Revenge of the Musketeers (1994)

Back and better than ever, the heroic Three Musketeers deliver rollicking good movie fun in the action-adventure tradition of THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK! Sexy international star Sophie Marceau (FIRELIGHT, BRAVEHEART) plays Eloise, the beautiful daughter of renowned Musketeer D'Artagnan (Philippe Noiret -- CINEMA PARADISO). When she discovers a murderous conspiracy to overthrow the King of France, the feisty Eloise calls upon her father and his famous ... though now retired ... brothers-in-arms to reunite in the name of justice! A wildly entertaining story of courage, love, and betrayal -- you're sure to enjoy all the excitement as the classic trio takes comic adventure to epic proportions!

OK, nothing great

I collect a lot of "swashbuckling" movies and considering the cast and the subject matter, I guess this was a required addition.

It was enjoyable enough and Sophie Marceau's visual charms are not to be ignored. However, pacing-wise and fight choreography-wise, I expected more from a French team. Compared to a couple of my recent acquisitions: Le Bossu and Cyrano de Bergerac (w/Depardieu), it's really not in the same league.

A pleasant enough diversion, but not really a keeper. March 21, 2008

"What's nice about hemorrhoids is, you forget the rheumatism."

I've only ever seen Sophie Marceau in English-speaking roles before, and, while I thought she was a fine actress, it wasn't until I saw her in her native French milieu that I duly became impressed. REVENGE OF THE MUSKETEERS is a Sophie Marceau vehicle all the way; the scenes are never more delightful than when she graces the screen. I enjoyed her infectious enthusiasm as she threw herself fully into the role of the headstrong, adventurous Eloise D'Artagnan. Philippe Noiret was also noteworthy as the grizzled D'Artagnan, father of Eloise, now retired in disgrace from the ranks of the Musketeers. The rest of the cast was excellent, as well, with special mention going out to Sami Frey (Aramis), Gigi Proietti (Cardinal Mazarin), and Claude Rich (Duke of Crassac).

The convent in which the young Eloise D'Artagnan is being fostered is assaulted by swordsmen led by a woman in red. The Mother Superior is murdered and, in the aftermath of the attack, Eloise finds a blooded document, which she believes is the key to uncovering a deadly plot. She goes to Paris in search of her famous father, D'Artagnan, whom she hadn't seen in years, and finds him happy to see her but disinclined to believe her tale. However, certain events occur which alter D'Artagnan's thinking, who then decides to involve his old comrades. When you add to that mix a lovestruck but combat-ignorant poet, a one-eyed spy, a duplicitous femme fatale, an ambitious duke, a conniving cardinal, a slave ring, and coffee, well, somewhere in there, there just HAS to be a conspiracy in the offing, right? Right. There is a conspiracy and it's that same old conspiracy again, namely, to assassinate the monarch of France. But, thanks to the not-quite-decrepit ex-Musketeers and the resolute Eloise - who is powered by a sense of honor and justice, even if she's a bit lacking in the finer points of fencing - the King of France is in good hands.

A bit reminiscent of Richard Lester's THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973), the lighthearted storyline proficiently toes the line between swashbuckling and comedy. The sword fights aren't that exemplary, but the film does have an out in that the main protagonists consist of a girl raw with the sword and four curmudgeonly, even arthritic, blades. But, what they lack in speed and dexterity, they make up for in enthusiasm and elderly flair. The comedy is superb and is nicely meshed within the story. I got a kick out of the fact that each of the opposing parties come upon innocuous messages (one a laundry list, the other a poem) that they think are in secret code and end up wasting much of the movie attempting to decode them. One of the verbal high points is when Aramis is apprised of yet another plot to kill the king; he remarks with an offended "But that's so dated!" Another is when, after Sophie has the frustrated villain, Crassac, at an impasse in their deadly swordfight, he asks her if her blade was longer than his. And then, of course, there's all those elderly jokes, as offered by the aged D'Artagnan and his cohorts.

So, here's what we got: misunderstandings, behind-the-throne machinations, high adventure and swordplays, low and high-brow comedy, a father-daughter relationship, the return of classic Dumas characters, and the introduction of a lovely and fiery heroine - Eloise D'Artagnan. Which brings us full circle to Sophie Marceau. As I've said, this is her vehicle. She displays full commitment and brings beauty, unaffected charm, and unfettered zest to the table. Her Eloise doesn't mind getting muddy or physically exerting herself; she athletically jumps on and rides horses, leaps on tables, violently slings furniture, and recklessly brandishes a sword. The only thing she doesn't do is swing on chandeliers, though I have no doubt she would've done that with gusto, as well.

