The Musketeers

We are gathered here today to give thanks

for the life of Cardinal Armand Jean du Richelieu.

And we commend his soul to the Lord, our God.

And we've no idea who this man is?

The Captain doesn't know his identity.

All I know is we're to meet him in the village inn at noon.

He'll make himself known.

Why the mystery?

The King's council has been in chaos since the Cardinal died.

No one knows who's in charge.

Ah, well, at least we're not in Paris pretending to grieve for him.

They say he wore out his heart in the service of France.

It's a pleasant surprise to hear he had one at all.

God, have mercy on his soul.

He's dead. We can afford to be generous.

You're going to swing!

The rope!

Come on.

Murderer!

- Get him up, get him up. -Come on. Keep it going!

Keep walking!

Who is this man and what has he done?

None of your damn business.

We are King's Musketeers.

So, answer the question.

Politely.

He shot our inn-keeper in cold blood.

A good man is dead and there were a dozen witnesses.

There will be no lynching today.

No, if there's a case against him, you can take it to the magistrate.

Take off his hood and untie him.

Rochefort.

Musketeers.

Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse.

Can one of you tell me who this man is?

The Comte de Rochefort.

One of the Cardinal's most loyal lieutenants.

His agent in Madrid.

Go ahead. Hang him.

You can’t just let them kill me.

We're late for an appointment in the village.

With me, you idiots!

Dear God, why didn't the Cardinal send the Red Guard instead of a troupe

of performing monkeys?

The Cardinal is dead.

I have news of vital importance for the King!

Wait!

My apologies.

It seems we'll take him after all.

No.

He's going to pay for his crime.

Let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be.

All right, enough!

You can have him.

Bear down, Your Majesty, bear down.

The baby is coming, Your Majesty.

What was that for?

To see how it would feel.

It felt good.

Your son, sire.

My son.

It's my son!

I demand you release me.

I'm not a dog. I'm the Comte de Rochefort.

The Cardinal would have had your heads for this.

Pity he's currently at his own funeral.

He was a great man.

His only mistake was failing to destroy you Musketeers.

He gave it a good try, didn't he?

France will be a more honest place without him.

Well, the last we heard,

you were rotting in a Spanish prison

with no hope of release.

What happened?

I was being transferred to Madrid.

By God's grace, I escaped.

Why not go straight to Paris?

I needed protection.

A lot of people would like to see me dead.

I can understand the sentiment.

If you don't get me to the King soon...

"You'll regret it." What is this vital news of yours?

That is for his ears alone.

Captain Treville will decide what's fit for the King to hear.

Should you be up so soon, my dear?

My place is at Your Majesty's side.

Your devotion does you credit.

Captain?

The Cardinal believed in destiny.

He saw a day when France would be pre-eminent in Europe.

At such a time, I require a man of stature

to fill the Cardinal's shoes.

A man that I can trust.

Treville, I believe you are that man.

I don't understand.

It's very simple.

I want you to join my council

and learn the business of my government.

You might even be my First Minister one day

and be as dear to me as he was.

I'm waiting for your answer.

Still waiting.

This is an extraordinary honour, sire,

but one I must decline.

Whatever ability I have is better employed with the Musketeers.

Come now, Captain.

This is no time for modesty.

The King needs you.

You will not reject me at my hour of need.

I detest politics

and have no talent for diplomacy.

Such things can be learned.

The council will benefit from your wisdom and common sense.

There are men more able than I.

I beg Your Majesty to choose one of them.

I did not expect you to abandon me in my hour of need.

I am not the Cardinal, sire.

I could not serve you as he did.

Well, then, it is a great shame that he is dead

and that you are alive.

I'm disappointed.

But a king does not ask twice.

You have cut me to the quick.

Bring him in.

Captain Treville.

I wish I could say it's a pleasure.

You want to see the King. Why?

I'm not spilling my secrets to a Musketeer flunky.

It's either that or rot in the lockup.

I was not the only Frenchman in my prison fortress.

One of my fellow captives was General De Foix.

De Foix?

He was killed, fighting with the Swedes at Nuremberg.

Did they find his body?

I saw him with my own eyes.

He was taken prisoner and handed over to the Spanish.

You all right, Captain?

The General and I were like brothers.

We were at military academy together.

This is all very touching.

You escaped. Why didn't De Foix?

He was more closely watched.

De Foix is the chief author

of our military strategy against Spain.

If they find that out...

What are you proposing?

A rescue.

Is that possible?

It's difficult, but it can be done.

Now, will you take me to the King?

Constance...

Again?

Really? Are you sure you're not too tired?

You drive me mad with desire.

- I love you, D'Artagnan. -I love you, too.

For God's sake, woman,

did you hear a word I said?

It would be easier talking to a donkey.

Sorry, I was, um...

- Dreaming. -What about?

Oh, never mind.

When we get to the palace, try not to address a word

to people of superior breeding.

You'll only display your lack of education.

Summoned to attend on the King himself.

What an honour!

My fine reputation for value and quality must have reached his ears at last.

You are welcome home, Rochefort.

You have suffered cruelly.

The thought of Your Majesty's grace and beauty

sustained me through my long hours of confinement.

The Comte de Rochefort and I are old friends.

He tutored me in preparation for my marriage

and taught me all I knew of France.

We look forward to hearing of your daring escape.

Let me through!

I insist on an audience with the King.

His Excellency, Don Fernando Perales,

Ambassador of Spain.

So I see.

Don Fernando, how are you?

I demand this man's arrest.

He's a fugitive from justice.

If the Cardinal were here,

he would advise Your Majesty

to take the path of diplomacy and common sense.

How dare you invoke the Cardinal's name

when he's scarcely in his grave!

Rochefort is a French citizen and a patriot.

No, he will not be returned.

You would be wise to listen...

Who do you think you are talking to?

Never insult the King again in my presence.

Will you let this outrage pass?

Frankly, I wish I'd done it myself.

You're a dangerous man, Rochefort, but an entertaining one.

Now, what is this urgent news of yours?

If I might speak to Your Majesty in private?

Constance, I'm so glad you're here.

D'Artagnan speaks of you in glowing terms.