Here are two films that bravely explore the worlds of classic literature and ancient Greek history. They bring these eras to life in strong cinematic fashion. 

The Count of Monte Cristo (Amazon Prime on Demand) - This is reputed to be the most expensive French production of 2024, an expansive, high-brow film adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel. Notable French superstar Pierre Niney is Edmond Dantes, and it’s directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patelliere - the thinking possibly going in was that with a project as big as this, two directors would be required. With a running time that comes close to three hours, there must have come that point when the producers would have been thinking of a Limited Series for streaming. We can be more faithful to the 1844 novel or come up with a screenplay that stays true to the book's essence, but we cut to the chase and loop off scenes in the process. 

However, they resolved that question, which we now have as a cinematic adventure quite like no other in scope, vision, and execution. It’s shot in high definition with seemingly no expense spared in terms of location, set designs, costumes, and the use of horses, sailing ships, and subterranean chambers. Niney is committed to bringing to life the character of Edmond Dantes, the blackballed convict sent to an island prison, and the Comte. Niney doesn’t put a foot wrong in the portrayal; even when the morally questionable or lurid decisions of the Comte are set into motion, Niney keeps a straight face throughout. It’s a lavish adaptation that the French film industry can be proud of. What is funny to observe is that it was Emilia Perez and not this film that represents France in the Oscars race for Best International Feature.  

The Return (Amazon Prime on Demand) - Resurrecting ancient Greek history and literature will always be a high-stakes gamble in cinema. One can go to Gladiator and Ancient Rome or Greek with the gods in animated format, like Hercules. But other than the camp version of Troy, we don’t often see producers ready to risk it all with a serious, toga-filled romance drama. But this is what we get with The Return, which chronicles the exile of Penelope and her son Telemachus on the island of Ithaca. There, she awaits the return of her husband and King, Odysseus, from Troy. It’s been years, and for many, he’s presumed dead or has deserted his family and people. There are suitors outside the castle walls, waiting for Penelope to choose a new husband and turn the new husband into a ruler.

That’s your basic set-up until a shipwreck heralds the return of a man, who at first seems nothing more than a Greek soldier who had found his way back home. Of course, this soldier (Ralph Fiennes) becomes the object of interest, scorn, then fear. With Juliette Binoche playing Penelope, it’s evident that casting took a primary role in green-lighting this film. Binoche and Fiennes were first paired onscreen in the 1996 film The English Patient. It is considered one of the great modern romantic films, so it was a re-teaming that spurred this film to be made, directed by Uberto Pasolini. Charlie Plummer takes on the role of Telemachus. While there are interesting portrayals among the band of suitors for Penelope’s hand, it’s evident that this film is all about Binoche and Fiennes.