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The first film of The Three Musketeers was some 120 years ago, and while that's now lost there have been dozens of adaptations since. That's not counting the animated versions, the works based on or directly inspired by with some degree of revision, or those that are, like the Spanish-Japanese produced Dogtanian And The Three Muskehounds, both. Though there have been plenty that have gone before this version it does bring a pace and panache to a familiar story. There's something apposite in this being a two part adventure. The original work was serialised over several months and Alexandre Dumas himself would return to the adventures of D'Artagnan and his comrades several times.

"Dumas himself" doing a bit of effort there, as Auguste Maquet felt sufficiently aggrieved that he brought suit for credit as co-author and royalties. He might have done better challenging him to a duel. There's no solid record.

Alexander Dumas (Gerard Depardieu), one of the most famous writers in France (and interestingly, though not brought up in the film, of mixed race -- just a little factoid), does not write alone. Some would call his associate, Auguste Maquet (Benoit Poelvoorde) his ghost writer, meaning he does all the writing and lets Dumas put his name on the work. Others might call him a collaborator since Dumas contributes lots of ideas and even pages of prose. But it is questionable of any of Dumas' efforts end up in the published novels. No one actually says anything about their relationship since...

Alexander Dumas (Gerard Depardieu), one of the most famous writers in France (and interestingly, though not brought up in the film, of mixed race -- just a little factoid), does not write alone. Some would call his associate, Auguste Maquet (Benoit Poelvoorde) his ghost writer, meaning he does all the writing and lets Dumas put his name on the work. Others might call him a collaborator since Dumas contributes lots of ideas and even pages of prose. But it is questionable of any of Dumas' efforts end up in the published novels. No one actually says anything about their relationship since...

Scholars clash over Auguste Maquet's role in creating masterpieces such as The Three Musketeers

He spent his life in the shadow of one of France's most celebrated authors and in death has become a mere footnote in literary history. Despite having co-written some of the most popular tales in the French language, Auguste Maquet has been forgotten by all but the most erudite of scholars.

Now, however, the quietly creative ghostwriter whose crucial role in the production of some of Alexandre Dumas's most famous novels has gone unacknowledged for more than 150 years is finally having his moment in the limelight. A film released in French cinemas tomorrow seeks to shed new light on the man who fans say was the true genius behind The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Starring Gérard Depardieu as the colourful Dumas and Belgian actor Benoît Poelvoorde as his downtrodden employee,...

Sometimes, I should tell you that there are times when I wish I lived in France because of its cultural life. After all, I already know how to speak French so, I shouldn't have any difficulty to find a job and blend in. Anyway, yesterday, the trailer of the upcoming film L'autre Dumas (unofficial translation: The Other Dumas) has been released online and the film will be released in France on February 10, 2010.

Directed by Safy Nebbou, this film is a biopic dealing with the relation between French novelist Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet, Dumas's ghostwriter (or "literary Negro" as the French said it back in the 18th and 19th century). The film takes place in February 1848. Alexandre Dumas (Gérard Dépardieu?) is at the height of his fame. Besides, what would his novels such as The Three Musketeers or The Count of Monte-Cristo have been without the help of Auguste Maquet (Benoît Poelvoorde)? However,...