THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO

HOME    SITE INDEX   CATAMARAN HULL    SOLAR PANELS    ELECTRIC MOTORS    BATTERIES   CREW    EXPEDITION    SPONSORS  GOODIES


Author:   Alexandre Dumas

First edition:

Le Conte de Monte-Cristo, historical novel written with Maquet. It was first published in serial form by "Journal des Debats" in 1844 and later on it was compilled in volume form by Dentu in 1845.

Main illustrators:  Riou Rouil

In short:

In the port of Marseille, Edmond Dantès is unjustly accused of treason on his wedding day with Mercedes, and is sent to Le Château d'If, an island prison. He meets another prisoner there, finds out why he was framed, and by whom (a cousin of his wife called Mondego). He decides to take revenge on the people involved in his imprisonment. One night, he is told of a great treasure left on the Island of Monte-Cristo. He escapes after fourteen years, finds the treasure and assumes the title of the Count of Monte-Cristo.

Selection of edition:

The Count of Monte-Cristo, illustrated by Mead Schaeffer, New York : Dodd, Mead, [n.d.]
Le Comte de Monte-Christo, illustrated by Riou, J. Rouff, 1887.
Le Comte de Monte-Christo, illustrated by C. Rouil, Hachette, 1993.

More about it:  Jules Verne got his source of inspiration for Michel Strogoff when reading Dumas' classic.

Adaptations:  "Le Comte de Monte Cristo", French and Italian film by Robert Vernay, 1953.

Gerard Depardieu

Details: Produced by GMT, DD Productions (Depardieu's company), and TF1 (French TV company), 1998, filmed in Naples, Marseilles, Malta and Paris.  Directed by Josée Dayan (Balzac, Les Misérables).  Screenplay by Didier Decoin, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas. 

Cast:  Depardieu plays Edmond Dantes aka the Count of Monte Cristo.  Co-starring Ornella Muti, Christopher Thompson, Sergio Rubini, Stanislas Merhar, Florence Darel, Julie Depardieu and Guillaume Depardieu.

Plot Summary: 
Edmond Dantès is an upright young ship's officer engaged to his love, Mercedes.  His life is shattered when he's framed for treason.  Responsible are his two best friends (Mondego and Danglars) who betrayed him and the prosecutor (Villefort)  who framed Dantes to spare the real traitor -- Villefort's own father.  Eighteen years later, Dantes escapes prison to seek his revenge.  Disguised as the Count of Monte Cristo, he goes to Paris to fascinate -- and destroy -- his enemies.

For those who want a more indepth recounting, I've included the episode summaries from the DVD:

Episode One Summary:  The first episode begins in the notorious prison, Château D'If, where Edmond Dantes (Depardieu) has been savagely held without trial under the false charge of political treason.  After 18 torturous years he daringly escapes from captivity and on the barren isle of Monte Cristo finds a buried treasure of gold and jewels bequeathed to him by a dying inmate.  Determined to seek vengeance and find his lost love Mercedes, Dantes uses his vast wealth to assume a new identity -- the cold-hearted, enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo.  With the help of his servant Bertuccio, he embarks on a journey to bring justice to the three men responsible for his imprisonment:  Mondego and Danglars, who conspired against him, and Villefort, the attorney who sent him to prison to protect his own father.

Episode Two Summary: 
Edmond Dantes arrives in Paris to begin his quest for revenge.  After being instructed in the ways of polite society by his confidant Bertuccio, Dantes establishes a reputation as a charming and wealthy aristocrat under the guise of the Count of Monte Cristo.  Using his new identify, Dantes gains acceptance with the Count de Morcef, a man who years earlier as Mondego denounced him as a traitor and married his fiancée Mercedes.  Realizing that he will need a female companion with whom he can be seen at public functions, Dantes courts Camilla de la Richardais, a beautiful recluse widow.  He then pursues the betrayers Danglers and Villefort, devising a plan to torment his enemies at a luncheon on the Richardais estate.

The Count and Mercedes


Episode Three Summary:  Dantes continues further along his path of vengeance.  Using both financial influence and calculated deception, he forces Danglars' bank into economic ruin.  During a failed burglary of Monte Cristo's estate, Toussaint, the illegitimate son of Villefort, murders  a man and is captured.  Meanwhile, two mysterious deaths convince Dantes that Villefort's wife, Heloise, is slowly poisoning her family.  He sends Bertuccio to protect their daughter, Valentine, after learning that she is in love with Maximilien Morrel, a young man under his guardianship.  Following the discovery of Morcef's corrupt past in the military, Dantes offers the damaging information to the press.  As the lives of those who betrayed him slowly crumble, Dantes ruthless plan enters its final stages.

