(no subject)

[avrelia]

I was watching movies over the weekend. First, in Friday there was The Three Musketeers – the 1993 Disney production. And I have to say, we laughed through the whole movie, and I, even trying to get my critical faculties to work cannot call it a bad movie. Of course it has nothing to do with Alexander Dumas’ novel, or the French history, but if you don’t expect it to be, it is okay. Well, with the ridiculous storyline, insipid dialogue, and cardboard characters who have similar names to Dumas’ ones, but okay.

What? I had a good time watching it. Especially the love story between Luis and Anne (they were cute), and Shakespeare – you know, the English guy, that every French knows by heart, and recite it in the time of war with England in all taverns, and the cardinal’s plot, that was very evil, but made no sense whatsoever.

Is there a perfect interpretation? (Yes, and I know it, but you hardly ever get a chance watching it.) I know all the songs from there by heart, and have a crush on Richelieu. ;-)

I went to IMDB afterwards, and found this:

Very few people know and only if you are well versed in "black history" do you know that Alexander Dumas (the author of the book "The Three Musketeers") was African-American.

Political correctness doesn’t excuse stupidity. I mean, yes, Dumas’ grandmother was a black slave in his grandfather’s estate on Haiti, but wouldn’t Dumas be African-French, anyway? Of course, Dumas would object to be called anything but French, I suspect.

The movie and the interpretations got me thinking about Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. It is in no way historically accurate – he never pretended to be, but still, he took the historical characters and events, and spin them in a adventure story – making up reasons, and details, and affairs, but his Richelieu still deeply cares about France – it just we, following our heroes don’t care about that. My father counts this book among the best comedy books ever. I, as a child, didn’t agree – yea, there were funny moments, but Constance died! Now, I see that this book is a perfect mix of everything- complicated characters, intrigue, sparking dialogue, marred morals, and Constance – she is a nice girl, but she is boring. I am still sorry that she died, but I am more sorry about Milady.

How Dumas made us care about people who do such awful things? ( I don’t mean Milady only here – but – everyone.) The queen considers a treason – against a country, and we only wish she get back her diamonds…


Yesterday I had a Pride &Prejudice marathon with friends, one of whom has never seen it or read it. Six hours of fun! (Plus rose wine.)


For some reasons, we concentrated on Lydia and her marriage, and by the end decided, that she’ll do fine, having such a happy character without an ability to care about anyone beyond herself.

Comments

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

For some reasons, we concentrated on Lydia and her marriage, and by the end decided, that she’ll do fine, having such a happy character without an ability to care about anyone beyond herself.

I imagine she'd do well, probably having affairs and whining to get what she wants, until she reaches a certain age. Then I suspect she'll get cranky and start acting much like her mother. Which is at least as bad a home life as Wickham deserves!

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree, those are not going to be a faithful to each other couple.

it all (our discussion) steamed from the comment the novice person made (amazed):

"She just doesn't have a clue!"

No, she really doesn't. She is just fine without it. ;)

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

She is just fine without it.

LMAO

The clueless do frequently seem to be happier, don't they?

[lynnb.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested in knowing your perfect interpretation of Three Musketeers - I take it it's a musical? :) I've yet to see a version that I truly like, even though the Michael York-Oliver Reed version had its moments, and I think Charlton Heston especially had Richlieu's motives down pat - all for France. Have you read any of the sequels? I highly recommend Twenty Years After.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

It is probably perfect because I love it. :) I can say it is a musical, though the ratio of songs per action is not too large (it is a mini TV series made in Soviet Union in 1976). I honestly believe that actors - though older than characters - fill their shoes perfectly, playing very complicated personalities with lots of nuances besides (good/evil), but more importantly, there is a wonderful spirit of camaraderie and friendship, and playfulness in that movie that I adore.

I found a link with the screenshots, just to give you a taste. maybe eventually I'll obtain and songs.

http://rena.pp.ru/mushketers/mushketers.htm

I liked the version with Michael York - but I've seen it long ago, and I honestly don't remember particulars.

Twenty Years After is good and has many wonderful moments, and I've read it, thank you for reminding me, anyway. ;)

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

I remember reading a series of interviews with V.Smehov (Athos) and he mentioned that the core actors did indeed live very much like musketeers while on location.

And yes, the acting is very good.

[lynnb.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link :) The actors look very well cast, and they don't look too old for their parts. That mix of complicated yet spirited embodies the characters perfectly.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Glad you like it. I didn't provide the explanation, wondering whether you'll guess who's who. But those are very good actors, indeed. ;)

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

Is there a perfect interpretation? (Yes, and I know it, but you hardly ever get a chance watching it.) I know all the songs from there by heart, and have a crush on Richelieu. ;-)

Hehee. [wink, wink] Damn, every time I think I get over it, somebody/something reminds me and there I go again, regressing back to my giggling teenage self. And yes, Richelieu is damn hot in that version. Dear God, there are so many crush worthy men. I remember I simply couldn't make up mind when I was younger. I still fancy Aramis in his lace collars and cuffs. [drools]

I wonder if it's some kind of rite of passage for Russian teens (or pre-teens) to obsess with Dumas. I remember out entire class got obsessed around the same time and it took us some time to get over it (longer for some). Some of my friends ended up reading all of Dumas works they could their hands on. Personally, I got bored/tired on the second volume of The Vicomte de Bragelonne.

Slightly off topic. Have you seen the relatively recent Russian version of Queen Margo and Countess de Monsoro?

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the relatively recent Russian version of Queen Margo and Countess de Monsoro?

I believe I did - at least Queen Margo, but as you can see I have a vague recollection of it. No, the more I think, the more I am sure that I've seen Queen Margo. don't think much about it, in any way.

I wonder if it's some kind of rite of passage for Russian teens (or pre-teens) to obsess with Dumas.

I dont know. My father loves this book (The three musketeers), and he was always telling me that he read it at 7, and why don't I wont to read it at 7? I read it at ten. With the others books it was more of the matter of availability - they were precious, possible to get only for recycled paper, until the end of the eighties, so, it may contributed to it.

But generally, the popularity of it in Russia was larger then I see it here.


Personally, I got bored/tired on the second volume of The Vicomte de Bragelonne.

Same here.

and Starygin as Aramis is very drool-worthy. ;) In the previous comment I posted a link to screencaps.

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

Thanks for screencap link.

My father loves this book (The three musketeers), and he was always telling me that he read it at 7, and why don't I wont to read it at 7? I read it at ten.

Actually, same with me. My older cousin and my mother kept encouraging me to read it, and I just didn't see the big deal... until I was about 9-10. I fell hard once I got into it.