Inklings // August 2024

 Hello, friends!

The last month was pretty quiet from me as the summer just sped by (Olympics!) but now that I'm back at school it seems like a good idea to get one last post in before classes get out of control.

The best bite-sized way to experience stories is through Heidi's Inklings!

How it works:

    1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt, including a link back to the original post in your post.

    2. Leave a link to your post in the comments section of the monthly post and she'll post all your links with the next prompt.

Click HERE to see all of my past entries, and click HERE to see all of the entries for this month! That second link is where she gave the following prompt:

A scene by the ocean in book or film

Because the prompt is for book or film I try to alternate and do a book every other month in between the films but for this month I'm going to break this guideline. The ocean just demands to be represented visually!

My choice is from the 2002 film version of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Mwahaha I just love this poster.

If I had to guess, I'd say this scene happens about 40 minutes into the story. It's about the introduction of new characters so there aren't really spoilers for the ending but without context for why Edmond is there it might be confusing. So continue with your own discretion if you haven't seen this.

Usually what I like to do with scenes from movies is reconstruct it through gifs but I couldn't find any gifs of this scene which is such a pity. Here's the clip of the scene for your full enjoyment!

Now to talk about it! To start off, the cinematography of this movie is incredible and contributes to it being one of my favorite films of all time. This scene in particular has my favorite cinematography of the whole movie! It's the top of the top! I get chills when Edmond is running along the beach, shouting for joy, and slowly we pan over the backs of the pirates in the foreground as Edmond is in the background. It's just EPIC.

My next point is about how iconic Luigi Vampa is. I did not like the book as much of the movie for many reasons, but one of those reasons was Señor Vampa. The book goes into his backstory but you don't need the backstory! Part of what makes him such a thrilling character is the air of mystery that hangs about him. I adore his little smirk after calmly saying "then we slit your throat and are a little short-handed."

Followed by Edmond's diplomacy with "I find smuggling is the life for me and I'd be delighted to kill your friend the maggot." Out of context that is wild but it's SUCH A TIGHT SCRIPT.

Luigi's disappointment that the fight is over so quickly is a hoot. His eye-roll cracks me up.

And of course Jacapo! <3 His loyalty is so fierce and I am here for it.

The final stinger is quoted by my family all the time:

"His name? We shall call him Sátara."

"Sounds fearsome."

"It means driftwood."

Thanks to Heidi for hosting and thanks to all of you for reading! Go check out the other entries HERE!

What are some of your favorite cinematographic moments in film? Do you prefer the book or the movie of The Count of Monte Cristo? Do you prefer characters to remain mysterious or do you want to know all about them? How would you react to escaping from the Chateau d'If?

Chloe the MovieCritic