The Count of Monte Cristo

Well, this took me by surprise.

I didn't know the story of the Count Monte Cristo so it hooked me from the first minute to the last. It's beautifully shot, captivating and the characters are complex.. The revenge trope is brilliantly executed. The cast is also great.. I've been a fan of Sam Claflin for years now, but I think this was one of his best roles, maybe even his life's role. And I hope I'm wrong, but I think because this show isn't distributed by worldwide streamings, unfortunately, it will not receive the recognition it deserves.

PS. I'm also fascinated by how this show happend at first place, being a French-Italian production, with a Danish creator/director and an international (mainly british) cast.. I'm also intrigued by the decision to make this show in English, although it doesn't seem to be really distributed in English-speaking countries. Unfortunately having the show premiere the same year as the Count of Monte Cristo movie didn't do it favors..

[DR] It has enough time to be able to be adequately faithful to the original novel, and it recreates the settings of Malta, Paris and Turin to create a lavish production that sometimes feels somewhat limited by the excessive medium shots that take away from the sumptuousness of the story. But it develops well the characters and subplots that in other adaptations are left too relegated, such as the relationship between Edmond and the abbot Faria, so that it comes close to some of the most successful adaptations, such as the 1979 miniseries. What it loses in modernity compared to the recent French film, it gains in a classic tone that benefits it.

Just finished the first episode and am not impressed.

For anyone interested in the story, just watch the 1998 version with Depardieu. This new adaptation feels like a watered down version and the acting is not convincing at all.

I really wanted to enjoy this so while being sick with Flu, I put on the first episode. Oh, my word it was bad; the supporting cast could not act, and overacted when they should not have done anything. Sam Claflin holds his own and makes sure that he acts enough for everyone else. Try watch the first 2 episodes as quickly as possible and you will be rewarded with a half decent series to watch while you wait for something better to come around. FYI, it's supposed to be set in France but not many of the actors can pronounce the characters name correctly. It also seems to chop and change depending on who is speaking...

Why do writers keep ruining potentially good adaptations?
I dont get why the effort of including side stories that were not in any of the movies, but yet continue to change them.
For example, Caderrouse plot, or the Telegraph plot? Why changing small details that add nothing to the story? Why knocking the operator out instead of bribing him? Whats the point? Adds nothing, yet, they had the opportunity to keep it faithful to the book. Simply choose not to.

Not to speak about the endings….. 6/10 because of stubbornness of the writers.