Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
In 17th century France, young D'Artagnan wants to join the King's Musketeers, but instead befriends three legendary musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—and together, they become embroiled in the political intrigue surrounding King Louis XIII and his adversaries, particularly the powerful Cardinal Richelieu.
Richard Lester's 1973 adaptation stands apart from all other Musketeers films through its distinctive blend of slapstick comedy, physical farce, and swashbuckling adventure — a genuinely singular tone that subverts the usual earnest heroism with anarchic humor and scrappy, unglamorous fight choreography. The plot follows Dumas faithfully enough but benefits from Lester's irreverent pacing and comic interjections that keep it lively. The ensemble cast — Heston, Reed, Dunaway, Welch, York — is strong across the board, though no single performance is transcendent. Cinematography by David Watkin is handsome and period-appropriate without being especially innovative. The ending, split controversially from 'The Four Musketeers,' feels abrupt rather than satisfying as a standalone conclusion. Overall a beloved and genuinely distinctive swashbuckler whose novelty of tone and execution remains its greatest asset.