Disney’s 1993 version of The Three Musketeers is a romantic adventure tale filled with swordfights, men on horseback, fancy costumes, beautiful locations and the occasional, well not just occasional, cheesy dialog.  Although filmed in Cornwall, England and throughout Austria, the film is typical for 90s cinema as it has an Americanized slant. The California beach boy good guys all speak without accents, except for maybe a little touch of Valley speak, and the baddies sport British accents despite the fact the story takes place in 16^th century France.

The super clean version of the “classic” tale begins as the noble Musketeers are addressed by Cardinal Richelieu's delicious yet sadistic, black-eyepatched, blade-wielding henchman, Captain Rochefort, who utters the no doubt ad-libbed line, "Mouseketeers! By joint edict of His Majesty the King Louis the Thirteenth and His Eminence Cardinal Richelieu,the Musketeers are officially disbanded."  

Richelieu is masterfully played by Tim Curry who always brings a charming creepiness to his slimy villains. “All for one. And more for me.”   “I trust, Captain Rochefort, that you are doing everything in your power to rid us of these rebels. Don't let having only one eye impair your vision. The loss of the other could be most... inconvenient.”

The over permed, under talented Chris O'Donnell was nominated for the famous Razzie Award in 1994 for Worst Supporting Actor for his portrayal of D'Artagnan.  He arrives in Paris with hopes of joining the Musketeers, but the only ones left are Charlie Sheen’s Aramis, Kiefer Sutherland’s Athos and Oliver Platt’s Porthos. Turned renegade, they are hunted by Rochefort …  "Bold words, I look forward to ramming them down your throat."  Of these, Oliver is the best. With his over-the-top gestures and lines … “Rochefort. Isn't that a smelly kind of cheese?” … he breaks the lackluster, disinterested mood of Sutherland and Sheen.

Because he is basically a git, D'Artagnan is captured by Rochefort and imprisoned in the Bastille …   "It's magnificent.  Where did you steal it?"  "I collect swords, you see.  I take them from the men I've killed." … where he overhears this film’s version of the “plot to steal the throne” that is a mainstay of all Musketeer tales.  Upon his prototypical rescue by Athos, Porthos and Aramis, he is able to inform them about Richelieu's dastardly plot to form an alliance with Britain.  After a looong chase to Calais, they intercept the Cardinal’s messenger, the deadly bossomed Milady De Winter played by Rebecca De Mornay, and eventually return to Paris to disrupt Richelieu's plans.

The film’s climactic mass sword fight ensues … "On the contrary, you're right on time."   "Well, one thing is certain. You are no Musketeer." …  The moves are staged and executed proficiently by all of the sometime obvious stuntmen.  Michael does seem to be the better fencer than the athletic O’Donnell, but alas villains never prosper and Rochefort falls victim to his own arrogance. He dies on the steps of “Versailles” with his hair still looking good.

The Musketeers save the “boy king” and his queen and D’Artagnan finally can be “all for on and one for all”.  Then the winner of the ASCAP award for most performed song from a motion picture, Bryan Adams’ “All for Love” plays and all is well with the world.

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The movie was filmed in Austria and Cornwall, England from April – August of 1993. Its US release was in November 12, 1993. The initial USA box office figures totaled $53,898,845. A DVD version contains a behind the scenes documentary, and The Three Musketeers appears on cable television approximately 3 times a month.