RICHARD LESTER: SWASHBUCKLING SATIRIST Part One

THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1974: Dir. Richard Lester)

                                                                                                                                                                  American film director Richard Lester ( A Hard Day's Night, Superman II), a long time resident of Great Britain, was best known as the man who made The Beatles into film stars. However, his greatest cinematic achievement, is a quartet of irreverent swashbucklers made in his unique style of slapstick realism. The first of several films loyally adapted by author George MacDonald Fraser (Flashman) from Dumas' serialized novels, The Three Musketeers is a joyful cinematic adventure. A timeless classic that effortlessly enthralls with its impeccable cast, stunning production design, and sweepingly staged action sequences. These aesthetic pleasures are bolstered by Lester's particular interest in the gritty background to this opulent period, emphasizing the sloppy physicality of swordplay, the muttering complaints of the servant class, and the cheerfully ignorant stupidity of the monarchy. Originally conceived by maverick producer Alexander Salkind as a three hour plus roadshow feature with intermission, it was decided late in the filming to instead release the movie in two separate parts, much to the chagrin of the actors and technicians who were paid for only one film. The legal fallout of this decision resulted in a clause included in all motion picture contracts to this day, one that prevents producers from bifurcating a single feature film without properly compensating cast and crew. The story continues in THE FOUR MUSKETEERS...DVD REGION 1 & 2