Touchstone Pictures original film The Count of Monte Cristo was released January 25th, 2002.
#TheCountofMonteCristo made $75.3M at the international box office / is based on classic literature.
rottentomatoes: 73%
metacritic: 61
imdb: 7.7
Edmond Dantès
Merchant sailor Edmond Dantès unearths ₣80M in gold following a 13 year stint at the Château d’If in Marseilles, France.
“Take the captain beyond the reef till we get permission to bring him ashore. For a moment I thought you were abandoning me. If we don’t get him to a doctor, he will die. Do you understand? Right. Hello! We have to talk to someone. We’re French sailors! We seek medical attention! We come in peace. We mean no harm! Fernand!” — Edmond Dantès
“Sir, I am Edmond Dantès, second mate of the merchant ship Pharaon, on our way home to Marseilles. This is the shipowner’s representative, monsieur Fernand Mondego, son of the count Mondego. Our captain has contracted brain fever, so we put in here for help.” — Edmond Dantès
“Only a scratch. We came to you in good faith! If I hadn’t have shot these dragoons, you might be lying in pieces on the beach right now. I almost got us killed. King’s to you, Mondego. Being your friend is always an adventure. What? What are you talking about?” — Edmond Dantès
“It’s just something we’ve done since childhood. Whenever one of us has had a victory, king of the moment. Yes. He is my captain… and my friend, your majesty. Oh, I-I don’t… then I agree. Monsieur Clarion. How will I find him? I’m a man of my word, your majesty.” — Edmond Dantès
“Oh, um, news from France. That’s all. Are you sure?” — Edmond Dantès
“I accept all responsibility. Thank you.” — Edmond Dantès
“Hey. Hey! Whoo! Mercedes! The missing is over now. No. I’m captain. Come on. Monsieur Morell gave me the Pharaon. Edmond! King’s to me. You’re still the best man.” — Edmond Dantès
“Secrets? No. Why? Ask me anything and I’ll tell you. We don’t have to wait two years anymore. As soon as I can afford the ring, we’ll wed…” — Edmond Dantès
“All I am I owe to you, father. I am. On what charges? I demand an explanation. I demand an explanation! I’ll be back tonight. Don’t worry, father. This is a mistake.” — Edmond Dantès
“Traitor? Elba, yes, I did. Well, we did. I was with the Count Mondego’s son, Fernand, almost the entire time. Do you know Fernand? Oh, there you are. He’ll vouch for me. Except for when Napoleon asked me to deliver a personal letter to a friend in Marseilles. What? No, sir, someone was supposed to find me. It’s… it’s still in my jacket. Here. No, sir, I can’t read. Sir, I swear on my mother’s grave, I had no idea. He swore its contents were innocent. Thank you, sir. Monsieur Clarion. Monsieur Clarion. No, sir, in fact monsieur Mondego knows nothing of this letter. Yes, sir. Thank you. Monsieur Villefort? Monsieur Villefort? Monsieur Villefort!” — Edmond Dantès
“Where are you taking me? This is a mistake. I’m allowed to go home. No! No! No! Fernand! Fernand! It’s all right. He’s right here. Fernand! I’ve been arrested for treason. I barely managed to escape. When we were on Elba, Napoleon gave me a letter. I didn’t tell you because he made me promise not to. He said it was just some note to an old friend. But the bastard lied to me! He lied. It was to one of his agents. Somehow the authorities found out. I don’t know what to do. There’s Gendarmes on horseback right behind me. I hope I haven’t compromised you. I was hoping your father could help me. Minutes. Yes, thank you. Of course not. Stop it, Fernand. I don’t have time for this. It was you? Why didn’t you come to me first? I told you I gave Napoleon my word. He lied to me! You… you read… why are you doing this? Complicated. Get out of my way. Why? In God’s name, why?” — Edmond Dantès
“Monsieur, I know you must hear this a great deal, but I assure you I am innocent. Everyone must say that, I know, but I truly am. Yes. You mock me? God has everything to do with it. He’s everywhere. He sees everything.” — Edmond Dantès
“Come back! Come back! What’s my crime? What’s my crime? I’m innocent!” — Edmond Dantès
“There are 72,519 stones in my walls. I’ve counted them many times. There is no talk of God in here, priest. It’s faded, just as God has faded from my heart. Revenge. To what end? You spoke of escape. My freedom? To read and write? When do we start?” — Edmond Dantès
“I got it. I got it. ‘So neglect becomes… our ally.’ So you were in Napoleon’s army. Did you? How did you come to be here? Why? God is no more real than your treasure, priest.” — Edmond Dantès
