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.

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.

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')

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?