Marseille, 1815. All of young Edmond Dantès’ dreams are about to come true – promoted to ship’s captain he can finally marry the love of his life, Mercedes. But his success inspires jealousy from various quarters. Betrayed by his rivals and denounced as a member of a pro-Bonaparte conspiracy, he is imprisoned without trial at the Château d’If, with no hope of return. After fourteen years of secret instruction by fellow inmate Abbé Faria, Dantès manages to escape and to get hold of the legendary treasure hidden on the isle of Monte Cristo. Now with a huge fortune, he hatches an extraordinary plan to exact the vengeance he craves. Assuming multiple identities – “the Count of Monte Cristo” among them – Dantès first courts his enemies, now highly placed dignitaries, the better to strike them down. But the price of revenge is heavy for one’s soul…