All For One

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was a kind of 19th century James Michener. He had a staff of 70 assistants, and they had a "book factory". Together, they created over 250 books. THE THREE MUSKETEERS was serialized March-July 1844 [ written before THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO ]. The book had 67 chapters, plus an epilogue. The action was set in the 1620's, in the court of Louis XIII. The Paris magazine"Siecle", featured part of the book in serial form, in several issues. It caused a sensation. This was the first historical novel, written in modern conversational prose. Dumas' adventure story became more interesting than the history it inhabited. The writing evoked history, without being bogged down by the trappings of it.

The D'Artagnan romances were a trilogy; divided into three books.
1) THE THREE MUSKETEERS
2) 20 YEARS AFTER
3) THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNEA. THE VICOMTEB. LOUISE DE VALHEREC. THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK

The characters of the Three Musketeers appeared in 29 movies, 5 TV films, 3 TV series, and one made-for-video film. Early on, six silent films were produced.
1) 1898- England2) 1903- France3) 1909- Italy4) 1911- America5) 1914- America6) 1916- America

Then in 1921, in America, The Three Musketeers appeared. It was directed by Fred Niblo. Though silent, in B&W, in also had some "color" scenes. It starred Douglas Fairbanks as D'Artagnan, Leon Barry as Athos, Georges Siegmann as Porthos, and Eugene Paulette as Aramus.

In 1922, there was an English comedy short. In 1933, there was a French version.

Also in 1933, in America, The Three Musketeers appeared. It was a 12 episode serial, directed by Colbert Clark. It starred John Wayne, Lon Chaney Jr., and Noah Beery Jr.

In 1935, there was another American version of THE THREE MUSKETEERS, directed by Rowland V. Lee. It starred Walter Abel as D'Artagnan, with Paul Lukas as Athos.

In 1939, from the USA, Three Musketeers (1939) appeared. It was a comedy, directed by Allan Dwan. It starred Don Ameche as D'Artagnan, with the Ritz Brothers( Jimmy, Harry, and Al ) as the Musketeers. In it also were Binnie Barnes, John Carradine, and Lionel Atwill.

In 1941 there was an Egyptian version.

In 1942 there was a Mexican version.

In 1945 there was an Argentinian version.

In 1948, the MGM color classic was released, Three Musketeers (1948). It was directed by George Sidney. It starred Gene Kelly as D'Artagnan, Van Heflin as Athos, Gig Young as Porthos, and Robert Coote as Aramis. It also had Lana Turner, June Allyson, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan, Vincent Price, Patricia Medina, and Keenan Wynn.

In 1949 on American TV, there was a 60 minute version.In 1953 there was another Argentinian version.In 1953 there was a French version, with Georges Marchal as D'Artagnan.

In 1956 on American TV, there was a THREE MUSKETEERS television series. It starred Jeffrey Stone as D'Artagnan, Sebastian Cabot as Porthos, Paul Campbell as Aramis, and Domenico Modugno as Athos.

In 1960 on American TV a grand version was presented. It starred Maximilian Schell as D'Artagnan, John Colicos as Porthos, Barry Morse as Athos, and Tim O'Conner as Aramis. With Thayer David, George Macready, and Vincent Price.

In 1961 there was another French version, in color.In 1963 there was another Italian version, and in this one Zorro was also a character in the plot.

In 1966, from Britain, released on American TV, there appeared a lavish version. It starred Jeremy Brett as D'Artagnan, Jeremy Young as Athos, Brian Blessed as Porthos, and Gary Watson as Aramis.

In 1969 from Canada, a TV version appeared that featured a young Christopher Walken in the cast.

In 1971 there was a German film, THE SEX ADVENTURES OF THE THREE MUSKETEERS, with Peter Graf and Ingrid Steegar.

In 1973 there was another Italian film, THE THREE MUSKETEERS OF THE WEST, directed by Bruno Corbucci as a spaghetti western.

Also in 1973, the lavish landmark British version appeared,The Complete Musketeers (The Three Musketeers / The Four Musketeers), directed by Richard Lester. It starred Michael York as D'Artagnan, Oliver Reed as Athos, Richard Chamberlain as Aramis, and Frank Finlay as Porthos. It featured an all-star cast; Charlton Heston, Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Lee, Geraldine Chaplin, Roy Kinnear, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simon Ward, and Joss Ackland. A year later, the identical cast appeared in THE FOUR MUSKETEERS. In 1989, Lester directed The Return of the Musketeers, a rather lackluster and limp sequel, with most of the original cast, minus C. Heston, and plus C.Thomas Howell.

In 1978 there was a Russian version.In 1989, one could find Three Musketeers as one of the StoryBook Classics.Add to that the fun of Mr. Magoo's Literary Classics - The Three Musketeers, wherein Jim Backus as Mr. Magoo swashed and buckled myopically.

In 1992 there was a soft-core film, THE EROTIC ADVENTURES OF THE THREE MUSKETEERS, with Nick East, and Chi Chi LaRue.

In 1993, the Disney studios presented us with Three Musketeers (Clam). It starred Chris O'Connell as D'Artagnan, Charlie Sheen as Aramis, Keifer Sutherland as Athos, and Oliver Platt as Porthos. With Tim Curry, Rebecca DeMornay and Gabrielle Anwar.

In 1994, from France appeared Revenge of the Musketeers. It starred Sophie Marceau, with Phillipe Noiret as D'Artagnan, Sami Frey as Aramis, Jean-Luc Bideau as Athos, and Raoul Billerey as Porthos.

In 2001, director Peter Hyams gave us The Musketeer, and it was a spirited rendition of the tale, with the swordplay done with wire-work choreographed by an Asian fight master. It starred Justin Chambers as D'Artagnan, with Stephen Rea and Tim Roth as the heavies. With Nick Moran as Aramis, Stephen Spiers as Porthos, Jan Gregor Kremp as Athos. With Mena Suvari as the femme.

In 1977, on American TV, we watched Fifth Musketeer, directed by Ken Annakin. It starred Cornel Wilde as D'Artagnan, Lloyd Bridges as Aramis, Alan Hale Jr. as Porthos, and Jose Ferrer as Athos; with Sylvia Kristel, Ursula Andress, Ian McShane, Olivia DeHavilland, and Rex Harrison.The Three Musketeers, as characters, show up again, in 14 more movies, and 2 tv movies. THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK has been filmed several times.In 1939, director James Whale presented us with Man in the Iron Mask. It starred Louis Hayward as the King, Warren Williams as D'Artagnan, Alan Hale Sr. as Porthos, Miles Mander as Aramis, and Bert Roach as Athos; with Joan Bennett and Albert Dekker. In 1976, on American TV, director Mike Newell presented us with The Man in The Iron Mask: Literary Masterpieces. It starred Richard Chamberlain as the King, with Patrick McGoohan, Jenny Agutter, Ian Holm, and Ralph Richardson. Then in 1998, director Randall Wallace gave us The Man in the Iron Mask. It starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the King, Gabriel Byrne as D'Artagnan, Jeremy Irons as Aramis, John Malkovich as Athos, and the incomperable Gerard Depardieu as Porthos; with Anne Parillaud.It has been several years since the Musketeers made an appearance on film. What four actors will step up next to parry, slash, and quip ?

Glenn Buttkus 2004