The Count of Monte Cristo (1934)

After greedy men have Edmound Dantes unjustly imprisoned for 20 years for innocently delivering a letter entrusted to him, he escapes to revenge himself on them.

Director:

Rowland V. Lee

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas père (novel), Philip Dunne (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, Louis Calhern

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Donat	...	Edmond Dantes
Elissa Landi	...	Mercedes
Louis Calhern	...	De Villefort Jr.
Sidney Blackmer	...	Mondego
Raymond Walburn	...	Danglars
O.P. Heggie	...	Abbe Faria
Irene Hervey	...	Valentine
Georgia Caine	...	Mme. De Rosas
Walter Walker	...	Morrel
Lawrence Grant	...	De Villefort Sr.
Luis Alberni	...	Jacopo
Douglas Walton	...	Albert
Juliette Compton	...	Clothilde
Clarence Wilson	...	Fouquet
Eleanor Phelps	...	Haydee

Storyline

Edmond Dantes is imprisoned in the Chateau d'If without trial, for carrying a message from Napoleon in exile on Elba. After being told that he died in prison, his fiancé Mercedes is forced to marry his rival Count Mondego. Twenty years later, Dantes escapes with the help of the Abbe Faria, who leaves him the treasure of Monte Cristo. Dantes, now called the Count of Monte Cristo, plans his revenge on the three who framed him.

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Plot Keywords:

escape | revenge | napoleon | prison | dungeon | 

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Taglines:

An Eye For An Eye...But Three Lives Must Pay For Mine!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 September 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Rätsel von Monte Christo

Filming Locations:

RKO-Pathé Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Donat made his only trip to Hollywood during the production of this film. Due mainly to his poor health, he was unable to travel to Hollywood again to film any of his other roles.

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Goofs

During the fencing duel between Dantes and Mondego, in one brief shot near the end Sidney Blackmer holds his sword in his left hand instead of his right, which he does in the rest of the scene. This was obviously a shown in reverse as is often done to add footage.

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Quotes

Edmond Dantes: Please believe I've put my task above the mean level of personal vengeance. I am exposing criminals, not for their sins against myself but for their black injustices to others... not only for what they have done but for what they continue to do. They are the ones devoid of all humanity, the ones that profitted by the sufferings of others.
Mercedes de Rosas: Whom will it profit if you kill my son?
Edmond Dantes: Surely you don't think this duel part of my design!
Mercedes de Rosas: What else am I to think, knowing how skillfully you have destroyed...
[...]

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Connections

Version of The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The World is Mine"
Written by E.Y. Harburg and Johnny Green
Sung by Clarence Muse

User Reviews

A Pledge Of Revenge Classically Filmed

Far more than most adaptations of novels, this version of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO adheres to the novelist's plot and details, and does so to its advantage, as the original is wonderfully full-blooded. The role of Edmond Dantes is played well by Robert Donat, who nicely projects the many moments of peril with which his character deals. The imprisonment and escape scenes at the seabound Château D'If, although of a result certain to the viewer, are neatly mounted to create genuine compassion and suspense. Splendidly cast, a wide range of talent brings splendid balance to each act. The passing from the early tableaux of adventure to the thrust of the story: carefully crafted and complex methods of revenge, is effectively delivered by the scenario. Those who decide to watch this classic film will avoid missing excellent acting from Sidney Blackmer and O.P. Heggie, as well as outstanding art direction and costume design.