The Three Musketeers (1935)

Director: Rowland V. Lee

Starring: Walter Abel, Ian Keith, Margot Grahame, Paul Lukas, Moroni Olsen, Onslow Stevens, Heather Angel

More info: IMDb

Tagline: One for all and all for one

Plot: The young Gascon D'Artagnan arrives in Paris, his heart set on joining the king's Musketeers. He is taken under the wings of three of the most respected and feared Musketeers, Porthos, Aramis, and Athos. Together they fight to save France and the honor of a lady from the machinations of the powerful Cardinal Richelieu.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again? I suppose, but probably not after I find my favorite version of this story.


It's really interesting to see the little differences in the various film versions of the Dumas classic. Actually, it's the similarities that I dig. The 1973 version was too slapsticky silly for taste. It could have been a solid 9/10 if they'd gone the serious-but-lighthearted route instead of all out farcial. Fortunately, this one doesn't go that broad with the humor and stays adventurous and fanciful.


Abel makes a fine D'Artagnan. Sadly we don't get as much screen time for the Musketeers or for the villains but you do get to spend some time with them. It might've been a good idea to read the novel before watching them but I don't have the time...too many movies to watch. Maybe after it's all said and done or a hurricane knocks out power for a few days. There's enough swashbuckling to satisfy but it screams out for some Errol Flynn. Sigh.