Kings To Me

             The Count of Monte Cristo is a tale about friendship, betrayal, and vengeance. It is a mans journey to rediscovering his faith in God and in friendship. .
             James Caviezel stars as Edmond Dantes, a man of little means surrounding himself in high class society and is ultimately betrayed by his best friend Fernand Mondego, played by Guy Pearce. Dantes is second mate on the merchant ship Pharaon. He defies first mate Danglars, played by Albie Woodington, by taking a detour to the Island of Elba when learning of his captain's brain fever. This happens to be the island where Napoleon has been exiled. While on the island Napoleon gives Dantes a letter of treasonous affairs, contents Dantes knows nothing of because he can't read.
             Fernand, son of a count, witnesses the exchange of the letter without Dantes" knowledge. Mondego has always wanted to be Dantes, who always finds good in anything he does. Fernand gets anything he wants and is still not content. His jealousy turns to betrayal with the help of Danglars.
             With the death of the former Captain, Dantes is made the new Captain of the Pharaon once they return to their home of Marseilles. Danglar and Fernand inform the chief magistrate Villefort, played by James Frain, of Dantes" crime where he is charged with treason and sent to the Chateau d"if. After just a few days of his imprisonment Villefort sends a letter to Dantes" family and fiance, Mercedes, played by Dagmara Dominczyk, informing them of his execution.
             Dantes cannot believe what has happened to him. For the first few years he looks to the inscription chiseled on his jail cell wall which states "God will give me justice," for comfort and peace of mind. Slowly God leaves his mind and the only thing that keeps him alive is the thought of getting his revenge and seeing the face of his beloved, Mercedes.
             While at the Chateau d"if, Edmond meets Faria played by Richard Harris, an older inmate who accidentally digs a tunnel into Dantes" cell thinking that he is going to end up outside of the jail walls.