Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

The Count of Monte Cristo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 15, 2025

There’s been no shortage of “The Count of Monte Cristo” adaptations across all forms of media. The 1854 adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas offers a lengthy and intricate revenge story to dramatize, making it irresistible to storytellers, and many have tried to construct excitement with the material, which was notably adapted in a 1975 television movie starring Richard Chamberlain, and a 2002 feature with Jim Caviezel. A plan of vengeance returns in the new “The Count of Monte Cristo,” and directors Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patelliere take the filmmaking challenge very seriously. The helmers intend to go epic with the offering, overseeing a nicely produced, three-hour-long take on the return of Edmond Dantes and the many scores he plans to settle after being imprisoned for crimes he didn’t commit. The French production hopes to bring a little more action and psychological gamesmanship to the screen, and while the run time is a bit much, the effort is polished and strongly performed, finding a few peaks of suspense.

Edmond (Pierre Niney) is a sailor who’s shown his capacity for bravery, rescuing Angele (Adele Simphal) from the sea, which angers Captain Danglars (Patrick Mille). Looking to ruin Edmond, Danglars is instead relieved of duties, as the powers that be turn the young man into the new captain. He’s excited to share this future with his great love, Mercedes (Anais Demoustier), and they shock Fernand (Bastien Bouillon), her cousin, with plans to marry. During the ceremony, Edmond is arrested, brought before prosecutor Gerard (Laurent Lafitte) on false charges, instantly sent to an island prison where he’s meant to slowly rot away. After years in a cell, Edmond connects to fellow prisoner Abbe (Pierfrancesco Favino), who teaches him the ways of languages and science, also creating an escape plan that takes years to execute. Finding his way off the island, Edmond prepares a grand plan of revenge funded by a secret stash of treasure, returning to Paris where he begins to make life miserable for those who’ve conspired to destroy him.

Edmond is a young man, and a noble one, daring to jump off his ship and pull Angele to safety, directly defying Danglars’s orders. He connects to the young woman and her enigmatic intentions, but once back in port, he’s eager to return to a special life, sharing a secret affair with Mercedes. “The Count of Monte Cristo” isn’t a simplified version of the story, as the production commits to the expanse of characters involved in Edmond’s life. This includes Mercedes, who represents a hopeful future with her lover, and he returns holding word of a promotion, allowing them to wed. Fernand is the first to learn about the relationship, and he’s not exactly thrilled with the news, adding another supporting character who stands to benefit from Edmond’s disappearance. Villainy is also identified in Gerard, Angele’s sibling, who has his own secrets to cover.

It takes some time for “The Count of Monte Cristo” to fall into place, as the writing has to organize multiple characters and motivations. Edmond is eventually sent to prison, pulled from domestic bliss to waste away in a stone cell, which robs him of years of promise and purpose. Abbe’s introduction adds an adventurous side to the movie, putting the men to work on an escape plan, and a tale of financial fortune is shared, tasking Edmond to find a temple of riches should he survive the way out. “The Count of Monte Cristo” isn’t always action-oriented, but there’s tension to enjoy, especially during prison time, along with Edmond’s early efforts to mount a scheme of revenge, returning to his town a changed man who’s lost so much during his years away. Edmond has the means and he’s educated, creating a decently gripping study of master planning as the ruined man starts to go deep with recruitment and vision, looking to expose Fernand, Gerard, and Danglars.

The Count of Monte Cristo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles skin particulars well, securing a clear look at the weathered faces in "The Count of Monte Cristo," and the production's makeup achievements. Costuming maintains fibrousness with period outfits. Interiors are dimensional, going from the tight confines of prison life to the luxury of ornate living spaces. Exteriors are deep, preserving the open world feel of the film. Colors are defined, with a cooler examination of clothing and city tours, and candlelight maintains an orangey glow. Vivid primaries are found with some style choices and outdoor adventuring, offering bright blue skies and distinct greenery. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, handling low-lit conversations and evening activities. Compression issues are periodic, with banding occasionally detected.

The Count of Monte Cristo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix offers sharp dialogue exchanges throughout the listening event, keeping dramatic surges and hushed encounters balanced. Scoring cues are defined, maintaining crisp instrumentation with guitar and orchestral additions, and musical moods fill out the surrounds at times. Vocals are clear. Atmospherics are acceptable, exploring room tones and community bustle. Sound effects are distinct, tracking stone movement, gun shots, and the climatic clanging of steel. Low-end offers some weight with heavier action and scoring emphasis.

The Count of Monte Cristo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:21, HD) is included.

The Count of Monte Cristo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The rest of "The Count of Monte Cristo" deals with manipulation, which is reasonably interesting as the subplots grow knotted through scheming and lies, reaching out to a number of lives. There's no major emotional swell to the feature, but it's competently assembled, supported by sharp technical achievements. Performances are also strong, as the cast is tasked with playing multiple layers of recognition and pain, and Niney offers range and presence as Edmond, who becomes a steely puppetmaster over the course of the story. "The Count of Monte Cristo" remains a lengthy sit as supporting players are sorted out, never really building to a furious conclusion, but the journey has its highlights, and the filmmakers respect the details of the original work, freshening it up for modern audiences.