The Three Musketeers

I really enjoyed this old version of the three musketeers. D'Artagnan was not too well cast but I did enjoy the musketeers. This movie did an excellent job of following the book and showed a vile Milady De Winter. There is a lot of the style of older movies in this one, for instance, the four musketeers do a little singing from time to time, but it's surrivable. I would people who like older movies to give this one a try, it's worth it.

This is at least the seventh official adaptation I have watched of the archetypal Alexandre Dumas swashbuckler – the others dating from 1921 (Silent), 1939 (semi-musical), 1948 (for my money, the definitive version), 1953 (French), 1963 (Italian spoof) and 1973/1974 (the popular star-studded two-parter); there are still a few more to go, to be sure – including a renowned French Silent serial and a vintage British TV mini-series which I will be getting to shortly – not counting myriad sequels, offshoots and variations! Being the first Talkie rendition and emanating from the golden age of the genre, much was perhaps expected of the outcome – especially since its director had just supplied the best-regarded take on another of the author's classic and oft-filmed adventure tales, namely THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (1934); however, it ended up proving so uninspired that the picture has virtually fallen through the cracks over the years – until the recent dusting off, being an RKO production, via Warners' "Archive Collection"!

While the essence of the narrative is there for the most part, the spirit is sadly lacking (despite a script co-written by Lee and the renowned Dudley Nichols); not surprisingly, it looks fairly good – but the cast is variable to say the least! The worst offenders here are certainly Walter Abel's bland D'Artagnan (he is awkwardly speechless during the opening sequence!) and Paul Lukas' unimposing Athos (with his trademark broken English delivery intact!); the remaining Musketeers are played by Moroni Olsen (a typically rowdy Porthos in his debut) and a young Onslow Stevens (an adequately brooding Aramis) – incidentally, their famous exploits have even yielded a theme tune! The other famous characters are just as unevenly served – with Ian Keith's Count de Rochefort (for the record, he would reprise the role in 1948) and Margot Grahame's Milady de Winter (who bows out not in the traditional manner, i.e. at the mercy of the public executioner, but rather by leaping off a bridge into the river below!) acquitting themselves reasonably well, while Miles Mander as the King and Nigel de Brulier's Cardinal Richelieu (a part he would tackle four times in all, including the 1921 original and two separate versions, made in 1929 and 1939, of Dumas' "The Man In The Iron Mask") barely register here! That said, the fencing by Fred Cavens (a master in his art throughout the genre's heyday) delivers the expected goods...but, as a general rule, the positives are outweighed by the negatives – perhaps never more so than when D'Artagnan engages in drunken singing (with his just-met beloved Constance on one arm and the Queen of France{!} on the other being urged to helpfully join in) to escape the attention of the Cardinal's men after a clandestine night-time rendezvous with the Duke of Buckingham!!

Spectacular swordplay that results to be a passable version of the classic Dumas novel . The hectic adventures of a young provincial noble who came to Paris to become a Musketeer and along the way he will meet action, love, hate , as his impetuousness gets him involved in political plots... and of course, beathtaking duels . RKO Radio Pictures presents Dumas' exciting story of love and adventure ,¨The three musketeers¨ . For the first time is adapted in the greatest Hollywood splendor , the complete romance , the historical characters , the full novel just as Alexandre Dumas write it . It is packed with comedy , derring-do , intrigue, a love story , action , drama and moving swordplay . An awesome casting and lavish production shot in RKO Radio Pictures Studios make for a fairly amusement swashbuckler . This is the classic version of the Dumas's novel with a handsome Walter Abel in a brave role as a young and handsome soldier of fortune , a dashing , audacious lover , whose heart set on joining the king's Musketeers . As at the beginning after a fencing , he is taken under the wings of three of the most respected and feared Musketeers. This is a slight and medium budgeted retelling about the durable Alexandre Dumas's novel with all-star-cast . This delightful adaptation based on Alexandro Dumas classic novel starts with the youngster D'Artagnan who arrives in Paris to find Mister Treville, chief of Musketeers . But he meets three two-fisted Musketeers , Athos (Paul LuKas) , a rollicking adventurer , fighting to live and living to love , Porthos (Moroni Olsen) and Aramis (Onslow Stevens) . DÁrtagnan to be aware they are Musketeers and is invited to unite them in their objective to struggle against guards of Cardinal Richelieu , his deputy Rochefort (Ian Hunter) , and an astute secret agent named Milady De Winter (Margot Grahame ) who is lovely as a jewel , deadly as a dagger the wickedest woman in all Christendom . Meanwhile , D'Artagnan falls in love with a gorgeous young named Constance (Heather Angel) , she is a golden-haired beauty entangled in a web of treachery and intrigue . Furthermore , there is developed an intrigue between Luis XIII (Miles Mander) , Queen Anna of Austria (Rosamond Pinchot) , dazzling as her gilded palace for her , men dared a thousand perils , Rochefort (Ian Hunter who played the same role as 1948 remake) and Duke of Buckingham (Ralph Forbes) ; and , of course ,the nasty Richelieu (Nigel De Brulier) . As the Musketeers attempt to free the Queen from the machinations of the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. As the musketeers join forces for royal vengeance with the shout : ¨One for all and all for one¨. Mightiest of All Romantic Adventures! ...Storming it's way to the screen with unbelievable excitement!. The complete romance and adventure ...The full novel !

