Mathias Sandorf

The novel by Jules Verne was part political ,part "count of Monte Cristo"(dedicated to Dumas,by the way);it was Hungary trying to escape from the Austrian empire's yoke.A long part of the novel was the hero's revenge (like Dumas' hero ).

The movie is a fiasco ,in spite of talented actors such as Louis Jourdan (who could have been ,even his age,a dashing hero ,but does not seem to give a damn about the part he plays);the political side is extremely vague and we do not know WHY the people are victims of oppression ;the countries are ,in the screenplay ,imaginary -their names are not known:actually it looks like internal political tensions. .Besides ,the governor (played by Bunelian actor Francisco Rabal:"Nazarin" and "Viridiana" ,two classics) is loyal,nice,good-looking,and to make the matters worse,in love with the hero's daughter;this vapid virgin is in a Cornelian situation,where love and duty conflict!But once again,with such a man ("I must obey orders"),what's the use of rebelling? Two brigands ,who give the movie a Robin Hood side ("I prefer stealing from the Rich") plus an infamous informer ("it's my duty,no more loyal than I" )and his henchman with two huge hounds ,in a desultory script .

Besides,Georges Lampin does not know how to direct an action scene and the crowds are left to their own devices .

NB:the novel had already been filmed in the silent age,in the early twenties.