Classic 'Count' tale reborn on DVD

The latest retelling of Alexandre Dumas' classic swashbuckling tale, "The Count of Monte Cristo," has finally hit the DVD racks in video stores. The 131-minute film, released by Spyglass Entertainment, stars Guy Pearce and James Caviezel in a web of of intricate plot and subplot. Overall, it's a well-crafted adaptation. \nThe DVD's main menu is available after you watch a folded parchment letter sealed with wax spin around on the screen for a few revolutions against a sunset-like background. When the letter opens, the main menu is available. \nThis DVD, distributed by Touchstone Home Video, allows you to play "An Epic Reborn" and get the behind-the-scenes information on the filmmaking process. You can watch the raw footage from different angles and also get the low-down on the layer-by-layer sound design. The ever-present audio commentary is an option as well.\nBut every DVD viewer's favorite part is there, too -- the deleted scenes.\nBy playing the introduction, you can watch director Kevin Reynolds explain a brief work history on camera and why he deleted the scenes he did. A slight letdown is that there are only four scenes that hit the can. Titles of the deleted scenes include "Fernand and Danglars," "The Villeforts," "Mercedes and Fernand" and the "Villefort's Arrest," which shows more about the arrest of the chief prosecutor and the film's legal-eagle bad guy, Villefort.\nIt's a little annoying at first because, before showing the deleted scene in question, the film editor and director are on camera again talking about why they deleted the scene. This paltry selection of scenes are nonetheless interesting for the very simple reason that they are just that: deleted scenes.\nThe combination of an excellent film, combined with fantastic presentation of graphics on the menus of this DVD, make this a definite rental.