Revenge of the Musketeers (1994) User Reviews (23)

Captures The Spirit Of Dumas

[jhclues · 7/10 · 26 April 2001]

The spirit of Dumas is alive and well as D'Artagnan and his three legendary companions regroup and once again go forth in defense of the Crown in `Revenge of the Musketeers,' directed by Bertrand Tavernier. This time around, however, it's D'Artagnan's daughter, Eloise (Sophie Marceau), who sounds the alarm after witnessing a cold-blooded murder at the convent she has called home these many years, having been raised there while her father was off on one adventure after another in service to the King. And it's the King for whom Eloise is concerned; in the wake of the murder, she has uncovered a conspiracy to assassinate the about-to-be-crowned Louis XIV during his coronation. Her evidence is a cryptic message discovered among the personal effects of the recently deceased resident of the convent. So throwing caution to the wind, Eloise takes to horseback, alone, to seek out her father and inform him of this threat to France and the King. What she doesn't know is that D'Artagnan (Philippe Noiret) has recently withdrawn from the service of the King, and not by his own choosing. It seems that the King-to-be is something of an upstart, the fact of which D'Artagnan conveyed to him personally-- in no uncertain terms-- after which the now former Musketeer retired to private life to give lessons in the art of swordsmanship. All of which is about to change with the arrival of the daughter he hasn't seen for many years, and who to his knowledge is still safely ensconced in the convent.

To successfully present yet another episode of `The Three Musketeers,' it must have that certain sense of bold carelessness born of confidence and larger-than-life adventure, and Tavernier's film has it. Though it takes a couple of scenes to find it's legs after an intense opening that makes you sit up and take notice, when it finally kicks in (which it does fairly quickly) it becomes a rousing adventure steeped in the tradition of it's predecessors. And, as in the best of the `Musketeer' movies, it's laced with subtle humor and intrigue. Tavernier sets a pace that is at times inconsistent, but he provides enough action and fun that it can be easily overlooked; it may threaten to stall occasionally, but never actually does.

Philippe Noiret cuts a striking figure as the aging D'Artagnan, who though slowed somewhat by the years, is still one of the best swords around. He successfully embodies that spirit and sense of `legend' that makes his D'Artagnan believable, and delivers it all with the confidence befitting his character.

The highlight of the film, however, is the lovely Marceau, who as Eloise proves that she can cross swords with the best of them. Her technique with a blade may be a bit awkward at times, but it gives credibility to the character; a young woman raised in a convent-- even the daughter of a famed Musketeer-- wouldn't necessarily be a master swordsman. And Marceau gives a lively performance as Eloise, diving into the action with a reckless abandon that makes her endearing, as well as fun to watch. She has a radiant screen presence that draws the eye to her, even in a crowded scene. But what really puts this character across-- and again, the entire film, for that matter-- is that unabashed spirit of adventure, which Marceau manifests in Eloise.

The supporting cast includes Claude Rich (Crassac), Sami Frey (Aramis), Jean-Luc Bideau (Athos), Raoul Billerey (Porthos), Charlotte Kady (Eglantine de Rochefort), Nils Tavernier (Quentin), Luigi Proietti (Mazarin) and Jean-Paul Roussillon (Planchet). Proving that even Musketeers beyond their prime can be engaging, especially when combined with a spirited beauty like Marceau, `Revenge of the Musketeers' is a welcome cinematic chapter in the saga Dumas began so many years ago. In the end, it's a satisfying experience that will transport you to another place and another time, when chivalry was alive and well, and right always triumphed over wrong. I rate this one 7/10.

All for one and one for all!

[=G= · 7/10 · 9 May 2001]

A fun French comedy/adventure flick which resurrects the "Three Musketeers" and creates a beautiful daughter, Eloise, (Marceau) for an aging, portly D'Artagnan. The plot is a tad convoluted with subtitles which use some archaic English and nonstop dialogue making the story a bit of a challenge for non-French speakers to keep up with. Nonetheless, the 2+ hour run is full of swashbuckling adventures, funny antics, comedic dialogue, and the beautiful European countryside with misty moors, autumn forests, castles and all those things we love about Euro-period films.

