Biology and environmental science teacher Austin Enriquez has recently watched the 2002 version of, “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
This film was originally a book written in 1844 and since then has become a popular storyline for multiple films in the future. The first film version came out in 1934 and there have been over 50 varieties since.
The movie follows the story of a young sailor, Edmond Dantes, who is an innocent, honest man and transforms into Count of Monte Cristo after his best friend Fernand deceives Edmond and takes everything away from him. The story then follows Dantes as he tries to take back everything Fernand took from him.
This particular movie is an adaptation of the original book written by Alexandre Dumas. The movie was directed by Kevin Reynolds starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Christopher Adamson, JB Blanc, Luigi Vampa, and Guy Carleton to name a few.
What did you enjoy about this film?
“[The Count of Monte Cristo] is a comeback tale, a story of redemption,” Enriquez said. “You see someone at their worst, and you see them build back to what they become at the end.”
What motivated you to watch this film?
“This movie is a classic. It’s a classic book. Just the tale is something that gets repeatedly told, just in different fashions,” Enriquez said. “I wanted to go back to one of the originals.”
What was the most memorable part of this film?
“I really like the prison scene where he’s learning all his language, education, and how to fight, from an old prisoner,” Enriquez said. “I also liked, of course, when he reveals himself to his ex-wife.”
How is this film different from others that you have watched?
“A lot of things don’t have the kind of setting that one does,” Enriquez said. “It took place long ago and our modern-day technology is not around.”
What other films similar to this one would you recommend?
“There are countless. Any of the tales where someone has been double-crossed and their life is kind of stolen from them, and then they come back and reclaim it,” Enriquez said.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” can be streamed on YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies.