Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, is the story of Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel), a handsome young sailor with a promising future who plans to wed his beautiful fiancee, Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). His freedom is stolen when he is betrayed by his best friend Fernand (Guy Pierce) and wrongfully accused of treachery . Edmond is sent to Chauteu D’If, an island prison, where he befriends a fellow inmate (Richard Harris) who disciplines and teaches him the art of sword fighting. After enduring 13 years in the prison, he escapes and with vengeance in mind, returns to the life he was ripped apart from. Disguised as the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo, he reinstates himself into French nobility and retaliates against the men who framed him.

The film, directed by Kevin Reynolds, was filmed in beautiful Dublin, Ireland. The costumes and location gave the film a genuine appearance. The acting enriched the film, but the only extraordinary performance in the movie was delivered by Caviezel.

The Count of Monte Cristo was a good movie, yet it lacked violence. There was a couple of sword fights but the movie mostly consisted of backstabbing, gasp-inspiring revelations, bad teeth and greasy complexions.