enid thresher

For those who are wanting a repeat or a DVD of BBCs Count of Monte Cristo starring Alan Badel, here is a copy of an e-mail I received from the BEEB today:

Dear Enid

Thanks for your e-mail regarding 'Count Of Monte Cristo'.

I understand that you and many others would like know if this series will be released on DVD

I am currently unaware of any plans to release this series. However, if you would like to make a suggestion for its release as a DVD, I would suggest you put it in writing to the Programme & Acquisitions Department who are responsible for the commercial DVD release of BBC programmes. Please write to:

Programming & Acquisitions Dept
2 entertain
33 Foley Street
London
W1W 7TL

Please note that there must be adequate public interest before a release can be arranged.

Can we all flood them with requests please as I believe it's the only production where the ending follows the book (more or less)

silverwhistle

It would be great, but unfortunately I think I read somewhere that there's an episode missing, believed lost.

"Trust me, I'm a doctor...!"

Minafer

It's my understanding that this one exists complete on 35 mm film. Would love to see it myself.

dpgmel

Well that's at least four of us that would buy it

Third Man

Has there ever been a T.V.version or film of The Count of Monte Cristo that gets anywhere near the achievement of the Dumas novel.

I've always been amazed when people classify this tale as a child's story. It's hardly a children's book when you think of it because it has: a female serial poisoner; a stabbing; a couple of cases of infanticide; three suicides; an extended and gratuitous scene of torture; drug induced sexual fantasies, illegitimacy; lesbianism; bi-sexuality; the taking and effects of hashish and also take the length of the book as well into consideration and it all amounts to it's disqualification from any modern school curriculum.

Simon

bertie

I confess I haven't read the novel altough it is on the pile to be read sometime. However, I do recall the 1964 BBC serial with Alan Badel as ED/the Count which was very well received. I really can't say much more than that - I was only 16 at the time but I certainly remember it being compulsive viewing.
I am waiting for a dramatisation of the Charles Dickens novel 'Barnaby Rudge' which seems to have been ignored since a 1960 - 13 episode TV serial (according to IMDB - I certainly don't recall it personally) . I read this book relatively recently and enjoyed it enormously but unlike almost all of his other novels this one does not seem to attract the TV planners. As with the C of MC (1964) I would also be astonished if the 1960 version of Barnaby Rudge ever turns up.