The 1960's American television hospital drama called 'Dr Kildare' made then Hearthrob, Richard Chamberlain, such a household face and name that to my generation he became pretty well typecast. I, for one, never particularly liked him; there always seemed to be a lurking smugness in his expression.
That said, he has proved himself to be a fairly enduring actor of considerable ability. He really came into his own as the sleazeball son-in-law in 'Towering Inferno'. That was how I always imagined him.
This movie casts him differently. He is the Grudgemaster General of the title, Edmond Dantes. Imprisoned on bogus charges for years on end in a vile remote dungeon; life seems to have ended in living hell. Then, he befriends an ageing, highly-educated fellow prisoner who teaches him all manner of science, philosophy, and social grace during their confinement. He also grows to understand the wicked deception that has befallen him.
However, his fellow prisoner has a secret. It's the map to an unimaginable hidden treasure which he tacitly bequeaths to his young protégé.
The old man dies suddenly. And in doing so provides the younger Edmond with a fortuitous means of escape. After a little dalliance with some pirates, he locates the stockpile of wealth and embarks upon revenge.
Four villains require his particular attention. Edmond rises from nowhere to be the most fashionable fellow with money to burn. He means to humiliate and destroy each of his enemies publicly rather than just kill them. That untold wealth enables him to investigate the minutiae of their lives and discover their greatest weaknesses.
It's a grudge-bearers pipe-dream. We watch as each in turn is shamed, scandalised and overthrown. He lets no-one and nothing stand in his way. This is how vengeance should be done.
Chamberlain gives a very creditable central performance. He demonstrates that, if anything, the media have under-valued him. He is Mr Ice. His piercing blue eyes positively sparkle with revenge. The familiar smirk assumes the likeness of an acid sneer. How well the movie follows Dumas' book I cannot say, never having read it. Yet I have seen a number of other interpretations on screen and still consider this the most pleasing and convincing.
All of the principal actors give a good turn. And there are several notables such as Donald Pleasance, Louis Jourdan and Tony Curtis. All of them are still in their prime. The costumes are suitably flamboyant, set-pieces convincing, there is some imaginative location work. Other technical aspects seem nicely brought together. Although made for television this was certainly not done on the cheap.
Perfect for the unforgiving of all ages, this movie is a well-presented period drama that deserves to be seen at the cinema instead of being confined to the prison of television. Check it out.
That said, he has proved himself to be a fairly enduring actor of considerable ability. He really came into his own as the sleazeball son-in-law in 'Towering Inferno'. That was how I always imagined him.
This movie casts him differently. He is the Grudgemaster General of the title, Edmond Dantes. Imprisoned on bogus charges for years on end in a vile remote dungeon; life seems to have ended in living hell. Then, he befriends an ageing, highly-educated fellow prisoner who teaches him all manner of science, philosophy, and social grace during their confinement. He also grows to understand the wicked deception that has befallen him.
However, his fellow prisoner has a secret. It's the map to an unimaginable hidden treasure which he tacitly bequeaths to his young protégé.
The old man dies suddenly. And in doing so provides the younger Edmond with a fortuitous means of escape. After a little dalliance with some pirates, he locates the stockpile of wealth and embarks upon revenge.
Four villains require his particular attention. Edmond rises from nowhere to be the most fashionable fellow with money to burn. He means to humiliate and destroy each of his enemies publicly rather than just kill them. That untold wealth enables him to investigate the minutiae of their lives and discover their greatest weaknesses.
It's a grudge-bearers pipe-dream. We watch as each in turn is shamed, scandalised and overthrown. He lets no-one and nothing stand in his way. This is how vengeance should be done.
Chamberlain gives a very creditable central performance. He demonstrates that, if anything, the media have under-valued him. He is Mr Ice. His piercing blue eyes positively sparkle with revenge. The familiar smirk assumes the likeness of an acid sneer. How well the movie follows Dumas' book I cannot say, never having read it. Yet I have seen a number of other interpretations on screen and still consider this the most pleasing and convincing.
All of the principal actors give a good turn. And there are several notables such as Donald Pleasance, Louis Jourdan and Tony Curtis. All of them are still in their prime. The costumes are suitably flamboyant, set-pieces convincing, there is some imaginative location work. Other technical aspects seem nicely brought together. Although made for television this was certainly not done on the cheap.
Perfect for the unforgiving of all ages, this movie is a well-presented period drama that deserves to be seen at the cinema instead of being confined to the prison of television. Check it out.