The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge (1974) User Reviews

Part two of a great action/adventure film

[cglassey · 8/10 · 3 November 1998]

This film is part two of the movie "Three and Four Musketeers".

This film is somewhat more serious in tone as is warranted by the events described in the book. Not quite as fun as the first movie but true to the classic story writen by Dumas back in 1850.

(additional comments are duplicate comments made about the Three Musketeers)

This set of films (3 and 4 Musketeers were filmed at the same time and released 8 months apart) ranks right up there with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Robin Hood" (with Erol Flynn) as one of the best in its genre (action/adventure). As an historian, I enjoyed the small touches of historical accuracy in the film. As far as I can tell, everything is just about bang-on: the costumes, the settings, the weapons, the street life, and the musketeers themselves (and yes I know the story is not "true"). The two films are quite faithful to the classic book by Alexander Dumas given some small and reasonable changes.

The sword-play in the film is the greatest! The initial duel against the Cardinal's men in the Convent is a masterpiece of choreographed combat. The battle that takes place early in the second film is hysterically funny as our heroes try to eat lunch in the middle of a war.

The actors and actresses are all wonderful, especially Michael York, Oliver Reed, Faye Dunaway, and Charlton Heston. One small weakness in the film is that it does not have the time or interest in describing how Milady de Winter seduces her jailor. I suggest reading the book to get a full understanding of that sequence of events.

Be warned, prolonged exposure to this film is likely to result in a desire for fencing lessons and historical reenactments.

Bottom line: A great film.

Spanish/Panama/British co-production plenty of swordplay , adventure and comedy ; being a fun retelling based on famous Dumas novel

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 11 October 2015]

This is a big production with lavish scenarios , spectacular action , court intrigue and exciting duels . Being based on Alexandre Dumas' classic yarn of intrigue at the 17th century French court . Entertaining and funny version based on the classic Dumas novel with overwhelming swordplay in nifty style , this is a modern version of the classic Dumas novel set in 17th Century France . Alexandre Dumas's source for his novel was a book by 19th-century writer Courtils Sandraz, which was purporting to be D'Artagnan's biography ; the Musketeers were actually real people, not fictional characters created by Dumas . For this filled with emotion recounting is adapted in the greatest splendor , the complete romance , the historical characters, the full novel by Alexandre Dumas though including important changes . It is packed with comedy , derring-do , intrigue , a love story , action , drama and moving fence . An awesome casting and big-budgeted production shot in Spain and location make for a fairly amusement swashbuckler . This is a luxurious recounting of the Dumas's novel with a fine cast headed by handsome Michael York as hot-headed D'Artagnan in a brave role as a young and handsome soldier of fortune , a dashing , audacious lover and nimble athlete . Musketeers must defeat a beautiful double agent and the villainous Rochefort from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war . This delightful adaptation based on Alexandre Dumas classic novel deals with the youngster D'Artagnan and his three friends , the three two-fisted Musketeers , rollicking adventurers , fighting to live and living to love . All of them join in their objective to struggle against guards of Cardinal Richelieu well performed by Charlton Heston and the astute Milady De Winter , Faye Dunaway , who is lovely as a jewel, deadly as a dagger the wickedest woman in all Christendom . Meanwhile, D'Artagnan falls in love with the gorgeous young , Constance , Rachel Welch , she is a golden-haired beauty entangled in a web of treachery and intrigue . Furthermore , there is developed an intrigue between Luis XIII : Jean Pierre Cassel , Queen Anne of Austria : Geraldine Chaplin , dazzling as her gilded palace for her, men dared a thousand perils , and Duke of Buckingham , Simon Ward ; and of course the nasty Richelieu , as evil as ever . Protestants hold La Rochelle, and the Queen Anna loves Buckingham , who'll soon send ships to support the rebels ; then Milady of Winter is assigned a mission : to kill the Duke . The musketeers join forces for royal vengeance with the shout : ¨One for all and all for one¨. Then , the musketeers whose friendship has become a legend to stir the hearts of men and shouting their slogan set out to help the Queen and free Constance who has been kidnapped by Rochefort . Straightforward as well as gallant D'Artagnan and the three musketeers scheme a plan to save her , clashing against a malicious Milady De Winter .

