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Literary Masterpieces: The Count of Monte Cristo 
Actors : Richard Chamberlain, Trevor Howard, Louis Jourdan, Donald Pleasence, Tony Curtis
Director : David Greene
Studio : Live / Artisan
by Live / Artisan
Release Date : 1996-05-21
Publisher : Live / Artisan
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780784001295
UPC : 012236992332
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 30 reviews)
List Price : $14.98
Our Price : $24.75
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The Best Version of "Cristo" |
I saw this when it was first shown on US television in about 1975 and was amazed by the storyline and the acting. I had seen Chamberlain in his TV series, but this film allowed him a vast range of emotions and exercises which the Tv show did not. I had not read the novel then, of course.
Relatively, this is the video version people should watch. I videotaped it a couple of times (once the result was not so great) and watch it sporadically since. The book I read in 1989 on a commuter train between Sunnyvale and San Carlos - commuter trains are great for reading! The many opinions about the relative merits of the book vis a vis this excellent film are true, BUT, given the time limitations of the film format, details have to be dropped. Oh, yeah, one of the days when I was reading the book three young women ('junior high school age') were sitting nearby and they started a brief dialogue about this book; one said: "Sure, it's by the same author who did 'Muskateers'." And the other two, go: "Ahhhh....."
The recent feature film version didn't affect me the same way... it seemed more distant, perhaps the result of trying to be a FEATURE FILM?
Chamberlain was great, as he would be in "Thorn Birds" and "Shogun" which comprises more data points for the adage that great actors only thrive with great material (and great directors and great cinematographers and other great actors.) |
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Cut verison of a fine miniseries |
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When I first saw the Count of Monte Cristo it was presented in the TV mini-series format, which provided more depth to the performances of the actors. And followed the sequence of this classic very closely. Giving great drama to the trails of Edmond. From arrest, to years in prison, escape, obtaining the treasure of Monte Cristo, and finally revenge. But this beautiful mini-series was cut fron a multi hour sensation, into as poor imatation of the original work. If the original mini-series was to be released, I beleive you to be greatly entertained. But of the Movie version is to be released, you will find dis-jointed scenes and a story that many times is hard to follow because the essence of this story was left on the edditing room floor. |
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In different language |
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Well, it's for anyone who can read or hear German. There is no English language or subtitled for English so I send it back for refund. |
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Crucial cuts make a mess |
After waiting for some time for this to be issued on tape, my disapointment knows no bounds.
I give the VHS version of this otherwise excellent production only 1 star as the deletions from the original broadcast make the story illogical and hard to follow. Missing is the complete "tableaux" scene which makes the confrontation between Dantes and Fernand Mondego and the subsequent duel with Albert Mondego understandable. One wonders about the studio's choice of editor for this VHS release. Hope they corrected the omissions in the DVD version. |
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A complete waste of time |
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With a story like The Count of Monte Cristo, you'd think even the most inept filmmaker couldn't go far wrong. Not so. Even Richard Chamberlain's good looks and mellow voice can't rescue this bland and lifeless film, especially not with that ghastly haircut. If you want to let your eyes glaze over for a while, ask a boring neighbor to show you his vacation videos. You'll be showing kindness to a fellow human being that way, instead of wasting your money on this drivel. |
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