Episode Four Summary: Morcef is found guilty of treason after Dantes brings an unexpected witness to testify before the floor of the National Assembly.  He fakes Valentine's death, leaving Villefort to think that his wife succeeded in poisoning their daughter.  Dantes then confronts the attorney with the horrific news that he will have to prosecute his son for murder.  All Danglars'  investments collapse, and the banker flees to Paris a penniless man, fearing for his life.  With his revenge complete and his enemies ruined, Dantes makes arrangements to return to Marseilles with Camille, but fate, personal redemption, and undying love stand in the way of their future together.

Chapter 1        Marseilles -- the Arrival.

On the 24th of February, 1810, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.

As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d'If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island.

Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city.

The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomegue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred, it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering the Pharaon towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot.

The vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Reserve basin.

When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the ship's bulwarks.

He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger.

"Ah, is it you, Dantes?" cried the man in the skiff. "What's the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness aboard?"

"A great misfortune, M. Morrel," replied the young man, -- "a great misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave Captain Leclere."

"And the cargo?" inquired the owner, eagerly.

"Is all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But poor Captain Leclere -- "

"What happened to him?" asked the owner, with an air of considerable resignation. "What happened to the worthy captain?"

"He died."

"Fell into the sea?"

"No, sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony." Then turning to the crew, he said, "Bear a hand there, to take in sail!"

All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner.

"And how did this misfortune occur?" inquired the latter, resuming the interrupted conversation.

"Alas, sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest, sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six pound shot at his head and his heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly," added the young man with a melancholy smile, "to make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else."

"Why, you see, Edmond," replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at every moment, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me that the cargo -- "

"Is all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage."

Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted: "Stand by there to lower the topsails and jib; brail up the spanker!"

The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war.

"Let go -- and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.

"Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel," said Dantes, observing the owner's impatience, "here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning."

The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantes flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantes was beloved by them.

"Well, M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?"

"Yes -- yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man."

"And a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son," replied Danglars.

"But," replied the owner, glancing after Dantes, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, "it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from any one."

"Yes," said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting any one, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct."

"As to taking command of the vessel," replied Morrel, "that was his duty as captain's mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs."

"The vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going ashore, and nothing else."

"Dantes," said the shipowner, turning towards the young man, "come this way!"

"In a moment, sir," answered Dantes, "and I'm with you." Then calling to the crew, he said -- "Let go!"

The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantes continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors, and square the yards!"

"You see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already, upon my word."

"And so, in fact, he is," said the owner.

"Except your signature and your partner's, M. Morrel."

"And why should he not have this?" asked the owner; "he is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full experience."

A cloud passed over Danglars' brow. "Your pardon, M. Morrel," said Dantes, approaching, "the vessel now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I think?"

Danglars retreated a step or two. "I wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?"

"I do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand."

"Then did you see him, Edmond?"

"Who?"

"The marshal."

"Yes."

Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantes on one side, he said suddenly -- "And how is the emperor?"

"Very well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him."

"You saw the emperor, then?"

"He entered the marshal's apartment while I was there."

"And you spoke to him?"

"Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir," said Dantes, with a smile.

"And what did he say to you?"

"Asked me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son. `Ah, yes,' he said, `I know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.'"

"Pardieu, and that is true!" cried the owner, greatly delighted. "And that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantes, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldier's eyes. Come, come," continued he, patting Edmond's shoulder kindly, "you did very right, Dantes, to follow Captain Leclere's instructions, and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble."

"How could that bring me into trouble, sir?" asked Dantes; "for I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and the customs inspectors coming alongside." And the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said, --

"Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?"

"Yes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars."

"Well, so much the better," said the supercargo; "for it is not pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty."

"Dantes has done his," replied the owner, "and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay."

"Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantes given you a letter from him?"

"To me? -- no -- was there one?"

"I believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his care."

"Of what packet are you speaking, Danglars?"

"Why, that which Dantes left at Porto-Ferrajo."

"How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?"

Danglars turned very red.

"I was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin, which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantes."

"He did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there be any letter he will give it to me."

Danglars reflected for a moment. "Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you," said he, "not to say a word to Dantes on the subject. I may have been mistaken."

At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew.

"Well, my dear Dantes, are you now free?" inquired the owner.