October 10, 2006

A Blade With No Edge

Note: French with English subtitles.

There's a conspiracy afoot in France that has inadvertantly spread from the Royal Court of the King into the surrounding countryside, bringing death and destruction to a distant convent. One of the residence of this religious community happens to be Eloise (Sophie Marceau), the daughter of the famous musketeer D'Artagan.

After the murder of the Reverend Mother, Eloise leaves the convent, returning to Paris to find her Father (Philippe Noiret) in the hope of convincing him to use his fighting skills to bring the culprits to justice. As you might have guessed, this turns out to be a job that will require more than one musketeer. Soon D'Artagan and Eloise are joined by Porthos (Raoul Billerey), Aramis (Sami Frey) and Athos (Jean-Luc Bideau) and the battle is on.

This was a boring movie. Instead of making an action / adventure film directors Travernier and Blossier opted for a comedy. What's worse, it wasn't funny. Watching four old men who could barely walk pretend to fight off large numbers of younger and faster foes was a real stretch of the imagination. It just didn't work at all. Too bad, because the production values were first rate.

The only real energy in this production was generated by the charming Sophie Marceau. If not for her presence this film would have been impossible for me to finish. Thanks for being there Sophie. May 19, 2005

D'Artagnan's Daughter In A Wonderful Swashbuckler

La Fille de D'Artagnan was a success in Europe but never got much of a release in the U.S. When the American DVD came out it had a new name, Revenge of the Musketeers. Too bad more people didn't see it. It's a great swashbuckling movie with lots of sword play, shrewd comedy, a clever story and fine acting.

It's the mid-Seventeenth Century in France. Eloise D'Artagnan (Sophie Marceau) is a young woman being educated in a convent when it is attacked and the mother superior killed. She learns there is a plot afoot, vows revenge and sets off to Paris to find her father (Philippe Noiret) and to reunite him with Athos, Aramis and Porthos. The plot thickens as they find not only evil noblemen and a cruel lady in red but that the 16-year-old king himself is in danger.

The humor and good nature of the film has a lot to do with the aging three musketeers and D'Artagnan. They've become middle aged, some a bit portly. They've all retired or resigned from the musketeers years ago. They find endless horseback riding and climbing walls no longer the easy action of their youth. Yet although they might get a bit tired sword fighting, they still are the best around...which they prove on ship decks, in castle hallways, and on Paris roofs.

Sophie Marceau does a wonderful job as the passionate and funny Eloise. She has no desire to simply wear skirts and get married as her father wishes. She's devoted to the idea of justice and righting the wrongs that have been committed. She loves her father and is proud of his comrades. She also finds she often has to protect the poet who loves her. He may write wonderful verse, but he can't use a sword and can barely ride a horse. Marceau throws herself into the role. Eloise may not be the best sword fighter around (she has plans for lessons from her father), but she energetically skewers those who try to confront her. Marceau leaps onto tables and horses, and also manages to land on her bottom in the mud and the dirt. She's an actress who is not afraid to get dirty or look disheveled.

This is an amusing movie with a lot of sword play. Marceau and Noiret are great. I liked it a lot. The DVD picture and audio are fine and the yellow subtitles are easy to read. April 18, 2005

Lots of Silly Fun!

The whole premise behind the 570 musketeer films that have been released thus far (Dec. 2003) is pretty flimsy, and the premise behind this one is among the flimsiest. BUT--for people who like to watch adventure-comedies in which beautiful women kick butt, this belongs on your shelf beside the CHARLIE'S ANGELS films. The chief advantage this film has over other members of this genre is that it stars the ever-adorable Sophie Marceau. We get to see her fence with evil-doers and have a tender moment or two with her aging father, the famous D'Artagnan. The script is better than average, and the film contains many other scenes that are enjoyable in various ways. Finally, if you happen to like "musketeer films," this one is far better than the half dozen big-budget productions that have come out of Hollywood in the past few years. (Sorry, Leonardo. Yours stank, despite its high-powered cast.) December 5, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...