High concept Dumb and Dumas.
Plot Illiterate young man (Jim Caviezel) gets falsely imprisoned by friend (Guy Pearce) jealous for the attentions of a lovely lady (Dagmara Dominczyck). During 20 years in chokey, our hero gets mentored by wise old abb? (Richard Harris) in the ways of body, mind and spirit, then escapes, takes on identity of the Count, ascends high society and exacts revenge. Phew.
Countless The 16th movie adapation of Alexandre Dumas's great novel of derring-do and revenge is closely modelled on 1934's Robert Donat version, widely regarded to be the best. This time out direction is by Kevin Reynolds, who was responsible for the period bullseye Robin Hood - Prince Of Thieves and also the wet blanket Waterworld.
Stealing booty Though both Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce have got good notices for their performances, both Richard Harris and Luis Guzm?n (as Cristo's sidekick) have all the best scenes - particularly where septuagenarian Harris teaches Caviezel what appear to be martial arts.
How do you make a Maltese cross?
Verdicts 'The kind of movie that used to be right at home at the Saturday matinee, and still is' - Chicago Sun-Times. 'You can count on snoozing' - New York Times.
