I have seen most of the versions of this movie and am an avid fan of the book. This version is frequently praised for its accuracy and faithfulness to the book, especially its portrayal of Dantes' very intricate revenge schemes. In this sense, as a transcript of the book, I completely agree and do not fault the movie and, indeed, uphold it as the most gratifying version.
Despite its faithfulness, I felt completely emotionally detached. The movie lacks the emotional involvement and engagement that really bring the story to life and make it more than a recitation of events. The acting performances, while visibly adequate, do not generate real people (not characters). It is difficult to articulate what element was missing, but I felt disengaged, detached, and apathetic. Despite their flaws, I found all of the other versions to be more stirring and true to the spirit, if not the letter, of the book.
To conclude, I would recommend this version to a Dumas purist who wants to see a faithful film reenactment without those irritating changes common to film adaptations. However, to truly feel the emotional impact of the story, I would look elsewhere.
