The Count of Monte Cristo

EDMOND: For the last 15 years, I have been in prison for a crime I didn't commit.

JACOPO: Free me!

Free me, my friend.

Where are we?

The island of Monte Cristo.

ABB: Where a great treasure is hidden.

I want revenge.

Villefort.

Danglars.

Fernand.

CADEROUSSE: You don't know?

Fernand married Mercedes.

(horse galloping) (horse neighs) (horse snorts) (Hermine moans) (panting) (panting) How long?

It is close.

(moans loudly) Well, call me when it's done.

(Hermine crying) SABRINE: Mm-hmm.

I'll be downstairs.

(Hermine moaning) (baby crying) It's a boy, sir!

You have to leave now.

But I still have to clean the baby's... No, no, forget about that-- come on.

(gasps) (moans) How much do I owe you?

Ten francs.

(coins rattle) You know who I am?

I know, Monsieur Villefort.

And you know what I do-- I prosecute criminals.

Don't ever mention a word of this to anyone, ever.

You understand?

Yes, sir.

(Hermine sobbing) (exhales weakly) (grunting) (box moving) (dirt sliding) (horse neighs) (birds calling) You're fine to do that in Italy, Jacopo, but not here in Marseille.

What the devil?

Caderousse.

Why are you not in Paris?

Jacopo sent word that you were putting in to Marseille today, so I thought I'd come in person to give you the news I have.

What news?

Well, it's about the midwife of... I'm listening.

Can I not sit with you and Jacopo and have some lunch?

(chair moves) Tell me about the midwife.

Well, it seems that she did something rather foolish-- she went to Villefort.

Wanted to try and blackmail him; either way, she was promptly arrested and committed to a lunatic asylum.

I gleaned all this from an orderly that still works there.

Oh, and by the way, the house in question, where the birth took place, well, that belongs to Villefort's mother-in-law from his first marriage, and now lies abandoned and is up for sale.

Is there anything else I need to know?

There is.

Did I, did I mention that Mercedes and Fernand have a son?

(people talking in background) How old?

Eighteen.

His name is Albert.

The woman I love... ...the only woman I have ever loved... ...has a son, and you omitted to mention it to me.

Count, they've been together, married, for 19 years.

Plenty of time to have a child.

But why didn't you mention it to me earlier?

(exhales) I myself have only found out recently.

I mean, the boy has been away at the boarding school all the years I've been in Paris.

And why are you telling it to me now?

Because... (clears throat softly) Because it's come to my attention that Albert is presently on a tour of Italy with a friend and is planning to attend the carnival in Rome.

Do you know where they're staying in Rome?

Hotel de Londres.

Jacopo, arrange a carriage.

We're going to Rome.

(chuckles) Um, splendid.

I've never been to Rome.

Oh, no, you won't be coming.

You'll be going back to Paris to buy the abandoned house.

(bell ringing) (horse neighs) (laughs) The boys have arrived and checked in.

Good.

What's the name of Albert's friend?

Franz d'Epinay.

They complain like crazy they can't hire a carriage.

Sit, Jacopo.

They must not get any inkling of what's in store for them.

If they do, everything will fall apart.

I understand.

The important thing is, we make them feel comfortable.

That they trust us.

If it all works out, Paris will be much easier for me.

Oh.

Albert is your ticket.

Precisely.

(knock at door) JACOPO: Are you Albert, the Viscount de Morcerf?

I am.

My master, the Count of Monte Cristo, would like you to join him for lunch.

Who is this count?

He's a very powerful man.

Whatever you need, the Count of Monte Cristo can give it.

Well, tell the count we'd be honored to join him.

Why not?

Yes, splendid.

(chuckles) (people talking in background) (classical music playing) FRANZ: Oh, the food in Florence was good, but this... This is sublime!

I've heard the cuisine in Paris is second to none.

Have you ever been to Paris, Count?

Not yet, no.

What other plans do you gentlemen have whilst in Rome?

Well, um, we're certain to visit the Colosseum.

And take in the odd opera.

FRANZ: And hopefully meet some of the, the lovely young women this city is famous for.

(Albert chuckles) I mean, that's what Albert's after, anyway.

I think Franz is talking about himself now.

(laughs) Viscount, your father, the Count de Morcerf, is a military man, is he not?

He was-- he resigned his rank many years ago.

Distinguished himself greatly in Algiers when he was still known as Captain Fernand Mondego, I believe.

Yes.

They say he was fearless in the face of fire.

Mm.

