The Count of Monte Cristo

In the middle of a violent storm, sailor Edmond Dantès is forced to take over command when the captain dies. Edmond steers the ship safely home to Marseille, where his beloved Mercedes awaits. Edmond is promoted to captain and plans a wedding with Mercedes. He feels like the happiest man in the world, but the happiness is short-lived. His rivals Danglars and Fernand hatch plans to have him imprisoned. 

After ten years in the dungeon, Edmond is close to death. But then he suddenly comes into contact with Abbé Faria, an elderly priest who has dug an escape tunnel. The two become friends and in time Faria reveals a treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. When Faria dies, Edmond sees a chance to finally escape.

Disguised, Edmond returns to Marseille, where he discovers that his father is dead and that Mercedes has married and moved to Paris. He heads to the island of Monte Cristo and finds the enormous treasure. Transformed into the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo, Edmond begins his revenge.

Five years after Edmond becomes the Count of Monte Cristo, he meets his enemies in Paris. Edmond invites them all to dinner and tells a spooky story about a newborn baby buried alive, which horrifies several of his guests.

Edmond frees the slave Haydée, daughter of Ali Pascha, and takes her to Paris. At a ball, Haydée reveals that Fernand betrayed her father. Mercedes begins to suspect that there is something wrong with the count's identity.

Edmond introduces Vampa, now in the role of the wealthy Count of Spada, to society. Spada says he came to Paris to find a wife. Edmond convinces old Noirtier to reveal a secret.

Edmond finds Villefort's illegitimate son Gaston, who has become a thief. Danglars reveals Fernand's betrayal in Algeria, Fernand's son Albert becomes enraged and challenges Edmond to a duel.

Edmond reveals to Villefort that Heloise stole the vial of poison from him; the same poison used to murder the Marchioness. At Gaston's trial, the midwife recounts the failed infanticide and identifies the murderous father. Edmond makes it back to Marseille and meets Mercedes, but all the years of revenge have taken a toll on him - does he have the ability to love again?