The Three Musketeers
- Year:
- 1993
- 227 Views
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
OPEN ON:
Dawn. A verdant field in Gascony. BIRDS CALL from treetops. The WIND RUSTLES through green leaves. A fox
darts into a thick hedge. And last, anti-pastoral, out
of place -- the sound of CLASHING STEEL.
SUPERIMPOSE:
France, 1625.Suddenly, two young men burst INTO VIEW, sword points
cutting brilliant arcs through the morning air. The
first is GIRARD, bearded, nearly thirty, a man in every
facet. The second, D'ARTAGNAN. Younger in appearance
and attitude. Exuberant, handsome. And at just this
moment, bounding over a low stone wall with a boisterous
cry.
They battle across an expanse of turf thick with dew.
Girard is the more polished combatant. But d'Artagnan is
nearly a force of nature. He whips his sword through the
air with wild-hearted abandon. He tumbles and somersaults. This is fun.
Girard and d'Artagnan cross the field, pass over a wooden
fence, struggle toward a stable and hayloft. As they
fight, both men utilize a variety of props. Handfuls of
hay, a wooden spar, quick kicks from heavy boots.
Anything goes as the swords cut through the air.
D'Artagnan, gaining increasing advantage, forces Girard
up against a peaceful country manor. Girard, seemingly
cornered, executes a gymnastic flip onto the roof,
fights from this high angle. D'Artagnan merely smiles...
and follows.
Seen briefly in silhouette against the rising sun, Girard
and d'Artagnan scramble up the v-shaped rooftop, pause
to exchange swipes at the peak, then slide down the other
side, attacking, defending, as they go.
Inside the manor house, a HANDSOME WOMAN of forty glances
up from her writing table, hears FOOTSTEPS on the roof.
She reacts -- curious, not afraid -- and steps to an open
window. As if to follow the footsteps to the other side.
2.
Girard leaps to the ground first -- landing in an enclosure filled with SQUAWKING GEESE. D'Artagnan flies
after. The geese scatter, d'Artagnan -- whose wild
progress frequently resembles that of a young colt --
stumbles briefly. Girard seeks advantage, thrusts his
sword toward the young man's heart. But d'Artagnan
parries the blow with a heavy gloved hand, rolls over
the offending goose -- glances deadpan apology -- and
rises to fight again.
The epic battle continues. Girard's modest success devolves into desperate flight. D'Artagnan's seemingly
endless reserves are wearing him down. Then, at the
last possible moment, Girard spies escape: a slowmoving HAYCART RUIMBLING up the country road. He runs
toward the cart, leaps upon it, turns back to d'Artagnan
with a confident smirk -- an expression that vanishes
when the young Gascon executes a nearly impossible leap
to join him.
And still they battle, the clash of swords a kind of
music by now, the men, their exuberance, the bright morning all combined into a dazzlingly heroic display. Just
then:
The haycart crosses a wooden plank bridge. Girardbacks from d'Artagnan's sword, weak from exhaustion, he
stumbles. D'Artagnan has his man and he knows it. He
prepares one last blow --
-- And the haycart shifts, deposits both men over the
side and down to the small muddy creek below. A comical
antidote to all this glorious swordplay.
Girard lands flat on his back, stunned, his sword out of
reach. D'Artagnan lands similarly, but recovers with
grace, or rather, as much grace as the muddy situation
will allow. He rolls toward Girard, sword in hand, and
lightly places the sharp gleaming tip against his adam's
apple.
A long beat. Then a surprise. Girard begins to laugh,
long and loud. D'Artagnan responds with a charmed smile.
D'ARTAGNAN
Had enough?
GIRARD:
(breathless
deadpan)
time to end your, uhm, formal
training. Well done.
(CONTINUED)
3.
5 CONTINUED:
5D'ARTAGNAN
Thank you, sir.
D'Artagnan leaps to his feet, races off without another
word. Girard struggles upward, peers at the shape of his
clothing -- cut to ribbons, muddy and soaked.
GIRARD:
And god have mercy on whomever
you meet next.
CUT TO:
6 EXT. GASCONY - HANDSOME WOMAN'S POV - DAY 6
D'Artagnan races across the green fields, triumphant.
She stands at the open window, watches his coltish high
steps with love. Sadness too.
CUT TO:
8 INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S HOME - DAY 8
D'Artagnan steps through the country manor, calls out:
D'ARTAGNAN
Mother...?
But he does not see her. D'Artagnan continues, chattering proudly as he goes.
D'ARTAGNAN
Did you see us? You heard us,
I'll bet. Girard finally
surrendered a compliment...
though I almost had to kill him
to get it... Mother...?
D'Artagnan comes upon an open door, a small room beyond.
He pauses, then steps inside.
A Spartan interior. Heraldic emblems upon the wall, souvenirs from battles won and lost.
(CONTINUED)
4.
9 CONTINUED:
9A piece of parchment, on it the words: "All For One, and
One For All." And, in a place of honor, a worn blue and
gold tunic. Below it, the Handsome Woman, d'Artagnan's
mother, kneels at an open chest. She turns back to him.
MOTHER (HANDSOME WOMAN)
Sit down.
D'ARTAGNAN
Didn't you hear me? Girard --
MOTHER:
Sit.
D'Artagnan sighs, sits in a large wooden chair. A beat.
His mother speaks quietly, eyes turned back to the open
chest.
MOTHER:
Your father was a proud man. And
he had a right to be. I never
knew one as brave or as kind. He
knew that his strength was a gift
honor. That is why he dedicated
his life to his country and his
King. That is why he gave his
life, for both.
She reaches into the chest, carefully extracts a
beautiful saber.
MOTHER:
I watched you this morning and
saw someone I knew. You have
your father's heart, his will to
fight, his courage. But these
gifts have no value unless they
are given.
She rises, holds the sword out to him.
MOTHER:
It's time for you find your
fortune with men as brave and
as bold as you are. In Paris.
With the King's Musketeers.
(re:
sword)You'll need this.
D'ARTAGNAN
(quiet, moved)
Father's sword.
(CONTINUED)
5.
9 CONTINUED:
(2) 9MOTHER:
Forged in the Crusades, handed
from generation to generation.
D'ARTAGNAN
And now to me.
D'Artagnan can't help it, his eager reply leavens the
nobility of the moment with warm humor, youthful innocence. His mother smiles as she repeats.
MOTHER:
Yes, son. And now to you.
With that, she holds out the beautiful saber. D'Artagnan
takes it firmly into his hands.
CUT TO:
A huge and beautiful field appropriate to the moment.
Mother and son stand in the vast expanse. D'Artagnan
holds a restless horse by the reins, his traveling satchel attached to the saddle.
MOTHER:
I'm not your mother now. I'm
speaking for your father. And
this is what he would have told
the d'Artagnans. It is your
special heritage.
(beat)
Always seek out adventure...
D'ARTAGNAN
I will.
MOTHER:
Never run from a fight...
D'ARTAGNAN
I won't.
MOTHER:
Never submit to insults. Except
from the King.
D'ARTAGNAN
Never.
(CONTINUED)
6.
10 CONTINUED:
10MOTHER:
And be wary of Cardinal Richelieu
for he rules France through the
King.
A bittersweet moment. D'Artagnan posed before his first
great adventure. But not completely certain that he
wishes to leave home.
D'ARTAGNAN
Until after harvest.
D'Artganan's mother smiles, understands. And speaks
gently to urge him forward.
MOTHER:
You've heard that every man in
the Musketeers is on the run from
someone or something?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes. But what am I running from?
MOGHER:
(gentle humor)
A shrew of a mother, and a drafty
old house. Now go.
And in this fashion, she releases him. D'Artagnan sweeps
his Mother into an embrace, now turns, heroic, and leaps
into the saddle. The horse reacts with a start, skitters
in a half-cicle. D'Artagnan struggles to gain control,
finally brings the horse to rein. He manages a charmed
grin. His mother smiles, scolds:
MOTHER:
And for heaven's sake, practice
your horsemanship.
D'ARTAGNAN
Horsemanship. Got it.
D'Artagnan digs his heels into the horse's flanks, shoots
off across bright green fields. His Mother shields her
eyes from the sun, feels a gathering of tears, and
watches him ride into the distance.
D'Artagnan's flight toward a new world.
DISSOLVE TO:
7.
12 EMBLEM OF KING'S MUSKETEERS 12
It FILLS the SCREEN, serves as background for the MAIN
TITLES. As the FINAL CREDIT APPEARS, and the MUSIC ENDS,
the blade of a sword ENTERS FRAME. It slides beneath the
emblem, pries it off the wall. The emblem falls to the
floor with an undignified thud. A fire blazes in a huge
hearth behind it.
13 INCLUDE MUSKETEERS' HEADQUARTERS 13
A room in the Musketeers Headquarters. The fallen emblem
is retrieved by JUSSAC, an officer who wears the bright
red tunic of the Cardinal's Guards.
JUSSAC:
What should I do with this?
Jussac offers the emblem to a tall, elegant wraith in
black finery, a patch covers one eye. This is the COUNT
DE ROCHEFORT, Richelieu's right hand, one of the deadliest swordsmen in all of France.
ROCHEFORT:
Throw it on the fire with
everything else.
JUSSAC:
But this is the emblem of the
Musketeers...
ROCHEFORT:
The Musketeers no longer exist.
Or haven't you heard?
(cold command)
Throw it on the fire.
Jussac hastily adds the emblem to the fiery blaze, it is
instantly consumed. Rochefort watches it burn, then
walks to a balcony overlooking a vast courtyard.
Grim, funereal silence as a hundred Musketeers remove
their blue and gold tunics, drop them into a pile that
already contains their swords and muskets. The
Musketeers remain stoic throughout, unwilling to reveal
the depth of their despair. The latter is supervised by
the Cardinal's Guards, who view their hated enemies'
plight with satisfaction. This is a sad day for the
Musketeers, the end of an era.
MONSIEUR DE TREVILLE forces a salute toward the captain
of the Cardinal's Guards, hands over his own musket.
(CONTINUED)
8.
14 CONTINUED:
14Treville is the respected leader of the Musketeers. This
Rochefort watches from above, a cruel smile twists his
lips. He steps to the railing, addresses the men below.
ROCHEFORT:
Musketeers...
A hundred faces turn upward to regard him. And on each
the same expression -- absolute loathing for the man in
black. Rochefort is not intimidated by this sea of contempt. He revels in it.
ROCHEFORT:
King Louis XIII and His Eminence
Cardinal Richelieu, the
Musketeers are officially
disbanded. In preparation for
the coming war with England, your
ranks and commissions are hereby
transferred to the Infantry. You
will be contacted and told where
to report. Until that time, you
are instructed to return to your
homes.
DE TREVILLE:
(shouting to
Rochefort)
And who will protect the King?
ROCHEFORT:
The Cardinal's Guards are more
than capable of assuming that...
responsibility.
Muttered curses and dissent throughout. Rochefort raises
his voice to be heard:
ROCHEFORT:
disperse. Should even one of you
resist... the entire corps will
be arrested and imprisoned.
(with pleasure
and disdain)
'All for one, and one for all.'
As Rochefort intended, the Musketeers explode. But
before they can attack the Guards, de Treville's commanding voice calls out above the clamor.
(CONTINUED)
9.
14 CONTINUED:
(2) 14DE TREVILLE:
Musketeers!
And with that, the Musketeers freeze. Their eyes go to
de Treville. There is a moment of silence as de Treville
chooses his words carefully. Even in defeat, de Treville
is stoic.
DE TREVILLE:
Go to your homes. Wait. Our
day will come again.
De Treville shoots a defiant look at Rochefort who smiles
in a patronizing manner. Then, de Treville leads his
Musketeers out of the courtyard.
15 ROCHEFORT 15
He returns to the adjoining room where Jussac stands by.
Rochefort has enjoyed himself immensely. He goes to a
mirror and preens, adjusting his eye patch to a more rakish angle. That's when he catches a glimpse of something
behind him. Something red. Rochefort turns.
a tall, powerfully built MAN stands in the shadows of the
room, a spectre in red.
ROCHEFORT:
Your Eminence.
Rochefort and Jussac instantly fall to their knees.
ARMAND DU PLEISS THE CARDINAL RICHELIEU steps out of the
darkness and into the light, his long crimson robes
swirling about him like clouds of blood. His face is
long, shrewd and intelligent. His eyes are penetrating. He smiles his crocodile smile.
Richelieu observes a duty roster on one of the walls.
It contains the names of all the Musketeers, past and
present.
RICHELIEU:
Have they all been accounted for?
ROCHEFORT:
(hedging)
All but... three.
On Richelieu's face, a flicker of irritation.
RICHELIEU:
Three?
(CONTINUED)
10.
15 CONTINUED:
15JUSSAC:
(speaking up)
I sent a patrol to find them but
it hasn't returned yet.
RICHELIEU:
I want those Musketeers, not
excuses. Bring them in at once.
CUT TO:
16 EXT. BOULEVARD OF CRIME - DAY 16
Jussac leads a regiment of the Cardinal's Gruards down
Paris' most colorful and notorious street. They react
to SHOUTING and VIOLENT NOISES coming from a tavern
ahead. The one called... The Dead Rat.
The tavern door flies open, and two of the Cardinal's
Guards are flung into the street, bruised and bloody.
Just then:
A window on the second floor bursts open,and a big Musketeer dangles a struggling Guard by his
feet, threatening to drop him into the street. The
Musketeer, a man of enormous appetites -- wine, women,
song -- is called PORTHOS. Jussac shouts:
JUSSAC:
Release that man!!
Happy to comply, Porthos lets go of the Guard who plunges
to the street with a dull thud. Then, with a wink and a
piratical grin, Porthos ducks inside. Jussac darkens,
signals his men, and they rush toward the tavern.
17 INT. TAVERN 17
Jussac and his company burst in and discover the room in
a shambles, the aftermath of a violent fight. But for
now, all is calm.
A group of the Cardinal's Guards is seated around a big
table littered with flagons and bottles. On the floor
around them are their swords and rifles. It appears the
Gruards are celebrating a victory. But wait. There's
something wrong with this picture. On closer inspection,
we see that the Guards have been stripped to their underclothes and tied to their chairs with ropes. They are
all bruised and bloody. Some are unconscious.
Presiding over the "celebration" are two Musketeers.
They sit at the head of the table, relaxing with their
boots up.
(CONTINUED)
11.
17 CONTINUED:
17One of them casually cleans his sword with a lace handkerchief. He is ARAMIS, the most handsome and dashing of
the Musketeers -- a poet and idealist -- a gentleman of
great personal charm and style.
His companion is ATHOS, the Musketeers' deadliest and
most charismatic member -- also its most mysterious and
tortured. Athos is the unofficial leader of the Three
Musketeers, their planner and strategist. At the moment,
he's sewing up a nasty gash on his right arm.
JUSSAC:
(approaching)
What is this?
Athos greets him with a dark smile.
ATHOS:
A private party. Go away.
ARAMIS:
Athos -- is that any way to greet
our guests?
Aramis leaps to his feet and bows graciously. He is the
epitome of politeness.
ARAMIS:
Don't be shy, gentlemen. Come
in. Your friends have been
expecting you.
Jussac is not amused.
JUSSAC:
Musketeer Headquarters by Captain
Rochefort.
Athos and Aramis exchange looks.
ATHOS:
The Cyclops is a Captain? He
must've made a pact with the
Devil.
ARAMIS:
Or the Cardinal.
ATHOS:
What's the difference?
(CONTINUED)
12.
17 CONTINUED:
(2) 17ARAMIS:
(with an edge
of contempt)
The Devil is more ethical than
the Cardinal.
Jussac takes a step forward, fingering his saber.
JUSSAC:
You're instructed to come with
me and surrender your tunics.
With a sweeping gesture, Athos indicates the bloody
Guards around him.
ATHOS:
These gentlemen made a similar
request.
JUSSAC:
Are you refusing to come
peaceably?
ATHOS:
Probably. But I'll leave it up
to my companions. Aramis?
ARAMIS:
We can't refuse Rochefort's
invitation. It would be
impolite.
Athos tips back in his chair and gazes upward.
ATHOS:
And what do you say, Porthos?
To the Guards' surprise, Porthos is balancing on the
balcony rail above, just about even with a large wagon
wheel chandelier.
PORTHOS:
I'll be right down!
With the grace of an aerialist, Porthos jumps from the
balcony and lands atop the chandelier. His weight causes
the chains suspending it to break. With a whoop of
pleasure, Porthos rides the chandelier down as it lands
squarely atop Jussac's Guards, squashing them.
When the dust clears, only Jussac has been spared. He
looks on in disbelief as Porthos extricates himself from
the wreckage and calmly brushes his clothes off.
(CONTINUED)
13.
17 CONTINUED:
(3) 17PORTHOS:
(to Athos and
Aramis; cheerful)
Ready when you are.
Athos and Aramis sheathe their swords, put on their hats,
wrap their capes around them and cross the room to join
Porthos.
ARAMIS:
Congratulations, Porthos. You
brought down the house.
PORTHOS:
My aim was off. I was trying to
hit Jussac.
Athos fixes Jussac with a dark, threatening look.
ATHOS:
Jussac turns to watch Athos, Porthos, and Aramis step to
the street. He mutters as if to curse:
JUSSAC:
Musketeers.
CUT TO:
18 EXT. HIGH ROAD TO PARIS - DAY 18
D'Artagnan, on horseback, pauses on a bluff overlooking the magnificent city on the Seine. What he beholds
is Paris as it looked in the early part of the Seventeenth Century, its steeples and towers rising to meet the
sky. For a country boy like d'Artagnan, Paris is a
magical place where the wildest of dreams can come true.
D'Artagnan's reverie is broken by the sound of THUNDERING
HOOFBEATS coming from behind. He turns in response and
what he sees is this:
Two women on horseback are riding for all they're worth
pursued by two men on horseback.
19 D'ARTAGNAN 19
His heroic blood stirs. Women in danger! As the women
GALLOP past, d'Artagnan leaps from his horse. Quickly
formulating a plan, he clambers up the trunk of a nearby
tree and climbs out on a branch that overhangs the road.
14.
20 ANGLE 20
As the two riders pass underneath, d'Artagnan leaps into
space and tackles one of them, knocking him out of the
saddle. The rider hits the ground and is knocked senseless. One down.
D'Artagnan scrambles to his feet as the second rider reverses direction and GALLOPS back, charging d'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan dodges the horse and the sword. He catches
the second rider's arm and yanks him right out of the
saddle. The man lands with a painful thud at
d'Artagnan's feet. Before he can recover, d'Artagnan is
upon him with flying fists. One swift punch -- and the
second rider is senseless. Two down.
D'Artagnan stands over his two victims, out of breath,
but greatly pleased with his performance. He looks up as
the two women ride back to see what's happened.
The first woman is of noble breeding, a beautiful darkhaired girl in her late teens. Her name is ANNE. Her
companion is roughly the same age, titan-haired and
equally beautiful. Her name is CONSTANCE.
Anne regards the two men on the ground, then d'Artagnan.
She shakes her head, laughs with delight and rides off.
Constance remains. She smiles down at d'Artagnan from
atop her horse.
CONSTANCE:
Do you have any idea what you've
done?
D'ARTAGNAN
I've saved you and your friend
from these bandits.
CONSTANCE:
These 'bandits' are the Queen's
own bodyguards.
D'Artagnan is stunned.
D'ARTAGNAN
The Queen?
Constance points a finger in Anne's direction.
CONSTANCE:
If I were you, I'd make myself
scarce. These men are going to be
very angry when they wake up.
(CONTINUED)
15.
20 CONTINUED:
20D'Artagnan looks at the two bodyguards who are beginning
to recover. Then he looks up at Constance, feeling like
a prize idiot.
D'ARTAGNAN
I didn't know. I thought...
Constance smiles at him, her eyes twinkling.
CONSTANCE:
Do you have a name?
D'ARTAGNAN
D'Artagnan.
CONSTANCE:
You're a very foolish boy,
d'Artagnan... but a very handsome
one. Good-bye.
Constance spurs her horse and rides off to catch up with
Anne.
D'ARTAGNAN
(calling after her)
Wait! You didn't tell me your
name!
But Constance is gone.
D'Artagnan stands in the middle of the road, feeling
foolish and oddly thrilled at the same time. The two
bodyguards groan and grumble.
A bright reflection catches d'Artagnan's eye. He looks
down and sees a gleaming bracelet. He picks it up and...
D'ARTAGNAN
The man who attacked you...
(pointing in the
opposite direction)
... went that way.
With a guilty smile, d'Artagnan spurs his horse and rides
like Hell.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan rides to the top of the ridge, stops suddenly,
sees something that takes his breath away.
16.
22 D'ARTAGNAN'S POV 22
Paris laid out for him like a jewel, cloaked in mystery,
promising adventure and romance. D'Artagnan watches the
women as they ride into the fabled city in the distance.
He follows.
CUT TO:
23 INT. MUSKETEER HEADQUARTERS - DAY 23
Athos, Aramis, and Porthos sweep into the now deserted
courtyard. Silence -- the last thing they expected --
stops them in their tracks. The place is a cemetery,
haunted by the ghosts of generations of Musketeers.
Porthos is visibly distraught. Rochefort enters from
behind an archway.
ROCHEFORT:
I'll take those tunics,
Musketeers.
PORTHOS:
(to Aramis)
What did he say?
ARAMIS:
He said he'll take those tunics.
PORTHOS:
Porthos reaches inside his cloak and takes out a crumpled
red tunic he took from one of the Cardinal's guards. He
drops it on the ground, digs into a pocket and takes out
another. He finds another in his boot and another up his
sleeve. There's one in his hat. Like a magician, he
keeps pulling red tunics out of the most bizarre places.
Athos and Aramis have a few guard tunics themselves.
