The Count of Monte Cristo Review: Near-Perfect Eight-Part Remake

This English-language French–Italian limited series, overseen by Danish director Bille August and filmed in France, Malta, and Italy, reunites Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons in an eight-hour adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic. The long-form format allows the production to breathe, and its location-based naturalism gives the drama a tactile sense of place from sun-drenched Mediterranean shores to the stony confinement of Château d'If.

The story opens in 1815, when sailor Edmond Dantès (Claflin) returns to Mercédès (Ana Girardot) only to be framed for treason by Danglars (Blake Ritson), Fernand Mondego (Harry Taurasi), and prosecutor Gérard de Villefort (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard). Imprisoned for years, Edmond survives, escapes, and reemerges as the Count of Monte Cristo to carry out an exacting scheme of vengeance funded by literal buried treasure.

France, Malta, Italy

count of, sam claflin, jeremy irons, bille august, alexandre dumas, château d'if, edmond dantès, mercédès, danglars, fernand mondego