The Count of Monte Cristo Part 1

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

In 1814, the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to Elba, an island off the coast
of Italy. Fearing an attempt to rescue him, his British captors would shoot anyone who came
ashore...no matter how innocent or desperate.

EXT. ELBA
At night, Danglars is watching the coast with field glasses on a small boat
as Edmond, Fernand, and other sailors are rowing the boat. The Captain is
ill.

DANGLARS
Idiots.

Edmond is talking to the sailors.

EDMOND
Take the captain beyond the reef till we get permission to
bring him ashore.

Edmond is talking to Fernand.The boat is drifting ashore. They are
getting off from it.

EDMOND
For a moment I thought you were abandoning me.

FERNAND
Fernand Mondego does not abandon his friends in the face of
stupid, suicidal danger.

They are walking along the beach. Fernand is talking to Edmond.

FERNAND
However, as Monsieur Morell's official representative on this
voyage, Edmond, I must officially tell you you have overstepped
your bounds as second mate. Officially. There. I've covered myself.

EDMOND
If we don't get him to a doctor, he will die. Do you understand?

FERNAND
Of course I understand. Just don't expect me to do this sober.

Fernand takes a drink from a bottle.

EDMOND
Right.

Dragoons are patroling around the beach. Fernand is talking to Edmond.

FERNAND
English dragoons.

Edmond calls out to the dragoons.

EDMOND
Hello!

FERNAND
Dantes, don't.

They are seen by the Dragoons. The Dragoons take them for enemies.

FERNAND
A little careless, don't you think?

EDMOND
We have to talk to someone.
8
FERNAND
Well， I know， but－-

EDMOND
We're French sailors! We seek medical attention!

The Dragoons begin shooting at them. Fernand grabs Edmond.

FERNAND
Come on. Come on.

EDMOND
We come in peace.

FERNAND
Come on.

EDMOND
We mean no harm!

The Dragoons continue shooting. Edmond and Fernand begin fighting with them.

FERNAND
Edmond!

Edmond and Fernand are climbing a hill.

FERNAND
Come on! Climb!

EDMOND
Look out!

Edmond notices that someone aims at Fernand. Edmond screams at
Fernand.

EDMOND
Fernand!

Edmond stops the soldier from shooting Fernand.

FERNAND
Good. You finally hit something.

Napoleon is standing on the hill. Edmond　and　Fernand meet him.
He speaks to the leader of the Dragoons.

NAPOLEON
Lieutenant Graypool. If your thirst for gore demands
the death of these poor fools, then by all means shoot them.
But do so with the knowledge they are no agents of mine.


Napoleon speaks to Edmond.

NAPOLEON
Now explain yourselves or be shot.

EDMOND
Sir, I am Edmond Dantes,second mate of the merchant ship
Pharaon, on our way home to Marseilles. This is the
shipowner's representative, Monsieur Fernand Mondego, son
of the Count Mondego. Our captain has contracted brain fever,
so we put in here for help.

INT. NAPOLEON'S HOUSE
Napoleon, Fernand, Edmond, and Graypool are in the room and the captain
lies in bed. Graypool pulls out a knife.

LIEUTENANT GRAYPOOL
If his coma is genuine, he won't feel my knife point, will he?

EDMOND
Only a scratch.

Lieutenant Graypool cuts the captain's arm deeply. Edmond gets angry at his
act, so he hits him. Fernand stops Edmond.

FERNAND
Edmond!

NAPOLEON
Lieutenant Graypool!

EDMOND
We came to you in good faith!

LIEUTENANT GRAYPOOL
That's for my wounded men.

NAPOLEON
And wounded pride, no doubt. It has been an eventful evening.

Edmond and Fernand move to another room.

FERNAND
If I hadn't have shot those dragoons, you might be lying in
pieces on the beach right now.

EDMOND
I almost got us killed.

FERNAND
Yes, you did.

Edmond sits down on a sofa.

FERNAND
Yet... we survive.

Fernand sings. He takes out a wine bottle.

FERNAND
Donne-moi encore une bouteille du vin.

FERNAN
Whoo-hoo!

Fernand hands a glass of wine to Edmond as he sings.

