THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS

UK/France, 1989, 101 minutes, Colour.
Michael York, Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay, C.Thomas Howell, Kim Cattrall, Roy Kinnear, Christopher Lee, Geraldine Chaplin, Philippe Noiret, Richard Chamberlain, Alan Howard, Jean- Pierre Cassel, Billy Connolly, Bill Paterson.
Directed by Richard Lester.

The Return of the Musketeers is based on Alexandre Dumas' novel `20 Years After'. It tells the story of the ageing musketeers, two decades of the Three Musketeers.

The screenplay has once again been written by George McDonald? Fraser (the Flashman series of books) and directed by Richard Lester. They made a success in the early and mid-'70s with The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers.

There is something of the same tone about this film - but ageing musketeers are certainly not as dashing as young ones, the farcical elements are played up and become raucous rather than entertaining. Also, the villainess is of the younger generation something of a victim of the musketeers. The screenplay, also, does not seem quite as witty as the originals. In fact, the film was not a commercial success and was released mainly to video.

The four stars as musketeers return, as do Geraldine Chaplin, Christopher Lee and Roy Kinnear. (Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welch and Charlton Heston from the original are deceased!) However, there are good additions to this new film: the younger generation represented by C. Thomas Howell and Kim Cattrall, very lively and enjoying herself as Justine de Winter, daughter of Milady de Winter. There is also an interesting characterisation plus send-up of Cardinal Mazarin by Philippe Noiret. Oliver Cromwell and Charles I make appearances in the persons of Alan Howard and Bill Paterson. Billy Connolly even makes a cameo appearance as King Charles's golf adviser.

The film is lavish, in the style of its predecessors - but, like the musketeers themselves, rather tired. The film is dedicated to Roy Kinnear, who died during production (as is evident from some sequences where his character is photographed from the back with a substitute actor).

1. An entertaining action melodrama? The popularity of the original films? 20 years after?

2. European locations, the atmosphere of 17th century Paris, the countryside? The palaces? The contrast with Puritan England? Stunts and special effects? The swashbuckling score?

3. The star cast? The original musketeers, original cast? Additions?

4. The voice-over by D'Artagnan? His narrative, perspective on issues?

5. The musketeers 20 years after. D'Artagnan and his waiting at court, not rich, begging jobs from Cardinal Mazarin? Being paid in silver? Trying to enlist the other musketeers? Porthos and his wealth, riding on the horses and shooting, the trio and their playing the music? His wanting to be a baron? Athos, his retirement, old and fat, his young son and his scientific pursuits? Aramis and his being ordained, his lady loves, the attack on his person, warding off foes? The Queen's confessor? The possibility of their working together? Athos refusing, Aramis clashing with D'Artagnan and leaving?

6. The mission: working for Cardinal Mazarin, the duke escaping from prison? The pursuit? The tree, the bridge, the mishaps? Being set on by Athos and Aramis? Their decision to work together?

7. Cardinal Mazarin and his influence, relationship with Queen Anne? With the young Louis XIV? His ruling of France, imprisoning the Duke of Beaufort? The queen and her scattiness, memories of the musketeers, wanting to use them? The news about Oliver Cromwell and the execution of Charles I? A mission for the musketeers?

8. Raoul as the young generation of musketeers, the clash with D'Artagnan, his despising of the musketeers? The clash with Planchet? The irony of his meeting them again? His decision to share in the work of the musketeers? His encounter with the priest, the executioner, the beheading? The swordfight - and the revelation of Justine de Winter? The attraction?

9. Rochefort and his being in the Bastille, released, charged to look after the duke, the escape? His plight? Going to his daughter? Her reception of him? His giving the names of the musketeers? The passport to England? Accompanying his daughter to England?

10. 1649, Charles I and his arrest, and his playing golf? Oliver Cromwell, the Roundheads? The plan to execute Charles I? Justine de Winter as a spy for Cromwell, her return? The musketeers and their mission to Cromwell's England, wanting to save the king? The plan in paying off the builders of the scaffold? Their breaking through the room? Waiting under the scaffold? Raoul and his help? The dripping blood? The king executed and the failure of their mission? The irony of their getting rid of the executioner? Justine stepping in as the executioner of Charles I? Cromwell's visit and his telling her to leave the country? The decision to return? The musketeers and their plan? The ship, the spies, loaded with gunpowder? Both parties on the boat? Porthos wanting a drink and finding the gunpowder? The two leads? The fight, the escape of the musketeers? The explosion?

11. Mazarin in France, the Duke of Beaufort wanting power? The plans to get the king out of the city? The stances of the queen? Justine and her return, the fascination of the king for her, her diplomacy and wiles? Getting him out of the city? The attack of the musketeers? The siege in the castle? The fighting? Justine and her going into the moat?

12. The musketeers and their trying to save the king? Their rewards? Porthos a noble? D'Artagnan and his commission? Aramis and his return, going back with the queen? Becoming a bishop? Athos and his wanting honour - and Mazarin's listening to him, signing the documents, the return to Paris?

13. Justine de Winter as villain - in the tradition of her mother, of her father? Her wanting vengeance against the musketeers, clashes with Athos?

14. Rollicking adventure? Comic touches? Swashbuckling? History, politics? An entertaining combination?