The Count of Monte Cristo

Few stories capture the fever of betrayal and revenge as vividly as Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and Verdi’s Rigoletto. Both works thrust us into worlds where trust is shattered, schemes are hatched, and vengeance becomes an all-consuming force. Edmond Dantès and Rigoletto are each men twisted by deceit — one remade as a mysterious nobleman intent on retribution, the other as a jester plotting a deadly trick against a corrupt Duke.

Yet their journeys diverge. Monte Cristo’s elaborate vengeance dazzles in its scale, leaving audiences exhilarated. Rigoletto’s path, by contrast, collapses under the weight of its own cruelty, ending in heartbreak. Seen side by side, these tales remind us that revenge may promise power, but it often delivers tragedy.

At this screening, Ashley Daniel Foot, Director of Engagement and Civic Practice at Vancouver Opera, will introduce The Count of Monte Cristo and draw out its resonances with Verdi’s operatic masterpiece.

You can then experience Verdi’s Rigoletto live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on October 25 & 30 and November 2, 2025. Moviegoers will receive a special discount code after the screening.

A stunning, emotionally satisfying adventure tale, built on rock-solid source material. Compared to earlier adaptations, this latest version is briskly paced and rousingly acted by an all-around stellar ensemble.

Peter Debruge, Variety

Everything about this robust and very enjoyable retelling of the Alexandre Dumas classic is epic in scale: from the lavish sets and the orchestral score to the bold performances and the hefty running time. But it is an epic approach that is well-earned.

Wendy Ide, Screen International

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