They pull them out and drop them into the growing pile.
ATHOS:
I was trying to remember the last
time I saw you here. I know. It
was the day you were kicked out of
the Musketeers.
ARAMIS:
Conduct Unbecoming a Musketeer.
Wasn't that the charge?
ROCHEFORT:
You ought to know. Three witnesses
stood against me.
(CONTINUED)
17.
23 CONTINUED:
23ATHOS:
The bitter memory hangs in the air for a moment.
ROCHEFORT:
surrender your commissions and
make yourselves available for
reassignment in the King's Army.
ATHOS:
And if we refuse?
ROCHEFORT:
You will become outlaws. Hunted
men.
PORTHOS:
It doesn't matter where I go or
what I do. Sooner or later
somebody's calling me 'outlaw.'
Athos cuts him off with a look. He's familiar with
Porthos' propensity for tall tales. But not here, not
now. Athos turns back to the balcony. Rochefort lobs a
taunt.
ROCHEFORT:
Are you refusing to serve your
King?
ARAMIS:
Cardinal.
PORTHOS:
Same thing, these days.
ARAMIS:
France has one King too many.
ROCHEFORT:
I'll tell him you said that.
Athos, who has remained silent, speaks with quiet power:
ATHOS:
Do that, Rochefort. Tell his
Emminence the Cardinal that we
will continue to perform our sworn
duty to protect the King. From
enemies across the sea.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
18.
23 CONTINUED:
(2) 23ATHOS (CONT'D)
From traitors who sit at his right
hand. And tell him that he can
take away our tunics, our muskets,
even our swords. But he cannot
stop us from being what we are.
Musketeers.
The gauntlet has been thrown. Rochefort picks it up with
glee.
ROCHEFORT:
I'll make sure His Emminence the
Cardinal gets the message. But I
can't promise he'll be pleased.
Rochefort steps back, disappears into the shadows. A
beat. The Musketeers regard each other.
PORTHOS:
Well, if we're going to be
outlaws, I suppose we'll have to
get our affairs in order.
ARAMIS:
alphabetically or in order of
preference?
PORTHOS:
Alphabetically seems... fair.
ARAMIS:
When it comes to you and women,
fairness rarely applies.
ATHOS:
(interrupts)
We'll meet at the Columbier-Rouge
at sundown.
(off their looks)
To celebrate. And to plan our new
lives.
PORTHOS:
Outlaws.
ARAMIS:
Citizens of France.
ATHOS:
The three Musketeers.
And that is all that remains.
(CONTINUED)
19.
23 CONTINUED:
(3) 23Athos, Porthos, and Aramis step in different directions.
CUT TO:
24 EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - DAY 24
D'Artagnan rides through the streets of Paris. A country
boy happily stunned by the sights, sounds, and smells of
the city. Merchants gossip and call to each other from
shop doors. Colorful vendors and pedestrians move along
the crowded boulevard. Acrobats, puppeteers, and jugglers perform on street corners. LAUGHTER and MUSIC
drift from taverns and public houses.
D'Artagnan views it all with great enthusiasm. He sees
the exterior of the Musketeer Headquarters... wow! The
future belongs to him.
25 ATHOS 25
He crosses the courtyard to a large wooden door. But as
he reaches for the handle, the door flies open and smacks
him in his injured arm.
D'ARTAGNAN
(as he enters)
Look out!
ATHOS:
(wincing in pain)
Aaarrgghh...
D'ARTAGNAN
(in a panic; looking
around)
Where are they? Where are the
Musketeers? I'm in the right
place, aren't I?
ATHOS:
(through gritted
teeth)
Not as far as I'm concerned.
Athos is wearing his cape in such a way that it hides
his Musketeer tunic. D'Artagnan has no idea who he's
dealing with.
D'ARTAGNAN
But this is Musketeer
Headquarters...
(CONTINUED)
20.
25 CONTINUED:
25ATHOS:
No. This was Musketeer
Headquarters.
D'ARTAGNAN
You mean it's been moved?
ATHOS:
I mean the Musketeers have been
disbanded. Feel free to poke
around for souvenirs.
D'ARTAGNAN
What do you mean 'disbanded'?
ATHOS:
Some nonsense about being needed in
the army. Now if you'll excuse
me...
D'Artagnan blocks Athos' path.
D'ARTAGNAN
But I just got here. How can I
become a Musketeer if they've been
disbanded?
ATHOS:
I'd say you've got a problem.
D'Artagnan grabs Athos by his injured arm. Athos, stifling pain, fixes d'Artagnan with a deadly look.
ATHOS:
You could use a lesson in manners.
D'Artagnan touches his sword, eyes flashing at the possibility of a duel.
D'ARTAGNAN
Any time.
ATHOS:
I'm in a hurry now -- but I'll
meet you at the Carmes-Deshaux
monastery at noon.
Athos exits.
D'ARTAGNAN
(calling after him)
I'll be there ten minutes early.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
21.
25 CONTINUED:
(2) 25D'ARTAGNAN (CONT'D)
(to himself)
An hour in Paris, and I already
have my first duel!
Just then, d'Artangnan spies two familiar figures on
horseback, distinctive cloaks hiding their faces. Anne
and Constance, though he does not yet know their names.
D'Artagnan hurries after.
CUT TO:
26 EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - DAY 26
START CLOSE ON Porthos, his rogue's grin, the twinkle in
his eye.
PORTHOS:
But, Catherine, don't you see? As
an outlaw I'll be constantly on
the run from the Cardinal's guards,
a refugee. Think of all the places
you can hide me. I'm thinking of
them now.
reveals Porthos leaning against an open window, speaking
amiably to a pretty woman on the other side. She dabs a
tear from her eye, manages a nod.
Meanwhile, d'Artagnan races around another corner, down a
narrow lane, and speeds after the ladies on horseback.
He dashes through a muddy puddle -- spraying foul water
all over Porthos where he stands. D'Artagnan doesn't
notice, a huge cart loaded with wine barrels has rolled
INTO VIEW, blocking the lane. Fellow travelers shout
complaints, the cart driver shakes his head, makes an
obscene gesture. It's a Seventeenth Century traffic jam.
D'Artagnan sees Anne and Constance dismount in the distance, tie their horses, and step into an alley. A man
waits in the shadows to escort them. D'Artagnan leaps
off his horse, he means to continue his pursuit on foot.
But he takes two quick steps, and... runs directly into
Porthos' outstretched hand.
(CONTINUED)
22.
28 CONTINUED:
28D'Artagnan looks up -- literally, given Porthos' impressive stature -- and sees the Musketeer's muddied tunic,
and worse, a unique and expensive sash, now thoroughly
soiled.
PORTHOS:
(not a glimmer of a
grin)
Do you know where this sash comes
from?
D'ARTAGNAN
No.
PORTHOS:
It is a gift from the Queen of
America.
Porthos' righteous indignation is more impressive than
his knowledge of current affairs. D'Artagnan corrects.
D'ARTAGNAN
There is no Queen of America.
PORTHOS:
(to pretty woman)
Madame Augustine, would you excuse
me for a moment, I'm going to kill
him.
(back to d'Artagnan;
ever the gentleman)
Now, where were we?
D'ARTAGNAN
(glancing at the
ladies; the alley)
I rode through a puddle, muddied
your sash, the Queen of America
except there isn't one, I'm in a
hurry, and you were about to
challenge me to a duel.
PORTHOS:
(amused)
I was?
D'ARTAGNAN
That seems to be the local custom.
Porthos lets out a weary sigh. He shakes his head.
(CONTINUED)
23.
28 CONTINUED:
(2) 28PORTHOS:
Everywhere I go, it's always the
same. There's always some kid who
thinks he's hot with a sword...
some itchy punk who wants to go
up against the great Porthos...
D'ARTAGNAN
The great who?
PORTHOS:
The great Porthos.
(when d'Artagnan
isn't impressed)
Me, you idiot.
D'Artagnan gives him a blank look.
PORTHOS:
Don't you know who I am?
D'ARTAGNAN
The world's greatest talker?
Porthos couldn't be more insulted. He sputters with
rage.
PORTHOS:
All right, you little puke! You
want to die? So be it! One
o'clock behind the Luxembourg!
And bring a coffin!
D'ARTAGNAN
Bring your own!
29 EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - ALLEY - DAY 29
D'Artagnan thinks he sees Anne and Constance, races down
the alley, turns a corner, down a short street, makes a
hasty decision, runs down yet another alley... and tumbles into a shadowy lane. He stops, looks left and
right. And does see them.
The ladies enter a chapel's back door, close the door
behind them. D'Artagnan flies after, skids across cobblestones, rips the door open... and finds himself face
to face with the man who has escorted Anne and Constance
this far.
D'ARTAGNAN
Let me pass.
(CONTINUED)
24.
29 CONTINUED:
29CARDINAL'S GUARD
I'm afraid that's not possible.
D'ARTAGNAN
I must speak to those young women.
CARDINAL'S GUARD
The young women do not wish to be
spoken to.
D'ARTAGNAN
I have something that belongs to
the Queen.
GUARD:
(alert)
What?
D'ARTAGNAN
A bracelet.
GUARD:
I'll deliver it for you.
D'ARTAGNAN
No, you've been enough help
already. Would you be so kind
as to point out the Carmes-Deshaux
Monastery?
The Guard points to a large building in the distance with
a large cross.
CUT TO:
30 INT. ROOM 30
PAN ACROSS the Virgin Mary and many lit candles to a
BEAUTIFUL DAMSEL sharing a love seat with the third
Musketeer, the dashing Aramis. Aramis has a book open
and is reading from it.
The Damsel suddenly grabs Aramis and kisses him on the
mouth. Aramis politely extricates himself. He's not the
least bit embarrassed, only slightly amused.
ARAMIS:
Madam, I'm flattered but I thought
theology.
(CONTINUED)
25.
30 CONTINUED:
30DAMSEL:
Excuse me, Monsieur Aramis. But
when you started talking about
Original Sin, I lost control and
became impassioned. It won't
happen again.
ARAMIS:
expressing one's emotions. On
the contrary. Religion should be
experienced in a passionate, allembracing way. We should feel
free to express our spirituality.
DAMSEL:
Yes, darling!
The Damsel attacks him again. Suddenly, a pounding on
the door.
MAN (O.S.)
Open up!
DAMSEL:
(a gasp of fear)
My husband!
ARAMIS:
Your husband!?
DAMSEL:
Aramis -- run!
But Aramis' heart is too noble. He gets down on his
knees.
ARAMIS:
First we must pray to God for
forgiveness.
That's when the door bursts open and the lady's husband,
an irate MARQUIS enters with a pistol. His eyes blaze
with madness. He aims the pistol at Aramis' head.
ARAMIS:
On second thought, God's often
busy.
Aramis leaps to his feet and sprints for the open window.
As the Marquis aims and FIRES, Aramis puts one foot on
the ledge and leaps into space. The shot misses him by
inches.
26.
As d'Artagnan runs past. Aramis lands on top of him and
they go crashing to the cobblestones. As they untangle
themselves and get up...
ARAMIS:
Thanks. You broke my fall
perfectly. But I do apologize
for the inconvenience...
D'ARTAGNAN
(angry)
Get off me!
D'Artagnan pushes Aramis aside. Aramis grabs d'Artagnan
by the scruff of his neck and pulls him back.
ARAMIS:
If there's one thing I can't
abide, it's rudeness.
D'ARTAGNAN
You fell on me!
ARAMIS:
And I apologized for it.
D'ARTAGNAN
I suppose you'd like to teach me a
lesson in manners, too.
ARAMIS:
I'd be honored.
D'Artagnan brightens. Another duel!
D'ARTAGNAN
How's two o'clock behind the
Luxembourg?
Aramis bows politely.
ARAMIS:
If that's where you wish to die,
I won't disappoint you. Until
then...
Aramis takes off. d'Artagnan swells with pride.
D'ARTAGNAN
Three duels in one day. I love
this town.
CUT TO:
27.
The Royal Palace of Louis XIII.
ANNE (V.O.)
Have you seen the King?
SENESCHAL (V.O.)
No, Your Majesty.
Anne, or rather, Queen Anne, steps into the throne room,
a massive cathedral-like chamber. Twin thrones occupy
a raised dais. An entire wall is covered with a spectacular map of the world. The map contains every known
country and continent, including the New World. The
SENESCHAL exits, closing the doors with a resounding boom.
Anne pauses, all alone in the big, drafty chamber. And
for the first time, she looks and acts her age. Barely
a woman, chilled by the ghosts of all the French kings
and queens who came before her. And a long way from
home. Anne steps to the great map of the world. She
reaches out to touch her own country, Austria, feels a
pang of separation. We hear:
MAN (O.S.)
Your Majesty...
Anne reacts with a start. A tall, powerfully built man
stands in the shadows, a spectre in red.
ANNE:
Cardinal Richelieu, you surprised
me.
Cardinal Richelieu steps out of the darkness. He smiles.
RICHELIEU:
How was your ride?
Richelieu's question takes her by surprise. He bows
before Anne. Considering a reply, she extends her hand.
ANNE:
My ride...? Well, I... I'm not
sure...
RICHELIEU:
(rising up)
Forgive me.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
28.
33 CONTINUED:
33RICHELIEU (CONT'D)
But your welfare is
more than a matter of personal
interest. It is a matter of
State. But rest assured, your
secret is safe with me.
His manner is both charming and paternal. Anne, smart
enough to exercise caution in all her palace dealings,
is nonetheless touched by his concern.
ANNE:
Thank you.
Richelieu turns to the great map, speaks gently.
RICHELIEU:
You're homesick.
ANNE:
(after a beat)
Lonely. Is that the same thing?
RICHELIEU:
Sometimes.
Richelieu brings his eyes back to Anne, continues:
RICHELIEU:
Austria's loss is France's gain.
ANNE:
I'm not sure my new husband shares
your opinion.
RICHELIEU:
Nonsense. He's young, not blind.
ANNE:
Mostly, he is absent. I've barely
seen His Majesty since our wedding,
and that was three months ago.
Whenever he's around me, he has
nothing to say.
RICHELIEU:
Arranged marriages can be
difficult. Your father and I
thought yours would bring Austria
(CONTINUED)
29.
33 CONTINUED:
(2) 33ANNE:
Countries align more swiftly than
people, I'm afraid. Louis and I
remain... far apart.
RICHELIEU:
May I advise you?
He says it with seeming humility, not condescension. Anne
nods assent.
RICHELIEU:
Louis was only nine years old
when his father was assassinated.
He lost his childhood forever that
day. I have watched him grow
toward manhood, seen the toll his
life demands. A boy who is not
allowed to be a boy sometimes has
difficulty becoming a man. He is
shy, yet boastful. Giving, yet
stubborn. But most of all, he is
not yet sure exactly who he is.
The boy who lost his father. Or
the King of France.
ANNE:
But how can I...?
RICHELIEU:
Flatter him. Make the boy feel
like a King. So that the King
may be your husband.
Anne considers his eloquent advice, formulates a reply...
when the huge doors to the throne room open with a dull
boom, the Seneschal chants:
SENESCHAL:
His Majesty, the King.
The Seneschal steps aside as LOUIS XIII enters. He is
surprisingly young, no older than d'Artagnan. His face
is handsome and intelligent.
RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty.
LOUIS:
Cardinal Richelieu, I've been
looking for you.
As Louis strides toward them, Richelieu and Anne bow.
(CONTINUED)
30.
33 CONTINUED:
(3) 33When Louis sees Anne, he reacts with an almost imperceptible start. Her presence catches him off guard.
LOUIS:
Oh. Anne. Hello. I didn't know
you were here.
Louis hides his nervousness, not to mention his love,
behind a formal veneer. Anne, emboldened by Richelieu's
confidences, replies:
ANNE:
Would you like me to go?
Louis suddenly remembers the reason he's here. Determination breeds a more capable attitude.
LOUIS:
No. Please, stay.
(to Richelieu, aware
that she is watching
him)
Your Eminence, I demand an answer.
RICHELIEU:
(hiding his amusement)
Perhaps if I knew the question...
LOUIS:
I've just been told that you went
ahead and disbanded my Musketeers.
RICHELIEU:
You approved the decision.
LOUIS:
But not the timing of the matter.
I intended to address them myself,
explain the situation...
RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty, France is on the
brink of war. We dare not
hesitate.
LOUIS:
But these men are my personal
guards...
RICHELIEU:
They are the bravest fighters in
France.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
31.
33 CONTINUED:
(4) 33RICHELIEU (CONT'D)
We'll need them in the
field if we're to win this war
with England. Buckingham plans
to invade La Rochelle within the
month. I thought it best to act
quickly --
LOUIS:
I will be the judge of what is
best. For me, and for France.
He says it with newfound resolve. Richelieu receives the
rebuke with quiet grace. Anne watches the latter closely,
suppresses a smile. The boy is nearer to King than
Richelieu imagined.
RICHELIEU:
Of course. Forgive me.
A tense beat. Anne, feeling out of place, steps toward
the door.
LOUIS:
Anne? Are you all right?
ANNE:
discussion in private.
LOUIS:
(hesitates, seeks a
reason for her to
stay)
Your thoughts on the matter
interest me. They might... help.
ANNE:
It seems to me that... you're
doing very well on your own.
She means it. Anne smiles, exits. A beat. Louis sighs.
LOUIS:
She's beautiful.
RICHELIEU:
Extremely.
LOUIS:
Intelligent.
RICHELIEU:
Very.
(CONTINUED)
32.
33 CONTINUED:
(5) 33LOUIS:
(after a beat)
Sometimes she scares me half to
death.
RICHELIEU:
May I advise you?
Repetition reveals calculation. Louis nods. And the
Cardinal surprises with quiet humor:
RICHELIEU:
She scares me too. As do all
women who join beauty to
intelligence. What's a man to
do?
LOUIS:
(enjoying the Cardinal's
humor)
I have no idea.
RICHELIEU:
The course of love is full of
frightful turns. But, no matter
how you feel, no matter how
hopelessly afraid... never let
her know that you are anything
other than the bravest and most
confident man in France. Make
that your starting point, and
everything else will fall... into
place.
LOUIS:
The bravest man in France...
RICHELIEU:
Good advice for a shopkeeper.
Let alone a King.
A beat. Richelieu acting as the lost father. And Louis
appreciating it, speaking as a son:
LOUIS:
Your Eminence, I'm sorry that I
was sharp with you. It's just
that the Musketeers... well, they're
not just my guards. They're my
friends too.
RICHELIEU:
I know. But don't worry.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
33.
33 CONTINUED:
(6) 33RICHELIEU (CONT'D)
From now on, I'll take complete
responsibility for your welfare.
Indeed he will.
CUT TO:
34 INT./EXT. THRONE ROOM/HALLWAY - DAY 34
Richelieu bursts out of the Throne Room and is joined by
Rochefort. Walking quickly down a long hallway.
ROCHEFORT:
He's a foolish boy. And barely
that.
RICHELIEU:
become a man.
(off Rochefort's
look)
Which is all the more reason for
us to act... quickly.
ROCHEFORT:
(reacts, knows what
this portends)
And the Queen...?
RICHELIEU:
(he smiles, lewd)
She will receive me in ways she
never thought possible. Privately.
HOLD ON the Cardinal and Rochefort, watching the King and
Queen below.
CUT TO:
35 EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - DAY 35
D'Artagnan walks proudly toward the Carmes-Deschaux
monastery, bold and brave, his future at hand. Suddenly.
COACH DRIVER (O.S.)
Get out of the way, idiot!!
A speeding carriage bears down on him. D'Artagnan leaps
from its path, stumbles. He looks up in time to see the
passenger inside, and for a moment, time seems to stop.
(CONTINUED)
34.
35 CONTINUED:
35She is a noblewoman of remarkable beauty, her face framed
by the carriage window. Long blonde curly hair that
cascades in ringlets to her shoulders, languid blue eyes,
and skin as white as alabaster. She is known as MILADY
DE WINTER. She is to sex, what Constance is to innocence.
D'Artagnan watches as if in a dream. The carriage, the
beautiful woman inside it. Paris wraps its arms around
the young man's heart. Suddenly: a second face enters the
carriage window, replacing hers, jarring by contrast. It
is the fierce visage of Milady's Indo-Chinese Bodyguard,
PARKER. The bodyguard glares, pulls at the carriage
window curtains, taking Milady, the dream, from view.
HOLD ON d'Artagnan, bewitched, as the CARRIAGE RUMBLES off
into the city.
CUT TO:
36 EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - SEINE - POV SHOT - DAY 36
A beautiful house situated near the Seine. Milady's
carriage stops before it. She steps to the street,
Parker follows. After a brief spoken exchange, the bodyguard departs on some errand. HENRI, the driver, a brutallooking fellow, incongruous in his elegant coachman's
uniform, snaps the reins, and guides the carriage away.
Milady steps inside.
REVEALS this to have been the POV of two men standing in
the shadows across the street. COUNT DE WINTER, fortyfive, a kind face etched with sadness, and ARMAND DE
WINTER, twenty-five, his son. They are well-dressed. But
their manner and appearance suggests that they have
traveled a long distance to find her.
COUNT DE WINTER:
Wait here.
ARMAND:
But, Father...
COUNT DE WINTER:
Wait.
He will not consider otherwise. Armand sighs, stands in
the shadows, and watches his father cross toward Milady's
house.
CUT TO:
35.
38 INT. MILADY'S HOUSE - DAY 38
Milady stands before a mirror, reaches for one of the many
ivory combs that adorn her hair. As she places the comb
we notice a small flower-like tattoo on her arm. She
pauses to admire her beauty, then to see the image of
Count de Winter, now standing behind her, his eyes dark
and cold. Milady does not move from the reflecting glass,
she smiles.
MILADY:
Count de Winter.