It's a decent rendition from the immortal novel in budget enough and breathtaking scenarios in which the young Gascon D'Artagnan and the three Musketeeers get together to fight to save France and the honor of a Queen . The picture contains rousing action , intrigue , romantic adventure , mayhem and a lot of fencing . Entertaining swashbuckling with lproduction enough , glamorous gowns and luxurious sets . Sympathetic performances by main star cast and enjoyable secondary cast ; as the marvelous main actors are completed by stellar support cast full of classical and veteran players as Heather Angel , Ian Keith , Moroni Olsen , Onslow Stevens , Rosamond Pinchot , John Qualen , Ralph Forbes Lucille Ball , and several others . It displays tmospheric cinematography in black and white by J. Peverell Marley . Evocative and moving musical score by the classic composer Max Steiner Herbert Stothart based on Tchaikowski themes . Lush production design is well reflected on the luxurious interiors and exteriors filmed at Hollywood . The motion picture was well realized by Rowland V. Lee .

This classy story is subsequently remade on several versions , firstly take on this classic turns out to be the following ones : 1921 silent version by Fred Niblo with Douglas Fairbanks . And going on 1935 adaptation by Rowland V. Lee with Walter Abel and Paul Lukas . The three Musketeers by George Sidney with Gene Kelly , Reginald Owen , Lana Turner , Angela Lansbury , John Sutton , June Allyson , Vincent Price . 1973 amusing version by Richard Lester with Michael York , Oliver Reed and Raquel Welch ; 1993 modern adaptation by Stephen Herek with Charlie Sheen , Kiefer Sutherland , Oliver Platt and Chris O'Donnell , and 2001 rendition by Peter Hyams with Justin Chambers , Mena Suvari and Tim Roth , among others. ¨The three Musketeers¨ is an outstanding and entertaining adaptation of the classy that will appeal to the costumer genre buffs and it results to be an excellent adaptation with big budget based on the classic tale .

This film begins with a young man named "d'Artagnan" (Walter Abel) leaving his small village in France to join the King's Musketeers in Paris. Unfortunately, on the way there, he gets into a scuffle with a man named "Count de Rochefort (Ian Keith) and is subsequently knocked unconscious. After taking a couple of days to recover from his head wound, d'Artagnan quickly continues his journey to Paris to finally introduce himself to the leader of the King's Musketeers, "Captain de Treville" (Lumsden Hare). Naturally, being the son of a former King's Musketeer, d'Artagnan is warmly welcomed and subsequently accepts the privilege of becoming a cadet in that highly respected organization. But then, as fate would have it, while talking to Captain de Treville, d'Artagnan just happens to spot Count de Rochefort from a distance--and hurriedly dashes out of the room to settle a score with him. Unfortunately, on the way to confront him, he accidently offends three strangers within the course of only a few minutes and is challenged to a duel by each of them. Never one to back down, he proudly accepts their challenge. However, upon appearing at the stipulated place, he and his worthy opponents are confronted by a party of six men under the orders of "Cardinal Richelieu" (Nigel De Brulier) who have come to arrest them for violating the law prohibiting dueling. Recognizing that they are outnumbered, d'Artagnan joins his three opponents in a fight against Richelieu's men. Afterward, having acquitted himself quite nicely, he is welcomed by his three worthy opponents into the brotherhood of the King's Musketeers. What he doesn't know is that there is a great deal of political intrigue in Paris at this time and he will need the help of these three Musketeers to navigate through the pitfalls and survive from that point on. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was a fairly entertaining action picture which successfully incorporated a little humor and intrigue into the mix as well. Admittedly, the script seemed a bit too vague at times and the movie itself was quite dated. But even so, I still found it to be good enough for the time spent, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

