Is THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO a story of revenge or justice? Is Edmond Dantes’s revenge on his enemies justified? What makes this revenge story bittersweet?
In episode 87, The Boston Sisters ask these questions about a new adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s classic epic, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in a conversation with Norman Allen, senior minister of the First Parish of Portland, ME and an award-winning playwright who's no stranger to adapting the literary works of authors like Alexandre Dumas ("The three Musketeers") for the stage.
The new 8-part miniseries adaptation of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO premiers on PBS MASTERPIECE in March 2026 and features Sam Claflin (Daisy Jones and the Six) as Edmond Dantès, a nineteen-year-old sailor who, when falsely accused of treason, is imprisoned without trial in a grim island fortress off Marseille, France. After many years of captivity, Dantes finally escapes and discovers treasure, making him one of the richest men in the world. Under the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, he plans to take revenge on those who wrongly accused U.S.
!SPOILER ALERT! this podcast contains spoilers for anyone who hasn't read or watched any adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO.
TIMESTAMPS
Introduction to THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (0:03)
Norman Allen's Background and Theatre Adaptations (6:25)
Revenge vs. Justice in THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (12:12)
The Role of Institutions and Historical Context (18:43)
Forgiveness and Restorative Justice (25:31)
Edmond Dantes' Character and Choices (31:16)
Adapting Literary Works for the Stage (37:45)
Theater and Religion: A Playwright-Minister Perspective (44:00)
Potential Adaptations and Final Thoughts (50:29)
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