THE THREE MUSKETEERS
US, 1935, 96 minutes, Black and white.
Walter Abel, Margot Grahame, Paul Lukas, Moroni Olsen, Onslow Stevens.
Directed by Rowland V. Lee.
The Alexandre Dumas story has been filmed many times. This was the first sound version, directed by Rowland V. Lee, who had just made The Count of Monte Cristo with Robert Donat. He was to direct The Man in the Iron Mask and other action adventures as well as the Son of Frankenstein. The film was made with the Ritz Brothers in 1939, a spectacular version with Gene Kelly and Lana Turner by M.G.M. directed by George Sidney in 1948 and the George McDonald? Fraser-Richard? Lester spoof with an all-star cast in 1974, The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers. The 1990s saw a version for younger audiences with Chris O'Donnell, Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland.
This is quite a colourful and entertaining version.
1. Audience expectations of action adventure, the style of the thirties: acting, sets, costumes?
2. Audience familiarity with the characters, the plot, expectations from Alexandre Dumas and the 19th century look back at the 17th century?
3. Comment on the production values of the film: the stars, sets, music?
4. The appeal of the plot, intrigue, politics, adventure, mystery? The fidelity of this version to the original?
5. Audience interest in the 17th century and the times of Cardinal Richelieu? Interest in history, romanticised history?
6. The focus of the film on D'Artagnan? Walter Abel and his style? Leaving home, high hopes, his horse? The dreams of the naive young man for fame and fortune? Paris as a goal? The rash confrontation with Rochefort? The encounter with Milady? The encounter with the Musketeers in Paris and his offending them and making the date for the various duels? The encounter with each of them, the clash with the Cardinal's men and the good companionship and the song? The lodgings, the mystery of the encounter with Constance, with the Queen? Rescuing the Queen and Constance and taking them to the palace? His being commissioned by Constance and the Queen? A full day of adventure? The Musketeers and their mission and going to Calais, the dangers encountered and D'Artagnan's swordsmanship? His brashness and eagerness to got to England? The encounter with Milady and being fascinated by her, being her prisoner? Returning to Paris, the fight, the truth, achievement? A story-book hero full of high achievement? Audience identification with such romanticised heroism?
7. The presentation of The Musketeers, their loyalty to the King? The choreography of the Musketeers in training at the beginning? Their song and spirit? Their fighting ability, arrogance, helping D'Artagnan in his mission? The importance of the story of Athos and Milady and the truth? The disappointment for Athos, the death of Milady?
8. Constance as an attractive heroine? In the house in Paris, being spied on, helping the Queen, love for D'Artagnan, imprisonment, rescue and the happy ending?
9. The presentation of the Queen and her liaison with Buckingham, the politics, human feeling, the importance of the necklace and then its recovery?
10. Milady as the attractive villainess? As a spy for Rochefort and Cardinal Richelieu? Liaison with the Duke of Buckingham, getting the jewels, the encounter with D'Artagnan, overcoming him and then defeated, the brutality of her death after the encounter with Athos? An attractive villainess?
11. The portrait of Cardinal Richelieu, his ambitions, spies, relationship with Rochefort?
12. Rochefort as villain - the encounter with D'Artagnan, with Milady, his plot and its being exposed in the court?
13. The choreography of the chivalry and the knights, the Musketeers and their sword fighting?
14. The expose of Rochefort and the melodramatics at court and the lavish finale?
15. The ending with everything being neat? How appropriate an ending, enjoyment? The basic appeal of romanticised swashbuckling? Themes of right and wrong, justice, heroes and heroines, villainy and retribution?