COUNT DE WINTER:
(as much happiness as
the thought allows)
We found you.
MILADY:
(eyes on the mirror)
Yes. Now that you have, what
will you do?
COUNT DE WINTER:
Bring you back. To pay for what
you did to my son.
MILADY:
And if I resist...?
COUNT DE WINTER:
(voice breaking with
emotion)
I will kill you with my bare
hands.
The Count steps closer, close enough to touch. Milady,
eyes bright with excitement, the smile still playing about
her lips, replies:
MILADY:
Well if that's the case, I'd
better start packing. But first,
my hair...
Milady, who has been removing combs throughout, reaches
for the next, and...
CUT TO:
39 EXT. MILADY'S HOUSE - DAY 39
Armand keeps his eyes on Milady's house opposite. No
sign of his father. He looks about, impatient... and
steps across the street to enter.
CUT TO:
36.
40 INT. MILADY'S HOUSE - DAY 40
Armand climbs a flight of stairs. Still no sign of his
father, or Milady. He calls out:
ARMAND:
Father?
Worry makes him hurry. Armand takes hasty steps into
Milady's bedroom. The first thing he sees is his own
face in the mirror. The second is his father's inert
body below it. Armand gasps, races to his side. A thin
trail of bright blood is seen briefly at the older man's
ear. Armand gathers his father up into his arms, and
begins to weep.
CUT TO:
41 EXT. CARMES-DESCHAUX MONASTERY - DAY 41
The monastery is a windowless building bordered by a
barren field, a dueling ground for men who have little
time to waste. Athos sits on a stone bench, waits for
his adversary to arrive. His horse is hobbled nearby.
D'Artagnan rides INTO VIEW, dismounts.
ATHOS:
Ten minutes early.
D'ARTAGNAN
I have another appointment at one.
ATHOS:
You'll miss it, I'm afraid.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'll try my best to be on time.
Athos appreciates the young man's retort, takes a closer
look. Then he rises to his feet, the pain in his arm
makes him wince.
ATHOS:
I asked two of my friends to act
as seconds, but they are not as
punctual.
D'Artagnan notices Athos' pained expression, the blood on
his sleeve.
D'ARTAGNAN
But you're wounded.
ATHOS:
Don't worry. I fight just as well
with my left hand.
(CONTINUED)
37.
41 CONTINUED:
41D'ARTAGNAN
If you'd rather kill me another
time...
ATHOS:
Thanks, but I see my seconds
coming now.
Porthos and Aramis arrive on horseback. They dismount,
view d'Artagnan with amazement. D'Artagnan reacts with
similar surprise, smiles sheepishly.
PORTHOS:
(to Athos)
What're you doing? You can't
fight this man.
ATHOS:
Why not?
PORTHOS:
Because I'm fighting him.
D'ARTAGNAN
Excuse me, monsieur. But not
until one o'clock.
ARAMIS:
(amused)
Wait a minute. I've got a duel
with him, too.
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes, sir. But not until two.
ATHOS:
(to d'Artagnan)
How long have you been in Paris?
D'ARTAGNAN
I arrived this morning.
ATHOS:
You've been... busy.
D'ARTAGNAN
I've also fallen in love.
ATHOS:
(gruff to a fault)
Better to die for love than to
live for it. Gentlemen?
(CONTINUED)
38.
41 CONTINUED:
(2) 41Athos gestures for Aramis and Porthos to stand aside. He
draws his saber, ready to fight. A beat. And in that
moment, d'Artagnan's face reveals an emotion he has never
felt before in his young life. Fear. Athos sees it,
allows him a moment to withdraw his saber. D'Artagnan
does so, they square off, touch sabers, and...
... Jussac leads a patrol of the Cardinal's Guards INTO
VIEW.
JUSSAC:
There they are!!
Athos and d'Artagnan separate as Jussac and his four
swordsmen stride towards them.
ARAMIS:
Jussac. Again.
Athos steps forward to meet him.
ATHOS:
I told you the next time we met
I'd want an answer. But I didn't
expect you so soon.
JUSSAC:
The three of you are under arrest.
The boy's of no interest to me
and is free to go. Do you intend
to resist?
PORTHOS:
Oh, don't be stupid. Of course we
intend to resist. Just give us
a second.
Porthos huddles with Athos and Aramis.
PORTHOS:
Interesting odds. Five of them
and three of us.
ARAMIS:
It hardly seems fair. Let's give
them the chance to surrender.
D'ARTAGNAN
(interrupting)
Excuse me, but there are four of
us.
They turn and regard d'Artagnan.
(CONTINUED)
39.
41 CONTINUED:
(3) 41ATHOS:
This is not your fight. You're
not a Musketeer.
D'ARTAGNAN
I may not wear the uniform, but I
believe I have the heart of a
Musketeer.
The three Musketters exchange smiles. D'Artagnan's
youthful bravado manages a small dent in their cynicism.
PORTHOS:
Bold and brave.
ARAMIS:
A poet.
ATHOS:
Have you got a name, boy?
D'ARTAGNAN
D'Artagnan.
PORTHOS:
(startled)
D'Artagnan?
The name has meaning for all of them. The Musketeers
look at each other, deadpan, shake their heads.
ARAMIS:
Impossible.
PORTHOS:
It couldn't be.
Athos knows that it is. He steps forward, extends a
hand. The others follow, shake as well. Athos introduces each in turn.
ATHOS:
Athos... Porthos... Aramis.
D'ARTAGNAN
Pleased to meet you... How do you
do?... Good to see you again...
Meanwhile, Jussac and his Guards look on with increasing
impatience. He clears his throat, draws his saber. The
Musketeers turn toward the Guards, d'Artagnan standing
among them.
(CONTINUED)
40.
41 CONTINUED:
(4) 41PORTHOS:
Well. Now that we're all
acquainted...
ATHOS:
The Cardinal's Guards.
D'Artagnan and the Musketeers draw their swords... and
charge.
42 FIGHT 42
Suddenly:
nine men are locked in mortal combat. Athostakes a Guard named Cahusac, Porthos battles BISCARAT,
and Aramis battles with two adversaries at once.
D'Artagnan looks for an opponent... and finds himself
face to face with Jussac.
The fighting style of the Musketeers is an exuberant mixture of styles and techniques. Athos is a brutal swordsman, his strokes overpowering and savage. His repertoire
also includes swift kicks, solid punches, the occasional
elbow when necessary. Aramis is a seamless and graceful
technician, he handles his two opponents with balletic
ease, an artist working with steel and flesh, rather than
paint and canvas.
And last, and perhaps the most entertaining of all,
Porthos. He is a walking arsenal, carrying a variety of
bizarre weapons on his body -- a crossbow, daggers, bolo,
nunchucks -- all of which he uses with the polished skill
of a master. Add this funhouse of armaments to his
already impressive size and strength, and you have a oneman wrecking crew of epic proportions.
D'Artagnan's youthful energy is by now familiar. He
bounds about like a newborn tiger, encircles his adversary, changing stance and shifting his ground with alacrity. Jussac is having a hard time defending himself
against his opponent who seems to be attacking from all
directions at once.
JUSSAC:
(losing patience)
Stand still! How do you expect
me to kill you if you keep jumping
around!!
43 MONASTERY 43
A monk watches from the bell tower, incensed by the battle
raging on the field below. He grabs the BELL rope, gives
it a mighty pull... and sounds a clamorous ALARM.
41.
Porthos reacts to the interruption with irritation. He
produces a pair of nunchucks. Biscarat looks at the odd
weapon with professional curiosity, slight confusion...
and Porthos whacks him on the side of the head, knocks
him to the ground.
PORTHOS:
(eyes on the tower)
Damn monks. Always spoiling
everybody's fun.
Aramis replies while shifting from one foe to the next.
ARAMIS:
They are nearer to God...
PORTHOS:
They're about to get a little
nearer to the hilt of my sword.
ARAMIS:
Pagan.
PORTHOS:
Papist.
Porthos slides over to handle one of Aramis' opponents.
He'd rather bicker from close range. But Biscarat
struggles to his feet, grabs his saber. Porthos sees
him, sighs.
PORTHOS:
(to Aramis)
Excuse me?
ARAMIS:
I'm fine, thank you.
And Porthos returns to his original foe. Meanwhile,
Athos' heavy strokes take their toll. Cahusac staggers,
wounded in arm, shoulder, grazed at the head -- and falls
to the ground with a thud. Aramis calls out to him,
indicates d'Artagnan:
ARAMIS:
Take a look at our young friend.
ATHOS:
You mean he's still alive?
Not only is d'Artagnan alive, but he's making a fool out
of Jussac. Frustrated, enraged, Jussac makes a full lunge
at him, but d'Artagnan ducks, then slips under Jussac's
sword like a snake and runs him through.
(CONTINUED)
42.
44 CONTINUED:
44Jussac falls to the ground, lies still. He is dead.
Athos and Aramis react, impressed. Then turn their full
attention on weakening foes. They disarm and disable
them with swift strokes. Meanwhile, Porthos chases
Biscarat into a grove of trees. The Guard has discovered
the better part of valor, now runs for his life. Porthos
-- who is at play as much as he is war -- takes a Spanish
bolo from his cloak, and whips the balls over his head.
Biscarat hears the odd WHIZZING sound, turns to face him.
The color drains from his face.
BISCARAT:
Now what...?
Porthos lets the bolo fly -- it catches Biscarat about
the neck, the balls slam into his head. The Guard drops
to the ground without a sound.
PORTHOS:
God, I love my work.
45 AFTERMATH 45
A sudden silence, save for the occasional dull groan.
D'Artagnan scans the battlefield, sees Aramis bending
over Jussac's body, speaking in solemn tones under his
breath.
D'ARTAGNAN
(to Athos)
What's he doing?
ATHOS:
Last rites. Aramis takes death
very seriously.
Porthos returns in high spirits, stashes the bolo in a
pouch under his cloak. D'Artagnan sees the other weapons
there, including a boomerang. Maybe next time.
PORTHOS:
(re:
the bolo)Do you know where this bolo comes
from?
D'ARTAGNAN
(a bold jest, given
the circumstances)
The Queen of America?
PORTHOS:
Spain.
(CONTINUED)
43.
45 CONTINUED:
45Porthos deadpans, then grins acceptance. All for one,
and one for all. D'Artagnan beams.
ARAMIS:
Don't encourage him. By killing
Jussac, the boy's made himself
an outlaw too.
ATHOS:
Not if he leaves Paris. Which is
exactly what he's going to do.
D'ARTAGNAN
I can't leave. I just got here.
PORTHOS:
Go home, find a wench, live long
and prosper.
D'ARTAGNAN
Why can't I stay with you?
Aramis and Porthos look to Athos. As always, he will
decide.
ATHOS:
Because I do not want you to.
It's hard to say whether he's acting out of concern for
the boy... or he simply doesn't give a damn. Whatever
the case, d'Artagnan is crestfallen. The Musketeers
mount their horses, Porthos and Aramis adopt a friendlier
tone.
ARAMIS:
I know Athos may seem cold and
unfriendly, but don't let that
fool you.
PORTHOS:
He really is cold and unfriendly.
ARAMIS:
But he's also right. This is our
fight, not yours. Go on, get out
of here.
D'ARTAGNAN
Whatever happened to the motto of
the Musketeers? 'All for one,
and one for all.'
ATHOS:
Wake up, boy. The Musketeers are
just a dream.
(CONTINUED)
44.
45 CONTINUED:
(2) 45Athos spurs his horse, rides away. Aramis and Porthos
follow. HOLD ON d'Artagnan as he watches the Musketeers
grow small in the distance. Then, sadly, he steps to his
horse, climbs into the saddle. It has been both the best
and the worst day of his young life.
That's when a group of horsemen come riding around the
corner of the monastery -- five Cardinal's Guards led by
Rochefort himself. They see their wounded comrades,
Jussac dead, and the three Musketeers escaping in the
distance.
ROCHEFORT:
(pointing)
There they go! After them!
But before Rochefort and the Guards can give chase,
d'Artagnan rides into the middle of the field to
challenge them, as if to further prove himself worthy
of the blue and gold.
D'ARTAGNAN
(defiant)
Long live the Musketeers.
And d'Artagnan draws his saber.
AT DISTANCE:
The three Muskeeters rein their horses, look back to
d'Artagnan's bold charge.
PORTHOS:
(with admiration)
Do you believe this kid.
D'Artagnan gallops toward the Guards to engage them. He
races through PISTOL SHOTS like a demon possessed.
Rochefort rides to the lead, draws his sword.
ROCHEFORT:
(shouts to the
others)
Fall back! I'll take him myself!
And like two jousting knights, d'Artagnan and Rochefort
meet in the middle of the field. Their BLADES connect
with a resounding CLASH, d'Artagnan is knocked clear of
his saddle. He hits the ground with a painful thud.
Rochefort's Guards leap towards him.
45.
46 ANGLE TO INCLUDE MUSKEERS 46
Porthos and Aramis are greatly moved by d'Artagnan's
courage.
PORTHOS:
Rochefort's got the boy.
ATHOS:
(seemingly unmoved)
Too bad.
ARAMIS:
You can't just leave him.
Athos spurs his horse, rides away. Aramis and Porthos
exchange sad looks and hopeful comments.
ARAMIS:
He has a plan.
PORTHOS:
Definitely. A plan.
And with that, they gallop after.
Meanwhile, d'Artagnan is soon outnumbered, and quickly
subdued.
GUARD:
This boy fights like a wildcat.
D'ARTAGNAN
(exhausted)
Thank you.
The Guard clobbers d'Artagnan with the scabbard of his
sword. The last thing d'Artagnan sees is the three
Musketeers riding into the distance. Then the WORLD
FADE IN:
The walls and towers of France's most infamous prison
rise to meet a starless sky. The portcullis is raised
by men-at-arms, admitting a spectacular crimson carriage
pulled by a team of snow-white stallions. The emblem of
the Cardinal of France is emblazoned on the carriage
door, and THROUGH its WINDOW we see the profile of
Richelieu.
(CONTINUED)
46.
48 CONTINUED:
48Lovingly, he fingers the upholstery of his extravagant
carriage.
CUT TO:
A chamber in hell. Spiders the size of rats, rats the
size of small dogs. A foul stench in the air. D'Artagnan
is sprawled in a corner, unconscious, on a filthy matted
floor. The sharp tip of a sword pokes him in the chest.
D'Artagnan wakes with a start, springs back into action.
As if he was still battling Jussac at the Carmes-Deschaux.
He slaps the sword away, leaps to his feet, and reaches
for his own. But it is gone.
D'ARTAGNAN
My sword --
ROCHEFORT:
It's magnificent. Where did you
get it?
Rochefort steps INTO VIEW, the familiar eyepatch, admiring
d'Artagnan's sword in his hands.
D'ARTAGNAN
(after a beat)
It belonged to my father.
ROCHEFORT:
Your father...
Rochefort studies d'Artagnan for a long moment, then...
ROCHEFORT:
Well now it belongs to me. I
collect swords. I take them
from the men I kill.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm not dead yet.
D'Artagnan starts forward. But Rochefort raises the
sword, points it at his throat. D'Artagnan freezes,
feels the sharp tip of the blade.
ROCHEFORT:
Soon enough.
Rochefort shoves d'Artagnan back to the floor with a
heavy boot. A beat. D'Artagnan peers at his dismal
surroundings.
(CONTINUED)
47.
49 CONTINUED:
49D'ARTAGNAN
Where am I?
ROCHEFORT:
I'll give you a hint. It's not
the Louvre.
D'ARTAGNAN
(realizing)
The Bastille! I'm in the Bastille!
ROCHEFORT:
Well, you're the first person who
was ever happy to be here.
Unfortunately, your visit will be
a short one.
D'ARTAGNAN
What do you mean?
ROCHEFORT:
You killed one of the Cardinal's
Guards. An offense punishable
by death.
D'ARTAGNAN
He interrupted a duel I was
fighting.
ROCHEFORT:
Also punishable by death.
D'ARTAGNAN
It was a long day.
ROCHEFORT:
You know them?
D'ARTAGNAN
Who?
ROCHEFORT:
The Musketeers.
D'Artagnan says nothing. He will not betray them.
Rochefort leans close.
ROCHEFORT:
Tell me where they are, and I
will be lenient.
D'ARTAGNAN
How?
(CONTINUED)
48.
49 CONTINUED:
(2) 49ROCHEFORT:
(after a beat)
I will give you your father's
sword.
A long beat. D'Artagnan eyes the gleaming saber, forged
in the Crusades. He nods, gestures for Rochefort to
come closer. As if to impart a secret. Rochefort tilts
downward, d'Artagnan rises up... and whispers.
D'ARTAGNAN
Give me my father's sword, and
I'll cut out your heart.
Bold words, bad timing. Rochefort snarls, slams the hilt
of the sword into d'Artagnan's head. The youth slumps
from the wooden stool to the floor, unconscious.
ROCHEFORT:
Fool. Like your father.
Rochefort storms from the cell. He nods at a grizzled
jailer on his way out, indicates the chains and manacles
on the cell wall. The jailer scurries over to d'Artagnan,
inert in a shallow puddle of foul water. He lifts, drags
him toward the chains -- but d'Artagnan's eyes pop open,
the jailer reacts with surprise, and...
CUT TO:
50 INT. BASTILLE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT 50
The jailer exits from d'Artagnan's cell, closes the heavy
door behind him. A CLOSER look reveals d'Artagnan in the
jailer's soiled tunic, eyes bright with adventure. He
looks left and right -- dank corridors, darkness, the
OCCASIONAL GROAN. And steps lightly into the shadows.
51 ON D'ARTAGNAN 51
He seeks exit, finds only a labyrinth. Two jailers converse, step towards him. D'Artagnan leaps into a cell
doorway, allows them to pass. Suddenly: scabrous hands
reach from inside the cell, grab d'Artagnan by the throat.
He shudders, leaps free. And continues.
D'Artagnan steps deeper in the labyrinth. Frustrated,
no way out. Just then: more FOOTSTEPS heading toward
him. D'Artagnan seeks refuge, watches as a cloaked
figure steps INTO VIEW, accompanied by a retinue of
sullen jailers.
D'Artagnan thinks fast... and joins them.
CUT TO:
49.
D'Artagnan keeps step with the cloaked figure, the retinue. He keeps his head down, glances at the corridor
ahead, looking for a way out. But the cloaked figure is
escorted up a long stairway, into another hall, and
toward a pristine wooden door. D'Artagnan watches as
the door opens, revealing... Cardinal Richelieu, a fearsome apparition in red, the most powerful man in France.
D'Artagnan's jaw drops. The cloaked figure steps inside.
The jailers disperse. D'Artagnan takes steps as if to
join them... then turns back, eyes the door, the Cardinal
and the cloaked figure now behind it.
53 ANGLE TO INCLUDE INTERIOR 53
The cloaked figure bows to the Cardinal. Richelieu
smiles, concupiscent. Rochefort stands in a corner,
ignored for the moment.
RICHELIEU:
I have an errand that requires
your singular talents.
The figure rises. The hood falls back... revealing the
unforgettable features of Milady de Winter. She answers
the Cardinal's smile with a seductive expression.
MILADY:
I was beginning to think you'd
forgotten me.
RICHELIEU:
Forget you? Impossible.
Richelieu and Milady share a look of intimacy, two vipers
from the same pit.
D'Artagnan slips closer, reaches for the handle, finds it
unlocked. He opens the door a fraction, holds an ear
close...
Richelieu produces a sealed document from his sleeve,
and hands it to Milady.
RICHELIEU:
Carry this to the Duke of
Buckingham.
(CONTINUED)
50.
55 CONTINUED:
55MILADY:
(impressed)
You did it. An alliance with
Buckingham.
RICHELIEU:
The King left me no choice. Now
that he's come of age, the boy
believes he should rule France.
Instead of me.
Rochefort knows what this portends. He steps from the
corner.
ROCHEFORT:
You're going to go through with
... everything?
RICHELIEU:
(silences him with
a glance)
Yes. Everything.
(to Milady)
once. A ship called the
Persephone will carry you to
England. It sails Tuesday,
midnight. I want Buckingham's
signature next to mine before the
King's birthday. Friday.
MILADY:
Consider it done.
RICHELIEU:
And doing so, shall earn you the
gratitude of... a King.
Richelieu's not talking about Louis. He's talking about
himself.
CUT TO:
56 INT. BASTILLE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT 56
D'Artagnan leaps back from the door as it opens, head
down, shuffles to join the retinue of jailers as they
RETURN TO VIEW. Milady, unrecognizable behind her cloak,
steps into the corridor, the retinue escorts her forward.
D'Artagnan falls into place, eyes down, eager for escape.
Just then:
a hand slams down upon his shoulder.D'Artagnan looks up into the face of Captain Rochefort.
51.
57 EXT. BASTILLE - MILADY'S COACH 57
Exiting.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan lands with a thud at Richelieu's feet.
Rochefort hisses:
ROCHEFORT:
On your knees.
When d'Artagnan fails to respond, Rochefort gives him a
mighty kick. D'Artagnan scrambles into the correct
posture of supplication. Rochefort continues:
ROCHEFORT:
This is the boy who killed
Jussac.
D'ARTAGNAN
I can explain that --
ROCHEFORT:
Silence!
Rochefort punches d'Artagnan in the head, knocking him to
the floor. The Cardinal frowns.
RICHELIEU:
Rochefort. Violence solves
nothing. Leave him to me.
D'Artagnan reacts to the Cardinal's reasonable tone.
Rochefort makes a sullen exit. The Cardinal smiles.
RICHELIEU:
Please. Sit down.
D'Artagnan reacts with perceptible awe, as if seeing his
first movie star. He sits in a finely brocaded chair,
looks at the Cardinal, an apparition in red. The Cardinal
speaks, his manner casual, friendly.