FERNAND
Donne-moi encore une bouteille du vin

Fernand sits down on the sofa.

EDMOND
King's to you, Mondego.

Edmond throws a chess piece (the king) to Fernand.

EDMOND
Being your friend is always an adventure.

FERNAND
Yes, it is, isn't it? It's a pity adventurers can't always be
friends though, huh?

EDMOND
What?

FERNAND
Well, it won't always be like this, will it?

EDMOND
What are you talking about?

FERNAND
Nothing. Drink up. We're drinking Napoleon Bonaparte's wine.

NAPOLEON
I think you'll find the 1806 the finer vintage.

Napoleon enters the room, he speaks to Edmond and Fernand, so they stand
up in embarrassment.

NAPOLEON
As long as you're still awake, Monsieur Dantes, I wonder...
if I might have a word with you.

EXT. NAPOLEON'S OFFICE
Edmond and Napoleon are talking, walking on the dark road.

NAPOLEON
I'm curious. What's the significance of the chess piece?

EDMOND
It's just something we've done since childhood.
Whenever one of us has had a victory, king of the moment.

NAPOLEON
King of the moment?

EDMOND
Yes.

NAPOLEON
In life, we're all either kings or pawns. I'm moved
by your effort to save your captain's life, Dantes.

EDMOND
He is my captain... and my friend, Your Majesty.

NAPOLEON
Loyal friends are rare indeed.

Napoleon speaks to Edmond in a whisper.

NAPOLEON
In fact, it is upon such a matter I wish to speak.
I have written a rather sentimental letter to an old comrade
in Marseilles. It's a side of me I prefer the British not see.
Since they have a habit of opening my mail, I wonder if
you would deliver it for me.

EDMOND
Oh, l-I don't--

NAPOLEON
It's just a letter from one old soldier to another. It's totally
innocent, I assure you. But more important, it is the price I demand
for the use of my physician.

EDMOND
Then I agree.

NAPOLEON
Good. You are to deliver the letter to Monsieur Clarion. Can you
remember that name?

EDMOND
Monsieur Clarion. How will I find him?

NAPOLEON
Oh, he will find you. Now, I do not wish this letter's existence to
be known to anyone else. Not even your boon companion back there.
Do you understand?

EDMOND
I'm a man of my word, Your Majesty.

Napoleon hands over the letter to Edmond. Fernand watches the exchange secretly
from the door in his room.

NAPOLEON
Yes, l, uh--I believe you are.

INT. NAPOLEON'S ROOM
Edmond opens the door. Fernand is in the room.

FERNAND
What did he want?

Edmond lies on the sofa.

EDMOND
Oh, um, news from France. That's all.

The candle's fire goes out. Napoleon comes in the house.

NAPOLEON
Time you were on your way. Your captain has been dead for
half an hour.

Edmond and Fernand are suprised, and Edmond opens the curtain to the
see the captain lying in bed.

EDMOND
Are you sure?

The Captain is dead on the bed.

NAPOLEON
When you have walked as many battlefields as l, young Dantes,
you can feel death.

EXT.ELBA
Edmond and Fernand are rowing a boat.They leave Elba for Marseilles.
Napoleon takes a long look at the boat on the vast sea, and mutters.

NAPOLEON
Kings and pawns, Marchand. Emperors...and fools.

EXT. MARSEILLES

MAN
Come about!

Mercedes is riding in a carriage. She looks out of the window and
orders the driver.

MERCEDES
Drive faster.

A bell rings. Monsieur Morell talks to Danglars from his company's housetop.

MORELL
Danglars, what's happened?

DANGLARS
Captain Reynaud is dead, sir, and Edmond Dantes disobeyed my orders.

MORELL
Come to my office and report, Danglars. And you, Edmond.

FERNAND
Will you be needing me, Monsieur Morell?

MORELL
Go.


EXT. MARSEILLES
Morell shouts to Danglars, and he leaves the terrace.


Fernand calls out to Mercedes.

FERNAND
Mercedes.

MERCEDES
Where is he? Where is Edmond?

FERNAND
How lovely to see you too. You just missed him,
I'm afraid. Could be a while. I think he's in trouble.