Swashbuckler

[bob998 · 6/10 · 19 October 2006]

Bertrand Tavernier has turned to the past many times before in his long career. He has no trouble telling a story with period costumes and swirling swordfights. La fille de D'Artagnan is a lot of fun for the first sixty minutes or so, then the lack of any great imagination in the plot construction starts to be apparent. There seems to be a coded message in a letter stolen from a convent that occupies the minds and energies of many of the characters to the detriment of telling the story.

Philippe Noiret is great, but the part is so easy for him. Sophie Marceau gets to show off her splendid breasts. Jean-Luc Bideau as Athos is perhaps the most watchable actor in the proceedings; he looks really dapper in that eyeband. If you want a really fine film about pre-Revolutionary France, try Que la fête commence, which has Noiret in one of his best roles.

J'Adore Sophie Marceau

[The Continental Op · 29 September 1999]

Though I am not a fan of French Cinema in general, I am a huge fan of Sophie Marceau. Ever since I first saw her in Braveheart, I have tried to find every movie she has been in, whatever country it was produced in. In "Fille de d'Dartagnan" (which was released on video under the hideous title "Revenge of the Musketeers")the beautiful Sophie plays Eloise, the daughter of the legendary Gascon d'Artagnan, who leaves the convent in which she was raised to foil a plot to assassinate the young King Louis XIV. Along the way she reunites with her father and his Musketeer cronies who aid her in her quest. This film is a fun,lighthearted swashbuckler, very much in the tradition of Dumas's original stories. It is highlighted by a great serio-comic performance by Sopie herself. Her role as Eloise is a refreshing break from her usual noble heroine parts and adds a new dimension to her repertoire. She isn't bad in the action scenes either. Though I found her amazing sword skills a little hard to believe considering the fact she only left the convent a few weeks before. Did they give combat training to novices in 17th century French convents? I doubt it. That little quibble aside, I recommend this film for fans of action movies and it's a must for Marceau fans everywhere. After seeing this, I can't wait to see her as the new Bond villain. It's gonna be a blast.

Still entertaining, but could have been better

[unbrokenmetal · 7/10 · 3 December 2001]

This film started very promising: great actors like the wizened Philippe Noiret and the charming Sophie Marceau, an experienced director like Tavernier, and an interesting storyline: the daughter of D'Artagnan breathes some of the old spirit back into her aged heroes. Both of the usual opposite parties are investigating about a supposed conspiracy - each based on entirely misunderstood "secret messages".

Unfortunately, the screenplay lets everything down a bit. First, it doesn't explain the characters' motivation as much as necessary (that goes especially for "supposed dead" Athos, the irresolute would-be politician King Louis and also the young "poet", who falls in love with Sophie before he's even seen her from less than 10 yards distance - I guess he was just introduced because she needed help in the tavern brawl). Second, the screenplay doesn't find convincing solutions to its own conspiracies and just lets the movie end in a huge battle... dead people don't need to explain things anymore. Well, one isn't quite as dead as he seems, but I have to leave a little surprise for you at the end!

So, what you get is two hours of good entertainment if you like this kind of adventure movie, but don't expect something as brilliant as Richard Lester's classic "The Three Musketeers" from 1973.

Faithful follow-up to the books

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 21 October 2012]

