The Count of Monte Cristo (Il Conte di Montecristo)

SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER

How long?

It's close.

You call me when it's done. I'll be downstairs.

It's a boy, sir.

You have to leave now.

- But I still have to clean the babie's... - No, no. Forget about that.

Come on.

- How much do I owe you? - 10 francs.

- You know who I am? - I know, M. Villefort.

You know what I do?

I prosecute criminals.

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

- Understand? - Yes, sir.

You're fine to do that in Italy, Jacopo, but not here in Marseille.

The devil...?

Caderousse, why are you not in Paris?

Jacopo sent word that you were putting into Marseilles today,

so I thought I'd come in person to give you the news I have.

- What news? - It's about the midwife, so...

Listening.

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

Tell me about the midwife.

Well, it seems that she did something rather foolish.

She went to Villefort only 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.

And by the way, the house in question, where the birth took place,

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?

- How old? - 18.

His name is Albert.

The woman I love...

The only woman I have ever loved...

...as 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?

I myself have only found out recently.

The boy's been away at a boarding school all the years I've been in Paris.

And why are you telling it to me now?

Because it's come to my attention

that Albert is presently on a tour of Italy with a friend

and he's planning to attend the carnival in Rome.

Do you know where they're staying in Rome?

Hotel de Londres.

Jacopo, arrange a carriage.

I'm going to Rome.

Splendid. I've never been to Rome.

No, you won't be coming.

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

The boys have arrived and checked in.

Good.

- What's the name of Albert's friend? - Franz d'Epinay.

They complain like crazy that 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.

- Albert is your ticket. - Precisely.

- 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.

Yes, we've heard about this place. It's very impressive.

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, we're set into visit the Colosseum.

And take in the old opera.

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

That's what Albert's after anyway.

I think Franz is talking about himself now.

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 Capt. Fernand Mondego, I believe.

Yes. They say he was fearless in the face of fire.

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.

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.

You've never been to an execution before?

No.

Well, it's 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.

How will he kill them?

The first one, the braver of the two, Peppino,

is one of Vampa's band. He'll 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.

It's normal. It's fear.

Yes.

But this type of death is not 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 then what?

And then it's all over?

It would be fairer to exert vengeance on them slowly...

...equivalent to the pain they inflicted on their victims.

Stop! Stop!

Stop the execution by order of the Pope!

"By the supreme mercy of His Holiness Pope Gregory XVI,"

"I order that grace be shown to the condemned man Peppino."

You are free to go.

Why him and not me?

Why?

Release me! Release me! I also want to live!

Why him and not me? Why him?

Why?

Come now, gentlemen. Men have been dying since the world began.

The signal the carnival can begin.

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

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. - Follow me.

- I'll see you back at the hotel. - What?

Wait.

Where are you going?

- 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.

I'm terribly sorry to bother you, Count...

- Franz? - ...but...

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?

I don't know. Albert run 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's the man who gave you this note?

He's outside, waiting.

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'm the Count of Monte Cristo,

and the man you kidnapped is a friend of mine.

You're...

- 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.

Why did that man pay you such homage?

I have a reputation.

I'm no man to be trifled with.

Follow me.

Who's there?

What brings the Count of Monte Cristo here?

You imbecile.

You fool.

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

Hold him to ransom like a dog? Are you mad?

He is your friend?

Bring him to me. Now!

I'm completely ashamed of myself.

What are you standing there for? You do not hear the Count?

- Albert! - Thank God you're here.

Jacopo, take this gentleman back to the carriage.

I shall see you there anon.

Follow me.

- How did you get the money? - I didn't.

The Count here somehow knows this...

...this devil and arranged for your release...

Take that silly thing off now.

- 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?