our relatives will be changed. And once familiar places will seem stranger to us than strangers. “ - the Gulag Archipelago He was married to Natalia Alekseyevna Reshetovskaya, his high school sweetheart. The two were going through a period of intense pressure, Solzhenitsyn's arrest and the writer's imprisonment, coupled with divorce (Reshetovskaya had married another man while Solzhenitsyn was in the gulag). The couple returned to their union after Solzhenitsyn's return, but lived under constant disagreements. In a realistic situation, Edmond and Mercedes would never have a happy relationship because of their constant arguments, because everything had changed. Haydée is very similar to the Count and that is why the situation would work between them. She has emotional scars like him. The two are exactly the same. “Although separated by a twenty-year age difference, Natália and Solzhenitsyn had a lot in common: the gulag and the Second World War, which caused him a lot of suffering, and also marked her childhood with deep scars.” - The wives by Alexandra Popoff Natalia Dmitrievna Svetlova had spent a youth of great suffering due to Stalin's persecutions and the Second World War. At the age of 21, Natalia married Andrei Tiúrin, a talented mathematician a year younger, a companion on her ski journeys with the same interests as a student. Dmitri, the couple's son, was born a year later, but the marriage lasted a short time. When Natalia met Solzhenitsyn, a strong connection between them was born between them.

[@joecachia2]

98% of this was filmed in my home country ( a small island in the med ) . I remember seeing it at the Cinema and thinking , oh I've been in that castle/hotel and walked thru that street many times. Season 1 of Game of thrones was shot here as well.

[@kjohnson9306]

Malta?

[@stevesheriff5515]

The marsaille and prison scenes were filmed in Malta. Been to both locations, lovely country and people❤

[@BG_StuartJ]

Michael Wincott, the prison guard, was also in the 1993 live action The Three Musketeers put out by Disney. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend. Another star-studded cast, though I won't say who in case you do react to it.

[@3Kings_Industries]

My high school Lit class had us read The Count of Monte Cristo. When this film came out, I was so impressed with their interpretation. It's still one of my favorite films!

[@edmunddantes7097]

I agree. Considering like half the story/characters were removed this adaptation still managed a amazing story on its own.

[@Yggdrasil-y2u]

It was the biggest nonsense that Edmund and Mercedes had returned. Alexandre Dumas read Homer (Dumas A., Mes Mémoires, Paris, Bouquins, 2003, p. 590) and was influenced by the Odyssey. In chapter 4, Menelaus fought to recover Helen, and he was tormented by the memories of Helen's stay in Troy. Edmund would always be tormented by the memories of Mercedes being married to Fernand. There is a book called The Wives by Alexandra Popoff that tells the story of 6 wives of Russian and Soviet writers. And one of these women is Natalia Dmitrievna Svetlova, wife of the writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Both of them had a painful past and this suffering brought them closer together. The first paragraph of Natalia Svetlova's story is as follows: "Although separated by a twenty-year age difference, Natalia and Solzhenitsyn had much in common: the Gulag and World War II, which caused him much suffering and also marked his childhood with deep scars." Alexander Solzhenitsyn was married to Natalia Alexeevna Reshetovskaya, his high school sweetheart. Both went through a period of intense pressure, Solzhenitsyn's arrest and imprisonment of the writer, coupled with a divorce (Reshetovskaya had married another man while Solzhenitsyn was in the gulag). The couple returned to their union after Solzhenitsyn's return, but lived in constant disagreements. Natalia Dmitrievna Svetlova lived a very painful youth because of Stalin's persecutions and the Second World War. At the age of 21, Natalia married Andrei Tiúrin, a talented mathematician a year younger, who accompanied her on her ski trips and shared the same interests as a student. Dmitri, the couple's son, was born a year later, but the marriage lasted a short time. When Natalia met Solzhenitsyn, a strong bond was born between them.

[@bobkatfan2013]

56:46 earlier she’s given a letter from the prosecutor saying Edmond had been executed for treason.

[@frankensteinmoses]

Highkey both the old and 2002 are just masterclass theatre i unironically remember watching this with my mom at 6 yrs old

[@hughfuller8416]

Yes, please. One of my favorite movies.

[@Yashaanzm90]

DUDE!! I frikkin LOVE this movie!!! One of my all time favourites. I'm so happy you watched this!!! 🤌🏽

[@wardenm]

Absolutely LOVE this adaptation. Was one of my go to movies for the longest while.

[@MonAhgasInsomniAroELF]

my mom absolutely loved Jim Caviezel , and this was her favorite movie, so i watched this with her a lot growing up. it's one of my favorites now too. loved the reaction & commentary!

