The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

Sidney Carroll (screenplay)
Alexandre Dumas père (novel)

Release Date:

10 January 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | History

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Treasure | Escape | Prison | Revenge | Island Prison

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

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 Bradley	...	M. Morrell (as Harold Bromley)
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

Also Known As:

Il conte di Montecristo (Italy)

Runtime:

Germany:98 min | UK:103 min (theatrical version) | USA:119 min | Sweden:104 min (theatrical version)

Country:

UK | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | Australia:PG | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | West Germany:12

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

First English-speaking film of Taryn Power.

Quotes:

Valentine De Villefort: [speaking of her paralyzed grandfather Noirtier] My grandfather is a prisoner of his body, monsieur, but his will is like his mind... unconquerable.
Edmond Dantes: He possesses what few men can boast of... the devotion of one loving heart.
Valentine De Villefort: [staring at Monte Cristo] That's a lonely statement, monsieur.

Movie Connections:

Version of Monte Cristo (1929)

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.