![]() ![]() He has become, in Mercedes' words, an 'avenging angel', no longer a man. One by one, ensnaring them through their weakness and their lust for his unearned wealth, he causes them to be ruined or find death or a prison cell. His sweetheart Mercedes has married one of the four and has a son but even she fails to recognize him when he turns up as the darling of Paris, the most-sought-after man in French society. Four men are his target, the men who have profited from their evil deed against him. And with that, he becomes "The Count of Monte Cristo," one of the richest men in the world, a man who can have the revenge Edmond Dantes was denied by those whose business should have been justice. Recruiting loyal friends among the smugglers, he finds the five-centuries-old treasure. He vows revenge and seizes the means to it-the treasure of Monte Cristo. He becomes a valued man, and learns that his father has starved to death during his absence. Then they rescue him and take him in among them, for his knowledge of seamanship and more. ![]() It is his bad fortune to have to swim for hours before he can find so much as a floating log. Thrown into the sea, he uses a knife to escape and survives the fall and near-drowning in good condition. ![]() Substituting himself after shifting the Abbe to his own cell, he waits. He returns to the cell where the Abbe's body has been sewn into a bag for disposal into the sea. But he dies suddenly, after they have worked three years more and Dantes barely escapes before the jailers come, with the map to the treasure and their tools. He tells Dantes of a fabulous treasure on the Island of Monte Cristo, that they will be able to share someday. The two become fellow conspirators, and the learned cleric teaches Dantes all that he has missed in life as they work together to regain their freedom. He at first fears he will go mad then he is found by the Abbe Feria, who was tunneling to escape the island prison where he too has languished, but ended up in Dantes' cell instead. Betrayed by enemies he never knew he had, he is accused of the captain's death and taken away from the woman he loves, his life, his world and imprisoned for fourteen years. Edmond Dantes, a gifted and honest young seafarer has taken command of a ship belonging to his company and brought it home safely after the death of his captain. The story is actually a fairly simple one. Also, Olga Lehmann's costumes help to establish period and mood admirably in my judgment the French period illustrated with its Empire dresses and fitted gentlemen's clothing photographed very nicely. The attractive and varied settings within the production design done by Walter Patriarca as well as the art direction by Andrew Patriarca with Walter Patriarca are very much above-average even for theatrical-release films. The cinematography by Aldo Tinti I find to be memorable, as is the lyrical score by Allyn Ferguson. Even those unable to understand something being of another age but not 'dated' can probably still enjoy what I regard as a very superior production of this classic story. I found it to be modern without committing in any sense a violation of its own century. The feel of the piece is clean, to my eyes, the lighting very bright, the colors intense. Its basis is the famous adventure novel by Alexandre Duimas, the father. The feature was directed by David Greene and written by Sidney Carroll. This is a made-for-television version of "Le Comte de Monte Cristo" which I believe qualifies as a masterwork. irretrieveably lost so many, many years ago. never will he find that perfect love which two young people lost. But I celebrate the Count of Monte Cristo's return to the world of men, and I wish for him from the depths of my heart that will find the peace for which he yearns.Įdmond Dantes: But never. He died a long time ago in the Chateau d'If. ![]() Mercedes: Avenging angels may not ask forgiveness of their victims.Įdmond Dantes: I am no longer the instrument of God! I've been plunged back into nothingness! I'm searching something lost. but to make amends where I've hurt the innocent. I've no particular place in the world, no strong desire in life. a name you so thoroughly destroyed.Įdmond Dantes: That was simple justice, madam, and believe me it brought me no joy. But he has a father and he has his father's name. Mercedes: My son would never permit that.Įdmond Dantes: Once you said he should have been our son. Mercedes: He wants to expiate his father's sins.Įdmond Dantes: Let me join you on your voyage. Edmond Dantes: Mercedes! Where are you traveling? ![]()
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