D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers

“D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers” is a Soviet musical adventure television film created in 1978 at the Odessa Film Studio by order of the USSR State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting. Director Georgy Yungvald-Khilkevich brought to life on the screen the cult novel by Alexandre Dumas père “The Three Musketeers”, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Soviet cinema.

The legal proceedings between Yungvald-Khilkevich, Mark Rozovsky (the scriptwriter) and Yuri Ryashentsev (the author of the lyrics) delayed the release of the film, which lay on the shelf until its triumphant release. The television premiere on Central Television finally took place on December 25, 1979.

In this gripping French story, we meet the poor Gascon d’Artagnan. He sets off for Paris hoping to join the company of the king’s musketeers, following in his father’s footsteps. But his first meeting with the Count of Rochefort in Meung ends in a fight, a broken sword, and the loss of a letter of recommendation to the captain of the musketeers, Monsieur de Treville.

Everything changes when d’Artagnan becomes close friends with the musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Together they save the life of Constance, the wife of the haberdasher Bonacieux and the queen’s lady-in-waiting. The Queen of France, Anne of Austria, gives diamond pendants to her lover and the favorite of the King of England, Charles Stuart, the Duke of Buckingham. The Cardinal learns of this and devises a cunning intrigue, advancing his own plans. Queen Anne is in despair, but Constance comes to her aid and persuades d’Artagnan to take a risk and go to London. The Gascon accepts the challenge and makes an exciting journey to London, where he faces trials that he successfully overcomes.

The film is filled with action, humor and music. Plus excellent acting. It turned out to be a very successful combination. A 100% hit from the USSR.