At this stage of the century, this German Count thinks that it is not necessary to detail the novel written by the frenchified writer Herr Alexander Dumas Sr. "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo", the story about a cold revenge by Edmond Dantès, is a great classic well-known by everybody for centuries around the world and adapted many times for the cinema. Probably the one directed by Herr Henri Fescourt is the best one done ever.
For those who ignore the adventures of Edmond Dantès ( probably many of you dangerous longhaired youngster, are among those specimens that prefer to wait to see an film adaptation than to read the original book itself, SIGH!... unfortunately, that's the sign of this terrible and illiterate times ), "Monte Cristo" is the right film to know and enjoy such adventures.
And that's due to Herr Henri Fescourt's greatness. His adaptation and directing of Herr Alexander Dumas novel in its magnificence; "Monte Cristo" was considered as probably one of the last super productions of the silent era. Those critiques are near to the truth; in nearly four hours, the film enhances for the screen the virtues of the literary work that are not noticed for the audience.
It is a classic adventure film in major concept; wonderful outdoor sceneries, splendorous settings, luxurious customs, everything directed masterly by Herr Fescourt. It is exemplary the way that Herr Fescourt elaborated and controlled the mystery in order to get, "in crescendo" the thrilling ending with many important scenes of the film. There are superb film moments as the murder of the jeweller Johannes ( clearly influenced by Expressionism style ) or the Opera scene, skilfully filmed with a camera that is in constant movement thus emphasizing different aspects or characters of the story in a moody way. And there is exemplary editing that many of the times no needs intertitles in order to explain what happens or what will happen. Summing up, "Monte Cristo" had that forgotten wonderful atmosphere of the classic adventure stories besides a masterly film direction absolutely brilliant and imaginative.
As it happens with the last Schloss film showing, "Monte Cristo" was recently restored and broadcasted by the German-frenchified t.v. channel "ARTE" ( the film was considered lost until recent years - a tragedy that the world did not get a chance to re-see this wonderful oeuvre sooner ). It is another silent treasure, and an excellent way to begin another terrible and uncertain year of this new century.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must to talk from Count to Comte to Herr Dantès.
For those who ignore the adventures of Edmond Dantès ( probably many of you dangerous longhaired youngster, are among those specimens that prefer to wait to see an film adaptation than to read the original book itself, SIGH!... unfortunately, that's the sign of this terrible and illiterate times ), "Monte Cristo" is the right film to know and enjoy such adventures.
And that's due to Herr Henri Fescourt's greatness. His adaptation and directing of Herr Alexander Dumas novel in its magnificence; "Monte Cristo" was considered as probably one of the last super productions of the silent era. Those critiques are near to the truth; in nearly four hours, the film enhances for the screen the virtues of the literary work that are not noticed for the audience.
It is a classic adventure film in major concept; wonderful outdoor sceneries, splendorous settings, luxurious customs, everything directed masterly by Herr Fescourt. It is exemplary the way that Herr Fescourt elaborated and controlled the mystery in order to get, "in crescendo" the thrilling ending with many important scenes of the film. There are superb film moments as the murder of the jeweller Johannes ( clearly influenced by Expressionism style ) or the Opera scene, skilfully filmed with a camera that is in constant movement thus emphasizing different aspects or characters of the story in a moody way. And there is exemplary editing that many of the times no needs intertitles in order to explain what happens or what will happen. Summing up, "Monte Cristo" had that forgotten wonderful atmosphere of the classic adventure stories besides a masterly film direction absolutely brilliant and imaginative.
As it happens with the last Schloss film showing, "Monte Cristo" was recently restored and broadcasted by the German-frenchified t.v. channel "ARTE" ( the film was considered lost until recent years - a tragedy that the world did not get a chance to re-see this wonderful oeuvre sooner ). It is another silent treasure, and an excellent way to begin another terrible and uncertain year of this new century.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must to talk from Count to Comte to Herr Dantès.