RICHELIEU:
How much did you hear?
D'ARTAGNAN
(busted)
Not a word, Your Eminence. I
stepped from my cell for a breath
of air, and became lost in the
corridors, it's dark as you know,
but then I saw a light up ahead,
the light over your door, I...
(CONTINUED)
52.
58 CONTINUED:
58Richelieu smiles, dismisses d'Artagnan's tale with a
wave of his hand.
RICHELIEU:
You may have many talents, my
young friend. But guile is not
one of them. Do you have a name?
D'ARTAGNAN
D'Artagnan.
RICHELIEU:
I've heard that name before. Are
you a Gascon?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes, Your Eminence.
RICHELIEU:
Tell me. What brought you to
Paris. And don't say 'a horse.'
D'ARTAGNAN
I came to join the King's
Musketeers.
RICHELIEU:
Bad timing.
D'ARTAGNAN
So I've heard.
RICHELIEU:
D'Artagnan, I like you. I could
use a capable young man like you
in my Guards.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm honored, Your Eminence, but I
popular with the other men. Not
after today.
RICHELIEU:
I suppose not. Your heart is set
on being a Musketeer.
(off his look)
When I was your age, I too had
dreams of joining the Musketeers.
D'ARTAGNAN
(surprised)
You, Your Eminence?
(CONTINUED)
53.
58 CONTINUED:
(2) 58RICHELIEU:
Why not? Becoming a Musketeer is
Frenchman. Or should I say it
was...
(with seeming
kindness, reason)
Like the Knights of the Round
Table, the Musketeers have
outlived their usefulness. They
are a thing of the past.
(beat)
And so have your three friends.
Tell me where they are, d'Artagnan,
and I will spare your life.
Richelieu's seeming kindness conceals a heart of ice.
D'Artagnan sees it now, replies quietly. No longer in
awe, but in opposition.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm sorry. But I can't tell you
what I do not know.
RICHELIEU:
In that case, give my regards to
the headsman.
D'ARTAGNAN
What about my trial?
RICHELIEU:
You've just had it.
Richelieu turns for the door, means to dismiss him.
D'Artagnan calls after.
D'ARTAGNAN
Wait --
RICHELIEU:
Why? Do you object to losing
your head?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes. I like it where it is.
RICHELIEU:
Then tell me what I want to know,
and perhaps you will keep it there
a few years longer.
(beat)
Where are the three Musketeers?
(CONTINUED)
54.
58 CONTINUED:
(3) 58D'ARTAGNAN
I don't know.
RICHELIEU:
And if you did?
D'ARTAGNAN
(after a beat)
I wouldn't tell you.
RICHELIEU:
I admire your courage, young man.
You might have made a fine
Musketeer after all.
Richelieu opens the door. Rochefort waits on the other
side.
RICHELIEU:
But we'll never know, will we?
Rochefort steps into the room, grabs d'Artagnan roughly
by the arm, hurls him from the chair to the floor. This
time Richelieu does not utter protest. Instead, he
turns to the Captain, commands:
RICHELIEU:
Find the three Musketeers and kill
them.
ROCHEFORT:
They'll be dead by dawn.
RICHELIEU:
A comforting thought. Good night,
d'Artagnan. Enjoy it. Morning
comes quickly.
With that, Cardinal Richelieu sweeps into the dark. HOLD
ON d'Artagnan for a beat. History's pawn.
CUT TO:
59 EXT. BASTILLE - MARKET SQUARE - DAY 59
BELLS TOLL. A motley crowd gathers around the execution
scaffold, held back by men-at-arms. A hooded executioner
mounts the steps of the scaffold in the company of a
PRIEST. The Priest wears a black cassock and a broad
black sombrero. The executioner, a large man, raises
his axe and touches the end of the blade, cutting his
finger. Razor-sharp. The executioner holds up his
bloody thumb.
(CONTINUED)
55.
59 CONTINUED:
59The crowd roars approval. And turns to regard the day's
victim as he is rolled INTO VIEW.
D'Artagnan stands, half-naked, his hands bound behind him,
in a horse-drawn cart. The driver turns the cart, begins
a circuit of the square. The blood-thirsty crowd cheers
and jeers at d'Artagnan. But d'Artagnan keeps his head
high. If he must die, he will die with dignity.
Rochefort watches from a tower overlooking the square.
ROCHEFORT:
Milady left at midnight. By
private coach.
RICHELIEU:
A remarkable woman. The most
beautiful I've ever known. And
the deadliest. Which would
explain my attraction.
(peering down at
the scene)
How is our young daredevil holding
up?
ROCHEFORT:
He's wishing he'd never heard of
the Musketeers.
Down below, the horse cart reaches the scaffold. A manat-arms drops the tailgate, d'Artagnan steps down. He is
taken into the custody of a CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS, and
several men-at-arms carrying muskets.
The Cardinal's familiar carriage is parked a safe distance
from the square. The Guards who attend it have wandered
off to watch the festivities. The coachman remains,
seated on top, braiding his whip. Suddenly, a gloved hand
grabs the coachman, yanks him from his seat.
62 SCAFFOLD 62
D'Artagnan is led by the Captain of the Guards up the
stairs to the execution platform. The executioner and
the Priest wait patiently above. D'Artagnan sees the
bloodstained block where his neck will soon lie; pales.
(CONTINUED)
56.
62 CONTINUED:
62PRIEST:
Fear not, my son...
D'Artagnan regards the Priest whose face is hidden beneath the brim of his broad black hat. He holds a
large Bible in his hands.
PRIEST:
For we are with you, always.
The Priest raises his face, reveals it... and winks. It
is Aramis. He whispers:
ARAMIS:
All for one, and one for all...
D'Artagnan's heart soars. He turns to face the executioner. Porthos grins beneath the hood's overhang.
Prepare the prisoner.
Porthos lays his axe aside, approaches d'Artagnan in a
threatening manner. He takes him by the scruff of the
neck, and forces his head upon the chopping block. The
crowd goes wild.
PORTHOS:
(whispers into his
ear)
Don't worry, boy. You won't
feel a thing.
The Captain of the Guards gives Aramis a suspicious look.
Where is Father Rostand today?
ARAMIS:
The good father is... all tied up.
Very well. Proceed.
Porthos nods.
Meanwhile, on the perimeter of the square, two figures
ride on horseback, they wear familiar cloaks. A CLOSER
look reveals Queen Anne and Constance. They ride through
the city, towards the countryside beyond. But their
progress has led them here. Anne frowns at the spectacle.
(CONTINUED)
57.
63 CONTINUED:
63ANNE:
Barbarism.
CONSTANCE:
Men call it justice.
ANNE:
Are you surprised?
She replies with contempt, reins her horse away from the
square, the crowd, the executioner's axe. But Constance
freezes in place, eyes wide. As d'Artagnan, upon the
CONSTANCE:
It's him.
For just a moment, their eyes lock. Inestimable space
between. Constance's eyes fill with tears, she watches
d'Artagnan. Porthos steps back from d'Artagnan, raises
his axe. D'Artagnan shuts his eyes, wonders, mutters a
silent prayer. That's when screams of panic erupt from
the crowd. D'Artagnan raises his head to see the source
of this mayhem.
The Cardinal's crimson carriage races toward the scaffold,
scattering the crowd in all directions. Men shout, women
scream, all leaping to avoid the stallion's sharp hooves,
the coach's THUNDEROUS spinning WHEELS. In the driver's
seat, clutching the reins in one hand and CRACKING a WHIP
in the other... is Athos.
Porthos uses the heavy blunt end of the axe to topple the
closest men-at-arms. Aramis opens his Bible, pulls out
a PISTOL, and BLASTS the saber from the hand of the
Captain of the Guards. A man-at-arms raises his musket
to shoot the false priest, but d'Artagnan leaps out of
nowhere, lands on him with both feet, knocking the manat-arms off the scaffold.
65 CARRIAGE 65
Athos pulls up alongside the scaffold.
ATHOS:
(the usual dour
expression, but a
hint of levity)
Gentlemen, your carriage.
Compliments of the Cardinal.
(CONTINUED)
58.
65 CONTINUED:
65D'Artagnan rushes to the edge of the scaffold, springs
into the air, landing on the seat beside him. Aramis and
Porthos shed their disguises, jump after, light upon the
carriage. The roof fabric tears, they drop into the
plush interior below. Athos CRACKS the WHIP... and the
stallions race off through the crowd, towards freedom.
66 SQUARE 66
Constance watches the escape, transfixed, delighted. As
the carriage barrels from the scaffold, she thrusts a
gloved fist into the air, triumphant.
CONSTANCE:
Yes!
67 TOWER 67
But the Cardinal looks on with horror.
RICHELIEU:
My carriage.
68 CARRIAGE 68
Athos produces a dagger, cuts the leather ties that bind
d'Artagnan's wrists.
ATHOS:
Hold on!
Athos cracks the whip, driving the horses onward.
CUT TO:
Aramis and Porthos have settled in comfortably. Porthos
spies a wicker hamper on the floor.
PORTHOS:
Well, what have we here?
Porthos lifts the lid. Inside: bottles of wine, champagne,
and a wide assortment of foods.
PORTHOS:
How considerate of the Cardinal
to provide us with a snack.
(CONTINUED)
59.
69 CONTINUED:
69Porthos extracts a bottle of wine, grabs a turkey leg.
Aramis looks about the interior, spies a small ornate
box.
ARAMIS:
Hello.
Aramis opens the box, reacts. It is filled with gold
coins, jewelry.
ARAMIS:
How is it that a man of God
becomes a man of gold?
PORTHOS:
(looks on, grins)
Trinkets for the ladies.
ARAMIS:
Let's share.
70 STREETS OF PARIS - CARRIAGE 70
Aramis sticks his head through the hole in the fabric
roof, hands the ornate box to d'Artagnan.
ARAMIS:
Would you be so good as to
distribute these? Your generosity
will be greatly appreciated.
D'ARTAGNAN
(open the box, reacts)
But...?
ARAMIS:
(to the point)
Throw the coins, boy. The people
are hungry.
D'Artagnan grabs a handful of coins, and tosses them into
the air. Aramis smiles approval, drops back to the
carriage interior. Pedestrians see the gold, shout, and
leap after. Their hurried steps impede the Guards' progress, horses rear up, soldiers tumble. But several of
the Guards manage to avoid the obstacle, pursue the
carriage with renewed determination. D'Artagnan hears a
LOUD POPPING sound, ducks.
D'ARTAGNAN
They're firing at us!
(CONTINUED)
60.
70 CONTINUED:
70Porthos sticks his head INTO VIEW, offers them a bubbling
bottle of champagne, the source of the popping sound.
PORTHOS:
Champagne?
ATHOS:
You know I prefer wine.
PORTHOS:
Don't go away.
Porthos ducks down, returns with a new bottle.
PORTHOS:
May I recommend this find
Cabernet?
Porthos hands the bottle to Athos. Athos hands the reins
to d'Artagnan. D'Artagnan struggles with the reins, tries
to control the horses. And beams, taking delight from
every instant of adventure. Athos SMASHES the top of the
BOTTLE, drinks deeply, settles back to enjoy himself.
ATHOS:
Turn right at the next street.
D'ARTAGNAN
The next right...?
ATHOS:
Turn.
Athos growls, d'Artagnan jerks at the reins. The carriage
careens around the corner, tipping on two wheels.
Porthos looks up from his chest, champagne spilled all
over his tunic... and a brand new sash.
PORTHOS:
(to Aramis)
That's it. Next time, you drive.
CUT TO:
The carriage charges up a steep hill. At the summit, Athos
tosses aside his bottle, takes the reins from d'Artagnan.
(CONTINUED)
61.
72 CONTINUED:
72D'Artagnan sighs with relief. Athos yanks the brake
lever, brings the horses to a halt, and leaps down from
the driver's seat. D'Artagnan follows. Athos pulls the
passenger door open, revealing Porthos and Aramis inside.
Gold coins on the carpet at their feet, food and drink
between them.
ATHOS:
Gentlemen, this is the end of the
line. I hope you had a pleasant
ride.
(to d'Artagnan)
Unhitch the horses.
D'ARTAGNAN
But the Guards.
D'Artagnan points to the bottom of the hill. The mounted
Guards chase after, begin their ascent.
ATHOS:
Do as I say.
D'Artagnan hurries to the horses. Porthos and Aramis
climb from the cab. Porthos emits a contented belch.
ATHOS:
(to Aramis)
Your pistol and powder, please.
Aramis hands Athos a sack of powder, and his pistol.
Athos tosses the sack into the carriage, takes aim with
the PISTOL, and SHOOTS it -- igniting the powder inside.
ATHOS:
Stand back.
The interior of the Cardinal's carriage bursts into
flames.
D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers mount the Cardinal's
white stallions, race off into the distance. Porthos
shouts, laughing.
PORTHOS:
I'd give five years of your life
just to see the Cardinal's face!
ARAMIS:
Ten!
CUT TO:
62.
74 RICHELIEU'S FACE 74
The Cardinal's face is contorted in fury. He steps out of
a horse cart, approaches the charred remains of his beloved carriage. He stares at the smouldering ruin for a
long beat. Rochefort and a company of Guards stand nearby, wait for him to speak. When he does, his tone is
measured and calm.
RICHELIEU:
One thousand pistoles on each of
their heads, dead or alive. The
boy knows our plans.
Rochefort reacts with surprise.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers rest against tree
trunks in a hidden glade, polish off the last of the
Cardinal's food and drink. Their usual cynicism replaced
by something approaching camaraderie. Aramis smiles as
d'Artagnan attacks a turkey wing.
D'ARTAGNAN
I haven't eaten in three days.
I guess with all the excitement,
I forgot.
ARAMIS:
Your trip from home has been an
eventful one.
D'ARTAGNAN
(he can't quite
believe it)
Three days.
PORTHOS:
I heard of a d'Artagnan once. He
was a captain in the Musketeers
when we were just recruits.
D'ARTAGNAN
He was my father.
ARAMIS:
A good man, I'm told.
PORTHOS:
I knew there was something
familiar about this boy.
(CONTINUED)
63.
75 CONTINUED:
75D'ARTAGNAN
(sadly)
He died when I was nine.
The mention of the elder d'Artagnan's death casts a pall.
D'Artagnan continues, tentative, the memory still hurts.
D'ARTAGNAN
All my mother would tell me is
that he died in the service of
the King.
An uncomfortable silence. It is Athos who finally speaks:
ATHOS:
D'Artagnan, your father and another
Musketeer were ambushed and
murdered outside the Louvre.
D'Artagnan pales, stunned and silent. He manages a
broken whisper:
D'ARTAGNAN
still alive? I'd like to talk
to him.
Athos shakes his head. Porthos adds:
PORTHOS:
You already have. His name is
the Count De Rochefort.
D'Artagnan isn't listening. He stands suddenly, turns,
and walks away. He doesn't want the Musketeers to see
the tears forming in his eyes. Aramis shouts after:
ARAMIS:
D'Artagnan.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan stands at a flowing stream, wipes the tears
from his eyes. Aramis appears at his side, offers silent
comfort, a hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder.
D'ARTAGNAN
(quietly)
I imagined his death a hundred
time.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
64.
76 CONTINUED:
76D'ARTAGNAN (CONT'D)
On a battlefield, defending
his King. Fighting bravely for
France. And now... I will find
the man who murdered my father
and kill him where he stands.
ARAMIS:
A man is better measured by his
life than by his death. Your
father was bold, and brave.
D'ARTAGNAN
But you never knew him...
ARAMIS:
He lives in you.
That's all the evidence Aramis requires. D'Artagnan
pauses to reflect. Then wonders:
D'ARTAGNAN
And your father?
ARAMIS:
I was orphaned at a young age.
The church took me in.
D'ARTAGNAN
You didn't have one.
ARAMIS:
But I did. He was a great man,
a leader of the church. And his
example inspired me to dedicate
my life to God's service.
Aramis opens his cloak, reveals a priestly cloth. A
secret he carries near to his heart.
D'ARTAGNAN
You were a priest...
ARAMIS:
I was a fool.
(eyes on the cool
water)
This great man, this father,
betrayed the church, and turned
his back on God. To worship power
and gold.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
65.
76 CONTINUED:
(2) 76ARAMIS (CONT'D)
(quietly)
D'ARTAGNAN
And you became a Musketeer.
ARAMIS:
I joined the Musketeers and a
strange thing happened. I got my
faith back.
D'ARTAGNAN
But who was that man...
ARAMIS:
(turns to face him)
Eminence, the Cardinal Richelieu.
D'Artagnan nearly jumps from his boots.
CUT TO:
77 EXT. ROOF OF PALAIS CARDINAL - DAY 77
Richelieu stands on the roof of the Palais, lost in
thought. He looks down and sees, through the smoke and
mist, the silent rooftops of Paris, pointed, innumerable.
Richelieu turns, and crosses to an elaborate pigeon coop.
Servants attach messages to the legs of carrier pigeons.
Rochefort steps INTO VIEW, anxious, out of breath.
ROCHEFORT:
(bowing)
Your Eminence. The Musketeers
have been sighted riding north
on the road to Calais.
Richelieu nods, he already knows. He picks up one of
the pigeons, strokes it gently.
RICHELIEU:
Don't worry. Thanks to our winged
bounty hunter in France will be
waiting for them.
(with a smile)
Isn't modern communication a
wonderful thing?
(CONTINUED)
66.
77 CONTINUED:
77Richelieu releases the bird, and watches it streak skyward, flying across the sky.
CUT TO:
The three Musketeers gather around d'Artagnan, listen to
his story. In mid-telling:
D'ARTAGNAN
... I couldn't hear it clearly,
I was standing by the door, the
voices were low --
PORTHOS:
Go on.
D'ARTAGNAN
England. With a secret treaty.
ARAMIS:
What?
D'ARTAGNAN
He's made an alliance with a man
named, Bucking... Buckingham.
The Musketeers look at each other with alarm.
PORTHOS:
The Duke of Buckingham?
D'ARTAGNAN
(nodding)
Do you know him?
ARAMIS:
He rules England the way Richelieu
rules France.
D'ARTAGNANj
A ship called the Persephone waits
for the Cardinal's agent at
Calais. To take him to England.
Tuesday, midnight.
ARAMIS:
(figuring)
Calais is over two hundred leagues
from here...
(CONTINUED)
67.
78 CONTINUED:
78PORTHOS:
This messenger and the treaty will
prove the Cardinal a traitor. If
we can get our hands on them.
D'ARTAGNAN
What are we waiting for, let's go.
ATHOS:
Wait.
Athos stops their exuberant plots and plans with a
single word. All turn, wonder.
ATHOS:
(as always, the
bottom line)
Does the Cardinal know you have
this information?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes.
ATHOS:
Then he knows we have it too. And
he'll do everything in his power
to stop us.
PORTHOS:
But with three men trying, one
of us might be able to make it.
D'ARTAGNAN
Four.
Bold words. D'Artagnan matures by leaps and bounds.
Athos almost smiles.
79 EXT. ROAD TO CALAIS - NIGHT 79
Fog drifts across a lonely stretch of road. Suddenly:
pounding HOOFBEATS come over the scene. MUSIC SWELLS.
And galloping out of the fog come d'Artagnan and the
three Musketeers, riding hell-for-leather. HOLD ON this
heroic tableau for a long beat.
80 EXT. BRIDGE ON ROAD TO CALAIS - NIGHT 80
Four rough-looking MERCENARIES crouch on a low bridge
spanning a shallow stream. They are armed with muskets
and swords. The Mercenaries wait in the darkness, whisper
eagerly among themselves.
(CONTINUED)
68.
80 CONTINUED:
80One of them hisses for silence, all conversation ends.
And the sound of HOOFBEATS is heard in the distance.
Faint, but growing closer.
MERCENARY:
Shoot low. We'll need their
heads for identification.
The Mercenaries raise their muskets, take aim. Right on
cue, four horsemen come THUNDERING out of the mist. But
just before they reach the bridge, the four horsemen
break in half -- one pair rides to the left, the other to
the right. Before the Mercenaries realize what's
happened, the horsemen ride on either side, splashing
through the shallow stream. In a flash, they return to
the road, and race away. Having avoided the bridge
completely.
Cursing, the angry Mercenaries whirl about, FIRE at
d'Artagnan and the three Musketeers as they ride into
the night. Porthos' merry laugh drifts back to mock them.
CUT TO:
81 EXT. ROAD TO CALAIS - NIGHT 81
An overturned wagon lies in the ditch. Beer kegs litter
the roadway. The wagon's driver, an old FARMER, sits on
one of the kegs, holding his head. D'Artagnan and the
Musketeers gallop INTO VIEW, rein their horses to a stop.
FARMER:
(with relief)
Thank God for a friendly face.
help me move these kegs out of
the road?
D'Artagnan starts to dismount.
ATHOS:
Stay on your horse.
D'ARTAGNAN
He needs our help.
ATHOS:
Don't worry. We'll help him.
Suddenly:
two other men step before the wagon, pointingmuskets. The ragged Farmer reaches inside his coat, pulls
out a pistol, makes a smirking request:
(CONTINUED)
69.
81 CONTINUED:
81FARMER:
Won't you step down... Musketeers?
ARAMIS:
Gentlemen, I beg you. Please put
away your weapons and remove these
kegs from the road. We'd prefer
to ride on without having to kill
you.
D'Artagnan and the "Farmers" gape at Aramis in surprise.
FARMER:
You're threatening us?
PORTHOS:
It's not a threat, it's a fact.
If you don't haul those kegs away,
you're dead where you stand.
The Farmer laughs, contemptuously. He raises his pistol
and aims it at Porthos' head. But before he can pull the
trigger, THREE EXPLOSIONS ERUPT from under the cloaks of
Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
When the smoke clears, d'Artagnan is startled to see the
three dead "Farmers" sprawled in the road and the three
pistols emerging from beneath the cloaks of the
Musketeers.
