I don’t know if it’s in all the movie versions or not, but in at least one of them when the Cardinal’s troops arrest Monsieur Bonacieux in the middle of the night, he comically tries to load an empty black-powder pistol and of course doesn’t have time. YouTube has several of the movie versions but can anyone narrow it down for me?
That scene is in the version with Michael York and Raquel Welch.
Here is the IMDB link for that movie, but it might have been in other versions as well (but none of those had Raquel Welch).
Not in the 1993 Disney version (the one with Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and Oliver Platt as the title trio). In fact, Monsieur Bonacieux does not exist in this version, so far as I recall.
Correct. 1973-ish, I think. With M. Bonacieux played by Spike Mulligan (famous British weirdo comedian who starred with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe in The Goon Show, a precurser to Monty Python.) It’s a great version, IMHO, directed by Richard Lester (of HELP! and HARD DAYS NIGHT fame), with an amazing cast (Charleton Heston as Richelieu, for starters).
There’s a second part (THE FOUR MUSKETEERS) that completes the novel.
A question occurred to me: the whole plot revolves around Richelieu’s plan to unmask the queen-consort’s infidelity. Why the convoluted subterfuge- why couldn’t the Cardinal just tell the king?
That wasn’t the point. The Cardinal was much more subtle, and wanted control of the Queen. Just telling the King wouldn’t do. Louis would either not believe him, or take the Queen’s side. In any case Richelieu would lose favor of the King for being a jerk.
Rochefort: You will come with me.
Bonacieux: We’ll see about that.
(Much fumbling with pistol.)
Rochefort: I said “You will come with me.”
Bonacieux: Yes, yes I’ll come with you.
Followed by the also hilarious scene of Madame Bonacieux escaping from her persuers.
Richelieu also neede evidence. The queen giving up her jewels would show she was unfaithful.
I remember those movies from when I was a kid, and recently bought them on DVD. One of the few movies I’ve done that with that turned out to live up to my memories. Amazing cast (Oliver Reed, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Lee, etc), humor blended perfectly with action, good plot, dashing adventure, and all that.
“This pass is only for one person.”
“I am only one person. That is a servant.”
Fun fact - both movies were filmed at the same time, and the actors weren’t aware that there were going to be two separate movies. They wound up suing the producers and winning.
Richelieu did not want to be the one to accuse the queen. He wanted the king to get suspicious on his own, while the cardinal pretended to be loyal to both of them.
Oddly enough, one could argue that the cardinal had the moral high ground. Technically, the queen was guilty, and technically, d’Artagnan was protecting a traitor. One could argue that the cardinal was the one protecting his country’s interests, while the others were letting personal issues take priority over professional duties.
*Duke of Buckingham: How can I ever repay you?
D’Artagnan: My Lord, let us understand one another. You are an Englishman and an enemy of France. You owe me no debt. What I have done, I’ve done for the Queen. *
Before the *Princess Bride *came out, this was the most-quoted movie amongst me and my friends – more quoted that Monty Python’s Holy Grail.
I ended up getting VHS copies in Japan when I was over there and, despite the death of VHS, I won’t give them up. Aside from the cool subtitling in fancy-fonted Japanese, their version includes a restored part of a scene between Rocheforte and Richelieu. The American version has the Cardinal rumbling, “If I had made blunders such as you, my head would fall.” Then it cuts to him extending his signeted hand and commanding, “On your knees, little man.” And the spy kneels and is forced to kiss the signet ring.
I suspect they cut the exchange out because it was considered too blasphemous:
Cardinal: If I had made blunders such as you, my head would fall!
Rocheforte: I would say from a greater height than mine.
Cardinal: Would you?
Rocheforte: Indeed.
Cardinal: [tilts his head to indicate the need for explanation]
Rocheforte: The height of vaulting ambition.
Cardinal: And you have none?
Rocheforte: [shakes his head] None whatsoever.
Cardinal: Hmph. [Pause] Do you fear me, Rocheforte?
Rocheforte: I do fear you, your eminence. And I…hate you.
Cardinal: Hmph. Well…[genuflecting] I love you, my son. Even when you fail me.
Rocheforte: [Looks down in humility or embarrassment]
Cardinal: [Pointing his fingers toward the floor] On your knees, little man. You will kneel before your master!
This is coming from memory (of many many many many viewings) and I’m still not sure whether it’s the spy’s accusation of ambition, the spy’s admission of hatred for the church guy, or Richelieu’s little domination bit at the end that made that portion too blasphemous to show on TV. Nevertheless, that was a key part that made me see that Dumas was portraying The Church as evil and corrupt in his little tale masked with comedy. [We’ve discussed that on another thread, so you can hunt for it if you want more detailed discussion of D’Artagnan and his adventures.]
—G!
We were so young (so young) [so young]
One for all and all for one (for one)
Just as sure as the river’s gonna run
…–Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)
…Blood on Blood
…New Jersey
I’m 99% certain the American-released DVD has that full scene as well. Actually, my kids are probably old enough to watch it, so maybe I’ll pop it in the player over the weekend for movie night.
Then I’ll subscribe to this thread, 'cause I’m really curious to find out.
My American DVD and American tape versions don’t have that bit in it and, quite frankly, I think it’s a critical piece that sets the tone of the tale.
—G!
Ok, my version has the entire scene you described, up to “I love you my son. Even when you fail me.” But it ends there - nothing about “On your knees little man.”
After “Even when you fail me” they walk back into the torture area, and talk about how to incriminate the Queen with Buckingham.
It’s this version.
Looking further, you may be mixing 2 scenes. The sequel “The 4 Musketeers”, according to IMDB has the exchange:
I’ll probably be watching that one next week, so I’ll see if it’s there.
Interesting!
My version of that DVD (the Three…) lacks that full scene – though it has a similar-looking cover. At $58 new (and whenever I get used DVDs they’re all scratched up, so that’s not an option) I think I may just convert my VHS at home.
[COLOR=Black]Ah, yes. It’ll be there. When I was originally posting I had a feeling that got mixed in my memory.
—G!
[/COLOR]
Nitpick: Milligan.