It's a nice rendition from the immortal novel with pretty budget and attractive scenarios . The picture contains rousing action , intrigue , romantic adventure , romance , treachery , mayhem and a lot of fence . Amusing swashbuckling with lavish production , glamorous gowns and lush scenarios . This is an entertaining swashbuckling, full of action, adventure , comedy with tongue-in-cheek , and broad slapdash and of course , lot of swordplay . Charming Michael York who bounds and leaps , fights , hits and run . Michael York executes athletic feats , moving sword-play and spectacular acrobatics , he performed most of the stunts in his films himself . He is accompanied by a very good cast . Sympathetic performances by main star cast and secondary cast such as Michael Gothard , Nicole Calfan , Angel Del Pozo , Eduardo Fajardo , among others . Faye Dunaway makes a stunning Milady De Winter . Furthermore , a vein of humour is evident here , though sometimes falling flat . Comic relief by Roy Kinnear who unfortunately died falling down horse in the second sequel . For this movie itself , though , energetic and frantic are the best adjectives you could think of to describe its attraction .

Adequate and colorful cinematography stunningly showed on the splendorous images , being filmed in Spain , castle of Berlanga de Duero , Soriav, Royal Palace , Rome studios , Madrid and many other places well photographed by David Watkin . Thrilling as well as evocative musical score by Lalo Schifrin , including appropriate sounds for the time period . Lavish production by Alexander/Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler with excellent costumes by Oscar winning Ivonne Blake . However , producers were sued by the actors who claimed they were tricked into thinking the film was to be part of The three musketeers (1973), being filmed at the same time ; they won their case in court, but did not receive as much money as they would have if they were paid separately for both films. The motion picture was professionally realized by Richard Lester . This cool filmmaker provided visual style , comedy , fencing , drama , clangorous action in equal proportions . Twenty years later Richard Lester directed the third part titled ¨The return of the Musketeers¨(1989) with similar artist and technician team . This classy story is remade on several versions ,as the MGM classic version in musical style by George Sidney with Gene Kelly ; 1993 modern adaptation by Stephen Herek with Charlie Sheen and 2001 rendition by Peter Hyams with Justin Chambers, among others. ¨The four Musketeers¨ is an outstanding and entertaining adaptation of the classy that will appeal to the costumer genre buffs and it results to be acceptable adaptation with big budget based on the classic

Darkness and Dunaway

[kenjha · 7/10 · 7 August 2011]

Although filmed together, the producers decided to release this adaptation of the Dumas classic in two parts, with this being the sequel to the 1973 film. The first film meandered initially before the main story line of the queen's diamond kicked in. Here too the film gets off to a rambling start. Unfortunately, things don't quite come together like they did in the first film. There is less of a sense of fun here, as the mood has darkened, which is not a bad thing except that the narrative is not very well sustained. While Welch was the female focus in the first film, this one belongs to Dunaway, who is excellent as the evil Milady.

Superb!

[piaffe417 · 16 October 2002]

I was forced to wait 6 months between watching "The Three Musketeers" and getting an opportunity to watch this "sequel" (shot at the same time) and it was agony, though I was somewhat afraid that the second one would not live up to its predecessor. I am glad to say that I was completely wrong and that this one more than lives up to its companion. The action is just as fast and the characters as endearing (because, as we learn, only Porthos could find "a new way to disarm himself" - and then make it work when it counted!) But comedy aside (such as our heroes eating breakfast in the middle of a battle), the serious turns that had to be taken in order to stay true to Dumas' novel were very well done also. Oliver Reed imparts his loathing for Milady DeWinter not only with his words, but also with the expression in his [gorgeous] eyes and when he holds her at gunpoint in order to get the Cardinal's warrant, several seconds go by in which you as a viewer actually believe that he will kill her right there in cold blood. In fact, Reed is, in my opinion, truly the star of this picture as his character of Athos attempts to mentor young D'Artangan and prevent him from being hurt. Michael York is, as usual, wide-eyed and very courageous and Finlay and Chamberlain continue to be terrific fops but it is Reed that carries them through. Kudos also have to go to Faye Dunaway as Milady - she is truly evil and charming at the same time and you can see how her character manages to be so good at what she does. I encourage everyone to see this movie - especially as a companion to "The Three Musketeer" - and support those in favor of having an edited-together three hour version. It is truly a classic. (And side note to my fellow students - if you don't have time to read the book "The Three Musketeers," rent these two movies and you'll get the gist of what you need to know.)

