SeussMeTub
Although this made for TV movie has been overshadowed by the other, more famous and lavish versions, this particular adaptation happens to be the most faithful to Dumas' novel.Richard Chamberlain is quite effective as Edmund Dantes, the sailor who is wrongfully imprisoned by three of his former friends who happens to escape many years later to find the lost treasure of Monte Cristo- he dons a new identity as the Count and unleashes a complex but highly satisfying revenge on his enemies.Because of its short running time, it dispenses with many of the novel's subplots but it actually makes this film better because it focuses on Dantes' revenge and does it quite well. The ending is ironic and it seems, the only version that keeps Dumas' original plot intact unlike the big Hollywood version with Jim Caviezel that was made in 2002.Excellent supporting performances by Louis Jourdan as De Villefort (Jourdan actually starred as the Count in a 1961 version of this same movie!), Trevor Howard as the Abbe Faria and Donald Pleasance as the slimy Danglars while Tony Curtis hams it up a bit as the evil Mondego- but his exposure is limited and he is still quite good. Highly recommended.
ozthegreatat42330
As I have stated elsewhere this was a well made adaptation of the Dumas work, but it is not the novel, which is not this feature's fault. Neither have any of the other American versions that I have seen. With the novel the are so many layers of subtlety and subtext in Edmond Dante's search for revenge, and they are not present here.That having been said Richard Chamberlain obviously attacks this role with his usual relish and reveals why he has become one of the top picks for many TV mini-series) Trevor Howard gives a reverent and subtle performance as the Abbe Faria. Donald Pleasance and Louis Jordan are both excellent in their roles as well. Tony Curtis is the souring of the milk as it were. His Count Mondego is just not that believable. While I esteem him in many of his roles over the years he was horribly miscast here. The rest of this cast were well picked and the adventure is there. Actually it is a well done feature considering it had to be made on a television program budget. A better script and big screen budget might have taken this film much further. Still, it is worth a watch. I give it nine thumbs up.
MartinHafer
The Count of Monte Cristo as well as The Man in the Iron Mask were both made for television in the mid to late 1970s and starred the talented Richard Chamberlain. Yet, because they were originally made for TV, they seem to have vanished and I haven't seen either on TV since the early 1980s (though I did copy them to now worn out videotapes). It's a real shame, as they were first-rate and every bit as good as any Hollywood production--maybe better.The Man in the Iron Mask was the better of the two stories, but both are about as good Alexander Dumas stories as you can find. This is due to the overall package--exceptional music, acting, writing and pacing. I simply don't know how you could have made them much better.
warlock
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.
AD
