The Count of Monte-Cristo ( Il Conte di Montecristo ) [DVD]

I think Chamberlain is a great actor and this is one of the films that cements his legend. I have the DVD version and I purchased this blu-ray expecting better - Unfortunately this is not it!The sound is so-so, but the picture definitely has grainy artifacts which show up particularly well on a 55" tv.I would have expected at least a little work to be done on the print before transfering to blu-ray. What extra's there are, are basically jpg's; a cinema poster or two and stills from the film.The menu is pretty crappy as well, straight in on inserting no music or chapter marks even though you can forward and back once the film has started using chapter forward and reverse.Having just watched the blu-ray I gave the DVD a look again and I am sorry to say that quality wise the DVD and Blu-ray are the same.Hardly worth the money.

All film versions of the Count Of Monte Cristo are going to be compared to the classic Robert Donat version from 1934. What the 1934 film did was take the core of the revenge story from the many elements and threads in the book and add swashbuckling (there are no sword fights in the book), and changed the ending to keep the punters happy - brilliant. This TV film from 1975 takes more from the book, but simply had no time to fit it all in.We're left with a quick parade of characters with little or no back story, often keeping only their name from the book and none of their character, who pop up with a few exposition laden lines. The swashbuckling from the 1934 film is kept, the truncated revenge elements are rearranged and lack the depth to show that the men are undone by their own actions, and the bittersweet ending from the book retains only the bitter elementsIt would have made a great mini series, but there's simply too much going on to cover in two hours. Had they followed the 1934 model and taken a simpler version from the many threads in the book it would have been much more effective. That said, it trundles along quite neatly, and the attempts to make a middle aged Tony Curtis look like a teenager add some unintended amusement

Excellent film starring Richard Chamberlain (1975). As commented elsewhere, there is some grain in some of the early outdoor scenes but which can be reduced by adjusting the "Noise" setting in a TV. Plays in a Region B player.

Pure escapism! Excellent film quality, good acting, brilliant storyline and Richard Chamberlain! What more could you ask for? Absolutely loved it xx

One of my favourite films. Used to be on ITV regularly up until about, ooh 20 years ago.A satisfying story of revenge I am sure we all (?) daydream we all could exact on those that have crossed us. Just wouldnt want to be banged up in a rock cell for 30 odd years meself though.

The old ones are the best, l hate these films that are remakes, they are never as good

Like the film and star will make a good present for Mum for Christmas an extra that was worth the money and came when expected

I love this film, Richard Chamberlain is brill as Edmund Dantes, Louis Jordans not bad either, as his ‘mentor’....