I admit I'd never seen this version of the Dumas novel before so I had no idea what to expect. Not this though: THE THREE MUSKETEERS is a riotous knockabout comedy that favours the slapstick over the serious and goes for a light, anything-goes tone throughout. If you're looking for something even slightly serious then you'd be best advised to look elsewhere...
Michael York is our erstwhile young hero, D'Artagnan, who hooks up with the titular trio in order to battle the nefarious plans of various evil doers, including Christopher Lee's one-eyed baddie, Rochefort. This is an ensemble production, but there's so much talent involved that some don't get a look in. Only Oliver Reed stands out as the boozing fighter, and you barely notice Richard Chamberlain or Frank Finlay.
Instead we get long comic routines involving Spike Milligan and Raquel Welch's annoyingly ditzy love interest. The incredible cast includes Joss Ackland, Charlton Heston, Simon Ward, Roy Kinnear, and Geraldine Chaplin in minor roles, a lot of them played for laughs. There's a welter of comedic action to enjoy here, but not much in the way of story; the film was successful enough for a sequel, THE FOUR MUSKETEERS, to follow.
Michael York is our erstwhile young hero, D'Artagnan, who hooks up with the titular trio in order to battle the nefarious plans of various evil doers, including Christopher Lee's one-eyed baddie, Rochefort. This is an ensemble production, but there's so much talent involved that some don't get a look in. Only Oliver Reed stands out as the boozing fighter, and you barely notice Richard Chamberlain or Frank Finlay.
Instead we get long comic routines involving Spike Milligan and Raquel Welch's annoyingly ditzy love interest. The incredible cast includes Joss Ackland, Charlton Heston, Simon Ward, Roy Kinnear, and Geraldine Chaplin in minor roles, a lot of them played for laughs. There's a welter of comedic action to enjoy here, but not much in the way of story; the film was successful enough for a sequel, THE FOUR MUSKETEERS, to follow.