Press Release Criterion Press Release: The Three Musketeers / The Four Musketeers: Two Films by Richard Lester (1973-1974) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

Alexandre Dumas’s immortal tale of adventure and camaraderie received perhaps the finest of its numerous screen adaptations with this two-part swashbuckling spectacular from A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester. Featuring Michael York, Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay, and Richard Chamberlain as the swaggering swordsmen, who thrust and parry their way through courtly intrigue in seventeenth-century France, The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers are also graced with an all-star supporting cast that includes Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway, Geraldine Chaplin, and Charlton Heston. Lester’s exuberant epic breathes new life into an oft-told classic through its boisterous slapstick invention, its meticulous attention to period detail, and a sense of pure, unbridled bravado that is thrilling to behold.

FILM INFO​

• Spine #1263
  
  

  FILMS IN THIS SET​

  • • 
      The Three Musketeers
      
      1973
      Richard Lester’s spirited adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s timeless novel immediately distinguished itself from previous film versions with its irresistible lightheartedness. It follows the brash, young wannabe musketeer d’Artagnan (Michael York) as he travels from the French countryside to Paris and befriends Athos (Oliver Reed), Porthos (Frank Finlay), and Aramis (Richard Chamberlain), famed swordsmen whom he must help to stop the conniving Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) and his plot to undermine the king. The Three Musketeers sweeps viewers away with its exquisite sets and costumes, chivalric romance, and breathless duels punctuated by the ingenious physical comedy that was Lester’s trademark.
    • 
      The Four Musketeers
      
      1974
      It may be “one for all and all for one,” but it took director Richard Lester two films to contain the sweeping spectacle of Alexandre Dumas’s swashbuckling adventure. This sequel—shot simultaneously with The Three Musketeers, since they were originally conceived as a single film—dials down the comic high jinks that distinguished the first installment in favor of a more somber tone, as our heroes are drawn into a deadly revenge plot orchestrated by the seductive Milady de Winter (a deliciously wicked Faye Dunaway). Upping the psychological stakes and deepening our sense of the characters, The Four Musketeers brings this beloved tale of honor and friendship to a close with a rousing emotional flourish.
      
      
      

    • SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

      • New 4K digital restorations, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks
      • In the 4K UHD edition: Two 4K UHD discs of the films presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
      • Two for One, a new documentary by critic David Cairns
      • The Saga of the Musketeers (2002), a two-part documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew members
      • The Making of “The Three Musketeers,” a 1973 featurette with behind-the-scenes footage of director Richard Lester
      • Trailers
      • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
      • PLUS: An essay by film critic Stephanie Zacharek
        
        New illustration by Mattias Adolfsson
    • 
      
      May 27, 2025

 

[Ronald Epstein]

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[BrianSiano2]

A long-time favorite: I truly wish Richard Lester could have contributed a commentary track or interview. (He's still with us, but determinedly retired.)

These were scripted by George MacDonald Fraser, whose _Flashman_ novels have been a semi-guilty pleasure of mine for decades.

 

[titch]

What? No supplements at all? All the people who bought the StudioCanal versions will have no incentive to pick up these.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

A long-time favorite: I truly wish Richard Lester could have contributed a commentary track or interview. (He's still with us, but determinedly retired.)

These were scripted by George MacDonald Fraser, whose _Flashman_ novels have been a semi-guilty pleasure of mine for decades.

And of course, after these films, Lester directed an adaptation of Fraser's Royal Flash, scripted by the author himself.

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

Two things Criterion. Apparently the StudioCanal release has the audio at the incorrect pitch. I hope this can be addressed for your release. And if you're able to do some audio work, any chance you can get the alternate narration for the opening of The Four Musketeers? The American release has narration by Richard Chamberlain and not Frank Finlay.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to this release.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

What? No supplements at all? All the people who bought the StudioCanal versions will have no incentive to pick up these.

We're three months out. It's entirely possible that supplements are not finalised yet.

 

[cda1143]

You are all welcome. I just bought the imports a month ago.

 

[David_B_K]

My main interest is in whether or not Criterion can fix the day for night shots that lack proper nighttime filters, notably the sequence in which d'Artagnan follows Constance when she goes to meet the Duke of Buckingham at night.

 

[cda1143]

Two things Criterion. Apparently the StudioCanal release has the audio at the incorrect pitch. I hope this can be addressed for your release….

First I’ve heard about this. I’ll spot check with a tuner. Anyone know the original key of the opening music?

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

First I’ve heard about this. I’ll spot check with a tuner. Anyone know the original key of the opening music?

Home Theater Forum member @James Luckard shared these clips.

 

[ahollis]

You are all welcome. I just bought the imports a month ago.

Same here. Sigh!

 

[Stephen_J_H]

You are all welcome. I just bought the imports a month ago.

Same here. Sigh!

Your early adopter sacrifices are noted and greatly appreciated.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

What? No supplements at all? All the people who bought the StudioCanal versions will have no incentive to pick up these.

• New 4K digital restorations, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks
• In the 4K UHD edition: Two 4K UHD discs of the films presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
• Two for One, a new documentary by critic David Cairns
• The Saga of the Musketeers (2002), a two-part documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew members
• The Making of “The Three Musketeers,” a 1973 featurette with behind-the-scenes footage of director Richard Lester
• Trailers
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Stephanie Zacharek

 

[JoeDoakes]

Two of my favorite movies ever. Effortless mixing grand adventure, drama and comedy. I am delighted these will get the treatment they deserve

 

[titch]

• New 4K digital restorations, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks
• In the 4K UHD edition: Two 4K UHD discs of the films presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
• Two for One, a new documentary by critic David Cairns
• The Saga of the Musketeers (2002), a two-part documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew members
• The Making of “The Three Musketeers,” a 1973 featurette with behind-the-scenes footage of director Richard Lester
• Trailers
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Stephanie Zacharek

Sorry - I stand corrected. But when I initially clicked on the title, immediately after it was posted, I didn't see the supplements!

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Sorry - I stand corrected. But when I initially clicked on the title, immediately after it was posted, I didn't see the supplements!

Not your fault. The fault is completely mine

I had missed porting over that information when I posted the press release.

It has since been added. My apologies for the inconvenience it caused

 

[Konstantinos]

I haven't seen these movies ever.
I take it that they are good and worth a blind buy?
(by the way, I love the 1993 Disney version. And I also have the 1948 WAC blu-ray).

 

[Allansfirebird]

I don't care if I've already bought the StudioCanal releases, I love these movies enough that I'll buy 'em again!

 

[Jimbo.B]

I love these movies but always felt they should have been released as one film. Of course, I felt the same about Kill Bill 1&2 which I also like. Tarantino at least did a combined version but just won’t release it to home video.