7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
The young D'Artagnan arrives in Paris with dreams of becoming a king's musketeer. He meets and quarrels with three men, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, each of whom challenges him to a duel. D'Artagnan finds out they are musketeers and is invited to join them in their efforts to oppose Cardinal Richelieu, who wishes to increase his already considerable power over the king. D'Artagnan must also juggle affairs with the charming Constance Bonancieux and the passionate Lady De Winter, a secret agent for the cardinal.
Starring: Oliver Reed (I), Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York, Frank FinlayComedy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0
French: LPCM 2.0
German: LPCM 2.0
English SDH, French, German
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Richard Lester's "The Three Musketeers" (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Neil Sinyard; archival documentary; archival promotional featurette; and two vintage trailers. In English, with optional English SDH, French, and German subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Three Musketeers arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.
I viewed the new 4K makeover of The Three Musketeers in native 4K and did some random comparisons with the 1080p presentation of it on this release. (You can see our listing and review of the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack here).
My impression is that the Blu-ray release offers an equally convincing presentation of the 4K makeover. In many areas, I think that the dynamic range of the visuals is almost as good as that observed on the 4K Blu-ray release, possibly only with some of the darker areas struggling to reveal all supporting nuances as needed. Delineation, clarity, and depth are very good. I think that the density levels hold up incredibly well too, though in native 4K some visuals clearly reveal superior fluidity and look better on a larger screen. What about color reproduction? I like it a lot. On the 4K Blu-ray release, the HDR grade is very gentle but does strengthen some nuances, and yet I would not describe the difference in quality as dramatic. In 1080p everything looks very good, but in native 4K there is simply a wider color gamut that produces richer visuals. Still, if I had only this Blu-ray release as the final home video release of The Three Musketeers, I would have been very, very happy with it. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are three standard audio tracks on this release: English LPCM 2.0, French LPCM 2.0, and German, LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH, French, and German subtitles are provided for the main feature.
While viewing the film in native 4K, I did not encounter any issues to report in our review. I thought that the upper register was very healthy and during the mass footage some previously problematic exchanges were very easy to catch now. Of course, if you require optional English SDH subtitles, this release has them. The previous release that I have does not have English SDH subtitles.
StudioCanal has two home video releases that introduce the outstanding new 4K makeover of Richard Lester's The Three Musketeers. The other release is this 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray disc is Region-Free, but the Blu-ray disc is Region-B "locked". My advice would be to consider picking up the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack, but if you do not plan to upgrade to 4K, this Blu-ray release will meet all of your expectations. I think that in 1080p the new 4K makeover of The Three Musketeers looks very impressive, too. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Digitally Restored
1973
Vintage Classics
1973
1973
(Still not reliable for this title)
Vintage Classics
1974
Warner Archive Collection
1948
Warner Archive Collection
1948
Rental Copy
2011
Les Trois Mousquetaires: D'Artagnan
2023
1975
88 VAULT #13
1976
Eureka Classics
1965
1998
1977
Warner Archive Collection
1952
1976
1981
1995
2013
2014
Masters of Cinema
1963
1971-1972
Matt Helm: The Silencers
1966
1981