THE THREE MUSKETEERS: PART 1, D’ARTAGNAN/ LES TROIS MOUSQUETTIERES, D’ARTAGNAN 

France, 2023, 121 minutes, Colour.

François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmai, Eva Green, Louis Garell, Vicki Krieps, Lyna Khoudri, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Eric Ruf.

Directed by Martin Bourboulon.

The novels by Dumas, pere et fils, excited 19^th-century readers – and were popular around the world. Audiences revelled in the stories of the Musketeers, of the Man in the Iron Mask, the Count of Monte Cristo.

And there have been many film versions, swashbuckling in the 1930s with the Ritz Brothers, the spectacular MGM treatment in 1948, Richard Lester’s several films, action with some comic touches, American productions in the 90s, the 2000s. And, now, a spectacular French version, no expenses spared. And, it was released in two parts.

The first part of the film focuses on D’Artagnan, his origins in Gascony, confidence, riding to Paris, brashness, duels and encountering the Musketeers themselves. But, he is eventually embraced by them, finally becoming a musketeer himself. He is played very genially by François Civil. And, there are French film veterans as the of the musketeers, Vincent Cassel as Athos, Romain Duris as Aramis, Pio Marmai, less prominent in the films but jovial, Porthos.

At the beginning of each of the film is there is quite some explanation of the political background, the 1627 setting, clashes between Catholics and Protestants, the king wanting peace. There is also the complication of the relationship of the Queen with the Duke of Buckingham, her giving him her necklace as a memento, the king demanding to see it, the expedition to England by Milady and the confrontation with D’Artagnan.

There is also the story of the lady in waiting, Constance, her devotion to the Queen, the recovery of the diamonds in time, and data falling in love with her.

The King is played by Louis Garell in a quite uncharacteristic rule. Vicki Krieps is the Queen.

It is one is introduced in the first film, played with suave intensity by Eva Green. In the first film, she falls from a cliff in England when confronted by D’Artagnan, She features in the beginning of the second part, links with Cardinal Richelieu, getting a written pardon from him, but then being captured, D’Artagnan confronting her, her stealing documents to indicate who is the traitor in the war. Then she disappears but returns, confronting Athos and the memories of her past, further intrigue, to the Duke of Buckingham, unmasked, escaping and pursued until the final confrontation in flames with D’Artagnan.

The second part highlights the Civil War, the siege of La Rochelle, the various factions, the staging of the battles, hand-to-hand fighting, the bombardment of the British ships.

There is pathos at the end of the film, Constance allowing Milady to escape but then a hood over her head, taken to be hanged, D’Artagnan intervening but unable to save her.

There is the possibility for the story to be continued as Athos, returning home, finds one of Milady’s earing is in her son’s bed…

1. The long popularity of the Dumas’ novels, the many film and television versions? 21^st-century version? A French interpretation? The contrast with so many of the Hollywood versions?
2. 1627, initial explanations, Louis XIII, religious wars, power, Cardinal Richelieu, Protestants, factions? Links with Britain?
3. The visuals of the film, costumes and decor, buildings, interiors and exteriors, vastness? Yet the ordinary parts of the city, dirty, crowded? The sumptuous court sequences, the Cathedral wedding? Atmosphere of the period? The musical score?
4. Audience knowledge of the Three Musketeers, the characters, their stories? Athos and his Protestant background, older? Aramis and his ecclesiastical connections? Porthos as jovial? The younger D’Artagnan, his origins, proving himself, becoming a musketeer? All for one and one for all?
5. The title of part one, D’Artagnan? Age, appearance, his father’s background, his ambitions, looks, riding the horse? Arrival in Paris, over-eager, challenging the three men, the duels? Moving, the fights, the Three Musketeers? The episode with the coach, the Countess, the message, the killings, the fights? The presence of Milady? Beginning of further intrigues?
6. D’Artagnan, the encounter with Constance, the attraction, the offer of lodging, her work at home, her presence in the court, with the Queen? D’Artagnan’s attraction, falling in love? His becoming a go-between? Constance, her personality, the court, fending off D’Artagnan? The issue of the necklace?
7. The King, status, personality, relationship with his brother, relationship with the Queen, her affair with the Duke of Buckingham, his suspicions, the advice of Cardinal Richelieu, his religious stances, the urge to war against the Protestants? His personal manner and behaviour?
8. Cardinal Richelieu here and his ambitions, his allies, bridges, aristocracy? Plot against the Queen? Milady and her writing notes, the death of the Countess, her taking her place, the meeting with D’Artagnan, his overhearing, her attack on him, his escape?
9. The jovial musketeers, D’Artagnan as a cadet, their admiring him? The situation with Athos, the dead woman, his being arrested, tried, Protestant, condemned to death?
10. The Queen, deceived by the note, the arrival of the Duke of Buckingham, the relationship, the memento of the necklace? The attack, the fights, the Duke and the Queen, his departure?
11. The King, suspicions about the necklace, wanting to see it? going to England, disguised the ball, with the Duke, the seduction, taking the necklace? D’Artagnan commission to go to England, at the ball, with the Duke, the pursuit of Milady, the chase along the cliffs of Dover? Her falling into the English Channel?
12. The tension, D’Artagnan returning, the Queen substituting a necklace, the demand of the King, Constance receiving D’Artagnan, the kiss, the necklace, the reaction of the king? Of Cardinal Richelieu?
13. The King’s brother, planning, the arranged marriage, the ceremony and the Cathedral? The Protestants, the release of Athos? Their being disguised as monks, the choir? The ceremony? The shot, Athos and the warning, the King’s life saved? The fighting, the arrests? The king deciding to go to war against the Protestants?
14. Athos and his being pardoned, D’Artagnan officially becoming a musketeer?
15. The sinister characters, overhearing, the violence, the attack on Constance?
16. The suspense and the film to be continued?