12

Despite being known for meddling with historical facts, a lack of analysis and psychology in his works, the thrill and depiction of adventure from the way Dumas wrote (in collaboration with his ghostwriters) became the factor readers revered him and his works. The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) is a film based on the novel Dumas wrote that bears the same name (Le Comte de Monte-Cristo in French). This version is a longer 2-hour-58-minute film, compared to the previous 2002 film. While it may seem like a lengthy film to sit and watch, this version is said to be an excellent condensation of Dumas’ remarkable work.

The film’s budget is EUR42.9million, making it the most expensive French film of the year.  

Here’s the plot: It’s 1815. Edmond Dantès, falsely accused, gets imprisoned without trial. After hatching his escape plan (post-serving his sentence for 14 years), he comes out as a man with a new identity – Count of Monte Cristo and set foot to exact revenge on those who had betrayed him.

Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière directed the historical, period drama type film.

The 35-year-old Pierre Niney is cast as the protagonist, while Anaïs Demoustier is Mercédés Herrera, Dantès’ fiancée. Meanwhile, others in the cast lineup include Anamaria Vartolamei and Bruno Raffaelli.

Montreal-born Nicolas Buldoc, with previous experiences working on Chuck (2016) and The Hummingbird Project (2018), provides the film’s stunning cinematography.

For those planning to watch from Malaysia, the film will be playing on the big screens from 14 November 2024.

In France, the movie premiered in June 2024. At the 77th Cannes Film Festival where the thrilling adventure film was picked to be shown out of competition, the film earned a standing ovation of nearly 11 minutes, at the end of the screening.

Audio will mainly be in French, although those watching can also expect English, Italian and Romanian to varying degrees.