I was sharing a lunch recently with nine other women; and when we launched into our inevitable pop culture sharing it didn't take twenty seconds to realize not one of us had been watching anything the other nine had been watching. It is a definitive example of how we live in a niche world. We have few shared pop culture moments. One of the problems with lots of content is that you have no one to discuss it with. I want to share my thoughts on television, film and music, but no one is watching or listening to what you are.
There was a time when pretty much everyone was watching the same material. If you are old enough, you will remember the phrase "watercooler television." Twenty years ago, there were 182 series produced. Today, that number has exploded to 559 series. The finest casting directors in the world cannot keep up with so much content, so actors that would have been big stars just twenty years ago are now not recognized by many people.
There is so much content out there -- all of this content is not sustainable. At some point, with so few people tuning in to a particular series, the money will dry up for production. I look forward to the day! You cannot possibly have enough people qualified and talented enough to keep this up. Most series today are poorly written and executed. Not to mention, relatively dull and in many cases, downright awkward. Whether you worked in media or not, you ask yourself "how did this get produced?"
In recent years, I have found a few diamonds in the midst of some really bad television. One of the gems is the focus of this tribute. In 2014, the BBC launched (aired on BBC America in the U.S.) a new interpretation of the classic (it is still in print) novel by the famed French author, Alexandre Dumas. The Three Musketeers have been portrayed on film several times over the years and usually with great success. Everyone from Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (silent film version) to Gene Kelly to Oliver Reed to Kiefer Sutherland to Gabriel Byrne have portrayed Musketeers.
The BBC minted creative gold with the Adrian Hodges crafted version. The series starred the always superb Tom Burke (how is it possible that Burke is not a household name?) as the most honorable of the Musketeers. Burke's portrayal of Athos is a stunning achievement in valor, courage, integrity and depth of character. Santiago Cabrera was a terrific Aramis and Howard Charles was a completely drawn Porthos. Add the delightful Luke Pasqualino in as D'Artagnan and you manage to have a crafty and artistically gorgeous band of Musketeers. On a conspicuously superficial note - they all have great hair!
The series launched in 2014 and ran for three seasons ending in 2016. By season three, the show started veering from its original source material; and losing Peter Capaldi after season one didn't help. Capaldi (Dr. Who) was Cardinal Richelieu in season one and needless to say, the Cardinal (the ultimate foil) should not have been discarded after one season. Marc Warren comes in to the save the day as the season two bad guy, Rochefort. Warren is a gifted actor and is a menacing bad guy. Season three provided two more outstanding performances by the bad guys. Rupert Everett was a consequential baddie (Marguis de Feron) who attempts to redeem himself mid-point in season three, but the real stunner in season three is Matthew McNulty. McNulty provided one of the baddest of bad guys in all of filmed entertainment dating back 100 plus years. McNulty is a gorgeous bad guy who is often shaded beneath his hooded cloak; and his Lucien Grimaud is unforgettable. Bad guy with Grimaud is the proverbial massive understatement. For history buffs, the hooded cloak on the battlefield dates back to the Roman Empire. McNulty's agent should be pushing him to play bad guys. He keeps playing these dorky/nerdy/loser types and clearly this is a mistake. On the flip side, he'd be great in a love story. Heathcliff type.
Another major plus are the women. Maimie McCoy delivers the best Milady ever. You see her evil and manipulative ways, but deep down you know she still loves Athos and clearly Athos still loves her. One might say, it is more about lust for one another than love, but in the end she proves her love is real. I will not give away any big spoilers. After all of her double-dealings, you still find yourself rooting for Milady de Winter. Wildy good performance. Alexandra Dowling is excellent portraying Queen Anne. Tamla Kari is a strong Constance. Hugo Speer lends great strength as Captain Treville and then there is Ryan Gage as King Louis. With all of these perfect performances, Gage may very well be delivering the finest one of them all.
The Musketeers takes place in 17th Century Paris (1620-1635) and it is an entertaining take on highly skilled men who must protect their king and their nation. All for one! One for all! The series is filled with distinguished action sequences; and there is plenty of romance. Men and women will be drawn to this fabulous production.
The series is beautifully filmed (Czech Republic). The costume design, special effects, stunt work are all top of the line. The series looks like an expensive feature film. If you love period dramas, don't miss this one!
If you have never seen The Musketeers it is available for rent or purchase on DVD. Secure copies at your local library. You can also view all three seasons for free via the streaming services Tubi and Pluto. Pluto gives you better resolution, but with more commercials. Tubi is excellent, but it might cut off the ending to one of the episodes.
Manly, masculine, rugged men saving their country! This interpretation is the truest to the original source material (in spirit, that is). It is a drama with a few bits of comedic relief. Unlike prior versions this is not a campy, over the top comedy. This is serious business - just the way Dumas wrote it. This is a tribute to one of the great series of all-time. Take my word for it you will be thoroughly entertained. Some material may not be suitable for younger audiences. There are some violent scenes, however, there is no graphic violence. Additionally, the adulterous relationship between D'Artagnan and Constance is in the original source material, but the one-time act of adultery between Aramis and Queen Anne is not in the book written by Alexandre Dumas. Keep in mind, that would have been treason.
Copyright The Flaming Nose 2022
3 comments:
Thoughtful and considered, this ably sums up an excellent series which stood head and shoulders above most television dramas. It is also quite correct in noting the portrayal of Athos by Tom Burke was beyond superlative.
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For the record, Peter Capaldi left The Musketeers to take another acting job he couldn't pass up. I'm a long-time Musketeer fan and have seen every movie version of Dumas's creation. The BBC version is by far the best, in my opinion. I was impressed with the sword-fighting skills in the 4 Musketeers. Each episode is packed with action, intrigue, backstories, romance, and so much more. The women were strong, not sipping tea, and integral to the plot. I now own the 3 seasons and I watch them at least 5-6 times a year. It was the best Musketeer movie and one of television's best dramas. Too bad BBC America doesn't share more of their very good drama with the U.S.
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