"The Three Musketeers" (1966) TV mini-series 1966-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 November 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Historical Fiction | TV Mini-Series | Gascon | Number In Title

Cast

Jeremy Brett	...	D'Artagnan (10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Brian Blessed	...	Porthos (10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Jeremy Young	...	Athos (10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Gary Watson	...	Aramis (10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Mary Peach	...	Milady de Winter (9 episodes, 1966-1967)
Richard Pasco	...	Cardinal Richelieu (9 episodes, 1966-1967)
Edward Brayshaw	...	Rochefort (6 episodes, 1966-1967)
Billy Hamon	...	Planchet (5 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Directed by
Peter Hammond		(10 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Writing credits
Alexandre Dumas père		(10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Anthony Steven		(10 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Produced by
William Sterling	....	producer (10 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Film Editing by
Fergus McDonell		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Michael Young		(9 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Makeup Department
Sonia Markham	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Alan Fogg	....	sound (unknown episodes)
John Gurr	....	dubbing editor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Peter Diamond	....	fight arranger (1 episode, 1966)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Baker	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
John Summers	....	lighting technician (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sonia Kerr	....	costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Raymond Parry	....	telerecording editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
John Barber	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Peter Diamond	....	fight arranger (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• Koch Vision (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

25 min (10 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Version of The Three Musketeers (1948)

For Musketeers Completists

This 1966 BBC production is a fairly conventional adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas story. Content-wise, it is comparable to the better-known 1948 and 1973 versions. Whereas those films have comedic elements, this one lacks any significant humor.

On its own merits, it appears to have enjoyed a respectable budget and fairly good production values. The casting of Brian Blessed as Porthos is particularly welcome. However, the performances are stiff, the fights and swordplay uninspired and unrealistic, the music and cinematography mediocre to poor. Portions of the portrayal of D'Artagnan are grating, particularly in Episode One. There is an over-reliance on dialogue, giving the film the tone of a plodding soap opera rather than a rousing adventure. When compared to the 1948 and 1973 adaptations, its weaknesses become particularly glaring. Nevertheless, dedicated fans of the Musketeers genre should probably give it a chance.