There is quite simply
no better cinematic adaptation
of a literary classic
than the one weaved together
by Richard Lester
circa 1974-1975
and featuring
an all-British cast
as the main foursome
comprising four
Frenchmen... à priori!
Such ironies
always made my delight!
This one
has to be the best of all time
and, again,
the greatest film version
of a time-honored
literary work!
I discovered it
circa 1985
and it was my favorite
right away
and remains so
after all these years!
What's not to love:
perennial bad guy
Oliver Reed
as the goodest Musketeer of all,
Athos
(still the best portrayal
of the character
you will ever see)
Rest in peace,
Oliver
+++
perennial good girl
Faye Dunaway
in her prime
as the devious
Milady de Winter
(much better
than Lana Turner's turn as she
or any other so-called actress
attempt at being her!)
perennial Biblical hero
Charlton Heston
as the machiavellian
manipulator per excellence,
the Cardinal de Richelieu!
A tour of force
in both the portrayal,
once more,
as in the mere casting choice!
After all,
at the time,
Mr. Heston was still
perceived as a heroic figure
not a gun-toting fanatic yet!
Rest in peace,
Charlton
+++
The musical score
of both films
(THE THREE MUSKETEERS
was released in 1974
and THE FOUR MUSKETEERS
which was released in 1975!)
was quite simply SUPERB -
and it is the first instance
in which I recognized that
an appropriate soundtrack
is a definite part
of the cinematic experience!
I still retain,
as a very vivid memory,
the first impression
that the first few notes
that I heard
during the intro
of the first film
gave me...
It marked me... for life!
Music has never conveyed
the pure essence of adventure
as that of Michel Legrand
right here.
Too bad
he's better known
for the theme to
Summer of '42...!
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Born in the Age of Aquarius, destined to seek out truths in many an art form, trained as a historian and a journalist but truly a prose-lover... Luciano is out to dispel any clichés and reinvent them all both to the tune of a little something called the truth as also to his own image - and being old-fashioned, he does not mind that distinction one infinitesimal tiny bit at all...! "There are two ways to spread the light; be the candle... or the mirror that reflects It." I have chosen to be the latter... okay? ~*~
"To be not only a seeker of light... but a dream weaver of light" ~*~ For as surely as the moon reflects the light from the sun, you and I can reflect the Light from Above - and be, indeed, the light of this world! ~*~*~*~ NOTE: THERE ARE COOKIES ~ from at least three parties~ ON ALL OF MY BLOGS! ~*~ accept it!