1654. When the titular daughter, Eloise(the stunning Marceau, who takes over her father's arc, and is equally big on honor, justice, and defending the innocent), gets a hint of a conspiracy, she leaves the convent her and her mother were at(...if you aren't safe there, then where?), goes to Paris, has her first suitor(Tavernier, a poet who is not exactly skilled with a weapon; he is the comic relief, and in spite of that, he is seldom annoying, they walk the line of that well), and asks the elder D'Artagnan(Noiret, who recognizes himself as a youth in her... and the two have a great relationship, one of several that are sweet and, as a lot of the humor, very human, very sympathetic... she wants to be as big an adventurer as he was, he wants her to be a woman, and listen to her, and in amongst the expectations, there is clearly a mutual love) for help. He sets about reuniting with Aramis(Frey, the religious and controlling of them) and Porthos(Billerey, always hungry; what of Athos? I won't give that away), (all three of them physically affected by it having been 20 years since they were last swashbuckling) and they will all seek out the mysterious Red Lady. This clearly loves the novels(with many references to them, and not all overt or direct) and wanted to add a new chapter to the overall narrative, that of the next generation, and it succeeds in delivering that and making it compelling. We get an early indication of how far our villains will go(and when you find out what they're doing, it's quite clever, and fairly historically accurate), the gradual build-up to seeing them together rather than immediately showing all of our favorite musketeers, and the fencing is great, both in quality and amount. Nice choreography, and the well-done visual composition of the fights ensures that you never lose track of where everybody is, in relation to each other, and what they're currently doing - even when it involves a dozen people, and they're in a crowded, well-furnished area, like a bar. This keeps to a moderate pace, and one can clearly tell it's French... you can practically smell the environment, sense it right in front of you - with people in the market selling, inside praying or writing, etc., according to the time. The mood is thus set effectively. Their passion is also clear, with several of the well-written characters suddenly bursting into rants, or arguing. And it is evident in the comedy, which I've already mentioned. This balances laughs and tension well. There is a lot of mild violence, a little female nudity(topless, and butt) and sexuality, and, I'm told by the Parents Guide(what? I don't speak it... MF'er), some strong language in this. I recommend this to any and all fans of the Dumas stories. 7/10

not my cup of tea--maybe you might not be as turned off,....who knows?

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 29 April 2006]

Anachronistic--"adj : chronologically misplaced"

My problem with this movie is the same problem I have with many modern movies that try to undo the sexism of the ages by creating brash, strong-willed heroines and placing them in historical dramas. While this might entertain some and make others feel better about their gender, from my point of view as a history teacher, they seem stupid and rather patronizing. In this case, you have the daughter of d'Artagnan (the 4th Musketeer) taking on baddies with the help of her estranged father. As for me, I HATE plucky, anachronistic heroines. If you want to portray a strong woman, make it a contemporary movie--don't make our history something it isn't! The lead, for part of the movie, ran around in men's clothes and looked EXACTLY LIKE A WOMAN DRESSED AS A MAN! Sophie Marceau is just too beautiful and shapely for this and it seems to assume the audience is too stupid to realize this! Come on folks, we deserve better than this! What's next? Moses played by a woman in THE 10 COMMANDMENTS PART II?

D'ARTAGNAN'S DAUGHTER (Bertrand Tavernier &, uncredited, Riccardo Freda, 1994) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 21 March 2014]

Frankly, I find it very hard to believe that a major Euro-Cult exponent, the legendarily irascible 85-year old Italian film-maker Riccardo Freda, came out of 13 years of retirement to make this belated French swashbuckler with such art-house favourites as Sophie Marceau, Philippe Noiret, Claude Rich, Sami Frey and Luigi Proietti, got himself fired from the project (as so often happened in the past, often to the benefit of his cinematographer Mario Bava) and distinguished director Tavernier stepped in to complete the picture; the more likely scenario is that it was avowed Freda champion Tavernier's idea to dust off (and update) an old script from the elderly director's glory days of the "Peplum" subgenre - already filmed by him as the obscure and elusive THE SON OF D'ARTAGNAN (1950), co-starring the ubiquitous Gianna Maria Canale, his then-current muse/companion - now that swordplay was once again en vogue on screen in France – presumably following the worldwide success of the Oscar-nominated 1990 Gerard Depardieu version of CYRANO DE BERGERAC! Having said that, Richard Lester had himself resurrected his long- dormant Alexandre Dumas diptych from the mid-1970s for one final (and, ultimately, fatal) fling with 1989's middling THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS – in which Noiret (here as D'Artagnan) had played Cardinal Mazarin i.e. Proietti's role in the movie under review!

