The Count of Monte Cristo [Le comte de Monte Cristo] ** (1961, Louis Jourdan, Yvonne Furneaux, Pierre Mondy, Franco Silva) – Classic Movie Review 7057

Louis Jourdan charms his way handsomely and swashes a flashy buckle as the falsely sentenced Edmond Dantès through this good-looking and conscientious but unnecessary 1961 French remake of The Count of Monte Cristo [Le comte de Monte Cristo] by director Claude Autant-Lara. With its long running time of 180 minutes, it at least has the virtue of staying close to the Alexandre Dumas Père story, though, just when it needs to be dynamic, it proceeds somewhat lethargically.

It was advertised in the US as ‘All New! All in Color!’ The first bit is not right, there is nothing new, but the second part is. The cinematography in Technicolor by Jean Isnard and Jacques Natteau, and the art direction by Max Douy are impeccable and major assets to the film and enjoyment from it.

Also in the cast are Yvonne Fourneaux as Mercédès, Pierre Mondy as Caderousse, Henri Guisol, Bernard Dhéran, Franco Silva, Jean-Claude Michel, Jean Martinelli, Claudine Coster, Marie Mergey, Yves Rénier, Alain Ferral, Roldano Lupi and Henri Vilbert.

Other versions run at 132 minutes (the US dubbed print released by Warner Bros), 120 minutes and 90 minutes.

Jourdan plays DeVillefort in the much better 1975 Richard Chamberlain remake version, The Count of Monte Cristo.

The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte Cristo) is directed by Claude Autant-Lara, runs 180 minutes, is made by Cineriz, Les Films J J Vital, Les Productions Rene Modiano, Royal and Société Nouvelle des Établissements Gaumont (SNEG) and released by Gaumont (France) and Warner Bros (US), is written by Jean Halain, based on the the Alexandre Dumas Père novel, is shot in Technicolor by Jean Isnard and Jacques Natteau, is produced by René Modiano and Jean-Jacques Vital, and scored by René Cloërec, with art direction by Max Douy.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7057

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