Customer Reviews

The Three Musketeers (Walt Disney Pictures Presents) [VHS]

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

Alexandre Dumas may or may have not liked the Disney version of his story, but your whole family should. This often remade classic is more comedic in this version. I personally liked it. But then I have liked most versions in their style. The 1973 version with Oliver Reed as Athos and this version with Keifer Sutherland as Athos stand out above the rest in my humble opinion. The 1973 version for the drama and this one for the comedy.

Tim Curry is marvelous as Cardinal Richelieu. He is so borderline outrageously lecherous you think he is going to burst out laughing like a madman or go into song from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". He never plays the piety like Charlton Heston did in the 1973 version. He goes more for the deviousness of an outright power mad religious leader.

The entire cast is great. With Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnell, Oliver Platt, and Rebecca DeMornay how could it be anything but well acted. I would bet the entire cast had a great time filming this version. The dramatic parts with DeMornay as Lady DeWinter are quite touching and the comedic parts with Porthos the Pirate, played by Platt, are quite funny. I was impressed with Stephen Herek's direction.

Disney did a great job of transferring this movie to DVD. The DVD picture and sound quality is first class. The DVD includes a featurette, theatrical trailers, and Bios. Well worth adding to your collection of movies like "The Princess Bride", "Ever After", and "Robin Hood".

I must agree with everyone who wrote reviews on this movie that it is not at all like the book by Dumas, but I don't think that's a good reason not to like this movie. It's lots of fun and has plenty of action and adventure. And I think that's it's not only great for kids but for teenagers and adults alike.

Here's the summary of "The Three Musketeers". Chris O'Donnel is D'Artagnan, a young, brash, proud, yet courageous 'kid' whose only dream is to become one of the king's musketeers. But when he gets to Paris, he finds that the musketeers have been disbanded by the young King Louis's (Hugh O'Conor) evil Cardinal, Richelieu (Tim Curry). But three musketeers who are the best of friends, Athos (Kiefer Sutherland), Aramis (Charlie Sheen), and Porthos (Oliver Platt), are suspicious of Cardinal Richelieu and his henchman Rochefort (Michael Wincott). D'Artagnan is put in jail for fighting the Cardinal's guards with the three musketeers. Though he tries to escape yet fails, he is able to overhear the Cardinal's plan to take over the throne, building an alliance with the Duke of Buckingham by way of a special courier, Lady DeWinter (Rebecca De Mornay). And before D'Artagnan is executed, Athos, Aramis, and Porthos rescue him and together set out to stop Richelieu's spy. They do intercept her, finding out that Lady DeWinter was actually Athos's wife, whom had betrayed him and him sending her away. At the last moment they find out that the Cardinal is planning to have the king assisinated on his birthday. The four men return as swiftly as possible to Paris and with the help of all the musketeers, stop Richelieu.

As I said, though this movie has plenty of funny and humorous parts, it still has plenty of action and adventure, with a touch of romance here and there. The fighting is really good, and the acting was terrific, especially all the three musketeers, Tim Curry, and Michael Wincott. I love the endless little 'extras' Porthos always has with him!

An enjoyable film which is very entertaining! I also recommend for you to watch "The Three Musketeers" which was made in the early 1970's.

If I see another review from someone saying this is not like the book I will get another ulcer to match the ones I already have.This is just great entertainment.I read the book in high school and again in college.You know what.....great book,great movie and they stand on their own.Disney wasn't trying to make a faithful adaption to Dumas's work.They wanted to make good family fun and they did.Lighten up people.