[@beatyz2]

45:39 "Bam Bam Bam Bam" is one of the best parts of the movie😂

[@Biorythym]

One scene that always struck me was when Dantes sat in the chair in the Priest's cell...such a small little thing that we take for granted

[@silverbeast1986]

still one of my favorite movies/stories of all time. I'm been pondering a modern day retelling for years now.

[@JerryAlmonte]

Can’t wait for the Sequel “Count of Monte Cristo 2: Count Your Days”

[@Do0msday]

The book is flawless and this is an amazing adaptation. The performances were so great and I love how well this movie captured the era with some fantastic costumes and set pieces. This is the grand daddy of revenge stories.

[@Tacitus-s1w]

A rich and powerful man would have a beautiful young lover like Julius Caesar had Cleopatra. Watch the movie Cleopatra with Liz Taylor which is BASED ON A TRUE STORY. read more biographical books and watch less Hollywood movies. The film looks like a children's copy of Homer's Odyssey.

[@gdhaney136]

My favorite book. I was even gifted an incredible unabridged copy from a student's mom. This movie version is still one of my favorite movies.

[@classy_c88]

I saw this in class when it was time to watch an educational movie and most teenagers never paid attention but OHHH BOY I’m so glad I paid attention and still 20 years later this movie is one of my ultimate favorites! ❤

[@Kragar01]

There’s a new French Monte Christo movie coming out this year, looks pretty good from the trailer

[@naranoken]

French person here who saw it and yes indeed: the movie is amazing ^^

[@surlyGir]

I first saw this movie in high school. It has always been one of my most favorite movies. I'm really glad i never even thought that Albear was Edmond's son the first time I watched it because it made the end so much better. I was like 😮😲🤯

[@Brook11223]

Pre-Superman with Henry Cavill and Cavizel at one point was considered for Superman during the 2000s when it was getting developed. I think this was like the first to last of films in the 2000s for Richard Harris as he passed away around 2002.

[@serlotsadoe]

Clicked on this soooo fast ! Love this flick 😎😎😎

[@ScreamsfromtheBeyond]

Absolutely love this movie. The production value and tight storytelling really helps it stand the test of time. I’ve seen a couple of reactors discover this gem recently. 👏

[@ReinosoD]

So glad you guys reacted to this movie, finally. One of my top movies of all time, the perfect revenge movie. I see this at least once a year bc it's my go to when it comes to just how great acted it is, the visuals, the score, etc.

[@gitzogutz]

It is amazing how confident reactors are that they would recognize someone they thought was dead 16 years later.

[@floppsymoppsy5969]

My sister has 2 daughters. the youngest is named Mercedes after the character in Monte Cristo, and the eldest is named Cora after the character in Last of the Mohicans

[@JayWooTheeArtisan]

I usually don’t comment on videos but this is my favorite movie of all time💯 one of the first movies I remember loving when I was younger, granted I prolly shouldn’t have watched this at that age, but I just love this movie so much. It is literally the first like serious movie I ever watched.

[@Hellohellonada]

I was scrolling and immediately did Andrew’s reaction on seeing you guys did this reaction. It’s in my top 10 best films list always.

[@rayvanhorn1534]

One of my favorite classic novels, & this is the best film adaptation of Dumas' fantastic story. I agree with you, Caviezel put on some of his best work in the role of Edmund/The Count. I think he is so underrated as an actor, especially his recent "Sound of Freedom" which is so tragic, powerful & eye-opening. Outstanding cast all around, excellent score & beautiful cinematography. Alexander Dumas wove such a web of writing with compelling characters.

[@NoPowerintheVerse]

Just because it’s gonna drive me crazy, the letter Mercedes received at the start of the movie stated Edmund had been killed (hung?) for his crimes. It’s why she’s so quick to marry Guy Pearce.

[@DocuzanQuitomos]

I mean... not the only reason, but it certainly makes her think the marriage is the lesser of two evils: Mercedes is going to be a single mother (a huge sin for the society of the time); and while she could have had her son out of wedlock, it would be clear he is the son of Edmond Dantés, and would grow up with the constant teasing of what his father, allegedly, did. So, if she hopes to spare her son the hardships of being called a bastard and the son of a traitor, he must grow under a more "respectable" name.

[@AnnekeOosterink]

@@DocuzanQuitomos Yes, plus, being just being know as an illegitimate child on its own would be a huge issue. The common idea at the time was that bastards were bad because they weren't born to married parents, either the very nature of that would make them bad, or the heritable evil from the parents (mother) being sinful would make them bad people. Not everyone agreed on this obviously, but it was a pretty widespread idea. That on its own would make Albert's life very very hard. Not to mention how Mercedes would be unable to raise him, an unwed mother would not be considered for any job she could legally do, so she would either have to feed him through begging or sex work, while homeless. The chances of both of them surviving living on the streets, risking starvation, freezing to death, contracting some STI if she would be desperate enough to do sex work, etc etc are pretty low. Like, her and Albert's survival would depend on her not having a child out of wedlock, so Mercedes marrying Fernand is really a desperate move to stay alive. I think many people don't realise that she genuinely doesn't have options. I know people argue that choosing between marriage and starvation is still a choice, but realistically? It really isn't.