FERNAND
He said he'd meet us by the rock. Come on.

INT. MORELL'S OFFICE
Danglars and Edmond sit in the chair. And Morell sits down at the
table, across from them. They talk to each other.

DANGLARS
I told Dantes not to go ashore.

MORELL
Is this true?

EDMOND
I accept all responsibility.

DANGLARS
As well you should. It was all his idea, monsieur.

MORELL
It should have been your idea.

Danglars is surprised.

DANGLARS
Puttin' into Elba didn't save the captain's life, monsieur.I
was protectin'the merchandise.

MORELL
You were protecting yourself...by hiding behind your rank
and staying aboard.

MORELL
Edmond Dantes, I am making you the new captain of the Pharaon.

DANGLARS
You presume to demote me?

MORELL
There is no demotion.

Danglars stands up from his chair in anger.

MORELL
You will remain first mate under Captain Dantes.

MORELL
Unless, of course, you choose to seek another berth.

Danglars leaves Morell's office in a rough manner. Morell smiles
at Edmond.

MORELL
Now I imagine there'sa certain young lady who will want
to hear this news.

Edmond goes out of the office, turns around and shakes hands with
Morell joyfully.

EDMOND
Thank you.

Clarion goes into the office and speak to Morell which
is present in a terrace.

CLARION
Monsieur Morell? I understand you had a ship just
returned from Elba, monsieur.

MORELL
Yes.

CLARION
Did anyone aboard get ashore there by any chance?

MORELL
They did, but they're not here at the moment.

CLARION
Thank you, monsieur.

Morell calls out to him as he leaves the office.

MORELL
May I say who has called upon them?

CLARION
Clarion. The name is Clarion.

EXT. SHORE
Mercedes and Fernand are talking.

FERNAND
Make love to me.

MERCEDES
Will you ever give up?

FERNAND
He doesn't have to know.

MERCEDES
I'd know.

FERNAND
So would I. It'd be our little secret.

MERCEDES
I don't believe in secrets.

FERNAND
You think Edmond doesn't have secrets? He does. Ask him.

MERCEDES
I know what you want, Fernand.

FERNAND
You do?

MERCEDES
Remember when we were kids and Edmond got that whistle for his
birthday, and you got a pony? You were so mad Edmond was happier
with his whistle than you were with your pony. I'm not going to be
your next whistle.

FERNAND
How long do you think it's going to be before he can afford
a wife?

MERCEDES
Two years. Two years. That's all. Then he gets his captain's papers,
and we can marry.

FERNAND
Two years. I couldn't wait two years for anything,

Edmond comes running to them.

FERNAND
...particularly a bride like you.

Mercedes notices him.

MERCEDES
Hey! There he is.

EDMOND
Hey!

Mercedes goes running toward Edmond.

EDMOND
Whoo! Mercedes!

Edmond hugs her. And they rejoice in their reunion.

MERCEDES
I missed you so.

EDMOND
The missing is over now.

MERCEDES
Are you in trouble?

EDMOND
No. I'm captain. Come on.

Edmond goes along with her Fernand.

EDMOND
Monsieur Morell gave me the Pharaon.

MERCEDES
Edmond!

EDMOND
King's to me.

Edmond holds out his hand for the king, but Fernand ignores him.

FERNAND
Yours is a life truly blessed, Edmond.

Fernand clicks his tongue, and leaves. Edmond is perplexed.

MERCEDES
Come on.

Edmond tries to call him back. But Fernand keeps walking away.

EDMOND
You're still the best man.

FERNAND
I know.

MERCEDES
Come on!

Mercedes pulls on his arm and they go away.

EXT. THE SEA
Edmond and Mercedes are swimming in the sea. In the night, they are
making firewood and lying down near it. Mercedes is nestling up to
Edmond. Edmond twirls his finger in his hair.

MERCEDES
Stop that. You'll go bald.

Edmond stops.

MERCEDES
Do you keep secrets from me?

EDMOND
Secrets? Why?

Mercedes looks troubled.

EDMOND
Ask me anything and I'll tell you.