"Yes, sir."

"You have not been long detained."

"No. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them."

"Then you have nothing more to do here?"

"No -- everything is all right now."

"Then you can come and dine with me?"

"I really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done me."

"Right, Dantes, quite right. I always knew you were a good son."

"And," inquired Dantes, with some hesitation, "do you know how my father is?"

"Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately."

"Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room."

"That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence."

Dantes smiled. "My father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven."

"Well, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you."

"I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay."

"True, Dantes, I forgot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father -- the lovely Mercedes."

Dantes blushed.

"Ah, ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste, Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!"

"She is not my mistress," replied the young sailor, gravely; "she is my betrothed."

"Sometimes one and the same thing," said Morrel, with a smile.

"Not with us, sir," replied Dantes.

"Well, well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?"

"No, sir; I have all my pay to take -- nearly three months' wages."

"You are a careful fellow, Edmond."

"Say I have a poor father, sir."

"Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three months' voyage."

"Then I have your leave, sir?"

"Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me."

"Nothing."

"Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?"

"He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days."

"To get married?"

"Yes, first, and then to go to Paris."

"Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner, patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without her captain."

"Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?"

"If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone -- `He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best."

"Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercedes."

"That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes, and afterwards come to me."

"Shall I row you ashore?"

"No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?"

"That is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty."

"But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars remain?"

"Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess the owners' confidence."

"That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient you are."

"Then I have leave?"

"Go, I tell you."

"May I have the use of your skiff?"

"Certainly."

"Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!"

"I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you."

The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai d'Orleans.

The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much character to what is said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantes.

Chapter 1  Chapter 2  Chapter 3  Chapter 4  Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8  Chapter 9  Chapter 10  

Chapter 11  Chapter 12   Chapter 13  Chapter 14  Chapter 15  Chapter 16  Chapter 17  Chapter 18  Chapter 19  Chapter 20  

Chapter 21  Chapter 22  Chapter 23  Chapter 24  Chapter 25  Chapter 26  Chapter 27  Chapter 28  Chapter 29  Chapter 30 

Chapter 31   Chapter 32  Chapter 33  Chapter 34I  Chapter 35  Chapter 36  Chapter 37  Chapter 38  Chapter 39  Chapter 40

Chapter 41  Chapter 42  Chapter 43  Chapter 44I  Chapter 45  Chapter 46  Chapter 47  Chapter 48  Chapter 49  Chapter 50 

Chapter 51  Chapter 52  Chapter 53  Chapter 54  Chapter 55  Chapter 56  Chapter 57  Chapter 58  Chapter 59  Chapter 60  

Chapter 61  Chapter 62  Chapter 63  Chapter 64  Chapter 65  Chapter 66  Chapter 67  Chapter 68  Chapter 69  Chapter 70  

Chapter 71  Chapter 72  Chapter 73   Chapter 74  Chapter 75  Chapter 76  Chapter 77  Chapter 78 I  Chapter 79  Chapter 80  

Chapter 81  Chapter 82  Chapter 83  Chapter 84  Chapter 85  Chapter 86  Chapter 87  Chapter 88  Chapter 89  Chapter 90 

Chapter 91  Chapter 92  Chapter 93  Chapter 94  Chapter 95  Chapter 96  Chapter 97  Chapter 98  Chapter 99  Chapter 100  

Chapter 101  Chapter 102  Chapter 103  Chapter 104  Chapter 105  Chapter 106  Chapter 107  Chapter 108  Chapter 109  Chapter 110  

Chapter 111   Chapter 112  Chapter 113  Chapter 114  Chapter 115  Chapter 116  Chapter 117  

CONTACT:  nelson@solarnavigator.net  07905 147709 (UK)

 

This website is Copyright © 1999 & 2004  NJK.   The bird logo and name Solar Navigator are trademarks. All rights reserved.  All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged.       www.maxenergy.org  is an environmental educational charity.

SPEED ACE  INDEX   SOLAR CARS   TORPEDO  LEAD-WEDGE  SILVER-EAGLE  BATTERY-BOX  BE1  LIGHTNING-ROD  BE2  W-LIGHTNING  BUCKEYE BULLET EMOTION BE3

BLUEBIRD HOMEPAGE  PARRY THOMAS  HENRY SEAGRAVE  JOHN COBB  MALCOLM CAMPBELL  DONALD CAMPBELL  CRAIG BREEDLOVE  KEN WARBY  RICHARD NOBLE   DON VESCO