And now he's a member of the Chamber of Peers in Parliament-- very impressive.

Can't be easy living up to someone as powerful as him.

Indeed-- I sometimes find his reputation intimidating.

I assume you're attending the execution today.

(stammers): What execution?

Two criminals are to be executed before the carnival begins.

My room overlooks the square where it's about to take place.

You're welcome to join me.

Um... You've never been to an execution before?

No.

Well, it's, uh, very interesting to witness a man facing death.

And afterwards, you'd be more than welcome to the use of my calash for the carnival.

Splendid.

(crowd clamoring and whistling, bells ringing) How will they kill them?

The first one, the braver of the two, Peppino, who's one of Vampa's men, will have his head chopped off.

The other will be cudgeled to death.

Look how differently they approach it.

The one behind Peppino is utterly terrified.

MAN (whimpering): No, no, no, no.

ALBERT: That's normal.

It's fear.

Yes.

But this type of death isn't true atonement.

You don't think death is punishment enough for them?

Imagine a man who forced you into an existence of pain and misery.

Is it enough for him to feel only a few seconds of pain and no more?

And then it's all over?

Mm.

It would be fairer to exert vengeance on them slowly.

The equivalent of the pain they inflicted on their victims.

(crowd clamoring, Peppino grunting, whimpering) (breath trembling) (crowd clamoring and whistling) (horse galloping) MESSENGER: Stop!

(horse neighs) (shouts): Stop!

Stop the execution!

By order of the pope!

(crowd murmuring) (horse neighs) EXECUTIONER: "By the supreme mercy of His Holiness Pope Gregory XVI, "I order that grace be shown to the condemned man Peppino."

(crowd booing) You are free to go.

(chuckling) Why him and not me?!

Why?

(crowd booing and yelling) MAN: Release me!

Release me!

Release me!

I also want to live!

(crying): Why him and not me?

Why him?

(cries out) (hammer thuds) (crowd cheers) Come now, gentlemen.

Men have been dying since the world began.

(bells ringing, crowd cheering) The signal the carnival can begin.

I arranged some outfits and masks for you to change into.

(crowd cheering, music playing) (blows kiss) (blow kisses) (music continues) (people laughing, cheering) (blows kiss, laughs) (cheering and music continue) There's room for you here, too-- come!

What's your name?

Call me whatever name you wish.

I shall call you Delicious.

Will I see you again, Delicious?

Did you see the way she looked at me?

She was looking at me, actually.

Delicious, come to me!

Come to me, please!

I'll shower you with love!

Give me a chance!

(laughing) Follow me!

I'll see you back at the hotel.

What?

(music continues) Wait!

Where are you going?!

(crowd noise softens) (men grunt) (horse neighs) (man shouts) What is this?

Read it.

If you want your friend to see the sunrise tomorrow, you'll bring me the money.

I'll be waiting here.

(knock at door) I, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, Count... Franz.

...but, um, look at this.

Come inside.

"Franz, "I have been kidnapped by some brigands.

"You need to give 4,000 scudi "to the man who delivered this note "or they will kill me.

Albert."

What happened?

(stammers): I don't know.

Albert ran off in the middle of the carnival.

Is this his handwriting?

Yes.

What am I to do?

I mean, he doesn't have the money.

And neither do I. Where is the man who gave you this note?

He's outside, waiting.

(calls): Jacopo?

I need you to bring my carriage around to the front.

And make sure you have two loaded pistols with you.

Pistols?

Do you know who I am?

How the hell should I?

I am the Count of Monte Cristo, and the man you kidnapped is a friend of mine.

You're... (stammers): I'm sorry, sir, we didn't know... Where is your leader?

He's at a deserted castle a league from the city walls.

Take us to him.

(horse neighs) Why did that man pay you such homage?

I have a reputation.

I am not a man to be trifled with.

(horse neighs) MAN: Follow me.

(people talking in background) VAMPA: What brings the Count of Monte Cristo here?

EDMOND: You imbecile.

You fool.

The Viscount de Morcerf is a personal friend of mine, and you kidnap him?!

(shouting): Hold him to ransom, like a dog?!

Are you mad?!

He is, he is your friend?

Bring him to me.

Now!

I am completely ashamed of myself!

What are you standing there for?

Did you not hear the count?

Hm?

(door unlocks, opens) FRANZ: Albert!

ALBERT: Thank God you're here!

Jacopo, take these gentlemen back to the carriage.

I shall see you there anon.

Follow me.

ALBERT: How did you get the money?

FRANZ: I didn't.

