A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan” (2023).
“The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan” is the first of a two part film, actually filmed back-to-back, that is a retelling of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel set in and around the court of Louis XIII of France in 1627. And, it’s actually pretty good.
The final part, subtitled “Milady” (which is a bit of a spoiler for an end-credit, but not entirely unsurprising, “monkey“!) comes out in December.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
It’s 1627. D’Artagnan (François Civil) is a cocky young kid from the Gascogne region new into Paris with the arrogant notion that he is going to match his father’s success in being one of the King’s Musketeers. He picks fights with everyone. But this is a dangerous time to be headstrong, with plots against the king and a potential Protestant uprising underway. D’Artagnan gets drawn in to help the trio of Athos (Vincent Cassel), Porthos (Pio Marmaï) and Aramis (Romain Duris) in protecting the Queen (Vicky Krieps) from the machinations of the devious Milady (Eva Green).
Certification:
UK: 15; US: NR. (From the BBFC: “Brief strong injury detail, violence”. This is far nearer the “12” end of the spectrum. To think that this has the same rating as “Renfield” for “violence” is a bit of a joke!).
Talent:
Starring: François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï, Romain Duris, Eva Green, Vicky Krieps, Louis Garrel, Lyna Khoudri, Eric Ruf .
Directed by: Martin Bourboulon.
Written by: Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre de La Patellière. (Based on the book by Alexandre Dumas).
Twitter Handle: #TheThreeMusketeersDArtagnan.
D’Artagnan (Francois Civil) being introduced to the King (Louis Garrel). (Source: Pathé)
“The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan” Review:
Positives:
- It’s a good old fashioned historical romp. When older people say “they don’t make films like that anymore”, you can point them at this one and say “Oh, yes they do”! The story is robust and there are no flashy cuts or camera trickery. The only nod to modern sensibilities is that Porthos is a bisexual: you see him making a playful pass at D’Artagnan and in another scene see him waking up naked in bed with a beautiful girl on one arm and a man on the other.
- It’s gorgeous to look at. All of the sets and costumes in the Royal court ooze opulence. Both films in the series were made for $40 million, and they have made REALLY good use of that money on the screen.
- The casting (by Elodie Demey) is excellent. The musketeers themselves have Vincent Cassel as one of the only ‘major names’ (although I remember François Civil from the rather lacklustre horror “As Above, So Below“). But the wonderful Vicky Krieps is perfectly cast as Queen Anne d’Austriche (she is at risk of getting typecast as European queens after “Corsage“). And having Eva Green as the villainous Milady is a stroke of genius.
- The fight scenes are superbly choreographed. Some of the swordplay goes on for (or at least, appears to go on for) a considerable period between cuts and is superbly done.
Negatives:
- The Reverend Andy Godfrey, my fellow reviewer on the “Flickering Dreams” podcast, is a big fan of the 1973 Richard Lester version of the Dumas tale, with Oliver Reed, Michael York, Racquel Welch, Faye Dunaway etc etc. And his objection about this new film was that it lacked any humour (which, I would argue for the Lester version, with Spike Milligan and Roy Kennear in the cast, perhaps had a bit too much!). I can see his point here, and perhaps a little light relief in the story might have added to the interest.
- It’s very grey. If you made me describe this film in a single adjective, it would be “grey”. It’s either raining, or it looks like its about to rain. I know the crew have no hotline to God to arrange blue skies during the shooting period, but the exterior shots all look very drab and depressing. Perhaps a warmer colour pallette in the final edit might have helped?
- Paris looked FAR too clean and orderly for me, given that this is supposed to be 1627! The last time I went to Paris, it looked dirtier and more litter strewn than this! (True they didn’t have McDonalds in the 1620’s. But still.)
Monkeys?
Yes, there is a mid-credit “monkey“, which is wholly predictable and shows why Eva Green’s Milady was high-diving champion in the 1620 Olympic Games (humour).
Summary Thoughts on “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan”
I enjoyed this one. A great story, told ‘straight’ for once. A reminder of my 17th century history that I have forgotten. And a plush and luxurious looking film. I will definitely be revisiting the “Part 2” at Christmas.
Of course, although maybe 5% of the film is in English, the majority is in French with subtitles. Which will put a lot of people off. If you have dyslexia, have English as a second language or reading issues, you might be forgiven. But everyone else, don’t let them put you off and give this movie a try. It’s a really good big screen watch!
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Trailer for “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAaSEZpa4cE .
