Cast
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Michael York
as D'Artagnan
Oliver Reed
as Athos
Richard Chamberlain
as Aramis
Frank Finlay
as Porthos / O'Reilly
Faye Dunaway
as Lady de Winter
Raquel Welch
as Constance de Bonancieux
Christopher Lee
as Rochefort
Geraldine Chaplin
as Anna of Austria
Jean-Pierre Cassel
as Louis XIII
Spike Milligan
as M. Bonancieux
Charlton Heston
as Cardinal Richelieu
Simon Ward
as Duke of Buckingham
Georges Wilson
as Treville
Roy Kinnear
as Planchet
Joss Ackland
as D’Artagnan’s Father
Crew
Director
- Richard Lester
Producer
- Alexander Salkind
Reviews
CinemaSerf
OK, so I never really did understand why Michael York succeeded, but here he makes for quite a decent "D'Artagnan". A country bumpkin who arrives in Paris determined to follow in his father's footsteps and join the king's musketeers. His first day is not auspicious, though. He ends up slated to fight three duels with "Athos" (Oliver Reed), "Porthos" (Frank Finlay) and 'Aramis" (Richard Chamberlain). Luckily the Cardinal's guard intervene and soon the four are "one for all....". "D'Artagnan" ends up lodging with the cowardly "Bonacieux" (Spike Milligan) and his unlikely bride "Constance" (Raquel Welch) who is a dressmaker to the Queen (Geraldine Chaplin) who is treading a dangerous line between her marriage to the King (Jean-Pierre Cassel) and her love of British Prime Minister, the Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward). None of this is unknown to the shrewd Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) who uses his two stalwarts "Rochefort" (Christopher Lee) and "Milady" (Faye Dunaway) to lay a trap that will rid him of not just the Queen, but also discredit the musketeers and leave the king squarely in his pocket! Tongues are firmly in cheeks here as this enjoyable adventure picks up pace from the get-go and with loads of characterful contributions from Milligan, the long-suffering "Planchet" (Roy Kinnear) and, personally, the always good value Frank Finlay. There's loads of lighthearted comedy, some pithy dialogue and all-in-all everyone looks like they are having a good time swashing and buckling, manoeuvring, seducing, plotting, swilling copious amounts of wine and... Funnily enough, it's actually Heston who comes across more the Thespian amongst the cast - his being the more earnest role, but Reed and Lee are up for the lark, and I was too. Enjoyable stuff, this!
Dec 25, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Adventure/Romance/Family film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Three Musketeers distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Richard Lester brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1973, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Three Musketeers took approximately 28 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $4.5 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 106 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The costume department created over 325 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1973, when this film was released:
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Three Musketeers shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which focuses more on action than character development, The Three Musketeers offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Bridges of Madison County and Manhattan explore similar territory, The Three Musketeers stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 11, 1973
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Budget: $4,500,000
- Revenue: $22,018,000
Where to Watch
