Monte Cristo is a 1922 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation and directed by Emmett J. Flynn. It is based on the 1844 novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, which was adapted by 19th century thespian Charles Fechter and written for this screen version by Bernard McConville. John Gilbert plays the hero with Estelle Taylor as the leading lady. This film was long thought lost until a print surfaced in the Czech Republic. The film has been released on DVD, packaged with Gilbert's 1926 MGM film Bardelys the Magnificent.
Contents
Plot
Edmond Dantes is falsely accused by those jealous of his good fortune, and is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the notorious island prison, Chateau d'If. While imprisoned, he meets the Abbe Faria, a fellow prisoner whom everyone believes to be mad. The Abbé tells Edmond of a vast treasure hidden on a small island, the location of which only he knows. After many years in prison, the old Abbé dies, and Edmond escapes by disguising himself as the corpse. Once free, Edmond sets out to find the treasure the Abbé described, intending to use his newfound wealth to take revenge on those who wronged him.
Cast
John Gilbert as Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo
Estelle Taylor as Mercedes, Countess de Morcerf
Robert McKim as De Villefort, the king's public prosecutor
William V. Mong as Caderousse, the innkeeper
Virginia Brown Faire as Haidee, an Arabian princess
George Siegmann as Luigi Vampa, ex-pirate
Spottiswoode Aitken as Abbe Faria
Ralph Cloninger as Fernand, Count de Morcerf
Albert Prisco as Baron Danglars
Al. W. Filson as Morrel, shipowner (as Al Filson)
Harry Lonsdale as Dantes, father of Edmond
Francis McDonald as Benedetto
Jack Cosgrave as Governor of Chateau d'If (as Jack Cosgrove)
Maude George as Baroness Danglars
Renée Adorée as Eugenie Danglars, her daughter
Gaston Glass as Albert de Morcerf