PORTHOS:
Mine hit the ground first.
ATHOS:
Mine was taller.
Aramis swings out of the saddle and begins to perform
last rites over the bodies. D'Artagnan still can't believe what just happened. He turns to Porthos. Porthos
raises the barrel to his lips and blows away the gunsmoke.
PORTHOS:
There's only one rule, d'Artagnan
-- stay alive.
THUNDER RUMBLES and RAINS begins to fall.
CUT TO:
82 INT. COUNTRY INN - NIGHT 82
A large warm tavern with a ROARING FIRE.
(CONTINUED)
70.
82 CONTINUED:
82Present are the INNKEEPER, his wife, a few benighted travelers and THREE BARMAIDS. They turn as the door flies
open and the Musketeers and d'Artagnan enter from a RAGING
STORM. They keep their cloaks drawn about them and wear
the brims of their hats pulled low to cover their faces.
The occupants of the inn regard the new arrivals with
suspicion. Outisde, the STORM BLOWS. D'Artagnan closes
the heavy door. Fearful, the Innkeeper comes forward to
meet the four ominous travelers.
INNKEEPER:
Good evening.
ATHOS:
See to our horses and bring us
some food.
INNKEEPER:
(apologetic)
I'm sorry but we have little to
spare. The Cardinal's Guards were
here today. They helped
themselves to our food and then
refused to pay.
ARAMIS:
(bitter)
In the name of God, I'm sure.
Porthos is on the lookout for danger. He reaches inside
his cloak for a weapon and, in doing so, accidentally
exposes his Musketeer tunic.
BARMAID #1
(crying out)
Musketeers!
The sound of SLIDING STEEL as Athos, Porthos, Aramis and
d'Artagnan draw their swords, ready to fight. They stand
back to back in a circle, ready for attack.
But there is no attack. Quite the contrary. The people
here are thrilled to see them.
INNKEEPER:
(honored)
Musketeers in my house! Gentlemen,
put away your swords and come in.
Anyone who fights the Cardinal is
welcome here.
The Musketeers lower their swords.
(CONTINUED)
71.
82 CONTINUED:
(2) 82ARAMIS:
The Musketeers return their swords to their sheathes and
take off their dripping hats and capes. The pretty
Barmaids crowd around them to collect their gear and carry it to the fire.
INNKEEPER:
We don't have much but what we
have is yours.
Porthos rubs his hands together, eager to indulge himself.
He follows the Barmaids, booming in his loud, friendly
voice.
PORTHOS:
Ladies, you're in for a treat
tonight. Allow me to introduce
myself. I'm the Musketeer they
call Porthos.
Porthos beams, waiting for a big response but nothing
happens. The Barmaids look at each other.
PORTHOS:
(repeating; louder)
Porthos.
Still no response. Aramis and d'Artagnan hide smiles.
ARAMIS:
It's hard to believe they haven't
heard of the great Porthos.
PORTHOS:
Oh, shut up, Aramis.
BARMAIDS:
(with excitement)
Aramis? Did you say Aramis?
And with that, the three Barmaids desert Porthos and
scurry across the room to attach themselves to Aramis.
Porthos shakes his head and flops down in a chair.
PORTHOS:
I don't get it. I just don't
get it.
CUT TO:
72.
Moments later. Porthos regales the Barmaids with a tale.
PORTHOS:
I said, 'A Queen is no different
than a barmaid in the dark. Though
less... practiced in the arts of
pleasure...'
The Barmaids accept his leering compliment with glee.
But d'Artagnan isn't so sure. Porthos, with two Barmaids,
bellows a reply.
PORTHOS:
If you're going to be a proper
Musketeer, you'll have to learn
the manly art of wenching. Right,
ladies?
The Barmaids heartily concur. D'Artagnan looks over
Porthos' shoulder, to the dark-haired Barmaid seen previously. Porthos follows his gaze, grins.
PORTHOS:
Ahh, very good. Your first
subject. But you'll need
instruction. Watch closely.
Porthos pulls one of the Barmaids to his chest, brings
her lips toward his.
PORTHOS:
first kiss. For in that kiss, a
lasting impression is made. If it
is weak, she will think you are
weak. And if it is comical, she
will think you are a clown. With
me?
D'ARTAGNAN
Weak... weak. Comical... clown.
PORTHOS:
Very good. And as a Musketeer is
never weak, and only rarely a
clown, your first kiss must be all
the things that you are. Like
this...
Porthos gives the Barmaid a powerful kiss. He breaks it,
turns to d'Artagnan with a grin.
(CONTINUED)
73.
83 CONTINUED:
83PORTHOS:
You may speak first if you like,
your name, her name, an endearment
or two. But words are usually a
waste of time.
ARAMIS:
Only if you don't know which words
to say.
All turn to regard Aramis. He'll play along too.
Porthos reacts with delight. D'Artagnan with interest.
Aramis continues:
ARAMIS:
Words may make a more lasting
impression than a thousand of
Porthos' kisses.
BARMAID:
(still reeling)
Not likely.
ARAMIS:
I'll demonstrate. Please. Sit
beside me.
Aramis' courtly behavior is as out of place in these environs as it is persuasive. The Barmaid slips from
Porthos' lap, sits down on the bench beside him.
Aramis does not touch her. He simply looks into her
eyes... and begins to speak.
ARAMIS:
'Shall I compare thee to a
summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more
temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling
buds of May,
And summer's leash hath all too
short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven
shines,
And often is his gold complexion
dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometimes
declines,
By chance, or nature's changing
course untrimmed;
But thy eternal summer shall not
fade.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
74.
83 CONTINUED:
(2) 83ARAMIS (CONT'D)
Nor lose possession of that fair
thou owest,
wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou
growest;
So long as men can breathe, or eyes
can see.
So long lives this, and this gives
life to thee.'
The Barmaid, once skeptical, sits silently. Her face
covered with tears. Aramis pauses, almost embarrassed by
the outcome. He turns to d'Artagnan, cites:
ARAMIS:
Shakespeare.
PORTHOS:
That's cheating.
The Barmaid on his lap disagrees.
BARMAID:
It's beautiful.
D'Artagnan looks at the dark-haired Barmaid across the
PORTHOS:
Come on, d'Artagnan. We haven't
got all night.
D'Artagnan steps forward. The dark-haired Barmaid sees
him coming and smiles. D'Artagnan stands before her,
hesitates, not sure where to start. Then, remembering as
best he can:
D'ARTAGNAN
'Shall I compare thee to a summer's
day?
Thou are move lovely and more
tempest, er, more tempered...'
(beat)
Ahh, to hell with it --
D'Artagnan takes the Barmaid into his arms, delivers a
powerful kiss. As previously demonstrated. Porthos and
Aramis smile proudly. The Barmaids cheer.
PORTHOS:
The boy's a natural.
(CONTINUED)
75.
83 CONTINUED:
(3) 83ARAMIS:
So little time, so much to learn.
D'Artagnan drains his flagon, indicates Athos sitting at
a table by himself, scowling, working on his third bottle
of Burgundy.
ARAMIS:
In all the years I've know him...
I have never seen Athos smile.
D'ARTAGNAN
Why is he sitting by himself?
PORTHOS:
Athos takes his drinking seriously.
Ignore him. He'll be his usual
warm, charming self by morning.
(calls out)
Service! My lap is cold!
A Barmaid scurries INTO VIEW. Porthos grabs her by the
waist, adds the Barmaid to the one already sitting on his
lap. The chair breaks beneath them, and all three go
sprawling on the floor, laughing heartily.
84 ATHOS 84
He remains lost in drink. D'Artagnan appears beside him.
He hides his concern behind a cheerful attitude.
D'ARTAGNAN
Come join us.
Athos pulls d'Artagnan down with a dark smile. He fills
his flagon for him.
ATHOS:
You fight like a Musketeer. Let's
see if you can drink like one.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'll drink anything you put in
front of me.
ATHOS:
Famous last words.
(raising his flagon)
D'Artagnan notices the dark-haired Barmaid eyeing him
across the room.
(CONTINUED)
76.
84 CONTINUED:
84D'ARTAGNAN
Love?
The word nearly makes Athos grimace. He stares at
d'Artagnan for a long beat, then beyond. As if to look
into another time and place. Finally:
ATHOS:
Love.
(beat)
Would you like to hear a story,
d'Artagnan? A love story?
Athos' voice reveals unexpected vulnerability, the pain
he keeps inside. D'Artagnan is fascinated, moved. He
nearly whispers:
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes.
Athos takes a long pull from the bottle of burgundy,
wipes the blood red wine from his lips.
ATHOS:
I once knew a man... one of the
Counts of Berry. My native
province. When the good Count was
about your age, he fell in love
with a visitor from Paris. A
breathtaking girl of seventeen.
She was more than beautiful,
d'Artagnan. She was...
intoxicating. And this man, the
poor idiot, he married her.
D'ARTAGNAN
Isn't that what people do when
they fall in love?
ATHOS:
(sharply)
Be quiet and listen.
(beat)
The Count took her to his castle
and made her the first lady of the
province. They were happy for a
time, as happy as a man and a
woman can be. Then one day, while
riding in the woods, the girl was
thrown from her horse, and knocked
unconscious. The Count hurried to
help her. Her dress was torn.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
77.
84 CONTINUED:
(2) 84ATHOS (CONT'D)
On her her arm, the woman wore a
gold band in the shape of a
serpent. It was the only article
of clothing she refused to remove.
The Count's curiosity got the best
of him. He reached over and slid
down the gold band. He saw
something on her arm... something
she'd kept hidden 'til then...
D'ARTAGNAN
What?
ATHOS:
The fleur d'lis. She'd been
branded...
D'Artagnan reacts with shock.
ATHOS:
The Count's angel turned out to be
Executioner's blade. She swore
that she loved him. Swore that
she had changed. And if he would
just keep her secret, they would
live a long life together.
Athos pauses, imagines that life. The Count and his
angel.
ATHOS:
But the Count was young and he was
stupid. He was tormented by the
ridicule of his social class. And
so he rejected her. For her lies
and for her past.
(beat)
And turned her over to the
authorities to be executed for the
crime.
Athos now turns his unflinching gaze on d'Artagnan.
ATHOS:
But you see... his heart did not
agree. The Count soon realized
what she had meant to him. And
what he had done.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
78.
85 CONTINUED:
85ATHOS (CONT'D)
That his... betrayal was far
greater than her own.
(beat)
society that shaped him. Gave up
his title. And was never seen
again.
D'ARTAGNAN
He loved her.
ATHOS:
He killed her. It seemed like the
HOLD ON Athos for a long time. As he gathers up his pain,
and puts it back again.
Athos SMASHES open another BOTTLE. But the story has
made d'Artagnan quite sober and a little sick to his
stomach. He refuses another drink.
ATHOS:
Good. More for me.
PORTHOS:
Aramis -- play something with some
blood in it! I feel like dancing!
Aramis launches into something appropriate. Porthos and
a Barmaid get up and begin a festive folk dance.
Porthos is damned good. His joie de vivre is infectious
and soon everyone in the inn is clapping and encouraging
him. Every once in awhile, another WEAPON -- a dagger or
something -- drops out of Porthos' clothing and hits the
floor with a CLATTER.
That's when Porthos, dancing with abandon, spins out of
control, trips and falls on Athos' table, crushing it to
the floor.
Porthos lies in the wreckage, staring up. Athos, totally
unperturbed, looks down and offers him the bottle.
PORTHOS:
Care to dance, Athos?
ATHOS:
Only if I can lead.
Porthos blinks in amazement at Athos' grim face, then
breaks out laughing.
PORTHOS:
Aramis! Athos made a joke!
79.
86 ANGLE 86
The Innkeeper comes down the stairs wearing a nightshirt
and a sleepy expression.
INNKEEPER:
Excuse me, gentlemen.
D'ARTAGNAN
Were we making too much noise?
INNKEEPER:
You told me to wake you at dawn.
ATHOS:
Well?
INNKEEPER:
It's dawn.
They turn in disbelief to the shuttered windows. Sure
enough. Sunlight is peeking in through the cracks.
CUT TO:
87 EXT. RURAL LANDSCAPE - DAY 87
The sun rises, casts long shadows across a sparkling dewwet field. D'Artagnan and the Musketeers ride INTO
FRAME, continuing their journey to Calais. D'Artagnan
squints ahead, wincing with every bump. Porthos grins.
PORTHOS:
Beautiful morning, eh, d'Artagnan?
D'Artagnan is terribly hung-over from the night's
carousing. He looks like he could puke at any moment.
So that's exactly why Porthos shouts to him and says...
PORTHOS:
You know, d'Artagnan, it's not a
good idea to travel on an empty
stomach. You really should have
had a big portion of those sheep's
brains...
D'Artagnan covers his mouth. Porthos laughs goodnaturedly.
D'ARTAGNAN
My head feels like it's filled
with the King's marching band.
Would you please stop whistling?
(CONTINUED)
80.
87 CONTINUED:
87PORTHOS:
Whistling? I'm not whistling.
D'ARTAGNAN
Well someone is.
PORTHOS:
(to others)
The Barmaid's kiss left him dizzy.
ARAMIS:
I hear it too. It sounds like...
ATHOS:
(knows immediatley)
A connon ball.
Athos is cut off by an EAR-PIERCING WHISTLE as a CANNON
BALL drops out of the sky and STRIKES the ground nearby,
sending up a tremendous EXPLOSION.
PORTHOS:
I hate cannon balls.
Another BALL EXPLODES into the ground in front of them.
Their horses rear up in fear, threatening to dump them
out of their saddles. As the Musketeers and d'Artagnan
struggle to control their horses, they look back and see
an old castle atop a distant hill.
A group of men operate two rusted cannons, left over from
some long-forgotten war.
The Musketeers barely calm their horses, when another
BALL comes SCREAMING their way, IMPACTING a few feet
away. As dirt rains upon them:
ARAMIS:
(to d'Artagnan)
How's your head now?
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm beginning to wish the Cardinal
had chopped if off.
ATHOS:
Stay with us, and you just might
get your wish.
Athos spurs his horse across the field, d'Artagnan and
the Musketeers follow. But they discover crude battlements in their path. Athos changes direction, sees six
horsemen waiting for them in the near distance. He
changes direction again, as the horsemen charge after.
(CONTINUED)
81.
87 CONTINUED:
(2) 87They ride as fast their mounts will carry them. A crossroads up ahead. Athos sizes up the situation, shouts
command.
ATHOS:
Split in half! D'Artagnan rides
with me!
D'Artagnan nods, thrilled to go with Athos.
ARAMIS:
We'll see you in Calais!
ATHOS:
Or hell!
Athos and d'Artagnan take off in one direction, Porthos
and Aramis in the other. The pursuing horsemen soon
race INTO VIEW, break in half to give chase.
CUT TO:
A room heavy with mist and steam. Behind a maze of gauze
screens, we discover Anne reclining in a large tiled bath,
Constance attending. Constance replenishes the bath with
pitchers of hot water drawn from a boiling cauldron.
In mid-conversation, as confidantes and friends:
CONSTANCE:
But how, your Majesty? How can
you tell if you're really in love?
ANNE:
Do you think about him all the
time?
CONSTANCE:
(considers; replies)
Yes.
ANNE:
And when he's around, do your
knees feel as weak as water?
CONSTANCE:
Yes.
ANNE:
And when he looks at you, do you
suddenly forget how to breathe?
(CONTINUED)
82.
88 CONTINUED:
88CONSTANCE:
Yes.
ANNE:
Then you're in love.
CONSTANCE:
(thrilled by the
knowledge; knew it
all alone)
I am.
Anne turns to Constance, soap and water swirl about her
naked body. She wonders:
ANNE:
Who is he?
CONSTANCE:
ANNE:
Of course I will.
CONSTANCE:
You won't.
ANNE:
Who?
CONSTANCE:
The young man who rescued us from
the bandit.
ANNE:
The young man on the scaffold?
CONSTANCE:
Yes.
ANNE:
(turns back in the
water, peers ahead)
You're right. I don't believe it.
A warm beat. Anne and Constance are friends as much as
they are Queen and subject.
CONSTANCE:
Are you in love, Your Majesty?
ANNE:
What an impertinent question.
(CONTINUED)
83.
88 CONTINUED:
(2) 88CONSTANCE:
Are you?
Anne pauses. If only her life, her emotions, were as
simple.
ANNE:
My love... is a matter of state.
It's complicated.
A sad beat. Constance teases:
CONSTANCE:
Do you think about him all the
time?
ANNE:
(playing along)
As Queen, my mind touches on many
subjects.
CONSTANCE:
Do your knees feel as weak as
water?
ANNE:
Never.
CONSTANCE:
When he looks at you, do you
forget how to breathe?
A beat. And Anne is a girl of eighteen again, not Queen.
Wistful, she replies:
ANNE:
I hope he will someday. I hope
I will too.
HOLD ON Anne for a beat.
CUT TO:
89 INT. QUEEN'S BATH - DAY (LATER) 89
Anne steps to a dressing chamber, wearing a long robe,
arranging her thick wet hair into braids.
ANNE:
Constance, have you seen my...?
Anne stops short. Cardinal Richelieu waits for her in
the dressing chamber, now bows, assumes a supplicant air.
(CONTINUED)
84.
89 CONTINUED:
89RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty, forgive me.
ANNE:
Cardinal.
RICHELIEU:
I need your help. And could not
in good conscience wait another
minute.
ANNE:
You want my help?
RICHELIEU:
Yes.
ANNE:
On what matter?
RICHELIEU:
Your... husband.
ANNE:
(remembering
Richelieu's last
encounter with Louis)
Your King.
Richelieu allows the jest, remains silent, watchful.
Anne resumes, chooses her words with care.
ANNE:
Of course. As Your Eminence has
been kind enough to advise me...
(nods assent)
It's the least I can do.
Richelieu reacts with quiet pleasure. He steps closer.
RICHELIEU:
I am worried about the King's...
happiness.
ANNE:
What do you mean?
RICHELIEU:
The Huguenot rebellion, occupation
in the Antilles and Cayenne. The
coming war with France. These are
not the usual hobbies of youth.
ANNE:
No.
(CONTINUED)
85.
89 CONTINUED:
(2) 89RICHELIEU:
And now he wishes to postpone his
birthday celebration.
ANNE:
Why?
RICHELIEU:
He feels it is not... appropriate.
ANNE:
concerned with more important
matters.
RICHELIEU:
Which is exactly why we must
celebrate.
(off her look)
To show the world that the King of
France is strong enough to face
any enemy on any field. To show
France... that he is King.
(beat)
He will listen to you. If you
will speak.
Richelieu makes his case with forceful eloquence, seeming
loyalty. Anne considers, replies, noncommittal:
ANNE:
I will speak to him.
Anne senses hidden agenda, intrigues below the surface.
The conversation's conspiratorial tone begins to disturb
her.
ANNE:
Now, if you'll excuse me, I...
RICHELIEU:
Of course.
Anne nods, turns back toward the chambers. Richelieu
calls after.
RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty?
(off her look)
Please understand that I do not
underestimate the value of your
assistance.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
86.
89 CONTINUED:
(3) 89RICHELIEU (CONT'D)
And that I wish for you to
consider -- in fact, to know --
all that you and I might
accomplish. Together.
(quietly, as if
to justify)
For France.
Richelieu steps away, his red cape swirling behind him.
Anne feels a chill, pulls her robe more tightly about
her body.
CUT TO:
90 EXT. LOUVRE (PARIS) - DAY 90
Infantry troops drill outside the King'spalace, practicing muskets and sabers.
CUT TO:
Louis watches from a balcony. Richelieu appears, fresh
from his encounter with the Queen. Louis looks up,
greets him with displeasure.
92 INT. THRONE ROOM AND GREAT HALL 92
Louis watches from a balcony. Richelieu appears, fresh
from his encounter with the Queen.
RICHELIEU:
I'm sorry to be late, Your
Majesty, but I was wrestling with
Richelieu never allows the mask to slip. Even for an
instant. Louis glances at the throne room, the increasing
number of Cardinal's Guards on duty. They make him feel
uncomfortable. Louis speaks with renewed determination.
LOUIS:
Why is it I don't see any of my
Musketeers?
RICHELIEU:
I'm afraid... that's impossible.
LOUIS:
Why?
(CONTINUED)
87.
92 CONTINUED:
92RICHELIEU:
They have become outlaws. They
are terrorizing the countryside,
robbing and killing innocent
people.
Louis can't believe it.
LOUIS:
There must be some mistake.
RICHELIEU:
No mistake. I have reports from
the local constables involved.
Richelieu, ever prepared, produces a sheaf of papers. No
doubt counterfeit. But Louis has no way of knowing. He
takes the papers into his hands, reacts with sadness.
LOUIS:
Musketeers...
RICHELIEU:
They are better off disbanded.
Louis turns back to the balcony, the soldiers marching
below. His mood glum and lonely. He sighs, moves on to
another matter of business.
LOUIS:
Your Eminence, I've been hearing
some very troubling rumors about
you.
Richelieu nods, not the least bit concerned.
RICHELIEU:
There are so many to choose from.
Is it the one about my alleged
alliance with Buckingham? Let's
see if I remember it correctly.
without, I'll undermine the throne
from within -- depose you -- and
become sovereign of France myself.
That rumor, Your Majesty?
Richelieu smiles, his face a mask of innocence.
LOUIS:
It does seem rather farfetched.
(CONTINUED)
88.
92 CONTINUED:
(2) 92RICHELIEU:
loyalty, they'll be put to rest
when we appear together at your
birthday celebration.
LOUIS:
I've been thinking about that. A
birthday celebration when we're
on the brink of war...