In 1625 an ambitious youth joins forces with THE THREE MUSKETEERS to save the French Queen's honor from the machinations of the cruel Cardinal Richelieu.

RKO does Dumas proud in this rousing version of the ancient swashbuckler. Too long ignored or slighted as dull or drab, it is in fact lavish & lively, with dashes of welcomed humor, and should keep the interest of most uncritical viewers. The absence of any major stars is actually a benefit, as the plot is able to speak for itself without being sifted through the skein of celebrity.

Initially, Walter Abel seems a curious choice for the impulsive D'Artagnan, but his exuberance & enthusiasm quickly envelop the role. Paul Lukas, Moroni Olsen & Onslow Stevens have fun as the title characters and the fact that there's very little reason to tell them apart does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.

One could wish for a bit more screen time for Ian Keith & Nigel de Brulier as the villains de Rochefort & Richelieu respectively, but Margot Grahame makes the most of her opportunities as the evil Milady de Winter.

Heather Angel provides the romantic stimulus for Mr. Abel, while Lumsden Hare as the Musketeer Captain & mild-mannered John Qualen as D'Artagnan's servant equip themselves well in small roles. Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Lionel Belmore as an innkeeper.

In his single scene as the Duke of Buckingham, British actor Ralph Forbes reveals the talent which, in a fairer world, would have made him a major Hollywood star.

Not surprisingly, the original story has been streamlined & altered in various ways and at least a couple of notable deaths have been omitted, so as to provide a happier fadeout.

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What were the facts surrounding the historical Richelieu & Buckingham? Since the novel & films make much of their rivalry, a closer examination is in order.

Both men rose from semi-obscurity to positions of enormous power & influence in their respective kingdoms. Each found it necessary to dominate the weak sovereigns whose patronage they enjoyed. Both endured the utter contempt & hatred of powerful domestic factions allied against them. And were there ever a flirtation between the French Queen Anne of Austria and Buckingham, it was of a very mild nature. There certainly was nothing resembling The Adventure of the Queen's Diamonds and all the derring-do associated with it.

Armand-Jean du Plessis, Cardinal and Duke de Richelieu (1585-1642), came from a minor gentry family which was saddled with enormous financial debt upon the death of his father. However, blessed with a very good brain & a manipulative mother, Richelieu used his intellectual charm to advance his ascent through the Byzantine levels of Church hierarchy. Once having caught the attention of Louis XIII Richelieu never looked back. Eventually wielding absolute authority, the Red Eminence took as his life's mission to thwart Spanish Habsburg hegemony in Europe and to crush all outbreaks of French Protestantism as they arose throughout the kingdom.

For his part, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1592-1628), had his extreme physical attractiveness to thank for grabbing the eye of James I - who liked to dance both ends of the ballroom - and later became the favourite of Charles I as well. The son of a knight, Buckingham soon rose to an eminence of power and angered the nobles by his monopoly of the king's affections and his arrogant accruement of great wealth. As a diplomat & military strategist, Buckingham was hopelessly inept and he needed the king's protection to save him from trial in the Star Chamber. Having failed disastrously in an attempt to succor the Huguenot of La Rochelle, France, he returned to England where he was quickly assassinated by a disgruntled naval officer. When news of Buckingham's death reached London the people rejoiced in the streets.