Myriam Nys The only thing that keeps me from awarding ten stars, is the movie's reliance (and, in my humble opinion, over-reliance) on slapstick comedy and farce. Apart from this minor quibble, it needs to be said that this an outstanding movie : vivid, sensual, funny, inventive and exciting. This is Entertainment with a capital E.Almost everything you care to think of is superb : the musical score, the casting, the performances, the locations, the props, the stunts. Certain scenes or images are so beautiful, from an artistic viewpoint, that you will remember them for years, such as the white and silver masked ball thrown by the French king or the "chapel" built by Buckingham for his loved one. The costumes deserve special praise : Michael York has never looked so dashing and gallant, while Faye Dunaway has never looked so angelically, ethereally beautiful.The follow-up movie continues strong, but beware : the darkness in Dumas' work, which is only hinted at for now, will become more pronounced.

T Y This movie has not been available for quite a while. I recall from long-ago viewings that it was sumptuous to look at, with unusually 'luxe costumes. I was happy to see it pop up on Netflix, but a lot has happened to movies since 1973...The verdict? It's refreshing to see that even after 40 years of Hollywood film visuals being continually upgraded, the wide screen cinematography still impresses. The visuals are so strong that I recall about half of them perfectly. It includes a lot of historical research (often pertaining to toil) which lifts the piece, and it riffs beautifully on Vermeer's side-lit domestic chambers. Lester (or his cinematographer) has a great eye. As I watched I recall that this movie introduced overt athleticism to fight scenes, so maybe we have Lester to blame for starting that trend (which is still the sole conceit of many bad movies). The costumes are every bit as opulent as I recall. Money has been spent & every dime is on-screen. Every historical film in recent memory still borrows from this (Amadeus, Ridicule, etc.)On the negative side, I have no idea what would draw a viewer to watch this more than once. None of the characters or their predicaments engaged me. I wish the story was stronger. The cast is too massive for this tiny conflict. At certain points the score arrives full blast, to fill sections of the movie they apparently forgot to storyboard. It feels like things are set in France only about twice in the movie. And Raquel Welch is not very good. The wall-to-wall slapstick starts alright but becomes more and more annoying. And the movie as a whole is on the irritating side. The countless fights go on and on until they just blend together. The movie has so few places to go, that it should be less tiresome. But two very lonely ideas (sword fights, slapstick) crave more support. The visuals are very strong. The script is weak.

Lee Eisenberg First, I should admit that I've never read Alexandre Dumas's novel. But if Richard Lester's movie version of "The Three Musketeers" is any indication, then it must be a fun read. Or maybe Lester simply decided to add a lot of humor. But either way, there's not a dull moment in this version of the tale.Playing the title characters are Oliver Reed as Athos, Frank Finlay as Porthos and Richard Chamberlain as Aramis, with Michael York as D'Artagnan trying to become a musketeer. At first, D'Artagnan is sort of a hapless klutz, but he wastes no effort in helping the trio in their efforts to stop Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) from gaining more power. Along the way, D'Artagnan falls for Constance Bonancieux (Raquel Welch), while the slimy Count Rochefort (Christopher Lee) and the enigmatic Lady De Winter (Faye Dunaway) abet Richelieu. It's a great time from beginning to end! Also starring Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simon Ward, Georges Wilson, Spike Milligan and Roy Kinnear (Algernon in "Help!").I wonder how this movie would have come out had it starred the Beatles, as Lester originally planned.

ma-cortes This delightful adaptation based on Alexandro Dumas classic novel starts with the youngster D'Artagnan (Michael York) who arrives in Paris to find Mister Treville(Georges Wilson), chief of Musketeers. But he meets with three two-fisted Musketeers , Athos (Oliver Reed), Porthos(Frank Finlay) and Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) . DÁrtagnan aware they are Musketeers and is invited to unite them in their objective to struggle against guards of Cardinal Richelieu , his deputy Rochefort (Christopher Lee), and an astute secret agent named Milady De Winter (Faye Dunaway). Meanwhile, D'Artagnan falls in love with a gorgeous young wife named Constance(Rachel Welch)married an innkeeper (Spike Millegan). Furthermore , there is developed an intrigue between Luis XIII(Jean Pierre Cassel), Queen Anna of Austria(Geraldine Chaplin), Duke of Buckingham(Simon Ward) and of course the nasty Richelieu( Charlton Heston).This is an entertaining swashbuckling, full of action, adventures,romance comedy with tongue-in-cheek and broad slapdash and of course , lot of fence. Lavish production by Alexander Salking and Pierre Spengler with excellent gowns by Oscar winning Ivonne Blake and luxurious sets. Sympathetic performances by main star cast and enjoyable secondary cast . Faye Dunaway makes a stunning Milady De Winter. Comic relief by Roy Kinnear who unfortunately died falling down horse in the second sequel. This glamorous film was utterly shot in Spain , on location of Aranjuez, Castle Berlanga of Duero , Cañon of River Lobos (Soria), Alcazar of Toledo , Studios Roma and Royal Palace (Madrid) and many other places well photographed by David Watkin. Packs an evocative and atmospheric score by Michael Legrand. The motion picture is compelling directed by Richard Lester who filmed its following titled ¨The four Musketeers¨ that was really made simultaneously. Twenty years later Richard Lester directed the third part titled ¨The return of the Musketeers¨(1989) with similar artist and technician team .