RICHELIEU:
(alert, ready for
this as well)
celebrate the birth of their King
at a time like this.
LOUIS:
I'm not so eager.
RICHELIEU:
I have an idea. Why don't you
discuss the matter with your
Queen?
Louis looks up, wonders. As Richelieu draws him deeper
into his spider's strategems.
CUT TO:
93 EXT. FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE - DAY 93
Porthos and Aramis ride hard, look back over their
shoulders. They crest the top of a bluff, rein their
horses to a stop. They can afford to rest for a moment.
Their pursuit is at least a mile behind them.
ARAMIS:
My horse will not survive another
league.
PORTHOS:
And you?
ARAMIS:
(in kind)
Ten, twenty at the most.
Porthos looks into the near distance, manages a weary
smile.
(CONTINUED)
89.
93 CONTINUED:
93PORTHOS:
Here's just the thing. A nice,
relaxing boat ride.
At the bottom of the hill: a crude ferry lands at the
bank of a swift, choppy river.
CUT TO:
94 EXT. RIVER AND FERRY LANDING - DAY 94
The ferry is an open flatboat -- a wooden platform, about
fifteen-by-twenty feet. It travels from one shore to the
other by means of a ferry rope. Transport is slow, the
trip to the other shore takes nearly five minutes.
As Porthos and Aramis arrive, the flatboat is just returning, piloted by its FERRYMAN, a hunched and weatherbeaten gnome. Four passengers wait to be carried across
-- TWO GENTLEMAN CAVALIERS on horseback, and a country
WOMAN and her child. As the flatboat enters its slip,
the two Cavaliers urge their horses on board, rudely
jostling the Woman and her child to the rear.
The Ferryman, an experienced boot-licker, bows and
scrapes to the Cavaliers, collects the coins they toss
to his way.
FERRYMAN:
A privilege to carry you on my
humble boat...
The Ferryman turns a greedy eye on the Woman and child.
FERRYMAN:
Two pistoles.
WOMAN:
But I only have one. Couldn't
my child ride free? She's so
small...
FERRYMAN:
(hand outstretched,
demanding)
Two pistoles.
ARAMIS:
Put away your money, madame. You
river under our protection. For
free.
(CONTINUED)
90.
94 CONTINUED:
94All turn to regard Aramis on horseback, Porthos at his
side. The Woman reacts with grateful surprise. The
Ferryman is outraged, spittle flies as he curses and
protests.
FERRYMAN:
Nobody rides for free! Under
your protection bloody well
indeed! I'll teach you a thing
or two about protection! Applecheeked young fools!! -- Just who
do you think you are!!
ARAMIS:
(waits for the
tirade to cease;
simply)
Musketeers.
Two two Cavaliers react to the word. The Ferryman does,
too -- into cringing, obedient servant.
FERRYMAN:
Musketeers? Well, why didn't you
say so? Of course you'll ride for
free. I insist on it. This way,
pretty madame. My what a lovely
little girl...
ARAMIS:
Porthos!
PORTHOS:
What?
Aramis takes Porthos by the shoulder and turns him so
he can see their pursuers pouring over the top of the
hill on their horses.
PORTHOS:
We sail!
And with that, Porthos takes the sharp edge of his boomerang and brings it down on the dock rope. The rope
splits and the ferryboat lurches away from the dock.
The pursuers charge down the hill and ride to the end of
the dock but they're too late. Porthos and Aramis have
gotten away.
91.
96 FLATBOAT 96
Porthos laughs and taunts the angry pursuers. Aramis
ties scarves around the horses' eyes to blindfold them
for the crossing. Then he turns around and sees what
Aramis is already seeing -- the two Cavaliers watch them
with keen interest.
FIRST CAVALIER:
You're those Musketeers everyone's
been looking for.
PORTHOS:
Popularity has its price.
The First Cavalier smiles, produces a flask.
FIRST CAVALIER:
I have some excellent brandy here.
Would you gentlemen care to drink
a toast with us to the Cardinal?
PORTHOS:
We'd be happy to.
Porthos produces a bottle from under his cloak.
PORTHOS:
If you'll drink one with us to
the King.
SECOND CAVALIER:
But the only King we recognize...
is the Cardinal.
ARAMIS:
There are those who would call
that treason.
FIRST CAVALIER:
Happily, no such objections have
been raised... here.
PORTHOS:
All right. I'll object.
SECOND CAVALIER:
I'm listening.
PORTHOS:
Let's see. You are, by your dress
and by your manner, members of a
bone-lazy class of servile ninnyhammers
whose slavish allegiance to His
Eminence the Cardinal is as that
of a dog who likes nothing better
than to sniff today where he has
peed the day before.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
92.
96 CONTINUED:
96PORTHOS (CONT'D)
(beat)
Piss is piss, no matter what robes
surround it.
ARAMIS:
Well said. I'm impressed.
Ninnyhammers.
PORTHOS:
I was momentarily inspired.
The Cavaliers are not amused. The first replies in
measured tones, his lips white with fury.
FIRST CAVALIER:
May I reply?
ARAMIS:
(courtly)
By all means.
FIRST CAVALIER:
Better to be a dog in the service
of a great master, than a beefwitted moron so dazzled by the
throne that he does not see the
true nature of the foolish boy
who wobbles atop it. Which is to
say, that most muddy-brained of
all men... a Musketeer.
The Cavaliers have already pulled out their swords.
Porthos and Aramis now reach for their own. Porthos
deadpans:
PORTHOS:
Maybe there's something about us
that just pisses people off. At
least I'd like to think so. It's
too bad we can only kill them
once.
97 FIGHT 97
The middle of a river on a rocking flatboat is not the
best place for a duel. But the combatants make the most
of it. Slipping, sliding, and falling. They attack with
everything they've got. The Cavaliers are excellent
swordsmen. And, as if that were not enough, the
Musketeers have an additional disadvantage -- they must
keep the Woman and child clear of the flashing blades.
(CONTINUED)
93.
97 CONTINUED:
97Porthos drives his opponent about the flatboat with a
devilish grin, chases him between -- and at one point,
over -- blindfolded horses.
Aramis duels with the expected artistry, gradually reducing his opponent to tatters. At one juncture, the
child loses her footing, slides toward the low end of
the flatboat, the deep river beyond. Aramis executes a
neat sidestep, stops the child's desperate progress with
one arm while continuing to do battle with the other.
He returns child to Mother with a grin, continues.
The two Cavaliers are soon vanquished, groaning on the
flatboat deck. Porthos and Aramis meet at the middle,
breathless. Porthos complains:
PORTHOS:
I've been called a lot of things
in my time...
ARAMIS:
(eyes on the
opposite shore)
Porthos...
PORTHOS:
But beef-witted is a little more
than I can stand, not to mention
unfair...
ARAMIS:
Porthos...
PORTHOS:
What?
Aramis indicates the opposite shore as the flatboat
approaches it. There, waiting patiently, swords and
muskets already drawn... is a patrol of Cardinal's
Guards.
ARAMIS:
Can you swim?
PORTHOS:
(doesn't like the
sound of this)
No. My horse can.
ARAMIS:
That'll do.
PORTHOS:
But...?
(CONTINUED)
94.
97 CONTINUED:
(2) 97Aramis hurries to his horse, takes off the blindfold.
Porthos grumbles after, follows suit. They leap atop
their mounts, the horses slip upon the wet deck as they
guide them to the edge.
ARAMIS:
You go first and I'll watch your
progress.
PORTHOS:
No, no. Please. After you.
Stalemate. Then, they can't help it, Aramis and Porthos
grin. Life is an adventure, lived to the fullest. They
count...
ARAMIS AND PORTHOS
One, two -- three!
And with that, as the Woman and child, the Ferryman look
on, Aramis and Porthos guide their horses into the raging
river. The Woman whispers after:
WOMAN:
Thank you. God speed.
Porthos manages a wink as he floats into the distance.
The Cardinal's Guards react with anger and disbelief.
99 RIVER 99
A wild ride down the ROARING RIVER. Porthos clinging to
his horse for dear life. Aramis keeping an eye on his
fellow Musketeer... and the deep rapids up ahead.
Through twists and turns, walls of white water, huge
boulders, and gyrating whirlpools... Aramis and Porthos
finally reach a quiet pool, a leafy shore beyond. They
lead their horses from the water, step toward dry land...
and see yet another (or perhaps the same) patrol of
Cardinal's Guards. Waiting, swords drawn, for their
arrival.
Porthos looks down at his latest sash -- destroyed like
the others. Aramis draws his saber, mutters.
ARAMIS:
A nice relaxing boat ride...
(CONTINUED)
95.
99 CONTINUED:
99And with that, Aramis and Porthos charge towards the
Guards.
CUT TO:
100 EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY 100
Cool, clear water. WIDEN to reveal d'Artagnan and Athos
at a shallow pond, watering their horses. The forest
around them is dark and primeval.
D'ARTAGNAN
Do you think we've lost them?
ATHOS:
They'll catch up eventually.
To the point, as always. D'Artagnan pauses to look at
their beautiful surroundings, remembers:
D'ARTAGNAN
My father used to hunt in a forest
like this. He promised to take me
on my tenth birthday. I don't know
why he picked that year. Something
about a boy becoming a man. I'd
lay in bed at night and imagine it,
just the two of us. But he died
before I could go with him.
Athos is unmoved, or so it would seem. He replies with
quiet cynicism:
ATHOS:
Well. You have your boyhood wish
at last. The dark forest. The
thrill of the hunt. The nearness
of death.
Only d'Artagnan is the hunted, not the hunter.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'd be proud to die for my King.
ATHOS:
I just wanted to save you from the
life of a Musketeer. You don't
have to go looking for experience,
d'Artagnan. It'll find you soon
enough. And when it does -- it
will mark you forever.
Athos rides into the forest. D'Artagnan hurries to
follow.
CUT TO:
96.
Athos leads d'Artagnan through the forest. Sunbeams
shoot down through thick branches like golden bars. A
pastoral setting, almost peaceful. And then: THUNDERING
HOOFBEATS. Athos and d'Artagnan turn in surprise, see
SIX HORSEMEN CRASHING through the glade.
Athos and d'Artagnan GALLOP through the dense forest.
The horesmen FIRE PISTOLS as they ride. A SHOT grazes
d'Artagnan's shoulder, he staggers, retains his mount.
Athos leads them up a hillside, a series of boulders at
the top. The climb is fast and treacherous, GUNFIRE all
around them. Athos' horse is struck by a bullet, staggers forward... and collapses just as they reach the
crest. D'Artagnan leaps off his horse, takes cover with
Athos behind the boulders. Athos takes aim, FIRES a
SHOT, and kills one of the horsemen below. The others
curse, leap from their mounts, seek cover. SHOTS WHIZ
back and forth like angry hornets.
Stalemate, but not for long. They are badly outnumbered.
The horsemen creep slowly up the hillside, from tree to
tree. Athos turns to d'Artagnan as he reloads:
ATHOS:
I'll hold them off for as long as
I can. Go on without me.
D'ARTAGNAN
I can't leave you here. Not like
this.
ATHOS:
Ride to Calais and stop the
Cardinal's agent.
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos... I can't.
Athos points his pistol at d'Artagnan.
ATHOS:
Go, or I'll kill you myself.
A few days ago, d'Artagnan would have obeyed without
question. Fearful, if nothing else. But not here, not
now.
D'ARTAGNAN
A duel then.
(CONTINUED)
97.
102 CONTINUED:
102ATHOS:
You're insane.
D'ARTAGNAN
ATHOS:
All right. I'll toss a coin.
Tails I stay, heads you remain.
Agreed?
D'Artagnan nods. Athos FIRES off another SHOT. He
produces a gold coin, flips, slams it between palm and
hand. And looks between.
Heads. D'Artagnan is to remain. Athos looks up without
missing a beat.
ATHOS:
Tails. I stay.
Athos returns the coin to his doublet without giving
d'Artagnan a chance to see.
D'ARTAGNAN
But...?
Athos reloads, FIRES below. D'Artagnan recognizes the
kindness he has received. That Athos cannot fully express
it. And that there is no use arguing with him.
D'ARTAGNAN
At least take my pistol.
He gives it to Athos. They clasp hands.
ATHOS:
(gruff; yet proud)
Don't let us down... Musketeer.
There are tears in d'Artagnan's eyes. He knows Athos
hasn't got a chance.
D'ARTAGNAN
(a choke of emotion)
ATHOS:
Go!
Athos turns away, SHOOTS at another horseman. D'Artagnan
runs to his MOUNT, GALLOPS away.
98.
104 D'ARTAGNAN 104
He rides, straining to hear the sounds of GUNFIRE. As
long as the SHOTS continue, he knows Athos is alive.
Abruptly... the SHOTS CEASE.
D'Artagnan swallows his heart, and rides.
CUT TO:
105 EXT. ROAD TO CALAIS - NIGHT 105
A lonely stretch of road, illuminated by moonlight. A
signpost announces: CALAI 15 LEAGUES. An exhausted
HORSE CLOPS INTO VIEW, its rider half-conscious in the
saddle. It is d'Artagnan. He can barely keep his eyes
open. Suddenly, d'Artagnan passes out, tumbles from
his saddle, and lands in the middle of the road. He
opens his eyes once -- a sky filled with stars -- then
closes them.
We hear HORSES, and the CREAK of a CARRIAGE APPROACHING.
The DRIVER brakes, and the horses are brought to a halt
just short of trampling d'Artagnan. In the darkness, we
can make out other shapes, rugged men on horseback,
bodyguards to the carriage's passenger. Milady de
Winter.
MILADY (O.S.)
What is it, Henri?
HENRI (DRIVER)
There's a body in the road, Milady.
MILADY (O.S.)
Be careful.
Pistols are cocked. Henri's shadow falls across
d'Artagnan's body.
HENRI:
It's a young man. He appears to
be injured.
We hear the CARRIAGE DOOR OPEN. FOOTSTEPS to d'Artagnan's
side.
MILADY (O.S.)
My, what a handsome boy. Put him
inside with me.
Strong hands grasp d'Artagnan and lift him from the cold
ground.
CUT TO:
99.
106 D'ARTAGNAN'S POV - BLACK SCREEN 106
Out of the darkness, a face appears, BLURRY and OBSCURED.
It FILLS the SCREEN, slowly swimming INTO FOCUS. It is
Milady de Winter, even more beautiful in CLOSEUP.
Familiar, and no doubt deadly, ivory combs gleam in her
hair. She smiles warmly.
MILADY:
Welcome back. Did you dream?
reveals the interior of a bed chamber at a roadside inn.
D'Artagnan, regaining his senses, finds himself propped
up in a large bed. He blinks into the face of Milady
who sits at the edge. His eyes widen with recognition,
faint awe.
D'ARTAGNAN
You.
MILADY:
Have we met?
D'ARTAGNAN
I... saw you in Paris.
D'Artagnan notices that his shoulder has been bandaged.
He looks around the large room. A FIRE ROARS in the
grate. Food and drink have been set upon a table.
D'Artagnan continues, still groggy, uncertain:
D'ARTAGNAN
Where am I...?
MILADY:
This is Calais.
D'ARTAGNAN
(with a jolt)
Calais!
(muttered; to self)
The ship... Tuesday at midnight...
D'Artagnan leaps out of bed. Then realizes he is stark
naked. Milady smiles. D'Artagnan gathers a bedsheet
around him.
D'ARTAGNAN
(frantic)
Where are my clothes?
(CONTINUED)
100.
107 CONTINUED:
107MILADY:
Filthy. I'm having them cleaned.
Is something wrong?
D'ARTAGNAN
What day is it? What time?!
D'Artagnan runs to a window, and throws open the shutters.
Beyond:
the harbor lights of the Port of Calais.MILADY:
It's Tuesday, near nine.
D'ARTAGNAN
Nine? Are you sure?
Somewhere in the night, a BELL TOLLS the HOUR. Milady
smiles.
MILADY:
Quite sure.
D'Artagnan relaxes slightly. Milady rises from the bed.
She wears a sky blue dressing gown, something soft and
silken beneath it. D'Artagnan reacts perceptibly. Enjoying his discomfort, Milady crosses the room, joins
him at the window.
MILADY:
Are you in a hurry?
D'ARTAGNAN
(after a beat)
How did I... get here?
MILADY:
I found you in the road.
Discarded. Like an unwanted
kitten. Do you have a name or
shall I make one up for you?
D'ARTAGNAN
(nervous)
My name is d'Artagnan.
MILADY:
D'Artagnan. I like that. I am
the Countess de Winter. Milady.
D'ARTAGNAN
Countess?
MILADY:
My husband's dead.
(CONTINUED)
101.
107 CONTINUED:
(2) 107D'ARTAGNAN
I'm sorry.
MILADY:
I have learned to live with death.
She manages to combine sympathy, seduction, and just a
hint of danger. All in a single reply. D'Artagnan
hesitates, he is not immune to her charms, then:
D'ARTAGNAN
Countess, I'm very grateful for
what you've done, but I can't stay
here. I've got...
MILADY:
What...?
D'ARTAGNAN
Important business.
MILADY:
How mysterious. A handsome young
man with 'important business' in
the still of night. Does it
involve a young lady?
D'ARTAGNAN
No.
MILADY:
Does it require clothes?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes. I need my clothes.
MILADY:
They won't be ready for at least
an hour.
D'ARTAGNAN
An hour?
MILADY:
I told the innkeeper to bring them
when they are dry. Until then,
I'm afraid you are my prisoner.
Would the prisoner care for a
drink?
Milady crosses to the table, food and drink upon it. As
she passes by the fire, her dressing gown seems to disappear, revealing a silhouette that makes d'Artagnan's
heart stop.
(CONTINUED)
102.
107 CONTINUED:
(3) 107D'ARTAGNAN
(always innocent;
never coy)
I am... thirsty.
Milady pours wine into glasses, turns to face him. And
offers a smile that dazzles and burns.
MILADY:
Good. Then we will sit by the
fire, and eat and drink, and you
may impress, perhaps even move me,
with the story of how you came to
lie unconscious, in the middle of
the night, on the road to Calais.
(soft seductively)
I love a good adventure.
D'Artagnan hesitates, then steps to her.
CUT TO:
108 EXT. ROOF OF PALAIS CARDINAL (PARIS) - NIGHT 108
A CARRIER PIGEON FLUTTERS out of the dark sky, and enters
its box. The little door on the other side opens. A
hand reaches in and removes the bird. Richelieu unpeels
the message on its leg.
CUT TO:
109 INT. CARDINAL'S PRIVATE CHAMBER - NIGHT 109
A room as cold as the man who owns it. Behind
Richelieu's desk, there is a life-sized portrait of the
King. Rochefort occupies a window seat, cleaning
d'Artagnan's sword. He lifts it to the light, and
slashes the air. He stands, duels with an imaginary
opponent. Richelieu enters with the message.
RICHELIEU:
(dry; re:
Rochefort'sfencing)
imaginary opponent is that he is
always greatly skilled, and always
easily defeated. The pride of
victory, without the risk of loss.
If only life were like that.
Richelieu sits at his desk, peers at the message. He
looks up, pleased.
(CONTINUED)
103.
109 CONTINUED:
109RICHELIEU:
Milady has reached Calais.
ROCHEFORT:
I told you not to worry about the
Musketeers. They are dead by now.
RICHELIEU:
Buckingham's signature will be on
the treaty by morning.
ROCHEFORT:
The King's birthday celebration...?
RICHELIEU:
Will proceed as planned. Thanks
to the kind intercession of Queen
Anne.
Rochefort steps closer, speaks quietly.
ROCHEFORT:
And our plans...?
RICHELIEU:
(knowingly)
Will proceed as well.
Richelieu pours two glasses of port, offers one to
Rochefort. They turn, raise their glasses to the
King's portrait. And drink.
CUT TO:
110 INT. MILADY'S CHAMBER AT INN - NIGHT 110
D'Artagnan and Milady face each other on a rug in front
of the roaring fire. The plate of food between them is
empty. They drink wine from goblets. D'Artagnan drains
his cup, and stares into the burning embers. Milady
speaks quietly, with seeming compassion:
MILADY:
You are sad.
D'ARTAGNAN
I was thinking about my friends.
Milady knows when to speak, and when to listen. She
looks at d'Artagnan with gentle expression, allows him to
continue. The warm room, the wine, her kindness. All
conspire to loosen his tongue. D'Artagnan speaks
quietly, from the heart:
(CONTINUED)
104.
110 CONTINUED:
110D'ARTAGNAN
The three best friends a man could
have. We were separated on our
way to Calais. I'm afraid I'll
never see them again.
MILADY:
What brings you here?
D'ARTAGNAN
I'd like to tell you. But I can't.
MILADY:
'Important business.'
D'Artagnan nods. He wants to impress her. He wants her
to know how brave he is. And Milady is well aware of it.
She looks down, assumes a more vulnerable pose.
MILADY:
I understand. Men make bold plans
in secret. And women wait... to
mourn, or to celebrate the outcome.
I know from experience, it's a
lonely vigil.
D'ARTAGNAN
(after a beat)
All I can tell you is... I'm on a
mission for the King.
MILADY:
(looks up; laughs
lightly)
I've heard that one before.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm serious.
MILADY:
You are a young man. And young
men are given to exaggeration.
However, if you would like to
entertain me with a story, I'm
eager to hear it. And please,
make it very brave, filled with
handsome knights and beautiful
ladies. I know, a dragon --
There is nothing a man is more loathe to experience than
a woman who does not take him seriously. D'Artagnan acts
accordingly, and reveals:
(CONTINUED)
105.
110 CONTINUED:
(2) 110D'ARTAGNAN
I came to Calais to stop a spy
from sailing to England.
MILADY:
(alert; though
d'Artagnan doesn't
see it)
A spy...?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes.