“Equals three-and-a-half meters a year, 12 feet, a foot a month. Three inches a week. You were a soldier, priest. So you know weaponry. Teach me. Or dig alone. This is ridiculous. How long must I keep this up? Economics is the science that deals with the production, distribution and consumption of commodities. Dig first, money later.” — Edmond Dantès
“Who do you think? Thus my quest for vengeance is a reaction to the actions of Danglars and Mondego. Yes, that’s true. I’m trying. He asked me… I told him… nothing. He burnt the letter and said I could go. Yes. He was protecting someone. No. No. A politician like Villefort would have rid himself of such friends. Clarion could be a relative. A close relative, possibly… no! Villefort’s father was a colonel in Naopleon’s army. Villefort wasn’t protecting Clarion. He was protecting himself. Danglars, who falsely said he saw Napoleon give me that letter. Mondego, who told Villefort I had it. And Villefort himself, who sent me here.” — Edmond Dantès
“Yes. Well done, priest. I’ll get my chisel. Priest! Don’t talk. Don’t talk. You lied? Monte Cristo? I can’t escape. No, I will surely use it for my revenge. I don’t believe in God. Priest?” — Edmond Dantès
“Good-bye, priest. You’re free now, as I will never be.” — Edmond Dantès
“Thank you, priest. Thank you.” — Edmond Dantès
“Why is that? How do I accomplish all this? What if I win, and I don’t want to be a smuggler? I find that smuggling is the life for me… and would be delighted to kill your friend, the maggot. Perhaps you should get out more.” — Edmond Dantès
“As you hope to live, do not move an eyelash. Senor Vampa, allow Jacopo to live. He’s already suffered enough with the prospect of being buried alive. The men who wanted to see some sport have seen it. Those who wanted mercy for Jacopo will get it. And by keeping me and Jacopo, you will have yet another skilled sailor and fighter for your crew. Sounds fearsome. I know.” — Edmond Dantès
“It was my home. ‘We are kings or pawns,’ a man once said. Napoleon Bonaparte. Someday I may come to find you. A man is always in need of a good friend.” — Edmond Dantès
“Everything’s changed. I want you to buy a boat, just something the two of us can handle. Wait for me to return. I make my next visit alone. Is… is this the home of monsieur Morell? Perhaps he might make an exception… for a man who is seeking E-Edmond Dantes. I apologize for the hour. Monsieur Morell? You knew… Edmond also? I was hoping you could tell me where to find his family. I see. I see. And… this… treason you speak of… who accused him? You seem to have fallen on difficult times yourself, sir. Perhaps your luck is about to change. I shall search out Edmond’s fiancée. Countess? Yes, that’s right. Yes. I must go. Oh, no. You told me what I needed to know. Edmond Dantes is dead.” — Edmond Dantès
“Revenge. Danglars, Villefort, Fernand and Mercedes. No, we will study them, learn their weaknesses. Death is too good for them. They must suffer as I suffered. They must see their world, all they hold dear, ripped from them as it was ripped from me. Then I shall become a count.” — Edmond Dantès
“Greetings. Oh, I am the one honored with your presence. Now, please enjoy yourselves tonight. Where are they? Are you sure you invited them?” — Edmond Dantès
“His finances? Have you looked into his shipping? Make sure we own that bank by tomorrow. Tell the other shipping companies to stay away from Mondego. I want to give him no choice but to crawl back to Danglars. Now, tell the dealers… take it all.” — Edmond Dantès
“Jacopo. After 13 years of sleeping on a stone slab, I can’t. Did you come here for a reason?” — Edmond Dantès
Mercedès Iguanada
“Drive faster. Where is he? Where is Edmond?”
“Will you ever give up? I’d know. I don’t believe in secrets. I know what you want, Fernand. Remember when we were kids and Edmond got that whistle for his birthday, and you got a pony? You were so mad Edmond was happier with his whistle than you were with your pony. I’m not going to be your next whistle. Two years. Two years. That’s all. Then he gets his captain’s papers, and we can marry.”
“There he is. I missed you so. Are you in trouble? Come on. Come on!”
“Stop that. You’ll go bald. Do you keep secrets from me? I don’t need a ring. I don’t. This will be my ring. And no matter what happens, you will never see it off my finger. Ever.”
