Excellent movie, one of my faves as well--and terribly underrated. I've heard from people who've read the book that the movie was actually better, which is something you don't see every day.
i love the idea off - a good person rising from the dead (extreme betrayal and misfortune) to make your oppressor pay for what he did, through the use off power and extreme wealth !!! and off course the leading lady Mercedes is hot !!! although in the book he goes off and marries the daughter off his dads frens.....