Henry Cavill’s name has become synonymous with plenty of roles over the years. The most notable would be Superman in the DC Extended Universe and Geralt of Rivia inThe Witcher, as well as a surpisingly sinister turn inMission: Impossible - Fallout. He also crossed swords with a pre-DaredevilCharlie CoxinStardustand is set to bring the story of the first ever special forces mission to life inGuy Ritchie’s upcoming action rompThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Long before that, Cavill had a small but pivotal role in an adaptation of one of the most underrated literary adaptations put to screen:The Count of Monte Cristo.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
The British military recruits a small group of highly-skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.
‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Is a Timeless Tale of Revenge
Based on the novel of the same name byAlexandre Dumas,The Count of Monte Cristocenters on Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviziel), who is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Edmond breaks out of jailand seeks revenge on those who framed him, including his former friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce). Fernand is married to Edmond’s lover, Mercedes (Dagmara Domińczyk), whom he had lusted after and the two have a son named Albert (Henry Cavill).Part of Edmond’s scheme involves staging Albert’s kidnapping, after which he steps in to save the boy.
Dumas was also famous for writing another novel,The Three Musketeers,which sawmore than its fair share of adaptationsover the years.MusketeersandMonte Cristoalso share a fair amount of swashbuckling action throughout their respective stories, along with ties to French history and customs. But what makesMonte Cristoa compelling tale is the tragedy at the center of it. Edmond not only lost Mercedes to Fernand, but his father ends up killing himself after learning of Edmond’s imprisonment. DirectorKevin Reynoldsembraces this tragic element. This is most prominent in the sequence where Edmond and his newfound companion, Jacopo (Luis Guzman), find a treasure trove that Edmond was entrusted with. When Jacopo asks what he plans to do with the treasure,Edmond says it’s but a means to an end. He says this rather quietly, but there is a fire smoldering in his eyes — a righteous fury that wins over the audience and keeps them invested in Edmond as he navigates high society and crosses swords with his foes.
Henry Cavill’s Best Performance Was In a Netflix Movie You’ve Never Heard Of
No, Henry Cavill’s best role is not Superman or Geralt of Rivia.
Henry Cavill Turns Out To Be the Best Part of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’
WhileThe Count of Monte Cristofeatures a talented cast,Henry Cavill is the standout.Part of this is due to the character he plays; while most of the adults inThe Count of Monte Cristoare plotting against each other for their own gain, Albert is open and honest, not to mention fiercely loyal to the people he loves. When Edmond finally confronts Fernand, Albert is willing to pick up a sword to defend his father. The climax is where the biggest secret of all is revealed:Albert is actually Edmond’s son. Mercedes was pregnant with him before Edmond was arrested. This revelation adds weight toan already emotionally charged scene, especially when Edmond and Albert cradle a wounded Mercedes.
Cavill’s performance as Albert is understated while being emotional. It’s a trait that’s played across all of his characters: Superman tends to be fairly level-headed until the people he loves are put in danger, and Geralt of Rivia is a man of few words. Cavill has even returned to the world of period pieces with theEnola Holmesfranchise, where he plays the famous detective Sherlock Holmes — brother ofMillie Bobby Brown’s titular sleuth. In the films, he manages to capture Holmes' methodical behavior without lacking a distinct warmth for his sister that’s missing in the other versions of the character.
The Count of Monte Cristois worth a watch, both for how it manages to adapt a classic novel about revenge and how it showcases Henry Cavill’s talents. With Cavill being attached to projects including an upcoming adaptation of theWarhammer 40,000adaptation andThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,Monte Cristois a nice look back at where Cavill began.
The Count of Monte Cristois available to rent from Amazon Prime in the U.S.
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