The Return of the Musketeers (1989)

In France in 1649, the services of the Four Musketeers are needed again and they run into some old foes from 20 years before.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

George MacDonald Fraser (screenplay) (as George Macdonald Fraser), Alexandre Dumas (book)

Stars:

Michael York, Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael York	...	D'Artagnan
Oliver Reed	...	Athos
Frank Finlay	...	Porthos
C. Thomas Howell	...	Raoul
Kim Cattrall	...	Justine de Winter
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Queen Anne
Roy Kinnear	...	Planchet
Christopher Lee	...	Rochefort
Philippe Noiret	...	Cardinal Mazarin
Richard Chamberlain	...	Aramis
Eusebio Lázaro	...	Duke of Beaufort (as Eusebio Lazaro)
Alan Howard	...	Oliver Cromwell
David Birkin	...	Louis XIV
Bill Paterson	...	Charles I
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Cyrano de Bergerac (as Jean Pierre Cassel)

Storyline

It's 1649: Mazarin hires the impoverished D'Artagnan to find the other musketeers: Cromwell has overthrown the English king, so Mazarin fears revolt, particularly from the popular Beaufort. Porthos, bored with riches and wanting a title, signs on, but Aramis, an abbé, and Athos, a brawler raising an intellectual son, assist Beaufort in secret. When they fail to halt Beaufort's escape from prison, the musketeers are expendable, and Mazarin sends them to London to rescue Charles I. They are also pursued by Justine, the avenging daughter of Milady de Winter, their enemy 20 years ago. They must escape England, avoid Justine, serve the Queen, and secure Beauford's political reforms.

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Plot Keywords:

horseback chase | musketeer | old man | held at sword point | axe murder | 

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Taglines:

Swashbuckling action, comedy capers and rollicking adventures, bigger and better than ever. They're back... all for one and one for all!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK France Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1989 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Volta dos Mosqueteiros

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fildebroc,Ciné 5,Sofica Sofinergie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Lester was ill for most of the preproduction.

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Goofs

Cromwell is portrayed as leader of the Parliamentarian ('Roundhead') Army and de facto ruler after Charles I's execution. In 1649, however, he was still only second-in-command of the Army (he would not become commander-in-chief until well over a year later, following Sir Thomas Fairfax's resignation). William Lenthall, as Speaker of the House of Commons, was the nearest thing the new English Republic had to a Head of State until Oliver Cromwell took up the reigns of power as Lord Protector in 1653.

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Quotes

Justine de Winter: King Charles' death is inevitable, and France must not interfere. General Cromwell insists.
Cardinal Mazarin: Roundhead diplomacy. Does he think he can cut off a crowned head, even an English one, and royal France will stand by doing nothing?
Justine de Winter: What will France do?
Cardinal Mazarin: Stand by... protesting.

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Connections

Version of At Sword's Point (1952)

User Reviews

Has its moments, but you can't help thinking it's a sequel too far

Return of The Musketeers is not a bad film as such. However, unfortunately it isn't particularly anything to rave about either. The film does have its good points, such as the beautiful production values, some witty jokes about the ravages of time and a good cast Oliver Reed and Christopher Lee being the standouts. However, it lacks the energy and sparkle that was evident in The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers. The pace is rather languid this time round and the action is clumsy. Richard Lester apparently was ill during production and sadly any enthusiasm that made the previous entries so enjoyable isn't here. I am well aware of Roy Kinnear's tragic death, and I was very saddened, but if this was an attempt of "the show must go on", it doesn't come through. I also thought the script was disjointed, the ravages of time jokes aside, and the story while a great idea lacking. Also Thomas C. Howell is very out of place as Athos's son Raoul, who was an unnecessary presence anyway. All in all, has its moments but disappointing and while not the worst sequel of all time it is one that goes too far. 4/10 Bethany Cox