Cert:: PG
DUMAS' classic tale of the Count of Monte Cristo has been told many times before but, following recent Hollywood trends, the powers that be have decided to cash in once again.
Luckily, the story is strong enough to withstand another retelling and by simply sticking to the original plot Kevin Reynolds (who brought us the disastrous Waterworld) has succeeded where he could so easily have failed.
Edmond Dantes (Jim Caveziel of The Thin Red Line fame) is an illiterate sailor who dreams of nothing more than saving enough money to marry fishmonger's daughter Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk).
Unfortunately, his best friend, the aristocratic Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) also has his eye on Mercedes and swiftly despatches Dantes to the grim prison of Chateau D'If on false charges.
Held in solitary confinement for 13 years, Dantes gives up hope until fellow prisoner Abbe Faria (the late, great Richard Harris) persuades him that escape may be possible.
With the Abbe's help Dante learns to read and write as well as brushing up on his fighting skills. So when he finally makes it back to France he is fully equipped to take down those who have wronged him.
Instead of taking the easy option of slaughtering his enemies, Dante reinvents himself as the Count of Monte Cristo and sets out to ruin their lives.
The only problem is that his beloved Mercedes is now married to Mondego. Has she really betrayed him? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that she must have had a good reason.
This version will not go down in history as a classic but as a swashbuckling, if slightly hammy, romp it does not disappoint.
Liz Payne
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