By Joanne Sargent
Contributor
In the 179 years since Alexandre Dumas wrote his novel of political intrigue and swashbuckling derring-do, there have been no less than 50 cinematic versions of The Three Musketeers.
The latest, from France, is our next Film Society movie, and proves that a good story never goes out of style.
The film focuses on young Charles D’Artagnan and his journey to become an official Musketeer, the top soldiers in a royal corps armed with guns but acclaimed for their swordsmanship.
Shortly after he arrives in Paris, D’Artagnan literally runs into Athos, Porthos and Aramis, the titular three, who initially want to kill him, but they quickly see he is deserving to join their ranks safeguarding the royals.
Cardinal Richelieu, advisor to King Louis XIII and Queen Anne, is trying to undermine the French monarchy. He schemes to rid the King of his best Musketeers and when he has Athos wrongly accused of murder, his fellow Musketeers must leap to action to prove his innocence. At the centre of the dastardly Richelieu’s plot is a plan to discredit the Queen who is having an affair with a British Duke.
D’Artagnan has fallen for Constance, a confidante of the Queen, and when a diamond necklace must be retrieved from England lest the King discover her affair, it falls on D’Artagnan to risk his life on her behalf.
Will they be able to save Athos and keep themselves and the King and Queen safe? It’s a beautifully crafted, raucous ride woven with treachery and deceit.
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan plays at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.
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