The Four Musketeers

[henry8-3 · 7/10 · 20 July 2020]

Continues pretty much immediately from where 'The Three Musketeers' left things. This focuses on the need of milady - nasty Faye Dunaway - to get revenge on D'Artagnan (Michael York) and girlfriend Constance (Raquel Welch).

Darker than its predecessor and possibly not as much fun, this is still as good as the first film giving the principals more time to concentrate on character rather than the origins elements. This results in wonderful turns from Finlay, Reed and especially Heston and Lee who seem to have more to do and appear to be enjoying themselves immensely.

A bit more of the wonderful Roy Kinnear would have been nice - he seems to have been thrown in front of the camera for the occasional comedy scene and as quickly removed. Overall, great fun though.

A disappointing sequel followed some year later.

Better than the first

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 12 November 2015]

THE THREE MUSKETEERS and THE FOUR MUSKETEERS: MILADY'S REVENGE were shot back-to-back by Richard Lester and I think this is the better film of the two. There's less of the goofy slapstick here, with more focus on a better storyline and more in-depth character work. Michael York has gone from a dumb rookie to a slightly-less-dumb newcomer to the Musketeers and is all the better for it.

The entire cast return for a story that somehow feels fresher and more dangerous, with the stakes raised considerably. Plus, we don't have to go through all of that long-winded character introduction, so we can just get on with the political machinations of the story. The main stars do well in action-oriented roles, but it's supporting players like Christopher Lee and Faye Dunaway who really shine as the villains of the piece. The ending in particular is a ruthless surprise, but it's not quite over as the cast would reunite for one final time in 1989's RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS.

Tongue in cheek Emperor

[searchanddestroy-1 · 7/10 · 18 December 2019]

I am not a great fan of Dick Lester's films, because there are not my cup of tea, but I must admit that he has hos own trade mark. I could easily recognize any of his movies any time. my favourite is ROBIN AND MARIAN, which is also one of his darkest. and in this film, FOUR MUSKETEERS, you have many elements in common with ROBIN AND MARIAN. Visual and directing effects that are Lester's touch. I would have imagined him directing DON QUICHOTTE as Terry Gillima did. At last for him !!!! Yes I could say hat Richard Lester are quite similar in style directors.

Recommended

[vox-sane · 10/10 · 30 July 2001]

Don't watch this movie alone. That is, watch Richard Lester's "The Three Musketeers" with it. The two are actually the same film, shot simultaneously (in fact, the cast thought they were making one long movie, to the extent that they were *paid* for one movie; they later sued, as well they should have). In fact, one who hasn't seen Lester's "Three Musketeers" might not understand this movie. Videos and DVDs should be released only in a double-box.

Most "Musketeer" movies are travesties loosely based on Dumas. The 1993 version with Chris O'Donnell is a case in point. It uses little more than the names of characters, and it's woefully inadequate.

The script-writer in Lester's "Musketeers" movies was George MacDonald Fraser, author of the "Flashman" series. And Fraser, unlike writers of all other "Musketeer" movies, seems to have read the book. Some of the wildest things in both movies (for instance, Buckingham's shrine to Anne of Austria) are actually from Dumas. The script, rambunctious and silly as sometimes is, is startlingly close to the book.

Rumor has it that Lester envisioned "Musketeers" as a project for the Beatles. If this is true, he's fortunate he lost them. The cast is uniformly wonderful. Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, and Frank Finlay are perfect in their roles (Finlay is particularly marvelous as he, not a large man, is able to portray the huge, blustering Porthos). Michael York is a fun D'artagnan. Faye Dunaway and Christopher Lee are suitably evil. Rachel Welch, the Pamela Anderson of the late '60s, shows a flair for light comedy that was not often utilized (most of her other movies highlight her . . . ahem . . . other talents). Charlton Heston is the anchor at the center of the film as the scheming Richelieu. He doesn't have much screen time, but his presence dominates the movies, as well it should. Lester also has small parts filled with amazing talents, including Spike Milligan and Roy Kinnear. Keep your eye on a genuine Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Cassel, as the king (and, much later, in Lester's "Return of the Musketeers", as Cyrano); he's a delight in every scene.

