El Conde de Monte Cristo on AllMovie

The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas' oft-filmed novel of adventure, intrigue, revenge and justice, was given a class-A treatment in this 3-hour Mexican production. Arturo de Cordova stars as Edmond Dantes, who, betrayed by a sinister conspiracy, is unjustly imprisoned in the Chateau D'If. After a long and laborious escape, Dantes returns to his hometown under the guise of the Count of Monte Cristo, intending to avenge himself against his enemies. Though largely successful in ruining those who wronged him, Dantes' resolve is eventually softened by his longtime sweetheart Mercedes, here renamed Haide and played by musical star Mapy Cortes. Most English-language prints of El Conde de Monte Cristo were severely edited, though a two-part version was prepared for selected showings.