I liked this version, but think I like the 1975 TV version better for some reason (these are the only two I have seen so far)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072824/
"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five."
I did enjoy this version of 'The Count,' although my favorite over all these years is the 1975 TV version also. The time in the prison, perhaps, is developed so well in this version, we get a glimpse of all the Edmund learns by talking with the Abby. Chamberlain's face bears his revenge so well. I do, however, like the changes in story development in the first one, it moves the 'first half' of the story along very rapidly. Although neither of these films versions goes into the depth of the book, which is very dark & contains more story weaving & characters, both are FAR better and accurate than the 2002 Guy Pierce version. The story ending is bastardized & the audience I attended with was 'happy with the ending.' I remember saying rather loudly, "read the book - this is not the story." Dumas did NOT intend a 'happy ending' - revenge does NOT solve our problems, & it was another Hollywood 'let's make theatre goers feel good' production. You may want to check it out just to compare, but it fails in comparison to these two well-done book-to-film choices.
shareSomehow I don‘t get it. You rip the 2002 film to pieces for showing a happy end, that was not in Dumas Novel. But then again you enjoyed this one, which ends in a similar way as we see Edmond and Mercedes happily reunited too?
shareafter seeing V for Vendetta, I had to see this version...
I also recently watched The 39 Steps.. another Robert Donat thriller.
I have become a huge Donat fan....
He is the best...for me of course..
I am very fond of this version. I also like the Gerard Depardieu one very much. Both cheat a bit by giving dantes a happy ending, reunited with Mercedes, but frankly I like that.
shareI liked this version better than the 2002 version, though. It followed the book more, the 2002 version followed it well then went in a completely different direction which was very different to the book. I still hope to see a movie follow the book more.
shareI saw the Chamberlain version first but prefer Caviezel's version. After watching this, the 2002 version is still by far the best for me and one of my favorite films of all time.
shareI enjoyed this version but prefer the 1975 version starring Richard Chamberlain.
share