The Count Of Monte Cristo (1975)

The victim of a plot by three jealous enemies, a young sea Captain (Richard Chamberlain) is arrested the day before his marriage and sentenced to life imprisonment on an island prison. After almost 16 years in prison, he escapes with the knowledge of a treasure map from a fellow prisoner. When he returns to Paris, it is as the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo and he will have his revenge on those who did him wrong. Based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas and directed by David Greene. This is a wonderful adaptation of the Dumas novel although like all the other film versions, it is changed considerably. Dumas' novel is over 1,000 pages in unabridged form and no 2 hour film is going to do it justice. Characters and plot points are omitted but judging it on what it is and not on what it is not, this is very good. Chamberlain gives a strong central performance but the rest of the cast particularly Louis Jourdan, Donald Pleasence and Trevor Howard make indelible impressions. Greene's direction from Sidney Carroll's economical screenplay keeps a tight grasp on the proceedings and the energy never flags. With Tony Curtis, Kate Nelligan, Dominic Guard, Anthony Dawson and Taryn Power (Tyrone's daughter).