This movie is my all time favorite movie. From the first time I saw it when I was 12 years old to just last week, it never gets old or annoying. The casting was superb with Kiefer Sutherland as Athos, Oliver Platt as Porthos, Charlie Sheen as Aramis, and Chris O'Donnell and Dartagnan. Tim Curry was OUTSTANDING AND ASTOUNDING as Cardinal Richeleu, he went from genius to the brink of madness, in many scenes. The action scenes were excellent, and the comdey was just wonderful. Oliver Platt did an exceptional job at delivering his lines in the comedic portions. Kiefer Sutherlands portrayal of anguished Athos was done with such aplomb and grace that in many scenes I just got caught up in it all. Charlie Sheen's portrayal of Aramis was played with serious undertones yet he also portrayed a certain rogue gentleman, and when he was called on for comedy, he never failed to deliver. This movie was a huge break for Chris O'Donnell, and he mixed it up well with these other fine actors, especially playing off Keifer Sutherland, Rebecca De Mornay, and Oliver Platt. They way he delivered his lines, and the way he moved in the action scenese, proved that he was not a fluke, but a good young actor. Rebecca De Mornay portrayed her character Sabine DeWinter with such charm and seduction, that you almost root for her to get away with it all. Gabrielle Anwar who played the Queen, almost made this movie with her understated scenes and lines with King Louis played by Hugh O'Conner. Their portrayal as the King and Queen made me feel compassion and at the end, made me feel so much respect for them. July Delpy as Constance the Queen's lady in waiting, had a few scenes, but her portrayal was great, she was able to give us the viewers a delivery that was on par with the rest of the actors/actresses. And last but not least, Michael Winters who plays the evil, Rochefort, was to me one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in a movie. I was blown away by how wonderfully this movie was cast, and how it was acted. I cannot imagine any other people playing these roles. I have seen pretty much every other variation of the Three Musketeers, and have always found them stuffy, overbearing, and annoying. But this variation, kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, and at the same time laughing so hard I about fell off of it. The beautiful landscapes, and scenery really added to the movie, and I did not find anything at all to gripe about in this movie. Rarely does a movie have this much of an impact, and I without shame place this as my all time favorite movie EVER. And that's above the original Star Wars Trilogy, and the LOTR trilogy. I give this movie the highest I possibly could, and I recommend buying this movie, no collection is complete without it.

P.S. Be careful, about taking drinks during certain parts of the movie, you may spew them on other people watching with you.

All right, let it be said. This movie has NOTHING to do with Dumas's novel. It isn't even close. There, now that that's out of the way, let me just say that this is a great film. It's done in typical Disney style, with an incredible cast that brings to life this classic tale with a lot of flare and some good, old-fashioned fun.

The entire cast is great: the three Musketeers (Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and Charlie Sheen) are hilarious, and the impetuous young D'Artagnan (Chris O'Donnell) proves the perfect complement to this already comic trio. Add Tim Curry and Michael Wincott as the bad guys and you've got yourself a comic, action-packed adventure that is sure to please the whole family.

FYI, this is not anamorphic and will not fit to your widescreen TV. Wait for a better release if that is important to you. Only rating the DVD release, not the movie.

Because of the departure of the story from the Alexandre Dumas book, some may not like this movie. However, if you think of this movie as having been inspired by the book you will enjoy it a lot more. The action is good, the movie is reasonably family friendly, and the sprinkling of comedy fills in the transitions. However, people are killed during the fighting and Tim Curry as Cardinal Richelieu is sincerely evil, so those without any taste for violence should avoid this movie.

The story is generally familiar. Aramis (Charlie Sheen), Porthos (Oliver Platt) and Athos (Kiefer Sutherland) meet would be Musketeer D'Artagnan (Chris O'Donnell). Initially D'Artagnan is unaware that Athos, Porthos and Aramis are Musketeers, and the three Musketeers are unaware the D'Artagnan is the son of a Musketeer and desires to be a Musketeer himself. Unfortunately for D'Artagnan the Musketeers had just quit en masse because Cardinal Richelieu had replaced the Musketeers, who guarded King Louis (Hugh O'Conor), with his own guards, led by Rochefort (played by Michael Wincott in a most sinister fashion).

From this beginning the movie speeds up. The story becomes complex as we learn that Lady Sabine de Winter is on a traitorous mission for Cardinal Richelieu. The Musketeers and D'Artagnan must stop her or France may be doomed. However, we learn that Lady de Winter knows one of the Musketeers, whom she has not seen for many years. We also learn that the Cardinal has a nefarious plan that he will execute on the King's birthday.

The end of this movie is a lot of fun as, in true swashbuckler style, there is generous swordplay and fantastic escapes. I believe that the stars of swashbuckling movies of the past would appreciate this movie.