[@Tooba-K123]

​@@AnnekeOosterink for real, starving is only an option when your own life is at stake but risking the life of a unborn baby when you know there is an alternative, just which mother wouldn't take that path?

[@Tacitus-s1w]

Albert is Fernand's son in the book. The screenwriter seems to have wanted to adapt the Odyssey and named it Monte Cristo. Albert is Telemachus, Mercedes is Penelope and Edmond is Ulysses.

[@NoPowerintheVerse]

​@Tacitus-s1w I know. I read the book a while back. Unfortunately for the book, I saw the movie first and loved it so much that I preferred it to the book. 😂

[@melissaisloud7404]

I love this film. It was based off of my late father’s favorite book as a young teen, and I remember how excited he was to take me to it when it came out. Now every time I watch this film I can feel my father with me.

[@edmunddantes7097]

Have you read the book?

[@paulhorgan6152]

I remember as a kid in the 70s watching the Richard Chamberlain version my favorite. A great story ❤

[@FroZoneDeNiro]

One of my favorite movies right here, great reaction per usual fella’s!!

[@NerdyBone90]

Edmond being a better dad to Albert in 2 seconds than Fernand was in the 16 years of the kids life is just the spiciest of burns. Then you have Mercedes who had to make the choice of marrying and sleeping with Fernand even though she didn't love him to make sure her son's livelihood was protected because in those days she would have been completely shunned and looked down on for being a single mother out of wedlock. The woman has some mental and emotional fortitude. Then you got Jacopo being the best dude bro in the entire world of dude bros. He would literally do anything for Edmond. I also love the "God sees you out of the corner of his eye" moment because there's this whole discussion about his plan and how he's everywhere right and if Edmond had not save Jacopo and if Jacopo had never sworn as oath to him then he wouldn't have been there to save Mercedes. I also love when Edmond is like everything I care about is walking off this island with me and his boy Jacopo is there.

[@tiggytiggsboo]

I love this version of The Count of Monte Cristo. I wanna get around to reading the book as well. So happy you guys are reacting to this!

[@mycroft16]

I love Dorniac. He is so apathetic to his job as foreman of the prison. He literally knows everyone really is innocent. All political prisoners. He is bored as hell and likely never EVER checked on by any official because the government won't even acknowledge this place exists. So he has his bored fun and is sarcastic as hell. He is such a good actor and just hams it up in the role. And yes... the way the shot the final fight is gorgeous. The framerate. The camera making big moves low to the ground zoomed in giving the foreground that rapid frenetic movement. It is one of my favorites.

[@perzt722]

A novel i learned in 7th grade. Amazing novel...you should read it.... Chateau d'if , once entered no way out ...hence they thought he is dead

[@revrodgers]

This is one of my favorite movies. I watch it every time it pops up. Great watch, acting and fun!

[@RobbieHaskell24]

This is one of my favorite movies, I watch 1-2 times a week. Plus "Treason is just a matter of dates. Soon I'll be the patriot and you the traitor." Is one of the best lines in movie history.

[@geoffmarker9799]

I can’t believe you guys are reacting to this!!! No joke… top 10 movie of all time for me! Awesome!

[@ronsoderstrom7967]

It's fun watching movies with you guys!

[@kazs6529]

This has been my comfort movie since it came out. And I have to say that this version is waaaaaay more optimistic than the book. Fair to think how nobody recognized Edmond in the movie since he just got a beard and kept the muscles lol (In the book everybody described him as a vampire because he's thin, tall, really pale and expressionless) Just if you want more, there is a french movie version released this year! And a miniseries starring Sam Clafflin. I really hope it covers some plotlines that are really fullfiling as how Edmond forgives some of the people that hurt him, how he rewards those who tried to help him (like his boss Morrel), or how his revenge plans were REALLY REALLY intricated and long long long term, and how he outsmarts everybody or the fact that Edmond transformed himself into a hedonistic and eccentric new rich that likes to wear like an arabian character.

[@Beowulf-n2j]

Alexandre Dums read Homer (Dumas A., Mes Mémoires, Paris, Bouquins, 2003, p. 590) and the Odyssey influenced the story of the book. In chapter 4, after Menelaus recovered Helen, he had bad memories of Helen's stay there and needed to use drugs to forget. Edmond would always have bad memories because Mercedes had married Fernand. That's why in the end the Count didn't stay with Mercedes, but it's hard for him to marry her.