The Three Musketeers (1973) (4 Stars)

"The Three Musketeers" is one of the most filmed novels ever. Supposedly it's been filmed over 50 times, which makes it second only to Bram Stoker's "Dracula". Which is the best version? I don't know. Ask me when I've watched the other 49 or more versions.

The 1973 version keeps close to the book, but it concentrates on humour rather than action. After years of swordsmanship training with his father, young D'Artagnan goes to Paris to become a musketeer. I have one problem understanding this. A musketeer was a rifleman, and we even see a rifle presented to D'Artagnan when he's accepted, but the so-called musketeers always use swords to fight. Is this explained in the novel?

In Paris hot-headed D'Artagnan gets into arguments with strangers who challenge him to duels. These strangers are the Three Musketeers, who he meets separately: Athos, Porthos and Aramis. When he's about to begin his first duel, they're interrupted by Cardinal Richelieu's guards. Duelling in the streets is illegal. D'Artagnan joins the Three Musketeers in a battle with the soldiers, so the four of them become friends.

The king's wife has had an affair with the English Duke of Buckingham. She tells him they can no longer see one another. She gives him her diamond necklace as a parting gift. That's foolish, because it was a present from her husband, and he tells her he wants her to wear it at the next royal ball. The queen gives D'Artagnan the secret mission to travel to England and retrieve the necklace before the ball takes place.

I enjoyed this film, which I saw today for the first time, but it seems dated in comparison with the 1993 version, which I've seen a few times.

Success Rate:  + 0.2

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