The Count Of Monte Cristo

                                              One in the Same

        A descriptive novel written by a stupendous author named Alexandre Dumas, was called The Count of Monte Cristo. This book is an action drama story. In 1934 a movie was made in regards of this book. The movie of The Count of Monte Cristo was directed by Rowland V. Lee. The main stars of this movie were Robert Donat and Elissa Landi.

The story of The Count of Monte Cristo focuses on the life of a young sailor who goes by the name of Edmond Dantes (Robert Donat­). Edmond had just returned from sea and wanted to marry his sweet love Mercedes (Elissa Landi). While Edmond was at sea he was assigned to deliver a letter to someone who he did not know of. Oblivious Edmond didn’t know the letter was regarding spy territory. Fowl and rambunctious men found out that Edmond was carrying this letter and they threw him in prison. Now this wasn’t any ordinary prison it was Le Chateau D’if. This prison was to make people disappear from their social lives. Edmond spent about 20 years in this jail. He found a wise elder man who was trying to escape. Edmond helped him and in return he gained lots of knowledge. After Edmond escaped the prison he became The Count of Monte Cristo, and took revenge on those who wronged him.

                Years later in 2002 another version of the book was released with the same title. The story was still the same but some aspects were different. This movie was directed by Kevin Reynolds. The stars of this movie were Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce. This version had quite a few different parts and aspects to the film.

Firstly the 2002 version of the film was way shorter compared to the 1934 version. Some parts in the 2002 version were altered and shortened. For example the part where Edmond is in the prison was stretched out in the 1934 film. This made the friendship of Edmond and Abbe’ Faria more tight. Also the character of Abbe’ Faria began to be more likable to the viewers and when he died more pain was felt. The concept of Edmond gaining knowledge was quite lengthy in 1934 movie. In the 2002 version of the film the character of Jacopo was more relevant in the film. IN the 1934 film Edmond seemed more independent and in the 2002 movie Jacopo was always there to help Edmond. Edmonds arch nemesis and best friend Fernand Mondego was more interpreted in the 2002 film. Portraying more of Mondego made it easier to persuade the audience that Fernand’s character was bad and evil. To me the biggest difference in the two movies was the ending. In the 1934 film Edmond takes Fernand to court and gets him punished. On the other hand in the 2002 film Edmond kills Mondego with his own hands. I felt that the 2002 film had the more dramatic ending because the hatred for Modego’s character was built up so immensely that I wanted to see him die. Also it brought the more action side of the movie.

            Both of these movies were fascinating. In my opinion I felt that the 2002 movie was a bit better because of the aspects of action it brought out.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHqb_Ijqrdg
This is the ending to the 2002 movie.

2002

1934