Edmond Dantes, grand nephew of the original Count of Monte Cristo, is set to receive his ancestor's wealth. When Dantes arrives in Marsaille to collect the inheritance, he is arrested as an impostor by Judge Lafitte, de la Roche, and Blanchard, who have forged the original will so that Blanchard's daughter Angela will get the inheritance, and eventually de la Roche will marry Angela to control the money which can offset Blanchard's embezzling from the national bank. Dantes is jailed and sent to Devil's Island to rot, but manages to escape with Bombelles (an actor). Arriving back in France, Dantes seeks revenge on the 3 adversaries and uses a variety of disguises and means to trap each conspirator one by one, but has to act fast before de la Roche can send the police force on Dantes and marry Angela to complete his plan. This is not a swashbuckler like Hayward's other venture in the Dumas, Son of Monte Cristo, but this film is more plot than action driven and does use the revenge element like the original Count of Monte Cristo. Hayward is excellent in the role having fun with all of the characterizations of Dantes, as well as a hunchbacked detective, bank examiner, & Napoleon III. Britton looks beautiful and her acting chops are a bit naive here, but she carries herself well. Geray is fun as Bombelles, and MacReady once again oozes out the evilness that is his trademark. I think there could have been at least one swordfight, but the pace of the film is not certainly off where we need some action. Rating, 8.
Review of The Return of Monte Cristo
