France returns to theaters with The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan, an adventure film directed by Martin Bourboulon and starring François Civil and featuring top actors such as Eva Green and Vincent Cassel. The film opens this April 14 in Spain and has a classic synopsis of the story but has garnered great reviews on its release:
In the midst of a kingdom divided by war, the young D’Artagnan travels to Paris to become one of the Musketeers, where he meets Athos, Porthos and Aramis, the King’s elite guard. Together they will cross swords and unite their destiny to expose a conspiracy of the Cardinal against the crown.
The film promises to be a return to the literary classic packed with adventure, action and fun, and even looks to open up a possible new Three Musketeers franchise with the upcoming The Three Musketeers: Milady. However, there are more than a few who have ventured into adaptations of Alexandre Dumas’ story, so here are some of the best.
The Three Musketeers: The Queen’s Diamonds (1973, Richard Lester)
The 1973 adaptation of The Three Musketeers is one of the best remembered thanks to its good work in a decade when Dumas’ story still had a long way to go. This film tells the original story of the novel with a luxury cast: Michael York, Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay and Richard Chamberlain were the four guards of the king.
The film was a huge success, garnering five BAFTA nominations and Raquel Welch won a Golden Globe as Constance Bonacieux. It was followed by a sequel, The Four Musketeers (1974), although it was not as successful as its predecessor.
Available on Filmin.
The Three Musketeers (1993, Stephen Herek)
Twenty years after Richard Lester’s approach, Walt Disney Pictures produced this remake directed by Stephen Herek and starring Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O’Donnell and Oliver Platt. But not even the appearance of a Tim Curry in a state of grace as Cardinal Richelieu saved it from being an absolute failure.
The film got very bad reviews upon its release, but over the years it is quite recoverable. It has some scenes worth admiring, and has not aged as badly as many other films of the nineties.
Available on Disney Plus.
The Three Musketeers (2011, Paul W. S. Anderson)
Just 12 years ago, the latest version of The Three Musketeers was released with a spectacular cast: Orlando Bloom, Mads Mikkelsen, Logan Lerman, Mila Jovovich, Christoph Waltz, James Corden… no one missed the party that Paul W. S. Anderson threw for himself. However, it was of little or no use; the film performed minimally at the box office but was forgotten upon its release.
Anderson’s approach was curious. In full Marvel Studios fashion, they decided to turn the story of the Musketeers into a quasi-superhero feature film. Now, however, it only serves as a small anecdote that, yes, is worth seeing once.
Available on Amazon Prime Video.
D’Artacán and the three mosqueperros (2021, Toni García)
Those who grew up in the eighties will remember The Three Musketeers for the mythical series in which the knights were played by dogs of all breeds. Undoubtedly, the series marked a before and after in Spanish childhood in the late twentieth century, and can now be rescued on Filmin.
However, two decades after its success, a 3D animation adaptation of the series was made. Directed by Toni García, the truth is that it seems quite outdated for its time, although it is perfect for children and for the most nostalgic audiences.
Available on Netflix.
Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.
