The Count of Monte Cristo - Volume 5 (DVD)

George Dolenz stars as Edmond Dantes, the hero of Alexandre Dumas' legendary adventure novel, in this rarely-seen television series. Dantes is a man falsely imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Escaping from jail, he creates the new identity of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' to track down the men who framed him. The Italian-born Dolenz (1908-1963) was discovered by famed produced Howard Hughes and signed to RKO in the 1940's, billed as the "European Leading Man". He is best remembered as the father of Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz. Co-star Nick Cravat had a circus acrobat act with a pre-fame Burt Lancaster in the 1930s; they billed themselves as 'Lang and Cravat'. Lifelong friends, he would appear with Lancaster in nine of his films, including The Flame and the Arrow (1950) and The Crimson Pirate (1952).

THE MAZZINI AFFAIR: The Count disguises himself as a priest to free a revolutionary from prison.

THE CARBONARI: A mysterious cabal called 'The Carbonari' is blackmailing a young nobleman.

THE DEVIL'S EMISSARY: A crazed mesmerist terrorizes the residents of a small village.

BORDEAUX: Dantes must put aside his feelings when the love of his life asks for help in saving her husband.

• television