The Count of Monte Cristo (1975 film)

The Count of Monte Cristo
Directed by	David Greene
Written by	Alexandre Dumas (book) Sidney Carroll
Produced by	add
Starring	Richard Chamberlain Kate Nelligan Tony Curtis Donald Pleasence Trevor Howard
Distributed by	add
Release dates	January 10, 1975
Running time	119 minutes
Languages	English Italian (known as Conte di Montecristo, Il)

The Count of Monte Cristo is a 1975 television film based upon the book The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (père). It was directed by Rowland V. Lee and starred Richard Chamberlain as Edmond Dantes, Kate Nelligan as Mercedes, Tony Curtis as Fernand Mondego, Donald Pleasence as Danglars, and Trevor Howard as Abbe Faria.

This version was nominated for two Emmys: Richard Chamberlain for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy, and Trevor Howard for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special.

This version tends to emphasize the complex psychological drama that unfolds in which Chamberlain (as Dantes) manipulates characters until the final magnificent swordfight with Curtis (as Mondego). The courtroom scene in which Chamberlain brings down Louis Jourdan (as crown prosecutor De Villefort) is a highlight of the film.

In contrast to other film versions, this one was originally made for television in the days before the VCR or CD player. For years, it was annually featured as an evening movie. The present tapes and CDs take out the commercials, but the timing and scene shifting remain. This tends to mimic the book by Dumas, which also shifted scenes between the characters.

External links

• The Count of Monte Cristo at IMDb