“No, if you knew him, monsieur, you would know that was not possible. Have mercy, please. Please. Please, just tell us where he is. I will never forget your kindness.”
“Is the viscount Tourville dead? God grant him peace. He did no more than defend his family’s honor. Don’t flatter yourself. I was neither happy nor ignorant, having known about the last three women before madame Tourville.”
“Albert wants to talk with us. Are you afraid he’s going to squander his as you have yours? May I remind you, my love, that in Paris there are mistresses aplenty, but you only have one son. Rome? And no chaperons? You’re only 15. No.”
Abbe Faria
“Forgive my intrusion. But I was under the impression that I… I was digging toward the outer wall. Parlez-vous anglais? Italiano? I am Abbe Faria. I have been prisoner in Chateua d’if for 11 years. Five which have been spent… digging this tunnel. But have you named them yet? Shh, shh. Shh, shh. Once I was as you are now. But I promise, it will pass. I promise, I promise. Now, may I stand on your shoulders?”
“Take me down. Please, take me down now. Take me down. I have not seen the sky these 11 years. Thank you. Thank you, God. What about the… inscription? And what has replaced it? Hold these. Follow me. Perhaps your thoughts of revenge… are serving God’s purpose of keeping you alive… these seven years. Escape. There we go. Yeah. There are only two possibilities of reaching the outer wall… and finally the sea. I simply… I simply chose the wrong one. Now, of course, with two of us, we could dig in the opposite direction. With both of us together, then, of course, we could possibly do it in, oh, eight years. Oh, does something else demand your time? Some pressing appointment, perhaps? In return… for your help, I offer something priceless. No, freedom can be taken away, as you well know. I offer knowledge, everything I have learned. I will teach you, oh, economics, mathematics, philosophy, science. Of course.”
“The slot opens twice a day. Once for your toilet bucket, which is where we hide the dirt. And once in the evening for your plate. Thank you. Between those times we can work all day without fear of discovery. Excellent.”
“We had such dreams then. However, one night… my regiment ran down… a band of guerillas, who ran into a church for sanctuary. I was ordered to burn… down the church… with them inside it. To my everlasting shame, I did. I did. The following day I deserted… to devote my life to repentance… and to God. I worked as private secretary to… the enormously wealthy Count Enrique Spada. Spada was a righteous man. Sadly, a couple of years later, he died… amidst rumors that he had hidden his limitless fortune. Two weeks later, I was arrested. Napoleon wanted Spada’s treasure. He did not believe that I had no idea where it was. So he had me thrown in here to refresh my memory. And so here I’ve remained with only God… for company until he sent me you. Perhaps.”
“Ooh! Hurry. Get it. Compute this. 2,500 cubic centimeters of rock and dust a day… for 365 days. In Italian. Do not waste the light. You force me to walk a fine line, Dantes. The stronger swordsman does not necessarily win. It is speed! Speed of hand. Speed of mind. Now, sweep your hand through the drops… without getting wet. Like this. I am going down the tunnel. Parry. Up. Like that. Time to study. Define economics. Translation.”
“Thank you. Happy Christmas, Edmond. Give or take a month or so. Good. Whom are you fighting? Danglars? Mondego? Good! Too good. We have Newton’s third law. There is a reaction to every action… in physics… and in man. Up, up. I want that seat. You once told me that Villefort had you rearrested just after… he had cleared you of all charges. Then why would he go through that charade… unless he had reason to change his mind about letting you go? Think, Edmond. What happened? And nothing more? Ah. He burned… the letter. Strange that a chief magistrate would burn evidence… of a treasonous conspiracy… and then imprison the only man… who was aware of monsieur Clarion’s connection… to that conspiracy. Ah. A dear friend perhaps? Bravo, Edmond, Edmond.”
“Oh, my God. Oh, oh. Oh. Edmond, light. Light. Quick. Light. Oh, please, God. What is that? Look. Look. Look! Roots. Plant roots. If these are plant roots, then we are only months away. Good. Good. In God’s name, go on. Go on. Go on! Lungs… are punctured. Listen. There’s not much time. Under th-those books, there’s loose rocks. Bring me what you find. Quickly, quickly. Open it. When I told them I did not know… where the treasure of Spada was, I lied. I’m a priest, not a saint. There, on that island off the Italian coast. Yes, yes. Use… use your head. Follow the clues. The tunnel’s blocked. No, keep digging. When you escape, use it for good, only for good. Here now is your final lesson. Do not commit… oh. Do not commit the crime… for which you now serve the sentence. God said, ‘vengeance is mine.’ That doesn’t matter. He believes in you.”
