The Musketeers - Favorite Musketeer film with CL

**Joe Skinnell** · 21st March 2001, 01:44 AM

Interesting debate with a house full of freinds over this one.

**Jacob Remery** · 21st March 2001, 02:41 AM

I'm sorry to say that i haven't seen any of these movies.
But i ordered the 'Three Musketeers' and 'The Four Musketeers' on dvd. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Dunno how much screen time, Mr Lee has in these titles.

It will be at least 2 months until i receive them.
I ordered 'Mio In The Land Of Faraway' as well.
And the shipping will be done, until my whole order
is complete.

21st March 2001, 03:35 AM

I chose "Watched them only for Christopher Lee," but the truth is I bought them only for Christopher Lee and they're still in the not-yet-seen area of my Christopher Lee film collection.

Saw "The Mummy" last night for the first time, though. Very good film. I didn't understand the ending -- whether he was supposed to have been destroyed or what, but my confusion may be a bit anachronistic, since I've seen so many beings come back in sequels -- and even films where bits of chopped up creatures go on about their business.

Other than having accomplished his mission and being released by his deity, I don't see how he could have been done away with but, to the audience back then, Kharis' end in the film may have represented a final end to him.

You have to wish the guy either happiness or peace, and it didn't look like he was going to find happiness. My only objection to the film was the bit of dialog in the beginning where one character was telling another, "You know (x, y, and z)..." when it was clear that the writer was just lazy in telling us these things. But from there on, it was a fairly riveting gem of a film with more heart -- and humanity -- than any "monster" film I've seen.

From Kharis' decision as High Priest to raise selfish love above the god he was pledged to serve, Christopher Lee's mummy was more tragically human than any character I can think of at the moment. I think that once you reach a certain age and have certain experience, you understand why putting romantic love above one's god goes wrong. But understanding it doesn't make it any less pitiable.

Surprisingly excellent movie.

(Edited by RebeccaRohan at 9:52 pm on Mar. 20, 2001)

**Charles Prepolec** · 21st March 2001, 04:28 AM

Well, I'm a huge fan of the The Three Musketeeers: The Queen's Diamonds so my vote was a given. The charm, humor and sheer fun factor is, for one reason or another, never again equalled in the remaining two films. Although the first two were originally shot as a single film, it is amazing just how different in tone the two films really are. There is a more serious aspect, punctuated by the fate of Constance, to The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge than in the previous film. Mr. Lee actually has a fairly good proportion of screen time in both. His characterization of the lethal Comte de Rochefort stands as one of his very finest. His scenes opposite Charlton Heston as Richelieu being particularly good. Even after numerous viewings, Mr. Lee's throwaway line of "Away with you bumpkin" to Michael York's D'Artagnan, still brings a smile to my face.

As to The Return of the Musketeers, well, there is such a thing as taking a good idea too far, and in my opinion, that was the case here. The pall cast over the proceedings by the death of comic actor Roy Kinnear during shooting is, at times, evident on screen and I suppose, distracts me from enjoying the film as much as I otherwise might. Then again, the inclusion of C. Thomas Howell as a main player doesn't exactly kick things off to a good start either.

As for the DVD's of the first two films, they are merely "okay". Not the best of prints and there appears to be something dodgy about the letterboxing, but they are still better than any VHS prints that I have seen. Hopefully, we'll see these re-released in some sort of deluxe format at some point.

As much as I love Mr. Lee as Rochefort, there are plenty of other good reasons to see these films, namely strong action sequences peppered with highly amusing dialogue (courtesy of George MacDonald Fraser), plus great performances from Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay and Michael York.

Juan Aneiros · 21st March 2001, 01:05 PM

Well, since you mentioned these films I have posted some pictures taken during the filming of "The Return of The Musketeers". They are under Special in the Photo Album.

Why did Oliver Reed bite Christina's arm? There is a story to it. We even have a title for that story.

On album 7, there are are 3 new pictures.

I could of course post all the titles myself, but I think some of you may have fun guessing. We'll do a deal, you give me the titles and I keep posting pictures every week.

21st March 2001, 03:05 PM

Juan said:

Quote:

I could of course post all the titles myself, but I think some of you may have fun guessing. We'll do a deal, you give me the titles and I keep posting pictures every week.

Wow! It will be just like having a contest all the time!!! Great fun! Thank you, Juan!!!!!

Quote:

Why did Oliver Reed bite Christina's arm? There is a story to it. We even have a title for that story.

Please tell us the story!

**Joe Skinnell** · 21st March 2001, 10:37 PM

Well, knowing a little bit about Ollie Reed and his sense of humour I would venture to guess that Christina brought him his lunch and either forgot to let go of it, :a1: or failed to bring the Grey Poupon mustard.:homer: DuhOh!

Juan Aneiros · 21st March 2001, 11:41 PM

LOL @ Joe.

I'll give you the title to make it easier. "The Revenge of Athos".

**Charles Prepolec** · 22nd March 2001, 09:42 AM

The pictures taken on the set of The Return of the Musketeers are splendid! So c'mon...why did Oliver Reed bite Christina's arm?

Regarding the 3 new pics on page 7 of the album...the last two, those with Patrick Macnee, look to have been taken on the set of one of the two miniseries that came under the umbrella title of The Golden Years of Sherlock Holmes. I'm inclined to say that they came from the one entitled Incident at Victoria Falls simply because of the costumes.

As to the remaining picture, I know absolutely nothing at all.

Juan Aneiros · 22nd March 2001, 10:09 AM

The revenge of Athos.

When Christina was small, she was a spoiled kid and so she acted like one. After seeing her daddy on screen and watching him getting away with murder, she as his daughter thought she had the right to do the same.

The first time she met Oliver Reed , she decided to recreate one of her father's film scenes. Not being tall enough to reach for his neck and not finding a chair at hand, she bit him in the arm. I believe it was quite hard too.

Oliver Reed never forgot that and as soon as he got his chance, instead of kissing her hand...

22nd March 2001, 10:17 AM

Priceless story, Juan, and told well!

Hmmm... the next CL biographer?

**Maria Silbermann** · 30th March 2001, 01:28 AM

What a cute story, Juan! I loved all of the Musketeers films. Poor Christina, perhaps that's why she was sent off to Boarding School! Fortunately for all she seems to have turned out to be perfectly charming. It must have looked like fun, all of the gorgeous costumes and fencing! Sorry, Oliver, but grownups should know better!