The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975)

A young officer, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

Sidney Carroll (screenplay), Alexandre Dumas père (novel) (as Alexandre Dumas)

Stars:

Richard Chamberlain, Trevor Howard, Louis Jourdan

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Chamberlain	...	Edmond Dantes
Trevor Howard	...	Abbe Faria
Louis Jourdan	...	De Villefort
Donald Pleasence	...	Danglars
Tony Curtis	...	Fernand Mondego
Kate Nelligan	...	Mercedes
Angelo Infanti	...	Jacopo
Harold Bromley	...	M. Morrell
George Willing	...	Andre Morrell
Alessio Orano	...	Caderousse
Ralph Michael	...	M. Dantes
Dominic Barto	...	Bertuccio
Harry Baird	...	Ali
Isabelle De Valvert	...	Haydee (as Isabelle de Valvert)
Taryn Power	...	Valentine De Villefort

Storyline

A TV adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel. Edmond Dantes is falsely accused by those jealous of his good fortune, and is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the notorious island prison, Chateau d'If. While imprisoned, he meets the Abbe Faria, a fellow prisoner whom everyone believes to be mad. The Abbe tells Edmond of a fantastic treasure hidden away on a tiny island, that only he knows the location of. After many years in prison, the old Abbe dies, and Edmond escapes disguised as the dead body. Now free, Edmond must find the treasure the Abbe told him of, so he can use the new-found wealth to exact revenge on those who have wronged him.

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Plot Keywords:

treasure | escape | prison | revenge | prisoner | 

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Taglines:

The classic tale of romance, revenge and retribution.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

El conde de Monte Cristo

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Norman Rosemont Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min (theatrical) 104 min (theatrical) 99 min (PAL DVD) 107 min (US pay cable)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anthony Dawson, who portrayed Noirtier de Villefort, father of Prosecutor Gérard de Villefort, portrayed by Louis Jourdan, was just five years older than Jourdan.

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Goofs

After Caderousse punches his nemesis, the guy drops his cane down the stairs. Yet, when the camera shows him laying on ground, he is still holding it.

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Quotes

Danglars: This is impossible...
Girard: It is an official telegram, sir.
Danglars: "King Don Carlos has taken Spain under control. Civil war is in force." War? What does it have to do with the bonds?
Girard: If I would suggest...
Danglars: Well suggest, suggest, SUGGEST!
Girard: Sell everything as quick as possible.
Danglars: Yes, indeed! Sell every bond!
Girard: The moment the exchange opens.
Danglars: My reputation, the reputation of the bank! I invested my customers' money on a civil war! Are we losing our customers? Do you have any more suggestions?
Girard: Yes. Make good all ...
[...]

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Connections

Version of Novela: El conde de Montecristo (1969)

User Reviews

Fine Fun for two hours- captures the essence of the story

This movie is excellent, especially compared to the new version with James cavaziel, which is much longer, and still does not touch on the depth and characters, this 75' version was somehow able to do. As well Chamberlain, was able to show through voice and appearance, changes of appearance from the young man of 19 to the man in he would be in his late 30's. If they didnt capture every subplot, they covered most of them, in more pared down fashion. Its a shame this was not made into a miniseries at the time on tv. It would likely have been excellent. You can tell from the cuts in the movie, that there was a longer one there, that couldnt be aired due to time constraints. Nevertheless, excellent, american production of the film, though not as good as the version with Gerard Depardieu, Chamberlain, himself, cuts a finer figure as the count, at least in is look. Chamberlain had assurance, picked a voice to use in the film, which I point out, because in the 2002 version, Cavaziel, had this very problem and never was able to be comfortable in how he delivered his lines or his appearance. Great Film catch it while you can.