The Three Musketeers

Of all the major American and British sound versions of the Dumas classic made up to 1999, this is easily the worst. The trouble is in the casting and the direction. Walter Abel was "introduced" in this film, although he had actually been in films since as far back as 1930, and because this was his first swashbuckling role, the producers didn't know what to make of him. He has none of the dash of Douglas Fairbanks,Don Ameche, Warren William, Cornel Wilde, or even Gene Kelly, and none of the charming awkwardness of Michael York, all of whom have played D'Artagnan in other films.

In fact, Abel gives, in plain English, a bad performance, partly because he is so totally miscast. Film fans will recognize him as one of those actors whom you see often,but never know what their name is. He would give better performances later in his career as worried, nervous managers (in "Holiday Inn") or business executives( i.e. Gregory Peck's boss, who falls memorably out the window to his death in "Mirage"). The other roles are indifferently cast and performed--this could be any one of a hundred B-movies--even the villains,and that's the real problem. A swashbuckler is supposed to be exciting and thrilling,and this one is neither--it's as if director Lee just didn't care.

Cocky young swordsman D'Artagnan (Walter Abel) arrives in Paris and is taken under the wing of three musketeers (Paul Lukas, Moroni Olsen, Onslow Stevens). First English-language film version of the Alexandre Dumas story. It's pretty dull stuff. Walter Abel is painfully miscast. This was his first starring role. He would have better luck in his career as a character player. Film debut of Moroni Olsen. Three Musketeers movies should be fun, exciting, and action-packed. This one's tedious. Even the action is unexciting. Max Steiner wrote the music and lyrics for the corny theme song. Hardly his best work. Watchable but forgettable.

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 is quite an interesting version of the 3 Musketeers. It does not follow all of the book, and ends about half way into the book. I thought Walter Abel was great in this version. If you see the 1948 Gene Kelly version, you will note that Kelly definitely copies the Abel look for the hero. Also another great film score. Favorite scenes include, the Assembled body of the Musketeers at their fencing exercises, and the meeting between the Queen her English lover. Action packed, because it is shorter than most versions, and quite stirring.

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.

*****************************************

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.