Counting on Monte Cristo

This is the 19th film adaptation of the story

By Jane Crowther

It is hard enough adapting a world-famous novel for the screen, but when you're following a long line of thirty different TV, film and mini-series interpretations, it can be a little daunting.

But that did not deter director Kevin Reynolds from starting work on the 19th film version of Alexandre Dumas' swashbuckling story, The Count Of Monte Cristo.

One time I did this lunge that was supposed to come under Guy's arm, but I missed and I got him right in the side

Jim Caviezel on swordfighting with Guy Pearce

"I was initially hesitant," Reynolds admits, "But I've always had a soft spot for classic literature, and I figured someone was going to have to make it, and since it was kind of up my alley why shouldn't that person be me?"

Reynolds' "alley" seems to be focused on heroes, villains and adventure - he is the man behind Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and Waterworld.

He took a peek at two cinematic predecessors before starting work.

"I felt that each of those films was of its own time, so I knew that we were going to have to do something that would be of this time. We simply tried to stay true to theme of it."

Scheming

The story is of a naive young sailor, Edmund Dantes, who is double-crossed by his scheming friend, Fernand.

Jim Caviezel stars as Edmund

Cast into jail for life in the infamous Chateau D'If, Edmund plots his escape from prison and his ultimate revenge on his former friend and the woman he was destined to marry.

Reynolds cast The Thin Red Line's Jim Caviezel in the titular role and Guy Pearce as arch-baddie Fernand.

Newcomer Dagmara Dominczyk - last seen kissing Jennifer Aniston in Rock Star - joined them as Edmund's love interest, Mercedes.

During filming in Ireland and Malta, Caviezel and Pearce had to learn to fence for crucial fight scenes.

They worked with esteemed swordsman Bill Hobbs and a team of stunt people, but it didn't stop the two leads getting into scrapes.

"One time I did this lunge that was supposed to come under Guy's arm," Caviezel recalls, "but I missed and I got him right in the side. Guy said, 'no worries mate, our lawyers will work it out!'".

'Strength'

Although the sword-play is authentic, screenwriter Jay Wolpert updated and tweaked the storyline and characters; dropping sub-plots, changing the ending and making his leading lady stronger.

"I liked the fact that the character of Mercedes is imperfect," says Dominczyk.

Guy Pearce and Jim Caviezel do battle

"She has made difficult choices, she's told lies and kept secrets. I loved her vulnerability and I loved her strength."

The film did well in the US, taking $8.7million on its first weekend and holding its own at the box office against Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind and the hugely successful Black Hawk Down.

Director Reynolds never doubted the film's success.

"You go through periods where a certain type of picture appeals to an audience, and right now where it seems that this kind of picture is what people want to go and see.

But he adds: "Undoubtedly people will grow tired of this within a few years, and they'll want to see contemporary comedies or whatever. That's why there's a remake every eight to ten years or whatever, because it comes back into fashion again".

The Count of Monte Cristo is released in the UK on 19 April.