Disappointment for a huge fan!

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I had the good fortune to watch this film. The story is engaging and the acting was...well, given the difference from today's acting to which I, like many others, are used...nevertheless just fine, even if of the kind we might expect to see in a silent action/adventure. Fairbanks is interesting and enthusiastic and whether or not he throws his arms up more than, in reality, any human being in his role's shoes would, is wonderful throughout the film. But, one thing that captured my attention even more than all the rest is the set and scenery. Filmed entirely in the USA, using a studio for its sets, it strikingly, consistently captures the atmosphere and feeling of Paris and other places in France, indoors and out, that one would expect for the 17th century times during which the story takes place. It actually would, I think, appear to any reasonable eye to have been filmed in real time. This is cinema at its very best in that regard, not to mention others. Fabulous...just fabulous in every detail.

I think how much you'll enjoy the film will be impacted on how closely you want the film to follow the book (which it doesn't) as well as whether or not you've seen many of Douglas Fairbanks' films. What I mean by the latter is that I think my expectations were way too high for this movie because I expected a VERY physical and athletic film--but it wasn't. This was a HUGE surprise because Fairbanks was known for his amazing stunts--such as in "Thief of Bagdad" or "The Mark of Zorro". I expected to see his great leaps and bounds--but there just weren't very many athletic scenes. Now this is NOT to say that it's a bad film--it's still pretty good. It's just that I think it could have been a lot better. Enjoyable but not among the actor's best films--though the costumes and sets were pretty amazing for 1921.By the way, the version I saw was the one in the public domain that is linked to IMDb. Oddly, this version has reversed the last two reels of the film!! In other words, it ends and then continues! I am not sure if you can find a corrected version or not.

Impoverished nobleman Douglas Fairbanks (as D'Artagnan)'s greatest ambition is to join the King's royal swordsmen, "The Three Musketeers". And, after impressing the three best swordsmen in Paris, Mr. Fairbanks becomes their fourth blade. He also finds love, with Marguerite De La Motte (as Constance), and much palace intrigue. Nigel de Brulier (as Cardinal Richelieu) makes life particularly irksome, involving Fairbanks and friends in schemes against weak a King Adolphe Menjou (as Louis XIII), and his unfaithful Queen Mary MacLaren (as Anne).Alexandre Dumas' classic is a perfect vehicle for Fairbanks; who, after the success of his "Zorro", struck box office gold with a series of classy audience pleasing productions. While this is not the best "Musketeers" movie, it's certainly true that Fairbanks' 1920s films had an indelible impact upon subsequent adaptations. Fairbanks, through the force of his personality, didn't so much "play" characters like "D'Artagnan" as much as he made the characters play him.Fred Niblo (director) and Arthur Edeson (photographer) create a great swashbuckling atmosphere. Nigel de Brulier steals the acting honors, with his cunning, cat-stroking "Richelieu"; the best supporting player will reprise his role in a trio of additional "Musketeers" films, including the superior Fairbanks sequel "The Iron Mask" (1929). Pretty "leading lady" De La Motte (from "Zorro") and others will also return. After all, it is... "All for one and one for all." ******* The Three Musketeers (8/28/21) Fred Niblo ~ Douglas Fairbanks, Nigel de Brulier, Marguerite De La Motte

Douglas Fairbanks knew how to be in the middle of the action. In all the scenes he is in it is go, go, go. He never walks when he can run, jump, even fly. Fairbanks was very athletic and he shows those skills in the movie. Very rarely in this film does he stand still and that is not for long. When he is in a scene there is always going to be plenty of action.The basic plot is that Fairbanks wants to become one of the King's musketeers and in the process finds himself involved in protecting the Queen's honor. The movie is a bit overlong and I found myself having troubles at time following the plot which made the move drag somewhat. But when there was action everything changed. The film comes alive during the scenes involving sword play and when Fairbanks is trying to get back to the Queen from England. And when all is said and done Fairbanks gets his wish and becomes (as you know he will) a Musketeer!