Lester's locations are fabulous. His France looks lived-in. One gets the sense of a long, medieval period that has decayed by the time of D'artagnan in the early 1600s, and of a struggling monarchy dominated by the Cardinal trying to rebuild it. Even Cardinal Richelieu, who wasn't really evil, comes off as three-dimensional (compare Heston's subtle performance to Tim Curry's bizarre, anti-historical, one-dimensional inquisitor and fool in the 1993 version).

Being "The Three (Four) Musketeers", there are many sword-fights; Lester somehow is not a great action director, but he somehow manages to make each duel unique, and funny. In "The Four Musketeers" he's given us a duel on the ice between York and Lee that's very funny. And the climactic duel in a church is sublime.

In 1989 Lester released "Return of the Musketeers" with the same cast. Fraser's brief script for that movie (about 100 minutes) gives us the gist of "Twenty Years After", and is quite amusing and a good coda for the series (it's a shame Lester didn't get a chance to do "The Man in the Iron Mask" with a G. M. Fraser script and the same cast. The version with Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich will do, though it's darker and less loyal to Dumas).

On the whole, "The Three Musketeers" and "The Four Musketeers" are the best Musketeer movies ever made. They star men and women who were at the top of their profession at the time. The scripts are superb and there's not a wasted moment. Do not accept lesser substitutes.

more swashbuckling

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 19 August 2022]

D'Artagnan (Michael York) joins Athos (Oliver Reed), Porthos (Frank Finlay), and Aramis (Richard Chamberlain). It's the Anglo-French War (1627-29). They have to rescue kidnapped Constance de Bonancieux (Raquel Welch), dressmaker to Queen Anne (Geraldine Chaplin), from Rochefort (Christopher Lee) under the influence of Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston). The Cardinal also uses the evil Milady (Faye Dunaway) who has a past with the musketeers.

This is a sequel to The Three Musketeers (1973). It's a good size production. It's swashbuckling and wants to be fun. The first part is well-fulfilled but I don't feel the second part is always there. Sometimes, the comedy does come through like the battle. There isn't a natural comedian amongst the leads. Oliver Reed is probably the most fun. As for the ending, I can't believe that the movie has that murder. It was brutal and unexpected. I don't really like it but I can respect it.

NOT a Sequel! A 2nd Half to a Long Movie

[jbirtel · 9/10 · 3 February 2003]

FINALLY...a DVD release called 'The Complete Musketeers' that does justice to a proper transfer, in widescreen and looking better than when I saw it in the theater.

Watching 'The Three Musketeers' without seeing the 'The Four...' is like reading the Alexander Dumas novel; and stopping halfway through. It's a shame that it wasn't released as a roadshow 3 and a half hour film because that was the way it was originally meant to be experienced.

Phenomenal DVD package that contains both films...just the way it should be. And some very informative documentaries with the surviving cast.

9 out of 10! (Same as my rating for 'Three Musketeers')

"Entertaining and Fun to watch"

[carmenjulianna · 6/10 · 7 May 2020]

I loved this movie and the first original 'The three musketeers'. The last one not so much..As I believe it was too far apart from the first two..Fifteen years.. Not much more to say other than I loved the ensemble of cast..BRILLIANT.!

Excellent

[riscott-1 · 10/10 · 8 December 2004]

This movie is excellent. The Four Musketeers, along with the first movie, are the only movie versions that are remotely accurate to Alexandre Dumas's masterpiece novel, The Three Musketeers.

The action and sword fighting in this film are great. They only add to a great story, and don't try to make up for a poor one.

The only drawback is the portrayal of Raquel Welch's character, Constance. In the movie, she is too clumsy and ditsy. Constance is supposed to be smarter.

Overall, I thought this film was great. I would recommend reading the book. However, if you hate reading, then you should watch this movie, along with the Three Musketeers, because they are the closest to the book. The Four Musketeers shows that it is possible to make a version of the Three Musketeers that's accurate to the book and still enjoyable to watch.

Cute "part two"

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 15 January 2023]

As promised at the end of the previous year's The Three Musketeers, all the familiar faces returned in the sequel. It actually feels like less of a sequel and more of a "part two" that got siphoned off due to length restrictions. With the same sense of humor, the same breathtaking costumes, and great camaraderie between all the actors, it makes for a great double feature.