MILADY:
I believe you...
(beat)
Aren't you afraid?
D'ARTAGNAN
Musketeers are not afraid of
anything.
MILADY:
I knew it. I knew you were a
Musketeer the moment I saw you.
D'ARTAGNAN
You did?
MILADY:
Of course.
(with sudden concern)
But, d'Artagnan, if this spy was
to find out you are here, your
life could be in grave danger.
D'ARTAGNAN
danger.
MILADY:
I'm dangerous. You're not afraid
of me?
Her tone heralds a sudden shift. D'Artagnan sees the
look in her eyes, can almost feel her lips upon him.
But he resists. There is Constance's memory to consider.
And midnight as it approaches.
D'ARTAGNAN
You're not dangerous.
MILADY:
Then what am I?
(CONTINUED)
106.
110 CONTINUED:
(3) 110D'ARTAGNAN
You're... beautiful.
Milady covers him with caresses. D'Artagnan resists
slightly, but she presses closer, she will not be denied.
Milady leans close, runs a fingertip along the line of
his jaw. Her dressing gown falls open at the top, enough
for d'Artagnan to see her breasts as they press against
the silk beneath it. Milady speaks as her finger traces.
MILADY:
Beauty, danger. They are the same.
And with that, she reaches up to her hair, an ivory
comb...
111 ON D'ARTAGNAN 111
He cannot continue. Constance, the hour, a confusion he
cannot deny.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm sorry --
D'Artagnan pulls back -- just as Milady's arm arcs down
toward his neck, holding a long sharp stick pin, almost a
dagger, attached to an ivory comb. D'Artagnan sees it in
the nick of time, parries with his free hand, knocking
the dagger to the rug. Milady leaps after it, hands outstretched. D'Artagnan follows, battles for the dagger,
stunned with fear and surprise:
D'ARTAGNAN
What're you doing?! Have you lost
your mind?!
MILADY:
You came to Calais to stop a spy
from sailing to England.
D'Artagnan nearly chokes on the knowledge. Milady is the
messenger he is seeking. He grabs the dagger, rolls to
the side. Milady staggers after, the shoulder of her
negligee rips open. D'Artagnan sees the soft white flesh,
reacts with shock, recognition -- she bears the brand of
the fleur de lis. The infamous mark of the murderess.
Just as Athos told it to him. Not so long ago.
D'ARTAGNAN
My God...
(CONTINUED)
107.
111 CONTINUED:
111MILADY:
(crying out)
Parker!!
The chamber door flies open. Henri and Parker, the IndoChinese bodyguard, appear. Parker faces d'Artagnan with
a half-smile. He holds out his hands, both empty. And
steps toward him. D'Artagnan looks at the dagger in his
right hand. Then, unwilling to fight the man with an unfair advantage, he tosses the dagger to the side, steps
forward to meet him.
Parker disposes of d'Artagnan with lightning speed. A
series of unexpected kicks, brutally efficient blows.
The young man is unfamiliar with, and no match for, the
martial arts. Parker hoists d'Artagnan to his feet,
dazed. Henri picks up the dagger with bad intentions.
Milady straightens her dressing gown, adjusts her hair,
and commands:
MILADY:
Kill him.
Parker holds him fast. Henri steps forward. And
d'Artagnan thinks fast.
D'ARTAGNAN
You can kill me. But a surprise
waits for you in England. That
even Buckingham can't prevent.
MILADY:
(stops Henri with
a gesture)
What... surprise?
D'ARTAGNAN
That's one thing I'll never tell
you.
MILADY:
D'Artagnan. You are young, vain,
and foolish. But I do not know
if you are clever.
D'Artagnan's expression reveals nothing. Except to
suggest the existence of a secret he is bravely keeping.
Duly deceived, though she doesn't know it, Milady changes
her mind.
MILADY:
We'll take him with us.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
108.
111 CONTINUED:
(2) 111MILADY (CONT'D)
(to d'Artagnan,
with a nod at
Parker)
Parker will devise ways to
convince you to share your final
secret with me. It is a long
voyage.
Milady's eyes show nothing but cold cruelty.
CUT TO:
112 INT. INN - UPPER HALL AND LANDING - NEAR DAWN 112
Milady emerges from her room, dressed for travel. She is
followed by d'Artagnan, now clothed. He is flanked by
Henri and Parker. Henri presses the blade of a knife
against d'Artagnan's side.
HENRI:
The bodyguards are waiting outside.
Milady leads them down the hall. But when she reaches
the landing, and looks at the tavern below... she draws
back with surprise.
113 ANGLE TO INCLUDE MILADY AND HER POV 113
The innkeeper, roused from sleep, and wearing a nightshirt, is engaged in urgent conversation with Armand de
Winter -- the son of the man Milady killed in Paris. The
innkeeper shakes his head. Armand grabs him by the
collar.
D'Artagnan sees Milady's reaction -- surprise, impatience,
and just a hint of fear. Milady commands:
MILADY:
The back stairs. Hurry!
They change directions. As he is pulled away, d'Artagnan
catches a glimpse of Armand de Winter below.
CUT TO:
Milady's coach emerges from the carriage house, speeds
away in the direction of the harbor. In the driver's
seat, Henri whips the horses, driving them onward.
Milady's seven bodyguards follow on horseback.
CUT TO:
109.
D'Artagnan and Parker sit across from Milady. Her face
betrays faint doubt, apprehension. Emotions she is not
used to feeling, let alone displaying to the world around
her. D'Artagnan sees his opening... and speaks:
D'ARTAGNAN
The man at the inn... what did
he want?
MILADY:
(hollow laugh)
Justice. Honor. Revenge.
D'ARTAGNAN
Why?
MILADY:
He is the brother of my late
husband, Lord de Winter. He
blames me for de Winter's death.
D'ARTAGNAN
Did you murder your husband,
Milady?
MILADY:
What do you think?
A beat. D'Artagnan studies her pale, beautiful face.
Remembers Athos' tale of love and loss.
D'ARTAGNAN
I think he's not the first husband
you killed.
(off her look)
I once knew a man, one of the
Counts of Berry. He told me a
story... of beauty and danger.
He was the bravest man I've ever
known. And the saddest.
MILADY:
I know...
The truth strikes home. Milady cannot conceal it. But
she does not react with anger or scorn. D'Artagnan has
reminded her of the one thing in the world that still
touches her heart. D'Artagnan looks at her with a steady
gaze. Milady cannot hold it, she turns to the carriage
window.
CUT TO:
110.
Milady's carriage turns down a steep lane that leads to
the harbor. The fog is so thick that only the masts of
the schooners can be seen, poking out of the gloom.
Their lanterns glow gloomily. The carriage comes to a
stop.
CUT TO:
117 EXT. HARBOR OF CALAIS - NIGHT 117
The lights of the harbor are muted by low-hanging fog.
We see the outline of a ship waiting at the pier. Henri
helps Milady out of the carriage. D'Artagnan follows.
Milady's bodyguards dismount, six of them. A motley
bunch of sinister killers. They look around the pier,
ready for any encounter.
D'Artagnan takes in his surroundings. There is a melancholy air about him.
MILADY:
What's the matter, d'Artagnan?
Still hoping for your friends to
ride to the rescue?
D'ARTAGNAN
My friends are dead.
MILADY:
Well. If it's any consolation,
you'll soon be joining them.
Milady's return to form does not surprise. Parker shoves
d'Artagnan toward the fog-enshrouded ship. A name can be
made out on her barnacled hull. Persephone.
CUT TO:
Henri calls out to the ship, which is little more than an
outline in the fog, her boarding gangplank leading to
the soupy darkness of her deck.
HENRI:
We are the Countess de Winter's
party, arrived from Paris.
Permission to come aboard.
There is no reply. Closely guarded by Parker, d'Artagnan
strains to see.
(CONTINUED)
111.
118 CONTINUED:
118VOICE (O.S.)
Permission granted.
Milady nods to Henri. He steps up the narrow gangplank,
followed by Milady, d'Artagnan, Parker, and the six
bodyguards.
CUT TO:
119 EXT. DECK OF THE PERSEPHONE - NIGHT 119
The deck is filled with swirling fog. Henri peers into
the gloom as he climbs aboard, followed by the others.
He addresses one of the crew, a tall figure standing
nearby.
HENRI:
Take us to your captain.
The tall figure does not reply, nor does he move. Henri
demands:
HENRI:
What are you, deaf?
Henri goes to shake the man. He grabs his arm, and the
man pitches forward, falling face first on the deck.
Henri jumps back in alarm. Milady and the others react.
BODYGUARD:
What is this?
Milady's Bodyguards rush around the deck, confront the
other silent silhouettes. They, like the tall figure...
are dead. The limp bodies topple at their touch. The
Bodyguards shout alarm and panic:
BODYGUARDS:
Dead! They're all dead!
PORTHOS (O.S.)
Well I certainly hope so. After
all that hard work.
That's when Porthos, and Aramis -- come swooping down
from above like avenging angels. They swing on the ends
of ropes, slicing through the air, then dropping feet
first on top of Milady's Bodyguards. D'Artagnan stands
open-mouthed, as his three friends draw their swords.
ARAMIS:
(calling to him)
You look like you've seen a ghost.
(CONTINUED)
112.
119 CONTINUED:
119D'ARTAGNAN
Two of them.
PORTHOS:
Remind me to tell you the story
of horses that could fly above
raging waters. A heroic tale of
love, death, and Musketeers.
Suitable for the general public.
Porthos wades into the Bodyguards, at play, shouting as
he goes.
PORTHOS:
wish to die, raise your hands!
Don't by shy, there's plenty to
go around!
D'Artagnan grabs a sword from the deck, turns to join
the fray. And finds himself face to face with Parker, the
Indo-Chinese bodyguard. Parker has two Oriental swords
spinning in his hands. One knocks d'Artagnan's sword out
of his hand. D'Artagnan does a back flip but falls on
the slippery deck. As Parker is about to chop
d'Artagnan's head off, his face grimaces as he is lifted
on a sword OUT OF FRAME. In the mist Athos is revealed!
ATHOS:
Sorry I'm late. Did I miss
anything?
D'Artagnan almost cries with happiness. He leaps to his
feet and embraces Athos.
D'ARTAGNAN
I thought you were dead.
ATHOS:
Keep your mind on the mission,
d'Artagnan.
He winks at d'Artagnan, returns to the fray. D'Artagnan
follows. The Musketeers confront Milady's evil Bodyguards
in the night and fog. Athos with brutal perfection.
Porthos with strange weapons and a healthy sense of the
absurd. And Aramis with familiar grace and artistry --
and a marked determination to disable, not kill, his
opponents.
Milady views the latter with alarm. As the battle rages
around her, she retreats into the shadows.
(CONTINUED)
113.
119 CONTINUED:
(2) 119Athos and d'Artagnan find themselves fighting side by
side. Athos observes d'Artagnan's technique -- the usual
frenetic windmill of feint and thrust -- with a frown.
ATHOS:
Boy, it's a miracle you're still
alive fighting like that.
D'ARTAGNAN
What do you mean?
ATHOS:
First, always find your enemy's
weakness. Second, take advantage
of it. Watch me.
One of the Bodyguards, who wears a wooden leg, attacks
Athos. Athos kicks the false leg out from under him,
knocks him to the deck. D'Artagnan repeats, even as he
disables his own foe.
D'ARTAGNAN
Find the weakness. Take advantage.
Got it.
Aramis kneels at a dying man, delivers muttered last
rites. A Bodyguard races INTO VIEW, means to kill him
where he kneels. Aramis doesn't miss a beat -- he shifts,
rises, delivers a punch and kick, knocking the man off the
ship to the water below. A SPLASH is heard. And Aramis
resumes a priestly pose, continues the litany.
CUT TO:
Two SAILORS, crew members of the Persephone, return to
the ship after a night's drunk. They see and hear the
mayhem ahead.
SAILOR:
That's our ship...
The two Sailors pull out daggers, and bound up the
gangplank.
CUT TO:
121 EXT. DECK OF PERSEPHONE - NIGHT 121
The two Sailors find themselves in the middle of a wild
battle. They look around for someone to assault, see a
large Musketeer with his back turned. They charge.
(CONTINUED)
114.
121 CONTINUED:
121Porthos hears them coming, spins. The two Sailors stop
in their tracks, eyes popping with horrified recognition.
BOTH SAILORS:
Porthos the Pirate!!
With a collective "yah!" the two Sailors drop their
daggers, and flee into the foggy night. Porthos looks
about to see if anyone noticed their exit. D'Artagnan
grins nearby.
PORTHOS:
I told you I was famous.
D'ARTAGNAN
Porthos the Pirate?
PORTHOS:
Privateer. There's a difference.
Every Musketeer is running from something or someone.
D'Artagnan deadpans:
D'ARTAGNAN
I love a good sea story. Do tell
me sometime.
Porthos reacts to d'Artagnan's jest. But before he can
reply, the youth has bolted back to the fray.
The battle raging aboard the Persephone, sabers flash,
PISTOLS EXPLODE.
Athos drives several Bodyguards back with his sword,
notices d'Artagnan working his way towards him.
ATHOS:
Did you find the Cardinal's spy?
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes.
ATHOS:
Did you kill him?
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos. The spy... is a woman.
(CONTINUED)
115.
123 CONTINUED:
123ATHOS:
What?
Athos turns to d'Artagnan, wonders. And at that moment,
sees a figure at the gangplank, swathed in fog and diffuse
light. Milady. Time stops as they regard each other
across the deck, the battle between.
ATHOS:
No.
Milady turns and runs into the night. Athos races after.
CUT TO:
With the speed and grace of a panther, Milady runs down
the gangplank, climbs into the saddle of one of her
Bodyguard's horses, and gallops off. Athos appears
moments later, leaps into the saddle of another horse.
And gives chase.
CUT TO:
125 EXT. HARBOR ROAD - NIGHT 125
Milady whips her horse, drives it onward. But Athos
overtakes, leaps from his saddle, takes her into his arms.
They fall to the ground with a crash. Milady grabs the
deadly comb from her hair, grips the dagger's handle.
Athos, stunned from breaking their fall, rolls to his
side. Milady peers at his face, vulnerable in the halflight. And lowers the dagger. She will not kill him.
Milady scrambles to her feet, runs toward a dark forest.
ATHOS:
Stop!!
Milady takes a halting step, then turns to face him.
Athos holds his musket in a steady hand. A very long
beat. Milady takes a step closer. Finally, she whispers,
with love, with hate:
MILADY:
Athos.
ATHOS:
How did you do it, Sabine? How
did you come back from the dead?
(CONTINUED)
116.
125 CONTINUED:
125MILADY:
A kind gentleman took pity on me.
ATHOS:
I did not.
MILADY:
No, Count. You were too proud to
listen to the truth. I learned
the value of lies soon after.
Athos grips the pistol tighter, as if to ward off the
past and what it brings.
ATHOS:
Give me the Cardinal's treaty.
MILADY:
No.
ATHOS:
Then I will shoot.
Athos c*cks the trigger. Milady whispers:
MILADY:
Be kind. And aim for my heart.
Athos' face is a mask of contradiction. He tries to pull
the trigger, but it is not in him. Milady recognizes
his pain with a nod. She feels it, too. Then, briefly,
before she leaves him, Milady speaks softly. The past,
their love, and where it led them.
MILADY:
I remember... everything.
She turns and runs away... directly into the arms of
Armand de Winter. He has ridden, and he has followed,
and he has finally found her here.
ARMAND:
Countess de Winter...
As d'Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis arrive on the scene...
CUT TO:
126 INT. INN (CALIAIS) - PUBLIC ROOM - NIGHT 126
The public room is empty, save for d'Artagnan and the
three Musketeers. They gather around a table. Aramis
holds the treaty in his gloved hand. The mood is somber
and tense.
(CONTINUED)
117.
126 CONTINUED:
126ARAMIS:
The treaty outlines Richelieu's
plan to forge an alliance with
Buckingham.
PORTHOS:
What about the King?
ARAMIS:
He is not mentioned directly. But
the agreement is contingent on a
'demonstration' of the Cardinal's
power.
D'ARTAGNAN
A demonstration? What does that
mean?
ARAMIS:
I don't know.
Athos' face grows dark. He has been silent throughout.
Now he rises to his feet.
ATHOS:
I know someone who does.
D'Artagnan, Aramis, and Porthos watch in grim silence as
Athos crosses the room to an imposing door.
CUT TO:
127 INT. PRIVATE ROOM - NIGHT 127
A fire burns in the grate. Milady sits beside it in a
chair, staring into the glowing embers. Their hot reflection dances in her pale blue eyes. There is a KNOCK
at the door. Armand de Winter emerges from a dark corner
of the room where he has been standing guard with an
impassive executioner. He crosses to the door, opens it.
ATHOS:
I'd like a word with your
prisoner.
ARMAND:
(a beat, he nods)
She dies at dawn.
Athos nods, and steps to Milady, stands before her.
Milady stares at the fire, speaks softly, her eyes on the
flames.
(CONTINUED)
118.
127 CONTINUED:
127MILADY:
(quietly sardonic)
Did you come to offer me
consolation?
ATHOS:
No.
Milady turns, looks up to face him.
MILADY:
There was a time when I would've
given my life for a kind word.
ATHOS:
I could not give it, Sabine.
I was... a fool.
Milady hears the regret in his voice, holds his gaze.
Athos indicates Armand in the corner.
ATHOS:
Did you kill his brother and his
father as he says?
MILADY:
(a long beat,
honest at the
last)
I have become... the nightmare
you once thought me to be.
ATHOS:
But not before. Not us.
MILADY:
No. The memory will keep me
company.
Athos kneels at her side, near to pleading:
ATHOS:
Do you know the Cardinal's plans?
MILADY:
Yes.
ATHOS:
Tell me.
MILADY:
Will you spare my life?
ATHOS:
I can't.
(CONTINUED)
119.
127 CONTINUED:
(2) 127MILADY:
(remembering another
time, another place)
Society demands swift justice.
(off his look)
I'll take the secret to my grave.
ATHOS:
Sabine. You'll die for your
crimes. Nothing can stop that.
But how you leave this world is
up to you.
Milady offers a half-smile, takes his hand in hers.
MILADY:
What did the world ever do for me?
HOLD ON Athos. Milady's hand in his. All that he is
feeling.
CUT TO:
128 EXT. SEASIDE CLIFFS - NIGHT 128
A hundred feet below, waves crash on a rocky shore. On
the jagged cliff above, a black mass of trees is outlined
against a stormy sky filled with copper-colored clouds,
surreal in effect. A sinister procession approaches the
cliff.
Porthos leads Milady. She wears a simple white shift,
her hair pulled back into a long braid. She looks years
younger, the girl she used to be. The Executioner walks
behind them. Followed by Armand de Winter, Aramis,
d'Artagnan. And Athos. He watches every step.
The procession stops at the cliff's edge.
THUNDER RUMBLES. Lightning slashes the sky. The
Executioner ties Milady's hands behind her. The
Executioner removes a bright scimitar from beneath his
cloak. Milady catches Athos' eye. He holds her gaze.
He stares at Milady unflinchingly, as if to burn her
image into his eyes, so that he might keep it there until
the day he dies.
Aramis reaches inside his cloak, removes the sacred
priestly cloth he carries.
(CONTINUED)
120.
128 CONTINUED:
128The Executioner delivers the formal litany:
EXECUTIONER:
I forgive you for your crimes.
Die in peace.
Athos repeats, whispers:
ATHOS:
Die in peace.
Aramis comes forward, intones:
ARAMIS:
I am the resurrection and the
life, sayeth the Lord. He that
believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live; and
whosoever liveth and believeth
The Executioner's sharp blade shines in the light of
dawn.
EXECUTIONER:
On your knees.
Milady kneels, the Executioner steps closer. The tableau
silhouetted against a reddish glow on the horizon. The
Executioner brushes Milady's braid from her neck,
exposing the soft white skin beneath. He raises the
scimitar overhead, and just as he is about to bring it
down... a cry is heard, torn from the heart:
ATHOS:
No.
Athos grabs the Executioner's wrist, and twists the
scimitar loose. It falls to the ground.
EXECUTIONER:
What's this...?
Porthos leaps forward, locks his great arms around Athos.
PORTHOS:
Athos --
But Athos breaks free. Milady rises to her feet. Athos
rushes to her.
ATHOS:
Forgive me, Sabine. Please
forgive.
(CONTINUED)
121.
128 CONTINUED:
(2) 128MILADY:
I do.
The words he could never say, finally spoken. Milady
locks eyes with him. Athos' desperate act, the pure
feeling it signifies, has given her a kind of release.
And the strength to face her fate.
MILADY:
The Cardinal intends to assassinate
the King at his birthday celebration
on Friday.
And with that, Milady reaches forward, offers a gentle
kiss. Then, as Athos and the others look on, stunned,
uncertain... she takes a backward step, finds the
cliff's edge... and steps over it. The Executioner
rushes to look after. The others follow. Except for
Athos, who remains rooted in place, eyes on the
distant horizon. A long silence. THUNDER RUMBLES.
EXECUTIONER:
God's justice be done.
D'Artagnan sadly lowers his head. Porthos puts a
consoling hand on his shoulder. Aramis stands to the
other side, mutters:
ARAMIS:
Amen.
ATHOS:
Musketeers.
D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis turn. Athos has regained
his former self. Stoic, in command. And hiding a broken
heart.
ATHOS:
The King's life in danger. We
have work to do.
129 EXT. ROOF OF PALAIS DU CARDINAL (PARIS) - NIGHT 129
START CLOSE ON the now familiar portrait of King
Louis XIII, usually found hanging behind Richelieu's
desk. A SHOT RINGS OUT -- and a blast tears through
the painting, leaving a smoking hole where the King's
heart should be.