Whatever the real story is, the eventual outcome was a solid effort all round which, while perhaps not scaling the expected heights given its pedigree of cast and crew, should provide lively entertainment for viewers of all persuasions. In retrospect, Marceau may have been right in complaining that, notwithstanding the film's title, her part should have been bigger: she still gets to shed her clothes and wield the sword on various occasions and her characterization here must have decided Mel Gibson to cast her in his own epic BRAVEHEART (1995) and she did get her own later period vehicle in MARQUISE (1997; which I am not familiar with) in which she romances Louis XIV (who is still a royal teenage brat in this one!). Instead, Tavernier's movie chooses to focus on the tattered relationship between the reassembled Four Musketeers: even the supposedly dead Athos turns up as the one-eyed henchman of Mazarin! Marceau gets her own romantic foil in a rebellious poet (played by Tavernier's own actor son, Nils), as does bumbling villain Crassac (a delightful, Cesar-nominated turn from Rich) in his unscrupulous accomplice Eglantine De Rochefort (Charlotte Klady). For the longest time, we follow the two factions on the separate trails of 'Double McGuffins': the musketeers' clue turns out to be nothing but a laundry list, in spite of Bishop Aramis (Frey) extracting Biblical references from the message, obtained from a fugitive black slave in the very opening sequence, the initials of which when combined together spell "Crassac"!; Mazarin's clue, then, was nothing but Tavernier's on-the- spot poem to Marceau during their first meeting in a tavern! Even so, fencing instructor D'Artagnan and his aging buddies still manage to stumble on the real plot on the young king's life during his coronation.

Recently, it seems like I always get to make a reference to my unwatched pile in my reviews: this one is, obviously, no exception since I own several tenuously "Musketeers"-related films I have yet to catch up with: A MODERN MUSKETEER (1917; with Douglas Fairbanks), BARDELYS THE MAGNIFICENT (1926; with John Gilbert); CARDINAL RICHELIEU (1935; with George Arliss), THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1935; with Walter Abel), UNDER THE RED ROBE (1937; with Conrad Veidt), an unsubtitled Spanish-language copy of THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1942; with Cantinflas), Roberto Rossellini's THE TAKING OF POWER BY LOUIS XIV (1966), the uncut International version of THE FIFTH MUSKETEER (1979; with Cornel Wilde as D'Artagnan) and THE MUSKETEER (2001; with Catherine Deneuve). To end this review as I had started it by referring to Riccardo Freda again: it should be noted that I have just acquired off of "You Tube" a copy of his professional rival Vittorio Cottafavi's MILADY AND THE MUSKETEERS (1952), sourced from a late-night Italian TV broadcast

Disappointing !!!

[jnvernen · 5/10 · 2 February 2005]

I was hoping that Bertrand Travenier, Sophie Marceau and (writer)Jean Cosmos would deliver a "unique" Musketeers film, but I was disappointed. The film was SLOW and LIMP. Perhaps the Muskeeters should of gone to the NEW WORLD and dealt with the Native Americans. THAT would make a good movie, Muskeeters help the native Americans against corrupt colonials. The film reminded me of "En Garde", another swashbuckler. Besides, d'Artagnan's daughter does not have mush screen time after her father and his chums enter the picture. The film has inspired such "rip offs" as La Femme Muskeeter and a PAX Cable TV series who's name I've forgotten

Papa, May I Go Out Duelling, Oui, My Darling Daughter

[writers_reign · 7/10 · 2 October 2012]

Bertrand Taverneir moves as fluidly between 'costume' pictures and modern-day dramas as Graham Greene moved between novels and 'entertainments' and here he gives us a delightful soufflé' with perhaps five believable words in the whole two hours. It borrows lavishly if only in spirit, from the Hollywood that gave us The Prisoner Of Zenda type movies where the personnel lace every sword-fight with one-liners. For what it's worth the plot has Sophie Marceau - raised in a convent lo these many years - witnessing the brutal murder of the Mother Superior and vowing revenge which will naturally involve finding her father, D'Artagnan, now an ex-musketeer, and teaming up with the original three (Athos, Porthos, Aramis) and overthrowing a plot to assassinate the new King. Although Tavernier wisely portrays Eloise as something less than an accomplished fencer he cancels this out to some extent by having her leap onto a horse as if she'd been riding all her life when she has, of course, been raised in a convent. No matter, there's swordplay, wordplay, a hissable villain in the shape of Claude Rich - looking uncannily like a smiling George C. Scott - Philippe Noiret as D'Artagnan and Sophie Marceau as his daughter. What's not to like.