I have read reviews that both praise this movie and pan it. This movie is not true to the original story. However, it is very entertaining and I have enjoyed this one several times. I know I will enjoy watching it again. In recent years Disney has had difficulties in creating movies in the tradition started by Walt Disney. However, this one is worthy of the Disney name. I hope you find this movie as enjoyable as I did.

I see many complaining that this movie isn't historically accurate and/or true to the book. If you are thinking about getting this movie, get it, it's great. It's very enjoyable and not meant to be history or true to the book in favor of being enjoyable by a much broader audience.

Complaining about accuracy on this movie is like burning Cinderella as trash for the same reasons. Ever read the original versions of Cinderella? It's most certainly NOT for children. The movie and printed Disney versions are far from true to the original tale. Fact is, Cinderella and The Three Musketeers aren't the only ones Disney drastically toned down.

Perhaps those who don't like this one's accuracy would wish to have their children watch the stepsisters' self mutilations in attempting to make their feet fit the slipper and pigeons pecking out their eyes in Cinderella, and maybe heads rolling in The Three Musketeers, etc. But I doubt many will want their children watching such things.

Disney produces for family entertainment in films such as these. They don't get concerned over accuracy because it's not a film to stimulate prolonged historical discussion and debate between parents and ten year olds, but merely to entertain.

I love a good historically accurate movie, but I know when to drop that concern and just enjoy a good bit of fiction. That's what this is, and as far as I know, Disney never claimed it was anything more.

Besides, no one knows how accurate any bit of history is beyond a few minutes past, which is why one piece of history will have at least as many variations as there are historians that have studied the subject.

To conclude, watch it, buy it, watch it again and again, laugh, cry, jump up and down on the bed in excitement, whatever feels right, enjoy.

This movie, while perhaps not authentic, is a lot of fun, period!

While many "Dumas" purists may be upset by the liberties taken with the story, this movie has a lot of entertainment value. I also have no problem letting my kids watch this movie . There are some subtle innuendos but they never crossed the line in my opinion to the point where most kids would even have a frame of reference in which to understand them. But, to each his own, I'm more concerned about gratuitous violence in a movie than innuendos of the sort found in this film.

I thought the actors and actresses did a perfectly fine job for the type of movie that it is (an entertaining light film with just enough tension in it, like that big ugly guy in the prison), in particular I thought Oliver Platt as Porthos was particularly entertaining and of course Tim Curry was excellent in his role as Cardinel Richelieu and Michael Wincott as Rochefort was an excellent secondary villain.

I've watched this movie many many times already and it's one of those that we pull off the shelf from time to time to watch as a family, along with other standby's like "The Princess Bride", "Robin Hood Men In Tights" and "The Holy Grail".

I would also like to say that I thought those folks who recommended the earlier version of "the Three Musketeers" w/ Michael York, Rachel Welch etc. were also right on the money! Those movies (The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers) are fabulous and timeless classic versions which are also immeasurably entertaining!

Enjoy!

This is at least the seventh film version I have seen of the "The Three Musketeers" and there have been more in the years since it was made (1993). As such I don't think it pays to compare it to the much better and much worse films made over the years.
Disney did a nice job updating this film for its intended audience. Although the acting doesn't compare to Richard Lesters version it wasn't bad either. Rebecca Demorney is especially good gracing the film with her cool beauty. Chris O'Donnell was a little to over the top in a few scenes, but he was the cute teen idol of the day and his natural charm is hard to dislike. I also disagree with the reviewer who thought the King and Queen were to young and inexperienced. They made an adorable couple and Julie Delpy as the lady in waiting was an unexpected bonus. The beautiful shooting locations of Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna and the forts in Germany add considerably to the cinematography. Overall a very nice effort along with a great song by Bryan Adams, Sting, and Rod Stewart.
The DVD is fine as far as it goes. The music video for "All for Love" is included. The "featurette" highlights some of the key points of the film, but I was left wondering why the films trailer wasn't also included, or at least a TV spot/commercial for the film? Also, while the widescreen is my preferred format, considering how short the film is, I was surprised the fullscreen edition wasn't included as well. A running commentary or some interviews would have rounded out this release better, but considering the reasonable price (especially for Disney) its still a good deal.