The count here somehow knows this, this devil, and arranged for your release... Take that silly thing off now.

(sighs) Whew, it's hot in there!

Where is Peppino?

Safely on his way to Marseille with the passport you arranged.

Good-- this pope changes his mind on a whim.

Did you have to pay a lot for Peppino's life?

Let's just say the scales between us are still tilted very much in my favor.

How was my performance?

Theatrical.

But effective.

(chuckles) Well done, well done.

(carriage rocking) (clears throat softly): Count.

Hm.

Where do you know those brigands from?

Good day to you, gentlemen.

Wait.

This is a dangerous road, sir.

There are brigands operating in this area led by Luigi Vampa.

I had an encounter with them a few months ago which happened to end favorably for me.

(horse neighing, guns cocking) Which one of you is Luigi Vampa?

How do you know my name?

I just passed a squad of soldiers who told me they were hunting a band of brigands led by you.

You should hide, don't you think?

(horses passing) VAMPA: Why did you not betray us?

I have an aversion for authority.

Seems I am indebted to you, sir.

Well, then, perhaps you can help me.

How can I ever repay you for this?

Think nothing of it.

All it cost was a bit of time.

But there must be something I can do to repay you, surely.

Well... I was thinking of coming to Paris in a few months.

Well, that's perfect, then!

You don't know the city-- I'll show you around.

I'll introduce you to everyone, and to my parents.

We'll, we'll see.

At this point, I'm still toying with the idea.

(birds chirping) (church bell ringing) Welcome to Paris, Count!

Nice-looking house, Jacopo.

Yeah, it costs too much money.

(horse neighs) (sighs) So, what do you think?

Do you like it?

I didn't know you had such good taste, Jacopo.

Oh, it's not me.

People called interior decorators did everything.

Take care of my baggage, will you?

Yes, sir.

(watch ticking, carriage rattling) I've been counting the days till your arrival!

Are you well, Count?

Extremely.

Do come inside, please.

Everyone is looking very forward to meeting you.

You like Pinot's painting style?

This is very, uh, striking.

It's a portrait of my mother.

He painted it some six years ago, but I don't think she's aged a day since then.

You'll see-- she'll be joining us soon.

She's very excited to meet you.

Will your father be joining us, too?

Unfortunately, he is giving a speech today in the Senate.

May I introduce you?

Monsieur Beauchamp, editor of "The Inquirer," and Monsieur Debray, secretary to the minister of the Interior.

The Count of Monte Cristo.

Delighted to meet you.

EDMOND: Pleasure.

Albert tells me you're new to Paris.

It is a very pretty city.

I'm sure you'll take to it like a duck to water.

No, no.

No wine, Count?

Uh, no, I, I don't drink alcohol.

Count!

How lovely of you to come.

My mother, the Countess de Morcerf.

Countess, it's... I've been so looking forward to this moment.

I want to thank you personally for saving my dear son's life.

My husband and I will be eternally grateful for what you did.

Think nothing of it.

I believe this is your first time in Paris.

Yes.

Oh.

Which hotel are you staying at?

I have no need for a hotel.

I, I have two houses-- one a stone's throw from here, on the Champs-lyses, and the other in Auteuil.

Oh, well... How did you acquire those properties if you only arrived yesterday?

(breathing heavily) Oh, I sent my steward on ahead, um, to arrange my residential requirements.

But... (breathing heavily) ALBERT: Maman?

Are you all right?

Mm.

I, uh... You... Please, excuse me.

(carriage door closes) What's the count's birth name?

I have no idea.

(horse neighs) (carriage rattling) (container clicking) (breathes deeply) CADEROUSSE: They're all there.

With their families.

All three?

All three.

And they didn't see you?

No, no, no.

I made sure of that.

Good.

Tell Ettore to bring the carriage around.

(carriage door closes) (exhales) (people talking in background) (orchestra playing "Gelido in Ogni Vena" by Vivaldi) (orchestra playing rhythmically) (crescendo playing) (crescendo continues) (crescendo relents) (music repeats) ALBERT: Look, that's him, Papa.

There.

I'll introduce you during the interval.

(piece continues) I thought that box was taken by the Austrian ambassador.

The count bought it off him for the season.

(piece continues) (orchestra playing rhythmically) Gelido in ogni vena Scorrer mi sento il sangue L'ombra del figlio esangue L'ombra del figlio esangue M' ingombra di terror M' ingombra di terror M' ingombra di terror (holds note) (orchestra playing accompaniment) Gelido in ogni Vena (exhales softly) Scorrer mi sento il sangue L'ombra del figlio (quietly): You stay here.

