The Count of Monte Cristo Reviews

The oft-told tale by Alexandre Dumas pere was never better served than in this Edward Small production, with Robert Donat giving one of his finest performances. He is the wronged man, sailor Edmond Dantes, who has just received a promotion and is about to marry the beautiful Mercedes (Elissa Landi) when he is framed and imprisoned in the terrible sea-locked Chateau d'If, where he languishes for years. While wasting away in captivity, he meets an imprisoned clergyman (O.P. Heggie) who tells him of a fabulous pirate treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. From that moment on Edmond works to escape from the prison and travel to Monte Cristo, where he will establish a new identity and wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned him. Donat is captivating as the good-hearted victim and the cool seeker of justice, measuring his vengeance with subtle moves and slow deliberation. Producer Small spared no expense in this lavish, technically top-notch production and director Rowland V. Lee, who aided in the adaptation, lends his usual flair for high drama and action.