The Musketeers

I'm not one to squabble over mismatches between source material and movies - as long as the story is consistent within its own universe.

From this point of view, this series has managed to put all of the recent Hollywood adaptations to an absolute shame.

First of all, the adaptation is so good that sometimes it's difficult to say where the Dumas novels end and where the adaptation begins. Sure enough, the events from the books aren't borrowed entirely and sequentially but rather they are somewhat transformed and scattered.

The main plot points are there, but with extra background and extended events which strengthen character building.

This is definitely a necessary step especially because the original story (so very popular) has turned the characters, their demeanor, names and status into stereotypes ... and stereotypes can be boring especially when the original context is transformed.

The musketeers keep their names, general demeanor but their background stories are enriched (while keeping the main points).

Aramis is a former priest with a soft spot for the ladies ... but there's much more in the hold. Athos remains somewhat misanthropic with lots of mystery behind him (and with a history alongside Milady de Winter) Porthos gets more of an overhaul especially given the original largely straightforward character type. D'Artagnan in turn seems to be more of a bon-vivant type now and although he keeps his original motivation and history, he is portrayed here a lot more child-like. I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, but we'll have to wait and see what the writers will make of it.

Richelieu gets a great portrayal from the future Doctor Who actor, greatly improving upon the original character with more details and more political plots which are mostly well-thought out as opposed to the incredibly brainless plots of the Hollywood movies. Let's hope they'll keep up the kind of work that we've been shown in the first few episodes.

Obviously, nothing is perfect. There are inconsistencies here and there as well as questions left hanging. But we've got at least a season to see where they lead.

Having read all the books a few times over the years I was really looking forward to watching this, what a disappointment. Why do producers and scriptwriters think they can do better than the author? There is plenty of material to explore within the three books. The locations and visual period feel is well done however the dialogue is dire. Captain of the musketeers "you three my office now" about sums it up. The setting is Paris 1620 but the feel is America 2014, modern cops and robbers in drag really. The only good thing is that it has encouraged me to dust the books off and re read them. This is really well done children's television not for anyone who wants to watch some gritty drama with some depth and decent dialogue to give some form of period feel. Too modern for my taste and too simple.

I have to admit I found the first episode OK it wasn't amazing, but the second episode the characters started to grow on my - love the casting on all the musketeers and well.... its Peter Caapaldi!!

I always enjoy a light hearted historical adaptation and have to admit my favourite thing about this series so far is the costumes and the sets - the lighting is fantastic. It really gives the show the right atmosphere. it i'm being fussy the one thing that I wholly dislike is the theme tune - I just don't think it fits.

Give it a chance we are only just getting to know them, its fun, its frolicy, its BBC 1 on a Saturday night!

Moving series created by Adrian Hodges , being partially based on Alexandre Dumas novel , though adding important changes . It is filled with derring-do , intrigue , love stories , drama , swashbuckling and moving swordplay . An awesome casting and big-budgeted production by BBC television , shot in Czech Studios and location make for a fairly amusement swashbuckler . This is the recent recounting of the Dumas's novel with a fine cast headed by handsome Luke Pascualino as hot-headed D'Artagnan in a brave role as a young and handsome soldier of fortune , a dashing , audacious lover and nimble athlete . When his father (Oliver Cotton) is killed , D'Artagnan travels from his family farm in Gascony to Paris and seeks vengeance against his murderers . But he meets with three two-fisted Musketeers : Athos (Tom Burke) , Porthos (Howard Charles) , and Aramis (Santiago Cabrera) , they're rollicking adventurers , fighting to live and living to love . The brightest and best musketeers of the King's Regiment are commanded by Mister Treville (Hugo Speer) , chief of Musketeers , and dispatched to risked assignments . D'Artagnan to be aware they are Musketeers and is invited to unite them in their objective to struggle against guards of Cardinal Richelieu well performed by Peter Capaldi and the astute Milady De Winter (Maimie McCoy) who is lovely as a jewel , deadly as a dagger the wickedest woman in all Christendom . They must defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war . At the beginning of the movie , the map of Europe shows several states and kingdoms of that era ; as Spain is leader in the continent whose power is disputed by France and England , all of them entangled in a web of treachery and intrigue , including their cunning spies , crosses and doublé-crosses . Meanwhile , D'Artagnan falls in love with a gorgeous young , the married innkeeper , Constance (Tamia Kari) , she is a golden-haired beauty . Furthermore , there is developed a series of intrigues between Luis XIII (son of Henry IV) : Ryan Cage , Queen Anne of Spain : Alexandra Dowling , dazzling as her gilded palace for her , men dared a thousand perils ; and , of course , the nasty Richelieu (Peter Capaldi) , as evil as ever . The musketeers join forces for royal vengeance with the shout : ¨One for all and all for one¨. Then , the musketeers whose friendship has become a legend to stir the hearts of men and shouting their slogan set out to help the Queen . Straightforward as well as gallant D'Artagnan and the three musketeers scheme their peaceful plans that are turned upside down , clashing against a malicious Richelieu who is determined to make life as unbearable as possible for the intimate friends and carrying out several missions , such as : to get some valuable letters on behalf of King Louis -in first episode- or facing off a nasty villain , Vadim (Jason Fleming) -in 2º episode- , who attempts to kill Louis XIII and organize a full-scale robbing , while Athos , betrayed by Milady of Winter , is accused for killing and condemned to firing squad , among others .

The series formed by 30 episodes , though won't return for season 4 . This delightful adaptation based on Alexandre Dumas classic novel starts with the youngster D'Artagnan who arrives in Paris and subsequently takes place the known swordplay against the three Musketeers . And shortly after , both of whom join forces versus their enemies . Adequate and colorful cinematography , stunningly shown on the splendorous images being filmed in Czech Republic , including Chateaus , monasteries and palaces such as Château Ploskovice , Strahov Monastery , among others . Glamorous production design is well reflected on the luxurious interiors , impressive sets and exteriors stunningly filmed . Besides , a thrilling as well as evocative musical score . It was professionally realized , including a cool and well provided visual style , fencing , drama and clangorous action in equal proportions .

This classy story has been remade on several versions , as the MGM classic version in musical style by George Sidney with Gene Kelly , Paul Lukas , Gig Young , Vincent Price , Frank Morgan and Lana Turner as Milady ; 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. And other recent version : ¨The three Musketeers¨ (2011) that bears remarkable resemblance to this one , being starred by Logan Lerman , Luke Evans , Matthew Macfadyen , Milla Jovovich , Mads Mikkelsen , Orlando Bloom , Til Schweiger , Dexter Fletcher and directed by Paul W. Anderson . ¨The musketeers¨ series (2014) is an outstanding and entertaining adaptation of the classy that will appeal to the costumer genre buffs and it results to be acceptable adaptation with big budget based on the classic .

Loved the clobber almost as much as the plots ..nice one !