In this one, Faye Dunaway spurns the plot forward as the subtitle "Milady's Revenge" suggests. She joins forces with Charlton Heston to get revenge on the Musketeers, and as Raquel Welch remains her prisoner, Michael York is desperate to get her back. Oliver Reed has a personal beef with Faye, Frank Finlay is in it for the laughs, and Richard Chamberlain provides an unexpected laugh when he announces he wants to quit the musketeers in favor of the church. (This was nine years before The Thornbirds.) You'll also see Roy Kinnear, Geraldine Chaplin, Simon Ward, and Jean Pierre-Cassel reprising their roles. We can all assume everyone had a great time, because they reunited with director Richard Lester yet again in 1989 for a third installment!

All For One And None For This Version

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 18 September 2009]

I'm not quite sure that there is any version of The Three Musketeers that quite gets it right, though the closest are the RKO film from 1935 and the MGM one from 1948. They starred Walter Abel and Gene Kelly respectively and each was deficient somewhat as D'Artagnan. Why Tyrone Power, Errol Flynn, or Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. did not play D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers is a mystery to me.

The Four Musketeers is the second of the film that Richard Lester originally shot. His The Three Musketeers ran so long that it was simply released as two films. The first one however is marginally superior to this one.

The first half of the story lends itself to the slapstick comedy spirit that permeates the two films. The whole business of trying to recover the Queen's necklace to preserve her honor works for comedy. But the second half of Alexander Dumas novel gets down to some serious business with the deaths of several of the characters. The comedy here went over like a titanium balloon.

Best in the film because he keeps his dignity in both halves is Charlton Heston as Cardinal Richelieu. In any version that man is not one to be spoofed.

A really great cast was assembled and wasted by Richard Lester. All for one and none really for this.

Darker, Equally Magnificent MUSKETEER Sequel...

[cariart · 30 January 2004]

THE FOUR MUSKETEERS, the second half of Richard Lester's brilliant adaptation of Dumas' THE THREE MUSKETEERS, carries on the manic adventures of D'Artagnan (Michael York), and his comrades (Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, and Frank Finley), and offers deliriously comic moments (a picnic in the midst of a siege is a comic highlight), but in being faithful to the novel, a necessary but tragic thread runs through the plot, with the deaths of key characters tempering the joy of the ultimate resolution.

Because the film wasn't intended to 'stand on it's own', certain elements had to be added, to make the story more cohesive. The most obvious addition is a voice-over introduction by Porthos (Frank Finley), who reminisces about the events on screen. The choice of Finley is a wise one, as he was the most accessible of the characters in the first film, and his "blissfully ignorant" attitude keeps his opening and closing monologues a 'tongue-in-cheek' joy.

Politics and intrigue are the order of the day, as Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston, still sleekly villainous) continues his machinations to eliminate French Protestants, and his major opponent, England's Prime Minister, the Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward). A key player in 'the game' is Milady de Winter (Faye Dunaway, in one of her best roles), who agrees to eliminate Buckingham, if Richelieu will pardon 'in advance' her plans to murder D'Artagnan and his ladylove, Constance (Raquel Welch). The note he signs would become a key element of the story.

Hoping to protect Constance, D'Artagnan sends her to an Abbey, then impetuously begins an affair with de Winter, not realizing the woman's ultimate goal. Only the discovery of a 'Fleur-de-Lis' tattoo on her arm, branding her a 'harlot', saves the boy, as it unbalances the woman long enough for him to temporarily subdue her, and escape. The news of de Winter's brand exposes Athos' aristocratic past, and reason for his alcoholism.

Just as Van Heflin's interpretation of Athos during this key scene in the 1948 THREE MUSKETEERS was the film highlight, the flashback to a younger, clean-shaven, and dashing Oliver Reed, and his betrayal by Faye Dunaway, who would be branded for her crime, is a high point in the 1974 production. Milady is a calculating, insensitive monster, and as the depth of her potential for evil becomes known, the darkness that is introduced nearly overcomes the film. With a cunning almost feral, she ruthlessly arranges the death of Buckingham, then takes care of Constance personally. Finally captured by the four Musketeers, her doom, while justified, is a jarring counterpoint to the earlier adventures of the happy-go-lucky quartet.

