TRUE TO THE SPIRIT -- ATTENTION TO PERIOD -- FRESHNESS TO THE STORY
Though this series updates the feeling and story of the musketeers for a newer audience, the production is very true to the swashbuckling spirit of Dumas classics, as well as the 70's movies comedy that have come to embody them. The sword play is outstanding and heart pounding. This production goes with a less acrobatic style than seen in recent versions, but opts for a more realistic and gritty approach to the sword play (again, perhaps for a modern audience that wants less saccharin). There isn't much gore or anything like that, but the action still manages to be hard hitting. Along with the sword play, the series manages to keep the verbal repartee that preserves the comedic and intellectual sparing which is just as important to the feel of the Musketeers. The humor is much more natural and much more clever this time. Not clownish. This show is not a comedy, but the characters have very sharp wit. Many re-boots go very dark, losing the humor all together. The Musketeers are special though. The verbal fencing is every bit as important as the real sword play. The Musketeers are a slightly more diverse crew in this version. Back stories are explained quickly and each persona is developed meticulously to help the viewer see their gallantness, their honor, their skill, and their rakishness. Each actor for Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan seem nearly born for the part by the time they get a chance to establish character. Lady D'Winter didn't blow me over at first. But they skilfully bring you into her and Athos' relationship and humanize her, while showing her capable of the most vicious plans. She is the ultimate chess player! Athos is not as Priestly in this version, but he still piously and honorably conducts himself while exuding the melancholy shadow that haunts him. Constance in this version is not associated with the queen in any way. She is the wife of a modest textile merchant. The fact that she is married creates the tension between her and D'Artagnan. She is beautiful but girl-next-door-ish. Yet, she is a fiery red head that asks D'Artagnan to teach her some of the martial skills. One thing I haven't liked in other Musketeer productions was King Louis. He is supposed to be weak, but he was always so irritating. Here the problem is rectified. Ryan Gage is perfect for the part. Louis is appropriately weak and slightly foppish, but he is still regal and able to project strength when the situation calls for it. He is still very dependent on the Cardinal for his strength, but he is emerging. Let's call him developmental. I have a special mention for Queen Ann (played by Alexandra Dowling). She conveys such beauty, adorableness, fresh faced innocence. Yet Alexandra is able to pull off the tricky parts when Ann needs to take control and be a queen in every way, powerfully exerting herself. Alexandra seems to have that combination of erudite and innocence. Cardinal Richelieu is not as physically imposing as one might expect, but Peter Capaldi is able to pull off the darker recesses of his persona. He is not always at odds with the Musketeers in the beginning and seems to truly have France's interests at heart - along with his own. Even the ancillary characters in single episodes are so fleshed out that the viewer cares very much about them, or at least what they do. In British fashion, each episode is not designed to blow you over, but instead build the story layer on layer until you are queuing each episode one after the other to see what happens in the end. Great effort was made in creating an authentic atmosphere of Paris 1625. The sets are meticulously sculpted to look very real. It's all very tactile and done to the highest quality so you can't tell the difference from real stone or added set. The costuming is stunning, though I am sure they took some dramatic license. The palaces, castles, costumes, countryside, and cinematography are all stupendous. Hauntingly beautiful. Even the color palates and focal points of light sources in every scene receive great attention, and it shows. Cinematic quality in a TV series! I rarely watch extras for any program. But these were terrific. The video regarding how they built the 1625 Paris world was very interesting. Quality is apparent everywhere in this show. I expect it has the potential to run as a classic for many years if they can keep the budget, writing, and actors all assembled. It will be another icon of BBC productions. Read more