Fernand Mondego
“Fernand Mondego does not abandon his friends in the face of stupid, suicidal danger. However, as monsieur Morell’s official representative on this voyage Edmond, I must officially tell you you have overstepped your bounds as second mate. Officially. There. I’ve covered myself. Of course I understand. Just don’t expect me to do this sober. English dragoons. Dantès, don’t. A little careless, don’t you think? Well, I know, but… come on. Come on. Come on. Edmond! Come on! Climb! Look out! Good. You finally hit something.”
“Edmond! Yes, you did. Yet… we survive. ♪ Donne-Moi encore une bouteille du vin ♪ Whoo-hoo! ♪ Donne-Moi encore una bouteille du vin ♪. Yes, it is, isn’t it? It’s a pity adventurers can’t always be friends though, huh? Well, it won’t always be like this, will it? Nothing. Drink up. We’re drinking Napoleon Bonaparte’s wine.”
“What did he want? Will you be needing me, monsieur Morell? Mercedes. How lovely to see you too. You just missed him, I’m afraid. Could be a while. I think he’s in trouble. He said he’d meet us by the rock. Come on.”
“Make love to me. He doesn’t have to know. So would I. It’d be our little secret. You think Edmond doesn’t have secrets? He does. Ask him. You do? How long do you think it’s going to be before he can afford a wife? Two years. I couldn’t wait two years for anything, particularly a bride like you.”
“Yours is a life truly blessed, Edmond. I know.”
“He claims to be my friend, yet he has the audacity to keep secrets from me.”
“All right. We just have to think. He’s in Paris. He’s very ill. How far back are the Gendarmes? Do you need money? Do you have a pistol? Good. I saw Napoleon give you that letter. Well, it wasn’t just me. It was Danglars’s idea. Why did you keep it a secret from me? I thought you were my friend. I know, Edmond. I read the letter. Oh, it’s complicated. Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t let you go, Edmond. Get away from the window. Don’t make me take off your hand! Because you’re the son of a clerk! And I’m not supposed to want to be you. In here! Wait. To remember better days. I told you it wasn’t always going to be this way, Edmond.”
“We have not met, monsieur. I am Fernand Mondego, the son of Count Mondego. And I am here to swear to Edmond Dantes’s innocence. This is his employer, monsieur Morell, his father, and his fiancée, Mercedes. Of course I do. Murder? I will try to reason with him. I will not give up on Edmond yet. And I shall never cease to give it.”
“Not that I don’t appreciate the embroidery of the crimes, but still, murder? What prompts you to be so accommodating?”
“You’re up early, my dear. Unless his heart is situated somewhere other than the left side of his chest, I suspect he is. Much good it did him. His wife and I were happy in our passion. You were happy in your ignorance. Now comes the viscount’s valiant defense of his honor, and you are pained. She is ruined, and he is dead. I’m sorry you are humiliated. The combination of Paris and me is hardly a recipe for fidelity. And since my attempts at discretion have evidently failed, there seems little point in keeping up pretenses. It’s actually quite… liberating. Wouldn’t you say?”
“Do try to understand. I have a very large consignment of cotton ready to be sent, and I shall make my payment on the ship as soon as it is delivered. So obviously I need the vessel in order to deliver it.”
“I’m prepared to overlook your faults… and perhaps resume our dealings.”
“Not now. Tell him I’m trying to protect his inheritance. I don’t recall hearing your complaints when I elevated you from a fishmonger’s daughter. Please, I must finish this, then I shall be going out. Come in, Albert. For God’s sake, be brief. Of course he can go. I could do with some peace and quiet around here.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
“Lieutenant Graypool. If your thirst for gore demands the death of these poor fools, then by all means shoot them. But do so with the knowledge they are no agents of mine. Now explain yourselves or be shot.”
“Lieutenant Graypool! And wounded pride, no doubt. It has been an eventful evening.”
“I think you’ll find the 1806 the finer vintage. As long as you’re still awake, monsieur Dantes, I wonder… if I might have a word with you.”