Yet the four comrades survive, and with the possession of Richelieu's note to Milady, are not punished for their actions, but granted extraordinary rewards by King Louis. Richelieu himself is impressed by D'Artagnan's amazing talent and luck, and arranges a promotion for the young Gascon.

As the four friends leave the Palace, facing far different futures, Porthos reflects on the camaraderie of the friends, and through flashbacks, we are reminded of the glorious adventure we've shared with them.

THE THREE and FOUR MUSKETEERS are a crowning achievement in Richard Lester's remarkable career, capturing a 'feel' that no other Dumas' adaptation has ever come close to. While the sequel may lack the unrestrained 'joy' of the first film, when seen together, the overall impact of the saga is unforgettable.

They don't come any better than this!

Robust and fairly accurate telling of the Dumas tale...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 7 October 2006]

THE FOUR MUSKETEERS picks up the storyline where the previous THE THREE MUSKETEERS stopped after the business about the Queen's necklace. Under Richard Lester's direction, the mood is darker now that the wicked plans of Cardinal Richileu and Lady de Winter (CHARLTON HESTON and FAYE DUNAWAY) are about to be executed.

The plot thickens as the lives of D'Artagnan (MICHAEL YORK) and Constance (RAQUEL WELCH) become affected by the scheming Heston and Dunaway. Meanwhile, York and OLIVER REED, RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN and FRANK FINLEY, as The Three Musketeers, get caught up in a number of fast moving, boisterous and action-filled adventures that follow the Dumas tale pretty accurately.

Even so, watching this film I still have fond memories of the LANA TURNER, VAN HEFLIN, GENE KELLY version of "The Three Musketeers" when I see the plot zooming in on Lady de Winter and her plans for D'Artagnan and Constance. I have an equal amount of appreciation for both.

Summing up: A treat, brimming over with a wicked sense of humor amidst all the swordplay.

Faithful to the Letter but not to the Spirit

[JamesHitchcock · 6/10 · 8 February 2019]

Producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind and director Richard Lester originally intended to turn Alexandre Dumas's "The Three Musketeers" into a single epic lasting well over three hours, but this option was rejected as impractical and the filmed material was eventually turned into two separate films (much to the surprise and displeasure of many of the cast and crew, who had only been paid for one film). "The Three Musketeers" came out in 1973 and its sequel the following year. The title "The Four Musketeers" was not a particularly original one as it had already been used for other filmed sequels to the novel; it reflects the fact that D'Artagnan is not actually a musketeer to begin with and fights alongside Athos, Porthos, and Aramis out of friendship, not because he is a member of the same military unit.

"The Four Musketeers" takes up the story where "The Three Musketeers" left off. Cardinal Richelieu continues with his scheming and orders his sidekick the Count de Rochefort to kidnap the lovely Constance Bonacieux, the Queen's dressmaker and D'Artagnan's mistress. As usual, the Four Musketeers (D'Artagnan has now officially been accepted as a member of the regiment) are on hand to try and foil his schemes. Rochefort and the Cardinal's other sidekick, the beautiful but evil Milady de Winter- a splendidly poisonous Faye Dunaway- both play a rather larger part in this film than they did in its predecessor. (The film is also known as "The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge"). One character who is conspicuous by his absence is Monsieur Bonacieux, Constance's husband. Even in the permissive seventies a family adventure film which featured an otherwise clean-cut young hero engaged in an adulterous affair with a married woman might have raised a few eyebrows. Anyone seeing this film without having seen the earlier one would assume that Constance is single.

Although the film attempts to recapture the mood of its predecessor, I have never liked "The Four Musketeers" as much as "The Three Musketeers", and I think that a lot of the blame for this lies with the ending. Although film-makers have sometimes come in for criticism for altering the plot of classic novels to suit the demands of the box-office, this is one case where I think that it would have been better had they made some changes. Keeping Dumas' ending in which Milady murders Constance and is then herself executed by the Musketeers does not fit with the generally comic, light-hearted tone of this particular adaptation. Killing off Raquel Welch's adorable Constance was always going to strike a jarring note, and however evil Milady may have been, the way in which she is dealt with seems particularly cold-blooded. (It should be pointed out that two of those setting themselves up as her judges have personal reasons to hate her, D'Artagnan as the lover of one of her victim and Athos as her ex-husband). The result is a film which is faithful to the letter of Dumas's novel but not to its spirit. 6/10

That's actually THE SECOND PART of the original novel.