Edmond touches her face, and Mercedes smiles.

EDMOND
We don't have to wait two years anymore.
As soon as I can afford the ring, we'll wed--

MERCEDES
I don't need a ring. I don't.

Mercedes tears a thread from her skirt and winds it around her left ring
finger.

MERCEDES
This will be my ring. And no matter what happens, you will never
see it off my finger. Ever.

They kiss.

EXT.　WHARF
Fernand is walking, while he drinking. Danglars is sitting
on a chair and drinking. Danglars calls out to him.

DANGLARS
Hello, my fine young gentleman. Care to join me?

Fernand sits on the chair in front of Danglars. Danglars pours
Fernand a glass of alcohol. Fernand drinks it.

DANGLARS
So tell me, Mondego, how did you ever become friends...
with that righteous little ponce, Edmond Dantes?

Fernand is considerably drunk and ill-humored.

FERNAND
He claims to be my friend, yet he has the audacity to keep
secrets from me.

Danglars leans close.

DANGLARS
What secrets?

Fernand hesitates to speak. But Danglars stares at him, and prompts
him.

INT. EDMOND'S HOUSE
Edmond, Edmond's father and Mercedes have dinner. Mercedes is cutting
meat beside a fireplace. Edmond's father taps and sounds a glass
containing wine, and holds it up.

EDMOND'S FATHER
To the new captain of the Pharaon.

Edmond holds up his glass too. Mercedes sits next to him. Edmond and
Edmond's father give a toast calmly, and his father drinks his wine.

EDMOND
All I am I owe to you, Father.

Edmond's father stands up, and they all hold up their glasses.

EDMOND'S FATHER
May this happy moment be but the dawn...of a long and
wonderful life for you both.

When they are just going to give a toast, the door is opened and six
policemen come in.

POLICEMAN
Which of you is Edmond Dantes?

EDMOND
I am.

POLICEMAN
Edmond Dantes, you are under arrest by order of the
magistrate of Marseilles.

EDMOND'S FATHER
Arrest?

Edmond stands up.

EDMOND
On what charges?

POLICEMAN
That information is privileged. Take him.

EDMOND
I demand an explanation. I demand an explanation!

Three policemen pull Edmond forcibly. He resists being carried off desperately
and Mercedes pulls him too, but he is led away. Edmond calls out to Mercedes
and his father.

EDMOND
I'll be back tonight. Don't worry, Father. This is a mistake.

Mercedes stands by Edmond's father and prays.

EDMOND'S FATHER
Mon Dieu.

INT. MARSEILLES COURTHOUSE
Edmond is taken to the courthouse. Villefort, a magistrate, comes
sits behind a desk, and starting to talk about the reason for arresting
Dantes.

VILLEFORT
Well, I must say, Dantes, you don't have the look of a traitor.

Edmond is surprised.

EDMOND
Traitor?

VILLEFORT
Now, attend me well, Dantes, for your life may depend on it.
Did you have any personal contact with Napoleon when you were
on Elba?

EDMOND
Elba, yes, I did. Well, we did. I was with the Count Mondego's son,
Fernand, almost the entire time. Do you know Fernand?

VILLEFORT
He's a recent acquaintance, yes.

EDMOND
Oh, there you are. He'll vouch for me.

VILLEFORT
No doubt, but you said, ``almost the entire time."

EDMOND
Except for when Napoleon asked me to deliver a personal letter to a
friend in Marseilles.

VILLEFORT
Well, Dantes, it is for accepting that treasonous correspondence...
that you have been denounced by your own first mate, a Monsieur Danglars.

EDMOND
What?

VILLEFORT
Did you deliver the letter?

EDMOND
No, sir, someone was supposed to find me. It's-- It's still
in my jacket. Here.

Edmond gives the letter to Villefort. Villefort takes a moment
to open and read the letter.

VILLEFORT
Have you read this?

Edomond
No, sir, I can't read.

VILLEFORT
Well, Dantes, this is a letter to one of Napoleon's agents.
It gives the times and the locations of the British beach
patrols on Elba.

EDMOND
Sir, I swear on my mother's grave, I had no idea. He swore its contents
were innocent.