“I’m curious. What’s the significance of the chess piece? King of the moment? In life, we’re all either kings or pawns. I’m moved by your effort to save your captain’s life, Dantes. Loyal friends are rare indeed. In fact, it is upon such a matter I wish to speak. I have written a rather sentimental letter to an old comrade in Marseilles. It’s a side of me I prefer the British not see. Since they have a habit of opening my mail, I wonder if you would deliver it for me. It’s just a letter from one old soldier to another. It’s totally innocent, I assure you. But more important, it is the price I demand for the use of my physician. Good. You are to deliver the letter to monsieur Clarion. Can you remember that name? Oh, he will find you. Now, I do not wish this letter’s existence to be known to anyone else. Not even your boon companion back there. Do you understand? Yes, I, uh… I believe you are.”
“Time you were on you way. Your captain has been dead for half an hour. When you have walked as many battlefields as I, young Dantes, you can feel death.”
“Kings and pawns, Marchand. Emperors… and fools.”
Monsieur Morell
“Danglars, what happened? Come to my office and report, Danglars. And you, Edmond. Go.”
“Is this true? It should have been your idea. You were protecting yourself… by hiding behind your rank and staying aboard. Edmond Dantes, I am making you the new captain of the Pharaon. There is no demotion. You will remain first mate under Captain Dantes. Unless, of course, you choose to seek another berth. Now, I imagine there’s a certain young lady… who will want to hear this news.”
“Yes. They did, but they’re not here at the moment. May I say who has called upon them?”
“We are here to plead the case of Edmond Dantes, magistrate. Edmond would never do such a thing. You have proof of this treason? Let’s leave this to Fernand. He can plead the case.”
“Old people never sleep. Sit down, sit down. Julianne, some sherry. So, Monsieur Zatarra, you were a friend of Edmond? Yes? Like a son. Unfortunately, his father hanged himself… after learning of Edmond’s treason. Who knows? Monsieur Villefort, the man who had Edmond arrested, left for Paris soon after to take up the post… of chief prosecutor. Of course, the shock of his father’s violent murder… may also have spurred his departure. They were strange times. After Edmond’s death, I reluctantly took on a partner. One of my captains. And then one day, Danglars forced me out. My fate is nothing compared to Edmond’s. You mean the countess Mondego? Yes. A month after poor Edmond was arrested, Mercedes wed his best friend. Yes, that’s right. And after the death of his father and brother in the war, Fernand became Count Mondego. They live in Paris now. Count and Countess Mondego. Are you all right? I’m sorry I was not more helpful.”
Monsieur Clarion
“Monsieur Morell? I understand you had a ship just returned from Elba, monsieur. Did anyone aboard get ashore there by any chance? Thank you, monsieur. Clarion. The name is Clarion.”
“You know… in the end, treason is a matter of dates. I shall be the patriot, and you the traitor, when the emperor returns. See? Ah! I’m an old ruin. I don’t see as will as I did. You will excuse me.”
Marseilles
“Come about!”
“Monsieur?”
“My grandfather isn’t well, monsieur. Even if he were, he would not receive visitors at 11:00 in the evening.”
Old Man Dantes
“To the new captain of the Pharaon. May this happy moment be but the dawn… of a long and wonderful life for you both. Arrest? Mon dieu.”
“My son is no traitor. It’s impossible. Never.”
French Police
“Which of you is Edmond Dantes? Edmond Dantes, you are under arrest by the order of the magistrate of Marseilles. That information is privileged. Take him.”
“Whoa. Whoa! From now on, your home is the prison Chateau d’if. Hey! Shoot him now! Mount up! Get after him!”
“In here! Get! Hold it. Hold it. Come on!”
“Monsieur Villefort, have you not heard? Napoleon has escaped from Elba! Landed 100 miles from her. He marches on Paris!”
The Chateau d’If
“Move it. Move.”
“There’s a window.”
“Lights out. Lights. Let’s have ’em. Come on. Come on. Lights out. Out. Come on, priest.”
“Plates out. Let’s have it. Oh. Oh, God. He’s always awake. First time in 12 years he hasn’t said ‘thank you.’ Dead. How? Fell off his bed, didn’t he? He’s a bit dirty, isn’t he? They all are. Well, let’s sew him up… and then see Dorleac. One, two, three. Right, let’s get Dorleac. Why’d you lock it? He’s not going anywhere. I don’t know. Habit, I suppose.”
“You ready? One. That’s it. Keep going.”