122.
REVEALS Richelieu and Rochefort as they walk across the
roof to the painting, appraise the damage. Thie Cardinal
pokes a long finger into the hole.
RICHELIEU:
Impressive.
ROCHEFORT:
He can do it every time.
Rochefort signals approval to a solitary marksman
positioned far away on one of the roof parapets. The
marksman rises from a shooter's crouch, bows curtly,
and begins to reload his musket.
RICHELIEU:
And he has no qualms about...
ROCHEFORT:
None. He believes that man should
RICHELIEU:
A man of faith. How delightful.
(turns back to
the painting)
Whatever you're paying him, double
it. I want the King's birthday to
be a memorable event. And rehang
this painting in my chamber. Just
as it is.
HOLD ON Richelieu for a beat. Framed by a sky filled
with stars. His evil intent.
CUT TO:
131 DAWN 131
breaks. MUSIC UP, and...
CUT TO:
132 EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - DAY 132
D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers thunder through on
horseback. Pedestrians scurry to get out of their way.
As they ride past, Porthos raises a crossbow and fires
it. The arrow slices through the air with a terrible
hum and imbeds itself on the public wall. Attached to
the arrow is a piece of parchment, like the one in
d'Artagnan's father's study. It reads: All For One,
And One For All.
CUT TO:
123.
133 EXT. ANOTHER VILLAGE - DAY 133
A CAPTAIN in the Cardinal's Guard makes a public
pronouncement from horseback outside a cathedral.
Townspeople are gathered around.
CAPTAIN:
... the aforenamed Musketeers are
declared outlaws and are sentenced
to death. Any person sheltering
or aiding them will be hanged --
HOOFBEATS interrupt. The Captain turns in irritation.
And Porthos and Aramis ride to either side, snatch the
man up by the arms, drag him briefly through the air,
and deposit him with a thud against a hitching post.
The Captain, stunned, looks down at the piece of
parchment now attached to his chest. All For One, And
One For All.
CUT TO:
134 INT./EXT. VARIOUS SCENES - DAY 134
As the word is passed to Musketeers in homes and
pastures, brothels and gaming casinos. Galvanizing them
into action. All For One, And One For All.
CUT TO:
The city as SEEN FROM the hills. A glorious sunny day.
CUT TO:
The citizens of Paris move through the streets. They
share a common destination, the Palace. A festive mood
is in the air. And why not, it is the King's birthday.
CUT TO:
137 INT. LOUVRE - GREAT HALL AND THRONE ROOM - DAY 137
A gathering of nobles and ladies, all in full ceremonial
dress. Rochefort is there as well, the familiar eye
patch, in command of the Cardinal's Guards. A Seneschal
waits at the door with two flanking lines of trumpeteers.
The trumpeteers raise their instruments and blow a royal
blast.
124.
Louis, Queen Anne, and their retinue enter from a
corridor, proceed slowly across the room toward the
balcony that overlooks the waiting crowd outside.
Noblemen bow, and their ladies curtsy as the King and
Queen pass. Constance, dressed for the occasion, looks
on from the sidelines, smiles. The King and Queen
proceed, two teenagers with the world at the feet.
LOUIS:
They look... happy.
ANNE:
Hungry, more likely.
LOUIS:
Still, you were right about the
celebration. And when the Cardinal
told me how much it meant to you...
ANNE:
I said nothing.
LOUIS:
But... ?
ANNE:
confidence how much the celebration
would mean to you...
Both pause to consider the manipulation.
Richelieu stands in an anteroom just off the procession,
he watches the King and Queen as they walk, speaks
quietly, to himself:
RICHELIEU:
I'm not sure which is sadder... to
die so young. Or to die a King.
Richelieu turns from the procession. Speaks to Rochefort
who pauses in the shadowy alcove behind him.
RICHELIEU:
France will not go wanting. A new
King will sit on the throne. The
true King after all...
He says it quiet fervor, the dream at long last within
reach. Then, as if to reassure:
(CONTINUED)
125.
139 CONTINUED:
139RICHELIEU:
Is everything ready?
ROCHEFORT:
Yes, Your Eminence.
RICHELIEU:
Are you sure?
ROCHEFORT:
I'd stake my life on it, Your
Eminence.
RICHELIEU:
(a dark beat)
Rest assured, Captain. You have.
CUT TO:
140 EXT. GROUNDS OUTSIDE LOUVRE - DAY 140
The balcony has been colorfully decorated. The crowd
focuses its attention on the empty space where the King
will soon appear. Below, the entrance to the Palace is
protected by a double line of the Cardinal's Guards,
resplendent in their crimson tunics. It would take an
army to get past them.
CUT TO:
141 EXT. NEAR LOUVRE - DAY 141
The streets leading to the Palace are clogged with
people, all pushing and straining to get closer.
D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers arrive on horseback,
are forced to dismount. They push through the crowd,
trying to reach the Palace, afraid that they will be too
late. Athos barks orders as they struggle forward:
ATHOS:
(to d'Artagnan)
Look through the surrounding area.
We'll try to reach the King...
D'ARTAGNAN
But...?
ATHOS:
Go!
Athos and the others press on. D'Artagnan, a little
disappointed to be left behind, pauses, checks the
buildings that loom overhead. Then he starts, reacts
with shock and surprise.
126.
142 D'ARTAGNAN'S POV 142
The bell tower of the Carmes-Deschaux monastery. A
figure moving about, dimly-viewed, but this much is
clear. The man is not a monk. And he is carrying a
musket in his hands.
D'Artagnan turns to alert the Musketeers. Too late, they
have already vanished into the throng. D'Artagnan takes
off running for the monastery.
HIGH ABOVE the swelling scene. The marksman assumes a
crouching position, raises his musket, and trains it on
the empty balcony where the King is soon to appear.
CUT TO:
145 INT. LOUVRE - GREAT HALL AND THRONE ROOM - DAY 145
Louis and Anne continue toward the balcony. Richelieu
trails the royal couple. He nods to Rochefort in
passing. They exchange significant smiles. Anne spots
the smirk on Rochefort's face. He resumes a supplicant
pose. Anne glances back, Richelieu behind them.
ANNE:
I do not trust him.
LOUIS:
I'm not sure who to trust.
ANNE:
Then we will discover the truth
together.
Louis likes the sound of that. They step side by side
toward the balcony.
CUT TO:
Bell ropes, hundreds of feet long, dangle down the
vertiginous shaft. D'Artagnan races up the narrow,
circular stairs. Above him is the open trap to the bell
tower. He catches a glimpse of the marksman, back
turned, taking aim.
CUT TO:
127.
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis push their way through the
crowd, trying desperately to reach the Palace entrance.
But the throng is impenetrable. Athos turns, wonders.
And shoots a worried look at the bell tower of the
Carmes-Deschaux, looming against the sky, as if to intuit
CUT TO:
148 EXT. LOUVRE - BALCONY - DAY 148
Louis and Anne lead the procession to the doors of the
balcony. The crowd roars and the TRUMPETS BLARE. The
King steps into the sunlight. The Queen follows, then
Richelieu. The three most important people in France
stand together, acknowledging the clamoring multitudes.
The marksman takes careful aim. The cheering down below
is like a faint whisper at this altitude. The marksman
c*cks the hammer of his flinklock.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan hears the click of the musket's hammer, and
knows he must act now. He looks around and sees his
chance. D'Artagnan leaps off the stairs and grabs a
handful of rope, using his weight to RING the BELL
overhead.
CUT TO:
The BIG BELL makes a resounding, ear-splitting CLANG --
causing the marksman's SHOT to go wild.
CUT TO:
152 EXT. LOUVRE - BALCONY - DAY 152
The SHOT misses the King and EXPLODES INTO the WALL an
inch from his head. Louis turns to Richelieu -- sees
anger and disappointment flash on the Cardinal's face.
Just for an instant... but it is enough.
CUT TO:
128.
153 INT./EXT. LOUVRE - DAY 153
Pandemonium, inside and outside the Palace. Athos,
Porthos, and Aramis emerge from the crowd at the entrance,
draw their swords, and prepare to rush the long line of
Guards protecting the doors. The Guards cannot believe
what they are seeing. Three men against a hundred. It's
ridiculous. But then... the looks on Guards' faces begin
to change, subtly at first, from amusement to horror.
Behind Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, something incredible
happens. Musketeers appear from every direction. Some
from the surrounding crowd. Some from buildings, rooftops. Others appear on horseback, a few disguised as
monks. And all defiantly wearing their blue and gold
tunics.
The murmur of the crowd becomes an excited roar. The
corps of Musketeers line up behind Athos, Porthos, and
Aramis. Porthos and Aramis exchange a smile. Athos
keeps his usually dour expression. But his eyes are
charged with excitement. They raise their arms, and
face the long line of Guards. A hundred sabers flash in
the sunlight.
ATHOS:
Save the King!!
The Musketeers charge. It is a glorious sight.
CUT TO:
D'Artagnan scrambles up through the trapdoor, and tackles
the marksman. As the BELL CONTINUES TO CLANG, they fight
hand-to-hand. The marksman forces d'Artagnan toward the
edge of the tower. Two hundred feet to the ground below.
They remain deadlocked for a beat, the marksman inching
d'Artagnan backward, certain death behind him. And at
the last moment, d'Artagnan summons up the strength of
three -- and shoves the marksman backward with a resounding kick.
The marksman stumbles, falls through the open trapdoor,
and plunges to his death.
D'Artagnan peers down the shaft. There's a faint CRASH
as the marksman hits bottom. Utilizing the bell ropes
like a fireman's pole, d'Artagnan grabs hold and slides
down into the abyss.
CUT TO:
129.
156 INT. GREAT HALL AND THRONE ROOM - DAY 156
Pandemonium reigns. Rochefort instructs his Guards to
close the huge door to the great hall. The members of
the King's royal court run in panicked circles, convinced
the palace is under seige. Constance pauses amid the
riot, seeks the Queen.
But Richelieu has found her first. He steps to Anne,
assumes an air of priestly innocence.
RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty...
But Louis steps INTO VIEW, puts a protecting arm around
his wife, speaks stern command:
LOUIS:
Leave us... alone.
That's when a loud BOOM rocks the room.
The great door shudders under the impact of a terrific
blow. Another BOOM and the great hall is plunged into
further chaos. The regiment of Guards rush forward,
press their bodies against the door to secure it.
BOOM -- the great door threatens to split in half.
Richelieu huddles with Rochefort amid the rising panic.
His eyes narrow to mean slits, he gestures toward Louis
and Anne across the room.
RICHELIEU:
(a cold whisper)
Kill him. Kill her, too.
Rochefort draws d'Artagnan's sword from its sheath. He
advances on Louis and Anne. Louis has witnessed the
latter, treason confirmed. He raises his own sword,
prepared to protect his Queen. To die for her if
necessary.
LOUIS:
(to Anne)
Get behind me.
Rochefort takes confident steps toward the King. But
one last BOOM and the great DOOR comes CRASHING down on
the Guards, revealing a tide of Musketeers on the other
side. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis at the lead.
(CONTINUED)
130.
157 CONTINUED:
157Louis breaks into a wide grin. The Musketeers wade into
the Guards, and the great hall is transformed into a battlefield. Rochefort turns, sees Athos charging at him.
ATHOS:
Greetings, Monsieur Cyclops. Are
we interrupting?
ROCHEFORT:
Not for long.
Athos and Rochefort lock swords and duel.
158 BATTLE 158
Musketeers surround Louis and Anne to ward off attack.
But the young King has no intention of being protected.
He wades to the fore, fights side by side with his
Musketeers. Anne watches him with a host of emotions.
Respect, admiration... love. Louis pauses to return her
gaze, then returns to battle.
Constance dashes through the fray. She sees a Guard
slip behind a curtain, approach the Queen. She grabs a
heavy goblet, shouts:
CONSTANCE:
Look out!
Anne looks up. Constance tosses the goblet to her. Anne
catches it neatly, brings it down on the head of the
hapless Guard. Constance smiles, leaps forward.
Aramis cuts down a Guard. As another man comes at him
from behind, Porthos intervenes, runs the man through.
The two Musketeers pause to exchange deadpan thanks,
and continue.
Athos and Rochefort slash at each other. It is a mighty
confrontation. But Athos soon gains the upper hand.
Rochefort shouts to a nearby Guard for help. Now it's
two on one. Athos receives a wound in the shoulder, he
staggers... and the treaty falls from his tunic to the
floor. Rochefort reacts with a start, he grabs the
treaty, stuffs it into his doublet. Athos shakes off
the sudden pain, disposes of the Guard. Rochefort and
Athos face each other a second time. Athos wounded,
Rochefort confident he can finish the injured Musketeer.
But Athos merely changes sword hands. Rochefort reacts.
Their SABERS CLASH as they draw together. Rochefort
grabs a dagger from his belt with his free hand. But
Athos sees it coming, and smashes Rochefort across the
face with his fist.
(CONTINUED)
131.
158 CONTINUED:
158Rochefort goes sprawling. He loses his sword, it slides
across the floor until someone's foot stops it.
Rochefort looks up... and sees d'Artagnan standing on
the blade.
D'ARTAGNAN
D'Artagnan stoops to pick up his long-lost sword. He
tosses his other saber to Rochefort, who catches it
neatly. Athos watches from a short distance, knows
this moment belongs to d'Artagnan. He will not intervene.
But he shouts:
ARAMIS:
D'Artagnan. Kill him where he
stands.
These are d'Artagnan's words. A son vowing to avenge the
death of his father. D'Artagnan wonders. Rochefort
confirms.
ROCHEFORT:
By all means. Let's discover if
you are as brave a man as your
father was. And as foolish.
D'ARTAGNAN
(stunned by the
revelation as it
unfolds)
What...?
ROCHEFORT:
He died for his King and for
France. But most of all... he
died on the end of my sword.
(the final curse)
As will you.
Rochefort smiles a taunt. D'Artagnan raises his sword,
whispers to heaven.
D'ARTAGNAN
This is for you, Father.
Then, eyes blazing, d'Artagnan attacks Rochefort with
everything he's got, driving him into an adjoining
chamber.
159 ANGLE TO INCLUDE CHAMBER 159
A FIRE ROARS in a great stone hearth. Its light projects giant shadows on the wall as d'Artagnan and
Rochefort duel, slashing at each other.
132.
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis take the fight to the
Cardinal's Guards. Each with his by-now familiar
tradmarks. King Louis fighting beside them.
161 D'ARTAGNAN AND ROCHEFORT 161
They battle before the blazing fire, sweat covers their
faces. Rochefort wears a wolfish grin. But d'Artagnan
has learned his lessons well. He attacks with gusto.
Rochefort's grin soon turns toward desperation. He
cannot match the boy's vengeful steel. So he drives a
knee into d'Artagnan's groin. D'Artagnan falls to the
floor. Rochefort means to finish him there. But
d'Artagnan rolls away from the blade, leaps back to his
feet. Undaunted, he hurls himself at his hated opponent.
Rochefort sidesteps, throws d'Artagnan against a wall.
He pins him there, stunning the youth. And hisses with
superior disdain:
ROCHEFORT:
One thing's certain. You're no
Musketeer.
But d'Artagnan remembers Athos' advice. "Always find
your enemy's weakness." He shoves a thumb into
Rochefort's good eye. Rochefort stumbles backward.
D'Artagnan plunges his sword into Monsieur Cyclops's
heart.
D'ARTAGNAN
Take it back...?
ROCHEFORT:
I might... have been... mistaken.
Rochefort crumples to the floor, dead. D'Artagnan looks
at Rochefort's blood on his sword. His father's death
finally avenged. That's when he hears the RUSTLE of a
SILKEN ROBE. D'Artagnan pivots, sees Richelieu kneeling
at Rochefort's body... extracting the treaty from his
doublet.
D'ARTAGNAN
No!!
Richelieu smiles, hurls the treaty into the blazing
fireplace. As the flames begin to lick at the parchment
paper, d'Artagnan flies past the Cardinal, and dives
after to retrieve it.
(CONTINUED)
133.
161 CONTINUED:
161Athos, Porthos, and Aramis enter the room. D'Artagnan
stumbles out of the fireplace, covered with soot,
clutching the treaty. He grins. ON d'Artagnan's look
of triumph...
CUT TO:
162 INT. GREAT HALL AND THRONE ROOM - DAY 162
A short time later. The battle is over. The Musketeers
have won. On the dais, Louis and Anne confront Richelieu
who is a prisoner now, guarded by several Musketeers.
Louis holds the recovered treaty in his hands.
D'Artagnan and the three Musketeers stand nearby.
RICHELIEU:
Your Majesty, that document is an
obvious forgery. I am clearly the
victim of a conspiracy designed
and perpetuated by these three
Musketeers.
Richelieu assumes a trustworthy pose, one familiar to
both King and Queen.
LOUIS:
This is a complicated matter,
Your Eminence, affecting both
France and the crown...
A beat. As all wonder if Richelieu will manage to elude
blame after all. But Louis continues with quiet authority, just a trace of humor. As King, and as a man.
LOUIS:
And so, until such time as I and
my advisors --
(gestures toward
Anne; the
Musketeers)
-- can determine the whole truth
of the matter. I invite you to
await our decision in the comfort
of... the Bastille.
Musketeers close in around the Cardinal. He fumes,
protests.
RICHELIEU:
You can't do this to me. I'm the
Cardinal of France.
(CONTINUED)
134.
162 CONTINUED:
162LOUIS:
(never more certain)
And I am its King.
Shouts of "Long live the King! Long live the King!"
LOUIS:
And as King... I hereby reinstate
the Musketeers.
A tremendous cheer is heard from all. Richelieu is led
from the room. He pauses in front of d'Artagnan.
RICHELIEU:
Congratulations, Monsieur
d'Artagnan. I'll be keeping an
eye on you.
D'ARTAGNAN
(unphased)
Thank you, Your Eminence. I'll
be watching you, too.
Richelieu smiles his crocodile smile. Followed by
guards, he turns and strides away, hands clasped behind
his back, scarlet robes billowing behind him.
Louis turns to the Musketeers. He indicates d'Artagnan.
LOUIS:
Is this the young man who saved
my life?
Porthos puts a hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder.
PORTHOS:
His name's d'Artagnan, Sire.
LOUIS:
Approach, d'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan's heart pounds as he draws closer to King and
Queen. Then he remembers, reaches into his doublet. And
turns to the Queen.
D'ARTAGNAN
I have something that belongs to
... Your Majesty...
D'Artagnan produces the bracelet he found on the country
road. He holds it out to her. The King wonders, the
Queen smiles.
(CONTINUED)
135.
162 CONTINUED:
(2) 162ANNE:
Thank you, d'Artagnan. But the
bracelet does not belong to me.
(off his look)
It belongs to her.
Anne indicates Constance, who steps forward, INTO VIEW.
D'Artagnan and Constance lock eyes for the third time.
The thrill of recognition, the promise of romance,
charges between. D'Artagnan slips the bracelet around
her wrist. Constance kisses him on the cheek. Louis
continues:
LOUIS:
D'Artagnan, I am in your debt.
What can I do to repay the courage
you've shown me? Anything,
D'Artagnan. Whatever your heart
desires...
D'Artagnan knows what he wants. But he is tongue-tied,
unable to ask for it. Athos asks for him.
ATHOS:
Majesty, his heart has only one
desire. To become a Musketeer.
D'Artagnan looks at Athos, thankful for the intercession.
Louis answers with pleasure.
LOUIS:
Then kneel, d'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan drops to his knees. Louis lays the blade of
his sword on each of his shoulders.
LOUIS:
The world is an uncertain realm,
filled with danger. Truth
despoiled by broken promises.
Honor undermined by the pursuit
of gold. Freedom sacrificed when
the weak are oppressed by the
strong. But there are those who
Those who dedicate their lives to
truth, honor, and freedom. They
are a constant reminder to all of
us. That such a life is not just
possible, but necessary to our
continued survival. As a country,
as a King. These men are known as
the Musketeers...
(CONTINUED)
136.
162 CONTINUED:
(3) 162As Louis speaks, D'Artagnan closes his eyes; countless
images rush through his mind. His home in Gascony,
Constance and Queen Anne on the country road, his first
encounters with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, their
adventures together, the face of Milady. It's been a
busy week.
LOUIS:
Rise, d'Artagnan. And join them.
Musketeer.
D'Artagnan stands, transformed from boy to man. BELLS
RING in the distance. Constance smiles brightly, tears
gleam in her eyes. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis surround
their young friend, and happily present him with the
bright blue tunic of the Musketeers. They slip the tunic
over d'Artagnan's head, react with a cheer. D'Artagnan
hugs each of the three. For each has given him gifts
more valuable than gold.
Porthos, Aramis, and last... Athos. Who, to the surprise
of all who know him... smiles.
PORTHOS:
Do my eyes deceive me?
ARAMIS:
I find it hard to believe myself.
PORTHOS:
His lips, unused as they are to
such a contortion, twisted and
stretched... into a smile.
ARAMIS:
It was spectacular. And what
teeth.
D'Artagnan basks in their company, wonders aloud.
D'ARTAGNAN
I know this is a stupid question.
But what exactly does a Musketeer
do?
Porthos and Aramis exchange a glance. They're not so
sure themselves.
PORTHOS:
Truth... honor...
ARAMIS:
(helpfully suggests
a third)
And freedom.
(CONTINUED)
137.
162 CONTINUED:
(4) 162PORTHOS:
Weren't you listening?
The Three Musketeers -- no, make that the four
Musketeers -- raise their swords, and clash blades
together, causing them to give off sparks.
D'ARTAGNAN
All for one...
OTHERS:
... And one for all!!
MUSIC SOARS. The curtain falls.
FADE OUT.
THE END:
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"The Three Musketeers" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/the_three_musketeers_24310>.
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