A civilized historical romance from Tavernier, Noiret, and Marceau.

[brig0027 · 8/10 · 20 February 2000]

A blithe film, perfect for a wintry evening. I saw it because I have loved every Tavernier film I have seen. This one was an unexpected treat--I was prepared for something dark and moody, and instead got Gallic sunshine. The plot is about as serious as a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but it really doesn't matter. It's all delightful froth. Twenty years have passed since the famous adventures of the Three Musketeers. The film begins with an escaped African slave and a mysterious raid on the convent in which Eloise, the daughter of D'Artagnan, has been raised. Quick tempered and bold, she vows to avenge the death of the Mother Superior, disguises herself as a boy and leaves for Paris seeking her father's aid. The film records the amusing history of her subsequent adventures and companions. The French do this kind of picture better than any one else--it's civilized, affectionate, jolly, self-aware, playful, and respectful. Sophie Marceau is luminous, whimsical and feisty as Eloise. I wish we could see her in more roles. Phillipe Noiret is perfect as D'Artagnan, moving and comic simultaneously. Over-scheduled Americans may fret at the pacing, but just allow yourself to be a little French--enjoy the tale, the lack of American style violence and the delightful performances, music, and sets. C'est tres jolie.

True to Dumas

[jimtrageser · 8/10 · 19 March 2005]

Only based on Alexander Dumas' musketeer tales, not taken from them, this movie still manages to capture the sense of fun and adventure that marked his novels.

The four older actors playing the retired musketeers who are drawn back into the fray by D'Artagnan's daughter, Eloise, will be unfamiliar to most American viewers, but all of them have that same kind of slightly naughty French humor that so many Americans love in Gérard Depardieu (whose Porthos from the "Man in the Iron Mask" would have fit in perfectly here).

And Sophie Marceau will charm the pants off of you - although her pants are about the only clothing item she manages to hang onto here. But she is saucy, funny and very strong.

The scenery, too, will enchant - the castles, the countryside, all are gorgeous and true to the time.

An excellent addition to the Musketeers genre

[JHC3 · 8/10 · 24 September 1999]

As I began to view this film, I had quite a few doubts. Recent "Musketeers" films have been falling flat. I am now very pleased to say that "Revenge of the Musketeers" (U.S. video title) is a solid production, featuring an excellent European cast and fine direction.

Set in the twilight years of the musketeers, the plot focuses on Eloise d'Artagnan (Marceau) and her struggle against perceived plots and conspiracies. When her convent is assaulted, she seeks out her famous father in Paris. There are some comedic moments and decent fight scenes. I was especially pleased to note that Eloise, who was raised in a convent and had no martial training, did not suddenly gain the magnificent fighting prowess of her father. Yes, she does get involved in a number of fights, but the director had the sense to clearly portray her absolute inexperience. Fans of Musketeers films and of swashbucklers in general should give this film a chance. Merely seeing a competent Musketeer film done in the French language alone is a treat.

don't let "action" shelf fool you - this is a comedy

[browndc-1 · 8/10 · 27 March 2007]

My enjoyment of the early scenes in this movie was ruined by the fact that I was expecting an action flick. Once I figured out that this is a comedy, and that the fights were intentionally clumsy, I liked it a lot more. I imagine that with a comprehensive knowledge of French history it would have been a lot funnier. But there are many joking references to Dumas' original story about the Musketeers, and the physical humor transcends culture, as does the archetype of the romantic poet who's hopeless in a fight. Every character in the movie is in some way incompetent, which provides the bulk of the humor. The Musketeers suffer from large egos and denial about the limits of their old age. Several characters suffer from paranoia, and some from delusions of grandeur. I imagine a French historian would love the portrayal of Louis XIV as a chubby self-indulgent teenager who can't make decisions for himself. The humor and the plot are both driven by these characters who get better and better as the movie goes on.