“Come on. Come on. Monsieur Dorleac! Monsieur Dorleac! No, gov. Stop! Monsieur Dorleac! What do you mean, after three? We throw him at three or before three? After three. One… two… monsieur Dorleac! And th… one… don’t, Mr. Dorleac! Two… don’t throw the body over the cliff! Three!”
“We could have handled that a bit better.”
Warden Armand Dorleac
“Welcome, monsieur Dantes. I am Armand Dorleac, the warden of Chateau d’IF. Innocent. I know. I really do know. No, my dear Dantes. I know perfectly well that you are innocent. Why else would you be here? If you were truly guilty, there are a hundred prisons in France where they would lock you away, but Chateau d’IF is where they put the ones they’re ashamed of. Let’s have a look at your quarters now, shall we?”
“‘God will give me justice.’ People are always trying to motivate themselves. Or they keep calendars, but soon they lose interest or they die. All I’m left with is a rather unsightly wall, I’m afraid. So I conceived of another way to help our prisoners keep track of time. Every year, on the anniversary of their imprisonment, we hurt them. Usually just a simple beating really. Although, on their first day here, in your case, today, I like to do something rather special. And if you’re thinking just now, ‘why me, o God?’ The answer is, God has nothing to do with it. All right? In fact, God is never in France this time of year. All right. Let’s make a bargain, shall we? You ask God for help, and I’ll stop the moment he shows up.”
“Happy anniversary, Dantes. Until next year.”
“Has it really been four years, Delius? Or Danton? What is his name again?”
“So the old pope has finally gone to St. Peter’s. Well, bring him along. Let’s bury him, then. Come on, come on. I haven’t got all day. Actually, I do. I’ve got… I’ve got all the time in the world! Heavenly father, we bequeath to you… these remains of your humble servant. Whatever his name was. God, I’m so bored. Did he, in fact, have a map? Where’s the, uh… aah!”
Danglars
“Idiots.”
“Captain Reynaud is dead, sir, and Edmond Dantes disobeyed my orders.
“I told Dantes not to go ashore. As well you should. It was all his idea, monsieur. Puttin’ into Elba didn’t save the captain’s life, monsieur. I was protectin’ the merchandise. You presume to demote me?”
“Hello, my fine young gentleman. Care to join me? So tell me, Mondego, how did you ever become friends… with that righteous little ponce, Edmond Dantes? What secrets?”
“Well, well. To what do I owe the honor, Count Mondego? Can’t imagine why you’ve been avoiding me after all these years. Business not going so well these days?”
J.F. Villefort
“Well, I must say, Dantes, you don’t have the look of a traitor. Now, attend me well, Dantes, for your life may depend on it. Did you have any personal contact with Napoleon when you were on Elba? He’s a recent acquaintance, yes. No doubt, but you said, ‘almost the entire time.’ Well, Dantes, it is for accepting that treasonous correspondence… that you have been denounced by your own first mate, a monsieur Danglars. Did you deliver the letter? Have you read this? Well, Dantes, this is a letter to one of Napoleon’s agents. It gives the times and the locations of the British beach patrols on Elba. No, it’s you that’s innocent. Foolish and innocent. I believe these are the worst charges that could be leveled against you. Fortunately, as I’ve intercepted this document, there’s no harm done. God knows how you’re going to survive in this world, Edmond Dantes. But you are no traitor. You may go. Wait, uh, did Napoleon tell you who’s supposed to pick up the letter? What name did you say? Have you mentioned this name to anyone else? Monsieur Mondego or anyone? This is very dangerous information. One can never be too careful in times like this. Don’t you think? Mm-hmm. I’ve given you rather a stressful time. I wonder if, by way of an apology, I could offer you my carriage home. It’s just through here.”
“Father! Where is he? Now, you listen to me, father. I am the Chief Magistrate, an official of the new regime. I cannot afford to have my father mixed up in treasonous affairs! For God’s sake, father, all Valentina is saying… is that as a family our fates are intertwined. Surely you can see that.”
“What? Pack all my files. And tell that idiot clerk to find the ledger! Now now! Dantes? Edmond Dantes is charged with high treason. And yet you stand by him? What if I was to tell you that Dantes is also charged with murder? Dantes carried a letter from Napoleon to one of his agents. When we tried to arrest him, he killed one of my men. That is government business. I cannot mademoiselle. He was handed over to the king’s men. I can understand your pain at this betrayal. But my advice to all of you would be to forget Edmond Dantes, particularly you, Mademoiselle. Take solace in the comfort of your good friend here… and perhaps some good may yet come of this unhappy affair. Now, you will excuse me. I have to attend some other matters.”