Villefort takes a moment to study Edmond.

VILLEFORT
No, it's you that's innocent. Foolish and innocent. I believe
these are the worst charges that could be leveled against you.
Fortunately, as I've intercepted this document, there's no harm done.
God knows how you're going to survive in this world, Edmond Dantes.
But you are no traitor. You may go.

EDMOND
Thank you, sir.

As Edmond is about to leave, Villefort calls out to him.

VILLEFORT
Wait, uh, did Napoleon tell you who's supposed to pick up the
letter?

EDMOND
Monsieur Clarion.

VILLEFORT
What name did you say?

Edmond walks back into the room.

EDMOND
Monsieur Clarion.

VILLEFORT
Have you mentioned this name to anyone else?
Monsieur Mondego or anyone?

EDMOND
No, sir, in fact, Monsieur Mondego knows nothing of this letter.

VILLEFORT
This is very dangerous information. One can never be too careful
in times like this. Don't you think ?

Villefort burns the letter.

EDMOND
Yes, sir.

VILLEFORT
I've given you rather a stressful time. I wonder if, by way of an
apology, I could offer you my carriage home.

The front door closes with a slam.

VILLEFORT
It's just through here.

Villefort leads Edmond through the back door.

EDMOND
Thank you.

EXT. MARSEILLES COURTHOUSE
Dantes goes outdoors. He goes down the stairs and he gets in a carriage
home. The door closes and is locked. Suddenly, Dantes realizes he is a
prisoner.

EDMOND
Monsieur Villefort? Monsieur Villefort? Monsieur Villefort!

EXT. WHARF
The carriage arrives at the wharf. The carriage's door is opened. Edmond is
in shock. Some men drag him toward a boat.

GUARD
Whoa. Whoa!

DANTES
Where are you taking me?

DANTES
This is a mistake.

DANTES
I'm allowed to go home.

GUARD
From now on, your home is the prison Chateau d'lf.

DANTES
No! No! No!

He pushes the men over the pier.

GUARD
Hey!

Dantes takes a horse from a guard. He runs away. A guard fires his gun at him.

GUARD
Shoot him now!

GUARD 2
Mount up! Get after him!

EXT. FERNAND'S HOUSE
Edmond rides to Fernand's house. He tries and tries again to escape his pursuers.


INT. FERNAND'S HOUSE

EDMOND
Fernand! Fernand!

SERVANT
Monsieur?

EDMOND
It's all right. He's right here. Fernand!

Fernand comes down from stairs.

EDMOND
I've been arrested for treason. I barely managed to escape. When we were on
Elba, Napoleon gave me a letter. I didn't tell you because he made me promise
not to. He said it was just some note to an old friend. But the bastard lied to
me! He lied. It was to one of his agents. Somehow the authorities found out.I
don't know what to do. There's gendarmes on horseback right behind me.

Fernand and Edmond walk together.

FERNAND
All right. We just have to think.

EDMOND
I hope I haven't compromised you. I was hoping your father could help me.

FERNAND
He's in Paris. He's very ill. How far back are the gendarmes?

EDMOND
Minutes.

FERNAND
Do you need money?

EDMOND
Yes, thank you.

FERNAND
Do you have a pistol?

EDMOND
Of course not.

FERNAND
Good.

Fernand suddenly changes his attitude and takes out a rapier.

EDMOND
Stop it, Fernand. I don't have time for this.

Fernand makes a cut at Edmond with his rapier. Edmond is surprised.

FERNAND
I saw Napoleon give you that letter.

Suddenly, everything becomes clear to Edmond.

EDMOND
It was you?

FERNAND
Well, it wasn't just me. It was Danglars's idea.

EDMOND
Why didn't you come to me first?

FERNAND
Why did you keep it a secret from me? I thought you were my
friend.

EDMOND
I told you I gave Napoleon my word. He lied to me!

FERNAND
I know, Edmond. I read the letter.

Flashback- Fernand is reading Napoleon's letter in ELBA, while Edmond is
sleeping.

EDMOND
You-- You read--Why are you doing this?

FERNAND
Oh, it's complicated.

FERNAND
Oh, it's complicated.