This movie isn't perfect, however. My biggest issue with the film is that I can't figure out how D'Artagnan could have aged so much faster than his fellow musketeers. Athos and Porthos seem to be in their mid-fifties, whereas D'Artagnan can't be less than seventy. The subtitles are a little silly, especially the exclamations, and I wonder if it was intentional. "Merde" is translated as "turds," and phrases like "'Od's bodkins!" and "Zounds!" run rampant.

Still, the movie was thoroughly enjoyable, Sophie Marceau is captivating as well as funny, and this film made for a fun evening. Just remember: it's a historical farce, not an action flick.

Wit...

[euskir · 3 June 2004]

Yes, wit. Some fun with a slice of history (Tavernier is no fool, specially talking about history, Lyonnaise cuisine and music (do you remember the beautiful, poignant and above five stars 'Round midnight...yes, I like most of Bertrand Tavernier's films). This time he take us on a trip to the Dumas territory, the same way he did the trick with Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon in 'Round midnight), but this time it's just for a happy roller coaster. Great in the acting department and using kid gloves to handle the plot as the old masters used to. If you want to have a break of all the "fast and furious" of nowadays cinema check this one.

Wonderful

[Haplo-4 · 9/10 · 20 August 1999]

This is the best French movie I have ever seen. The characters are both trustworthy and funny, the dialogue is intriguing and the plot marvelous. Sophie Marceau is perfect as the daughter of D'Artangan and she prows that she is one of the leading actresses in France. The director has perfectly combined humor, action, adventure and love in a way that not many is capable of - I just hope that Hollywood don't make a movie of their own from the script - they usually destroys them - like their remake of "Nikita".

So a BRAVO! to the director and I hope I will get to see more movies made by him.

10/10

Delighted

[mwlthol · 2 October 1999]

This has got to be one of the best French films I have ever seen, the subtitles were pretty easy to read and the cast was supurb. A definite must see for anyone who liked Braveheart or Zorro.

The entire cast brought out the adventure and the comedy of the film - Great Swordplay, especially the classical beauty Sophie Marceau. This film deserves plenty of awards, the media should be buzzing about "Revenge of the Musketeers".

What Man in the Iron Mask shoulda been.

[PatrynXX · 8/10 · 19 January 2000]

Of course this was made before Leonardo's disaster. (although I didn't think it that bad) However this is so much better. Oh the humor is put in such a manner that it isn't distasteful. Sophie is so much more fiesty than the role she's in Braveheart. I'm glad they offered the subtitled version. I bought mine used, but this looks like another movie I'll have to find everything for. :)

a tedious waste of talent

[eyeseehot · 5 February 2004]

This movie must have been at its best at the concept stage. It seems to be a patriotic attempt to remake Lester's Three Musketeers as a French film. The actors are good, and Sophie Marceau is lovely, but Tavernier has no clue how to make an action film. The story rambles incoherently, the pacing is awful, even the action scenes lack tension, and the jokes fall flat. In this genre, DeBroca's Le Bossu is far superior. For a good film with Sophie Marceau, see Police.

simply amazing

[mariajose2 · 8/10 · 14 February 2001]

I was very sorry that the film was very late on television, but it was too much to lose and i kept myself awake to see it. I must say that what moved me to watch the movie was its amazing humor. S. Marceau, notable, but d'Artagnan, unique... I really recommended. It is the first time that i really think: "i want that movie". Find it. Watch it.Enjoy it!

Silly escapist commercial nonsense from Tavernier

[Aw-komon · 18 December 2000]

