Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Onlinewsma Absolutely Brilliant!

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

beresfordjd I just love Lester's Musketeers movies - they were so very original when first released in his treatment and the way the swordplay was executed. It was so very naughty to make two films at the same time without telling the cast. In my opinion Oliver Reed steals the movie he is so believable as Athos - a rough, tough, hard drinking adventurer. That said all the cast acquit themselves very well - even Raquel Welch who was not known for her comedy acting. I would have liked to have seen a 3 or four hour movie telling the whole story as I could never get enough of the films as they are. The last Musketeer story was rather lame but still enjoyable if you had not seen the first two. I have seen them all a few times now and they never fail to entertain me - Richard Lester was a very unconventional and innovative director. I hate to think what may have happened to this story had it been adapted for use by The Beatles which I believe was the original plan.

Blueghost "The Three Musketeers" continues in this cobbled sequel, created as a cost measure for garnishing more profits from a single shoot.And this is the film's only real drawback. A distinct lack of coverage cuts into this film's otherwise fine pedigree, and instead of a fun, adventurous and humorous swashbuckler with dramatic overtones, we're given a film that, in spite of its great technical achievements, feels like it came out of the oven too soon.Most of us know the story of why, so I won't repeat it here in this review, but it's regrettable that the short sighted economics dictated the final cut of a film. A lack of cutaways, a new music director whose style is distinctly different from the original score, and some uncorrected shots, leaves "The Four Musketeers" falling a notch or two below its older brother.But, even so, the film is still entertaining. For all of its flaws and checkered history, the cinematic qualities that were achieved in this film's predecessor, are still found here for the most part. Dramatically the actors are left without a route to create something knew for the characters, and the plot plods somewhat from event-first to event-final. But the actors are able to sell it otherwise.The action scenes are fine, but again the epic scenes are truncated, leaving the audience only a taste of what might have been. And that's probably how best to describe the impromptu sequel to "The Three Muketeers". The action scenes are what they are; good in some areas, adequate in others.Anchor Bay's DVD, for some reason, doesn't include the French opening credits, but the extras and color corrected and digitally mastered DVD for both musketeer films is a welcome addition to anyone's library.In short, the second film is not quite as good as the first film, but is still very entertaining, and, in this way, still a very magnificent piece of cinema. Enjoy!p.s. the Anchor Bay edition DVD corrects the washed out copy I saw in the theatre 30 years ago. Thanks Anchor Bay.

Ben Burgraff (cariart) THE FOUR MUSKETEERS, the second half of Richard Lester's brilliant adaptation of Dumas' THE THREE MUSKETEERS, carries on the manic adventures of D'Artagnan (Michael York), and his comrades (Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, and Frank Finley), and offers deliriously comic moments (a picnic in the midst of a siege is a comic highlight), but in being faithful to the novel, a necessary but tragic thread runs through the plot, with the deaths of key characters tempering the joy of the ultimate resolution.Because the film wasn't intended to 'stand on it's own', certain elements had to be added, to make the story more cohesive. The most obvious addition is a voice-over introduction by Porthos (Frank Finley), who reminisces about the events on screen. The choice of Finley is a wise one, as he was the most accessible of the characters in the first film, and his "blissfully ignorant" attitude keeps his opening and closing monologues a 'tongue-in-cheek' joy.Politics and intrigue are the order of the day, as Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston, still sleekly villainous) continues his machinations to eliminate French Protestants, and his major opponent, England's Prime Minister, the Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward). A key player in 'the game' is Milady de Winter (Faye Dunaway, in one of her best roles), who agrees to eliminate Buckingham, if Richelieu will pardon 'in advance' her plans to murder D'Artagnan and his ladylove, Constance (Raquel Welch). The note he signs would become a key element of the story.Hoping to protect Constance, D'Artagnan sends her to an Abbey, then impetuously begins an affair with de Winter, not realizing the woman's ultimate goal. Only the discovery of a 'Fleur-de-Lis' tattoo on her arm, branding her a 'harlot', saves the boy, as it unbalances the woman long enough for him to temporarily subdue her, and escape. The news of de Winter's brand exposes Athos' aristocratic past, and reason for his alcoholism.Just as Van Heflin's interpretation of Athos during this key scene in the 1948 THREE MUSKETEERS was the film highlight, the flashback to a younger, clean-shaven, and dashing Oliver Reed, and his betrayal by Faye Dunaway, who would be branded for her crime, is a high point in the 1974 production. Milady is a calculating, insensitive monster, and as the depth of her potential for evil becomes known, the darkness that is introduced nearly overcomes the film. With a cunning almost feral, she ruthlessly arranges the death of Buckingham, then takes care of Constance personally. Finally captured by the four Musketeers, her doom, while justified, is a jarring counterpoint to the earlier adventures of the happy-go-lucky quartet.Yet the four comrades survive, and with the possession of Richelieu's note to Milady, are not punished for their actions, but granted extraordinary rewards by King Louis. Richelieu himself is impressed by D'Artagnan's amazing talent and luck, and arranges a promotion for the young Gascon.As the four friends leave the Palace, facing far different futures, Porthos reflects on the camaraderie of the friends, and through flashbacks, we are reminded of the glorious adventure we've shared with them. THE THREE and FOUR MUSKETEERS are a crowning achievement in Richard Lester's remarkable career, capturing a 'feel' that no other Dumas' adaptation has ever come close to. While the sequel may lack the unrestrained 'joy' of the first film, when seen together, the overall impact of the saga is unforgettable.They don't come any better than this!

grendelkhan Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan are back; or more precisely, are still here; for the second half of the Dumas novel. As I'm sure most fans know, this was meant to be part of the complete Three Musketeers, before the Salkinds split it into two films. This led to much litigation and the creation of the "Salkind clause" in movie contracts.Spoliers-The film takes up where the first part left off; D'Artagnan and the Musketeers have saved the Queen from embarassment and confounded the evil Cardinal Richelieu. D'Artagnan is now a full fledged Musketeer (although, in the novel, he was still just a guardsman).Now the Cardinal hatches a new plot to persuade the Duke of Buckingham from joining the protestant Huguenot rebels at the city of La Rochelle. Milady is sent to persuade him to change his mind or kill him. Although Buckingham imprisons her, he underestimates the power of her charms. The Duke meets a tragic end and Milady returns to France to seek her revenge on D'Artagnan.Meanwhile, D'Artagnan rescues his mistress Constance and places her in safekeeping. He learns the true identity of Milady and the mystery behind Athos' melancholy.The Musketeers are sent to fight at La Rochelle and uncover the Cardinal's plot to kill Buckingham. Although the other Musketeers care little, D'Artagnan owes a debt to Buckingham and tries to stop the plot.D'Artagnan pays a terrible price for his efforts, but emerges as a lieutenant of the Musketeers. He has taken his place as the leader of the group, but will find little solace in his promotion.As with the first film, the performances are spot on. Everything is the same, as it was filmed at the same time. It is best viewed as a whole with the Three Musketeers.