(singing on "esangue") (exhales) (singing continues) (groans) (singing continues) M' ingombra di terror M' ingombra di terror (music pauses, Edmond catches breath) M' ingombra di terror (orchestra playing accompaniment) Take these.

I am going to point them out to you, one by one.

(orchestra continues) I was so looking forward to introducing you to my father, but unfortunately, my mother took ill, and he's taken her home.

I hope it's nothing serious.

I'm sure it will pass.

But there are others I can introduce you to.

That'd be wonderful.

My future parents-in-law.

Baron and Baroness Danglars, the Count of Monte Cristo.

(chuckles) I believe you're a banker, sir.

Indeed.

Lovely to meet you.

(chuckles) We've heard so much about you, Count.

It is a real pleasure to finally meet you.

And you, madame.

One of these days, I intend on paying you a visit to open an account, depositing a fairly large sum.

How large?

Four million francs.

(laughs) (spits into glass) Is it... Is it too little?

(Danglars chuckle) No.

Hardly!

There's someone you have to meet, Madame and Monsieur Villefort.

Monsieur Villefort is the chief prosecutor of Paris.

(people talking in background) The Count of Monte Cristo.

Pleasure to meet you, sir.

(hands clasp) Madame Villefort.

And Monsieur Villefort's daughter, Valentine.

Valentine-- lovely to meet you.

All of Paris is talking about you, Count.

I don't merit the attention, I assure you.

You know how people exaggerate-- it's one of our weaknesses.

I'm sure in your profession, only the simple facts are relevant, yes?

The truth is all that counts in the end.

Ah-- and in the beginning?

I'm afraid I don't follow you, sir.

Oh.

(bell tinkling) We should return to our box.

That was only the first bell, Valentine.

Even so, I don't like leaving Grandpapa alone for too long.

Do excuse us, Count.

Of course.

(hands clasp) (orchestra tuning in distance) Are you all right, Count?

Yes, I, uh... I have a slight headache.

In fact, I, I think I'm going to leave now.

But, uh, I, I wanted to invite them all to the opening of my house in the country.

Could you do that for me?

I'll send out formal invitations later.

Certainly.

Count.

(tuning stops) Sit.

There was lot to unearth, Count.

The midwife-- does she know our intentions?

She does, and she's more than willing to comply.

I bribed an orderly at the lunatic asylum to give me time with her.

We, we can spring the midwife tonight, if you wish.

Arrange it for tomorrow.

Anything else?

(woman screaming in distance) (screaming continues) (keys jangling) (lock turns) (woman screaming in distance) CADEROUSSE: Release her.

I want double for her.

No, no, no-- we had a deal.

I don't care.

I'm taking too much of a risk.

I can't.

Double or I call the guards.

I only have with me what you asked me for.

Then go-- leave!

(blade slicing, orderly choking) (body falls) (Caderousse shuddering) God!

Are you mad?

Did you hear what he said?

(woman screaming in distance) (horse neighs) (grunts) What happened?

Oh, yeah, I'm... I had to kill the orderly.

But they will think she took a knife off him, cut his throat, stole his keys-- neat and clean, no?

Murder is never neat and clean, Jacopo.

(horse nickers) Is this the house where it happened?

It is.

Show me the room where the birth took place.

It's exactly as I remember it.

Show me where the box was buried.

It was here.

Describe the box to me.

It was, um, wooden, rectangular, with a lid.

Take her to the town house.

She will need a new wardrobe, new everything.

Most importantly, she must be kept out of sight.

I will ensure your safety.

(voice trembling): God bless you, Count.

Thank you-- thank you.

(knock at door) Yes?

Inspector Boville to see you, Monsieur.

Make it quick, Boville.

I'm late for court.

(door creaks) The midwife has escaped.

The midwife you committed to the lunatic asylum?

The one that was, uh, spreading lies about you.

Escaped?

Somehow, she got hold of a knife, murdered an orderly, took his keys, and is, well... You find her.

I don't care-- whatever it takes.

You find her.

And this time, she won't be going back to the madhouse, no.

I shall send her straight to the guillotine.

(footsteps approaching) The first guests, it's arrived.

EDMOND: Welcome, welcome.

What a lovely house.

Thank you.

Where are your parents, Albert?

My mother dragged my father away to the house near Marseille for the weekend.

Ah, what a pity.

Please, Jacopo, escort these gentlemen inside and have the butler serve them champagne.