[r-fronimides · 6/10 · 12 September 2020]

This isn't a sequel. This is the SECOND PART of the original story, that we didn't watched in the first film ("The 3 Musketeers" 1973).

As the previous film, its very accurate to the official novel... but this is still a PARODY/COMEDY and not a drama/adventure. Of course it has adventure/drama elements, but its mostly a comedy-kind film.

The sword-fights is silly-amateur made, the action is like you watching parody theatrical acting and not cinema, etc.

Its good to watch it, but not what you may expect. That's why it getting 5 stars only.

Very good sequel to a terrific film

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 8 January 2011]

Richard Lester's adaptation of Dumas' literary masterpiece is simply terrific, and for me the definitive version. This sequel while not quite as good is still excellent and one of the better follow-ups out there. The film is not as efficiently paced as its predecessor, but so much compensates. The cinematography, costumes and scenery are all very lavish and beautiful and there is also a rousing and energetic score to compliment. The script is witty, the story is compelling and maintains the 1973 film's spirit and the sword-play and action while slightly more slapsticky is exciting. Plus the direction is great. The cast also give it their all- Michael York is spirited and likable, Oliver Reed once again comes very close to stealing the film, Fay Dunnaway is still beautiful and haunting, Charlton Heston is calculated and imposing and Christopher Lee is simply brilliant as Rochefort. All in all, very good and if you watch this and The Three Muskerteers head to head, you're in for a great time I assure you. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The Four Musketeers

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 26 December 2023]

Whilst it's not quite as good as last year's effort, Richard Lester has managed to reassemble the cast for another romp through Alexandre Dumas' stories of derring-do at the court of King Louis XIII (Jean-Pierre Cassel). Now following his near miss last time, Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) has become even more fixated on exposing the Queen (Geraldine Chaplin) and her British lover Buckingham (Simon Ward) and so has commissioned "Rochefort" (Christopher Lee) and the menacing "Lady De Winter" (Faye Dunaway) to get the secrets from dressmaker "Constance" (Raquel Welch). Meantime, the loved-up "D'Artagnan" - the particularly scrawny Michael York - is also on her trail, aided by his three colleagues "Porthos" (Frank Finlay), "Aramis" (Richard Chamberlain) and "Athos" (Oliver Reed) and adventures ensue as they have to thwart the evil Cardinal's machinations and save poor "Constance" from the malevolent "Milady". It's colourful and action packed, with more from the others - especially the clearly in his element Reed who must have been swilling real vin rouge. Roy Kinnear rolls his eyes in disbelief with comic aplomb and we have quite a fun game of cricket that's far more explosive than any I've ever seen at Lords! Dunaway is great as the manipulatrix and Welch likewise as the naive young seamstress only just fitting into one of her own frocks. Heston features a little too sparingly to make much of an impact, but Christopher Lee delivers well too - his firing squad "perhaps I'll die of old age" did make me smile - as this enjoyable costume drama heads to it's rather fitting, but slightly disappointing, denouement. These are a good pair of films for fans of action comedies, and still bear watching fifty years later.

France rules!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 18 March 2011]

Continuing from where "The Three Musketeers" left off - with D'Artagnan becoming a musketeer - "The Four Musketeers" has the foursome trying to stop the malicious Lady de Winter from carrying out her dastardly scheme. Of course, the movie is mostly an excuse to show lots of really cool sword fighting (with funny dialogue to accompany it). I've never read the novel, so I don't know how faithful Richard Lester's movies are, but I can say that they're really fun. I have no doubt that everyone had fun making them. And not just because Faye Dunaway and Raquel Welch looked really sexy in those dresses.

In conclusion: Vive la France!