EDMOND
Complicated.

Edmond runs back to a rapier hung on the wall and gets it.
Fernand gets near to Edmond pointing his rapier towards Edmond.

FERNAND
Don't be ridiculous.

They watch each other.

EDOMOND
Get out of my way.

FERNAND
I can't let you go, Edmond.

They start fighting, but Fernand is much better at swordfighting than Edmond.
Edmond can't escape, and Fernand drives Edmond into a corner. Edmond
tries to escape from a window.

FERNAND
Get away from the window.

Fernand runs after Edmond.

FERNAND
Don't make me take off your hand!

Edomond can't escape. Fernand cuts his hand. They fight again, but Edmond
can't win.

EDOMOND
Why? In God's name, why?

FERNAND
Because you're the son of a clerk!

FERNAND
And I'm not supposed to want to be you.

Edomond is astonished. The gendarmes arrive at Fernand's house. He calls out to them.

FERNAND
In here! In here!

The gendarmes arrest Edomond.

GENDARMES
Get!

FERNAND
Wait.

Fernand takes a king from the chessboard.

FERNAND
Hold it. Hold it.

Fernand gives Edmond the king.

FERNAND
To remember better days.

The gendarmes take Edomond outside.

GENDARME
Come on!

Fernand watches Edmond.

FERNAND
I told you it wasn't always going to be this way, Edmond.

EXT. VILLEFORT ESTATE
Villfeort has something to say to his father, so he comes back
home. He tells Valentina where he is.

VILLEFORT
Father! Where is he?

VALENTINA
The study. What's he done now?

INT.VILLEFORT HOUSE.
Villefort goes to the study and he speaks to his father.

VILLEFORT
Now, you listen to me, Father. I am the chief magistrate, an
official of the new regime. I cannot afford to have my own father
mixed up in treasonous affairs!

CLARION
You know-- In the end, treason is a matter of dates.
I shall be the patriot, and you the traitor, when the emperor
returns.

VALENTINA
Stop it. Stop it, you old ruin. Those days are over. Napoleon Bonaparte
is no longer the emperor of anything. If you continue to dabble in this
lunacy, you run an excellent chance of being arrested and ruining our
entire family all because of your idiotic sympathies.

CLARION
At least I have sympathies.

VILLEFORT
For God's sake, Father, all Valentina is saying is that as a family our
fates are intertwined. Surely you can see that.

CLARION
See? Ah! I'm an old ruin. I don't see as well as I did. You will excuse
me.

INT. CHATEAU D'IF
Dantes is taken to Chateau D'If by boat. He is taken along with a guard to Dorleac's
room.

GUARD
Move it. Move.

INT. CHATEAU D'IF

DORLEAC
Welcome, Monsieur Dantes. I am Armand Dorleac, the
warden of Chateau d'lf.

EDMOND
Monsieur, I know you must hear this a great deal,
but I assure you I am innocent. Everyone must say
that, I know, but I truly am.

DORLEAC
Innocent.

EDMOND
Yes.

DORLEAC
I know. I really do know.

EDMOND
You mock me?

DORLEAC
No, my dear Dantes. I know perfectly well that you are innocent. Why else
would you be here? If you were truly guilty, there are a hundred prisons
in France where they would lock you away, but Chateau d'lf is where they
put the ones they're ashamed of. Let's have a look at your quarters now,
shall we?

Edmond is taken into a small room by Armand. Armand sees a message carved on the wall.

DORLEAC
"God will give me justice."

Armand talks to Edmond.

DORLEAC
People are always trying to motivate themselves. Or they keep
calendars, but soon they lose interest or they die.

A guard mocks Edmond, pointing to the window.

GUARD
There's a window.

DORLEAC
All I'm left with is a rather unsightly wall, I'm
afraid.

Edmond arms are chained to the ceiling.

DORLEAC
So I conceived of another way to help our prisoners keep
track of time. Every year, on the anniversary of their
imprisonment, we hurt them. Usually just a simple beating
really. Although, on their first day here, in your case, today,
I like to do something rather special.

Dorleac takes out a whip, and begins to whip Edmond. Edmond screams.