MovieChat Forums > The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975) Discussion > Great Version

Great Version

posted 18 years ago by dougglenn1215
8 replies | jump to latest

In the days of network tv dominence, near the dawn of cable, before the mini-series became a common form, before home video was even a consideration, we got made for tv movies of the classics. This was one of them.

Chamberlain does an outstanding job as Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo. Although much shorter than many versions, they pack in a lot of plot. I think this well illustrates Dantes' desperation, his thankfulness to his mentor and friend (the Abbé Faria) and his ruthlessless in his vengeance.

The ending does credit to the less-than-happy rewards of vengeance no matter how just.

[–] www-capitalcorner-de 16 years ago

its one of my favorit dantes movies too!
maybe the one i loke most.
i liked the C.D 1998 version to..depardieu (or however he is written) did also a great job..but i dont know why.. chamberlains got more atmosphair i think.
nice someone atlest liked it too :)

[–] AudemarsPiguet 15 years ago

This is the BEST version by far!

[–] crazy4beagles 13 years ago

I agree! I've been thinking of this version for the past several weeks, and found the DVD on Ebay. It's brand new, still sealed, and I was thrilled to find it! I didn't like the later versions of this movie. In my opinion, Richard Chamberlain is absolutely the best as Edmond Dantes.

I first saw this many years ago, and never forgot it. Until a few days ago, I didn't know it was available on DVD. I am SO happy!!

[–] xerses13 13 years ago

crazy4beagles; We saw this when it originally came out as a made for T.V. Movie. Just watched it this Month (12/2010) on Encore and in Wide-Screen presentation, which indicates it was filmed as a Movie release for Europe. No doubt there is more material somewhere too flesh out this presentation and overcome the obvious commercial placement edits!

Rate it IMDB******Six(6) only because that is based on what we could see. Would like to see a 'Directors Cut' with the restored concept. Believe it would jump at least two (2)**Stars!

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kducklin2 13 years ago

Not quite correct: it was originally screened (in the UK at least) as a two-part mini-series; the running time was therefore nearly twice the length of the "movie" version that's presently available on DVD. It would be nice to see a full-length cut one day.

The widescreen presentation was cropped from the original 4:3 frame ratio, a common trick used in the 60s and 70s to prepare US TV productions for foreign cinema release.

"Duck, I says..."

[–] politicon2003 12 years ago

agree absolutely

[–] overseas7 (3524) 3 years ago

Yes it is indeed.