Oliver Reed makes it a 10

[cdh-2 · 10/10 · 20 May 2000]

Great movie--one of my favorites. What makes it a 10 is Oliver Reed's heartbreakingly good performance as Athos--particularly two scenes: first, when he tells D'Artagnan "a love story to cure you of love", then his confrontation with Milady DeWinter ("Since when has it been possible to insult YOU, Madame!"). Milady's seduction of Fenton, and the ensuing assassination are chilling. And the whole set piece of the Four at the siege is great comedy, well played by all. The only serious departure from the book is D'Artagnan's duel with Rochefort at the end (but it IS a thrilling swordfight, so I don't mind). I had the good fortune to see this film and Three Musketeers on a double bill back in 1976 (how many of us are old enough to remember double bills at the movies?) when I was 16. Now I've got to buy the videos and watch them together again. "All for one, and one for all!" I wonder: where is the nearest fencing instructor?

A poor costume drama that doesn't take itself seriously enough.

[TiminPhoenix · 4/10 · 21 July 2002]

This sequel sets the standard for sequels being inferior to the original. Aside from some interesting camera angles, Ms. Welch's clevage, and some pretty scenery, this movie is just a collection of oh so clever scenes.

It's a waste of time.

"By my order, and for the good of the state, the bearer has done what has been done."

[grendelkhan · 11 April 2003]

Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan are back; or more precisely, are still here; for the second half of the Dumas novel. As I'm sure most fans know, this was meant to be part of the complete Three Musketeers, before the Salkinds split it into two films. This led to much litigation and the creation of the "Salkind clause" in movie contracts.

Spoliers-The film takes up where the first part left off; D'Artagnan and the Musketeers have saved the Queen from embarassment and confounded the evil Cardinal Richelieu. D'Artagnan is now a full fledged Musketeer (although, in the novel, he was still just a guardsman).

Now the Cardinal hatches a new plot to persuade the Duke of Buckingham from joining the protestant Huguenot rebels at the city of La Rochelle. Milady is sent to persuade him to change his mind or kill him. Although Buckingham imprisons her, he underestimates the power of her charms. The Duke meets a tragic end and Milady returns to France to seek her revenge on D'Artagnan.

Meanwhile, D'Artagnan rescues his mistress Constance and places her in safekeeping. He learns the true identity of Milady and the mystery behind Athos' melancholy.

The Musketeers are sent to fight at La Rochelle and uncover the Cardinal's plot to kill Buckingham. Although the other Musketeers care little, D'Artagnan owes a debt to Buckingham and tries to stop the plot.

D'Artagnan pays a terrible price for his efforts, but emerges as a lieutenant of the Musketeers. He has taken his place as the leader of the group, but will find little solace in his promotion.

As with the first film, the performances are spot on. Everything is the same, as it was filmed at the same time. It is best viewed as a whole with the Three Musketeers.

A bit More Derring-do and Intrigue All Around

[Bogmeister · 8/10 · 12 March 2006]

This continuation of the Musketeers saga from "The Three Musketeers"(73) brings back essentially all the characters (tho they never really left, as this was filmed at the same time) and piles up the intrigue. Plots combine with counter plots as the puppeteer Cardinal (Heston) sends his two emissaries of evil, Milady & Rochefort (Lee, good casting if ever there was), against the heroes, who defend the queen's honor. The Milady character (Dunaway) becomes the central focus of the story; she proves to be so dangerous that dashing D'Artagnan (York) barely escapes her deadly designs on a couple of occasions despite his abilities. The most startling revelation, for those unfamiliar with the story, involves a backstory for the morose Athos (Oliver Reed). Reed lends a pathos to the character of Athos, heh.

Though this continues Director Lester's penchant for comical timing and near-slapstick action, the story itself has a more plot-driven narrative and, by necessity, more dramatic, even tragic, elements. This chapter, after all, concludes the tale in many ways, and, for some characters, it definitely ends on a somber note. There is a poignancy and flair to the proceedings missing from even the first chapter, but, as entertainment value, it's just a smidgen below the introductory previous film. You miss the sheer excitement and thrill of meeting all the characters; on the other hand, this is in many ways a bonus gift to all the fans of the first film, who need not imagine how their favorite characters would continue as in other favorite films which had no sequels. Since this was filmed at the same time, the film has none of the apparent weaknesses of the usual sequels.

Many years later, in '89, most of the cast and the director returned for another sequel, "Return of the Musketeers." Some of the magic wasn't there, but it was interesting to see them all again, older and perhaps wiser. That film is not yet available on DVD, but was around on VHS and Laserdisc.