The Count of Monte Cristo (1934 Film) - Differences From The Novel

Differences From The Novel

The film changes some major details of the story. Villefort's murderous second wife is completely omitted from the screenplay, and at film's end, Dantes and Mercedes end up together. The character of Princess Haydee, who, in the book, falls in love with Edmond, is here reduced to little more than a bit part.

Haydee appears twice - once when she denounces Mondego, and again in the final scenes, when Dantes is brought to trial a second time and tries to shield Valentine de Villefort from disgrace by not defending himself. There is absolutely no indication of any romantic interest between Haydee and Dantes in the film - only friendship and concern. In another twist not in the novel, Mercedes tells Valentine how Villefort had him accused falsely and imprisoned, whereupon Valentine gives him a note begging him to go ahead and denounce her father publicly. In the film, Villefort does not go insane, as in the novel.