“It’s quite simple really. When you reported Dantes’s receiving the letter to me, I didn’t quite understand why you were betraying him, but now having seen his exquisite fiancée, I understand completely. Sit down, Mondego.”
“Very kind of you to think of us. Not enough.”
Valentina Villefort
“The study. What’s he done now? Stop it. Stop it, you old ruin. Those days are over. Napoleon Bonaparte is no longer the emperor of anything. If you continue to dabble in this lunacy, you run an excellent chance… of being arrested and ruining our entire family all because of your idiotic sympathies.”
“My dear count, allow me to introduce to you my husband, monsieur Villefort, chief prosecutor. What do we know about him?”
Luigi Vampa
“So, my amice, I would ask who you are, but in the view of your shredded clothes… and the fact that the chateau d’if is two miles away, what’s the point? As for me, I am Luigi Vampa, a smuggler and a thief. My men and I have come to this island to bury alive one of our number… who attempted to keep some stolen gold for himself… instead of, uh, sharing it with his comrades. Interestingly enough, there are some of his more loyal friends… who are insisting that I grant him mercy, which of course, I cannot do, for I would quickly lose control of the whole crew. That’s why you are such a fortunate find.”
“You provide me with a way to show a little mercy to Jacopo, that maggot you see tied up over there, while at the same time, not appearing weak. And as a special treat, the lads will get to see a little sport as well. We watch you and Jacopo fight to the death. If Jacopo wins, we welcome him back to the crew. If you win, I have given Jacopo the chance to live, even if he did not take advantage of it, and you can take his place on the boat. Then we slit your throat, and we’re a bit shorthanded. Oh, uh, by the way, Jacopo is the best knife fighter I’ve ever seen. Release Jacopo and give him back his knife. Then we let the games begin.”
“It’s a deal. His name? We shall call him Zatarra. It means driftwood.”
“Eyes in the back of your head. Have you never seen Marseilles before? But you do not join the others ashore. Listen to me, Zatarra. Whatever happened to you, you cannot make it right by staying here on this boat. Go. It’s up to you. Si. Who told you this? Bonaparte? Oh, Zatarra, the stories you tell. Truly.”
Pirate Crew
“Get up, maggot. Come on, come on! What is his name? You’ve got the devil, Jacopo!”
“Over here!”
Jacopo
“I swear on my dead relatives, even on the one that are not feeling too good, I am your man forever.”
“Zatarra, are you all right?”
“Zatarra. Zatarra, you will be so proud of me. I found a nice little skiff. We couldn’t afford a sloop. Got a really good deal. Za-Zatarra? Zatarra.”
“Whoo-hoo! Zatarra, the boat cannot hold no more, and there are at least eight more boatloads down there! Do you not understand? You are wealthier than any man I have ever heard of. Whatever your problems were, they are over. What do you want to buy? Okay, revenge. Who? Right. We kill these people, then we spend the treasure. Why not just kill them? I’ll do it. I’ll run up to Paris… bam, bam, bam, bam! I’m back before week’s end. We spend the treasure. How is this a bad plan? You will need a better name than Zatarra if you are to accomplish that.”
“I bid you good afternoon, sir. I’m here to purchase your lovely home.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor that I present to you his grace, the count of Monte Cristo. Yes, your grace. But I just learned that count Mondego has retired for the evening. He has a morning appointment he cannot miss.”
“He’s losing money at the other casinos. They’re not even cheating him. He got a bank loan for his own boat several years ago. Doesn’t use Danglars.”
“Zatarra? Did you fall off the bed? Mi Maria. Does that hurt? Mondego has a son.”
Paris
“The very cheek! I shall have you horsewhipped! Now, get off my property, you vagabond, before I set the dogs on you, you hear? Thank you.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Unfortunately, the bank can offer no further extensions, count Mondego. I suggest you find alternate means of shipping.”
Albert Mondego
“I will, father. Several of my friends are going to Rome for two weeks during Carnaval. I would like to accompany them. Almost 16. Make it my birthday present, father, please. I won’t get into trouble. Rome!”
Lieutenant Graypool
“If his coma is genuine, he won’t feel my knife point, will he? That’s for my wounded men.”