(horse neighs) This is quite a coincidence.

This property belonged to the parents of my first wife-- Valentine's grandparents.

So you've been here before, Monsieur Villefort?

Yes, on numerous occasions, yes.

But you've transformed the place, considerably.

Thank you.

Please, after you.

(carriage step unfolding) Good day, Baron, good to see you.

Baroness.

All right, sir.

(voices whispering) Everything all right, Baroness?

Fine.

EDMOND: So, in here, I have my study.

I love coins.

(chuckles) Are these sailor knots?

EDMOND: Yes.

Yes, I, uh, I find them symbolic.

Our lives so often end up in knots.

Tangled in unexpected twists.

Do you know how to tie all these yourself?

EDMOND: Yes.

Though some I struggle to untie.

(chuckles) You have coins here from Japan.

(chuckles) Come.

There's another room I want to show you.

I've studied chemistry since I was a young man.

DANGLARS: How extraordinary.

And on my travels, I have found many plants that, when processed in certain ways, can both heal and kill.

These here, for instance, I, I call the Mortals.

Four drops from this vial will kill a man within a few seconds.

(chuckles): What is it?

Brucine.

(cabinet closing) Does it leave any trace?

Not in the body, no.

GERARD: And why do you have these poisons?

EDMOND: Veterinarian purposes.

Sometimes animals need to, to be put out of their misery.

I see.

HELOISE: Count.

My dear son suffers from seizures... GERARD: Heloise, Heloi... Now is not the time.

No, no, please.

Now is as good a time as ever.

HELOISE: They occur on average once every fortnight, and, uh, it takes him so very long to recover, leaving him exhausted and irritated, and I wondered if... You may take this and try it.

Marcinez.

Derived from the bark of a tree found only in Cambodia.

How do you process it?

Well, the bark is boiled, the liquid distilled, and then the concentrate left to turn into crystals, which are then dissolved in alcohol.

BEAUCHAMP: Fascinating.

How old is the boy?

(softly): Eight.

Well, one drop will suffice.

But be careful-- three drops will render him unconscious.

Although I do have an antidote for that, uh... Do you have an antidote for brucine?

No-- no, for the, uh, for the Mortals, there is no antidote.

GERARD: Isn't Monte Cristo an island off the coast of Italy?

It is, yeah.

I, uh, I bought it from the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Hm, hence your title.

May I ask your birth name?

Zaccone.

Zaccone.

Zaccone, yeah.

I must say, sir, you've done a superb job here with the house.

It's, um, it's almost unrecognizable.

When the Saint-Mrans put it on the market, nobody wanted it.

Am I right, Monsieur Villefort?

One wonders why, because the estate is a paradise.

The notary I went through, um, told me a grim story about this house, which apparently put buyers off.

(knife clanks on plate) What story?

Oh, I don't want to upset the ladies.

But you won't upset us.

Tell us!

You can't leave us in suspense like this.

Very well.

After lunch, I'll show you.

Mm.

I decided to leave this room exactly as I found it.

They say a terrible crime was committed here.

An infanticide.

(breathlessly): Nonsense.

An unwanted baby was born in this very bed.

The father of the child put it in a box.

Would you like to see what became of that box?

(whispers): Yes!

EDMOND: The box was buried right here.

My gardeners unearthed it and showed it to me, but, uh... ...it was empty.

And where is this box now?

I had it burned.

(softly): I need to sit.

You don't tell that kind of a story to women.

But your wife insisted I tell it, did she not, Monsieur Villefort?

CADEROUSSE: You're sure that's the man?

Yes.

(softly): Pull yourself together, Hermine.

SABRINE: And, my God, that's the woman.

CADEROUSSE: What woman?

The woman sitting on the bench, that's the one that gave birth that night.

(Hermine sobbing) (dirt sliding) (panting) (panting) Pull yourself together, Hermine.

(voice trembling): We need to talk.

Not, not here.

Smile.

(sniffles) Do you know what a Forsyte is?

A Forsyte is a London elite.

JUNE: In this family... (exhales) ...I have an obligation to marry well.

ANN: Free of scandal.

Where do you suggest our loyalties lie?

ANN: And inconvenient truths.

I loved you.

You would not have been allowed to love me.

It would be catastrophic.

Are you prepared?

FERNAND: What do you make of this Count of Monte Cristo?

I like him.

I've been doing some checking on you.

Oh?

MERCEDES: I feel like I know you from a long time ago, but I must be wrong.

Who are you referring to?

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