You know you're watching a commerical compromise when shots of Marceau's super-healthy (and fully tanned, mind you) breasts make two different appearances to satisfy those who fork out their ticket money for such things alone. I'm not complaining but it's obvious that with international sex kitten Marceau on hand for the lead role in an established 'franchise' like "The 3 Musketeers" Tavernier decided to just have silly fun here, and that's too bad because this film is clever and could've been great with a little more effort. Of course, if Tavernier had gone all out and made the true oddball masterpiece he's proven himself capable of with films as diverse as "Capitaine Conan", "L.627" and "The Clockmaker," Miramax/Disney would've probably never picked the film up for video distribution and renamed it "Revenge of the Musketeers" (D'Artagnan's Daughter sounds a little too sissified for the swashbucker demographic don't you think?). Marceau is good in the lead role and spectacular in the swordfighting scenes but it's obvious she wasn't asked to push herself too hard to act authentic beyond the athleticism required to shoot the action scenes. Philip Noiret is his always fabulous self and without him the film would've been a total bore; his brilliant portrayal of the old but far from over the hill D'Artagnan picks the film up whenever the audience gets tired of staring at Marceau, but it's not enough to keep it from dragging on. Overall, it looks like Tavernier was trying for something in the vicinity of Philip De Broca's classic 1960s adventure films "Cartouche" and "That Man from Rio" but except for a few scenes here and there, comes up short of their comic book poetry.

Une pour tous, et tous pour une!

[ulicknormanowen · 8/10 · 5 November 2021]

Based on an idea by Riccardo Freda who directed "li figlio di d' Artagnan"(1949) : only the beginning is similar : Raoul ,the son, was a novice,and the abbey's prior was killed :he set off for vengeance.

You may also remember Maureen O'Hara in "at sword's point" (1952);she was cast as Athos's daughter , opposite to Cornell Wilde's D'Artagnan Jr. In this latter film,historical mistakes abounded,but it was much fun to watch .

Tavernier's movie met mixed critical reception ;let's call it his holiday homework , and you will love it .

A champion of feminism ,he made the son a daughter whose daddy does not approve of her behavior:the action takes place circa 1660, at the end of Mazarin's reign and just before the "l' état c'est moi" Sun King.

As for the screenplay,call it "Alexandre Dumas revised and updated by Sacha Guitry "whom Tavernier adored :the final cast and credits is probably a tribute to him; it''s a tongue in chick swashbuckler , with a lot of puns,black humor ,and sudden new developments :never a dull moment ;many intellectuals did not see the joke, considering Tavernier a serious ,meaningful director ,which he is of course,but he decided to have fun and the results are enthralling ;he went flat out : the slave trade and the introduction of coffee (hot chocolate was to appear during the Sun king ,thanks to the Spanish queen ) , coded messages , a poet writing satirical tracts against the regime (played by the director's son,Nils ) a huge conspiracy against the future king : to do away with him and replace him by his (gay) brother who would become a puppet on a treacherous noble's string ,even the femme fatale,the woman in red .

The rapport the actors have is wonderful ,most of them belonging to the creme de la creme of French actors :Sophie Marceau is always gorgeous , dressed up as a man or as a woman:she was never taught how to wield a sword, but no matter ;Noiret is a tired but still dashing D'Artagnan ;Claude Rich ,as the traitor,has a very sweet way of getting rid of his poison supplier ; add Jean-Luc Bideau ,Raoul Billerey and Samy Frey as the three musketeers for good measure.

Guitry 's influence shows in the pieces of advice Nazarin gives to the king : to marry a Spanish princess and to have his gay kid brother marry an English princess ,;when he leaves his protégé 's room,he mumbles :"gosh ,I've forgotten to recommend him to revoke the edict of Nantes ". The Sun king would take these (wise?) advices later on : here he appears as a glutton :he's eating in both his scenes : and it's not that much false :all the letters (notably by the second wife of the brother,the Princess Palatine )tell it so:the king's appetite was huge .

It's popular cinema in the noblest sense of the word ; a cinema the sadly missed Tavernier , a giant of the French seventh art , loved .

fun, but flawed

[ali-17 · 2 September 1999]

Just to get a little balance here:

The film is a lot of fun, certainly, and worth watching, but it has its problems. The winks towards modern issues and modern cultural references are hilarious to start with, but by the end of the film you do get a bit tired of them, and wonder whether a *little* bit more interest in making characters' attitudes credible in the 17th century wouldn't, finally, have improved the film. Another point - would it not have been possible to let Sophie Marceau definitively win just *one* of her battles? As it is she always seems to put up a good fight, but, in the last resort, her father or her boyfriend have to rescue her. I feel that the film-maker in his heart of hearts agrees with D'Artagnan when he suggests she should go back to making jam. Oh well, Sami Frey is still sexy.