70s Rewind: 'The Three Musketeers' / 'The Four Musketeers' Two Films by Richard Lester 4K Review: One for All, and All for One!
Michael York and Oliver Reed lead an all-star cast in Richard Lester's joyous romp.
"Splendid, splendid, splendid." I kept repeating that word to myself as I watched Richard Lester's highly-spirited adventure, which felt like it was made to me when I first saw the two films during their original U.S. theatrical release in March 1974 and February 1975, respectively.
In between the theatrical releases, I bought a paperback edition of Alexandre Dumas' first novel, published first in 1844, and advertised on the front cover with the words: “See the Major Motion Picture!” Perhaps I was eager to know how the story ended on page 608 (?!).
Full confession: I have never read the book, and now find that the type is quite tiny for my dimming vision. Nonetheless, I know that it's a beloved historical romance.
After the theatrical releases, I saw the films again multiple times, and even bought a previous edition on DVD, which I watched two or three times. Revisiting the films again in a new 4K edition from The Criterion Collection, I was once again delighted with the general thrust of the story, the enduring characters, and the swashbuckling action.
The 4K edition is not transformative, which is par for the course as far as films from the 1970s are concerned. What is comforting is to see a 35mm film restored to its initial theatrical release glory, without a speck of dirt, and with sound that is enveloping.
Watching the 4K editions made me feel like I was back in the nostalgic Los Angeles of my youth, where I saw some great films in less-than-optimal conditions. Indeed, I would not be eager to return to the box theaters,with aging seats and threadbare carpet, which were common in the San Fernando Valley, where I lived. If I could, I was always much happier to venture into Hollywood or Westwood and their bigger, better-maintained theaters.
Michael York makes for a suitably dashing D'Artagnan, though I forgot how much he cats around on his supposed beloved, ready and eager to hop into bed with any willing maiden. It's all played for laughs, which fit the relaxed mores of the early 1970s, but watching it now, it surprised me with his randiness.
Oliver Reed stands out among the three musketeers as Athos, who has a tragic backstory of sorts that only gets more fully developed in The Four Musketeers. Frank Finlay is lovely as Porthos, as much as anything because of the actor's debonair delivery of his dialogue. Richard Chamberlain doesn't have as much to do as Aramis, which also surprised, because I remembered his role as more than a supporting character.
Speaking of supporting characters, I found Charlton Heston to be quite effective as Cardinal Richelieu, who is a commanding Evil Incarnate. Likewise, Christopher Lee is amazingly good as Rochefort, who must submit himself to the Cardinal -- another aspect I'd forgotten -- which might help explain why he's so quick to violence in order to express his inner anguish (that's entirely my own personal reading on what I suppose to be his inner anguish.)
I wish Raquel Welch had not been the object of so much bosom humor, but she rose above the material and supplied very decent comic relief as the female counterpart to Michael York. Faye Dunaway was on such an incredible run of performances that she just relaxes into her Milady character and is easily, charmingly evil.
Watching the two films, I fell back into pleasant memories of watching them over the years.I also enjoyed watching the entire collection of special features, some from past editions, which take their time in explaining how the films came together, were split apart, and then put back together. This package is highly recommended. [The Criterion Collection]
Here's a breakdown of what's where.
The Three Musketeers
23:03 - d. David Gregory; The Saga of the Musketeers, Part One (2002, Blue Underground)
29:54 - Two for One: Part One - p, David Cairns - preproduction
43:03 - Two for One: Part Two - physical production, part one
6:50 - The Making of ‘The Three Musketeers’ - BTS
3:01 - Trailer
The Four Musketeers
24:53 - d. David Gregory; The Saga of the Musketeers, Part Two
42:07 - Two for One: Part Three - p, David Cairns - physical production, part two
26:06 - Two for One: Part Four - post production (2025)
2:51 - Trailer