Latest news with #ThreeMusketeers
Geek Vibes Nation
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'The Three Musketeers' (1973)/'The Four Musketeers' (1974) Criterion Collection 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review
Alexandre Dumas's immortal tale of adventure and camaraderie received perhaps the finest of its numerous screen adaptations with this two-part swashbuckling spectacular from A Hard Day's Night director Richard Lester. Featuring Michael York, Oliver Reed, Frank Finlay, and Richard Chamberlain as the swaggering swordsmen, who thrust and parry their way through courtly intrigue in seventeenth-century France, The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers are also graced with an all-star supporting cast that includes Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway, Geraldine Chaplin, and Charlton Heston. Lester's exuberant epic breathes new life into an oft-told classic through its boisterous slapstick invention, its meticulous attention to period detail, and a sense of pure, unbridled bravado that is thrilling to behold. The Three Musketeers – Richard Lester's spirited adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's timeless novel immediately distinguished itself from previous film versions with its irresistible lightheartedness. It follows the brash, young wannabe musketeer d'Artagnan (Michael York) as he travels from the French countryside to Paris and befriends Athos (Oliver Reed), Porthos (Frank Finlay), and Aramis (Richard Chamberlain), famed swordsmen whom he must help to stop the conniving Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) and his plot to undermine the king. The Three Musketeers sweeps viewers away with its exquisite sets and costumes, chivalric romance, and breathless duels punctuated by the ingenious physical comedy that was Lester's trademark. The Four Musketeers – It may be 'all for one and one for all,' but it took director Richard Lester two films to contain the sweeping spectacle of Alexandre Dumas's swashbuckling adventure. This sequel—shot simultaneously with The Three Musketeers, since they were originally conceived as a single film—dials down the comic high jinks that distinguished the first installment in favor of a more somber tone, as our heroes are drawn into a deadly revenge plot orchestrated by the seductive Milady de Winter (a deliciously wicked Faye Dunaway). Upping the psychological stakes and deepening our sense of the characters, The Four Musketeers brings this beloved tale of honor and friendship to a close with a rousing emotional flourish. For thoughts on The Three Musketeers / The Four Musketeers: Two Films by Richard Lester, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers come to 4K UHD Blu-Ray in their original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a 4K restoration conducted by StudioCanal from the 35mm Original Camera Negatives. Each film is housed on individual discs for a consistent viewing experience across the two parts of the story. The presentations are as close to perfection as you could dream up, as the new transfers look impeccable. There are no major instances of print damage, and overall clarity and detail are out of this world. The aesthetic remains the same across both parts of the epic story with the lavish production design and opulent costumes rendered with ideal texture in 4K UHD. The picture also showcases the environments and facial features with a delicate, tactile touch. These 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs are presented in Dolby Vision for a brilliant example of the benefits of high dynamic range. Colors are bold and favorably saturated in a visually dazzling manner. The color grade takes on a natural appearance with nothing leaning overly warm or cool. Skin tones are lifelike and consistent with subtle facial features easily noticeable in close-ups, especially in regards to makeup. Highlights are never overcooked in any setting, and black levels hold up very well with nothing in the way of crush. There do not appear to be any issues with digital noise due to compression limitations or other such nuisances, thanks to the thoughtful allocation of disc space. This new collection is an incredible treat for fans of these films. Audio Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set comes with remastered LPCM 1.0 tracks for each of these films in the original English with optional English SDH subtitles. The wonderful scores from Michel Legrand and Lalo Schifrin emanate with moving clarity and fidelity, as no weak moments are observed. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear with most of the ensemble sporting stately British accents. There are no major signs of distortion or shortcomings as competing moments avoid clipping important information. There was previously an issue with incorrect pitch on the StudioCanal release overseas that appears to be corrected on this release. Environmental sounds such as the sounds of sword fighting or rain are cleanly rendered alongside everything else. The Criterion Collection has given this collection a stellar audio presentation by all metrics. Special Features The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Three Musketeers / The Four Musketeers: Two Films by Richard Lester includes a booklet featuring the essay 'En Garde For Joy!' by author Stephanie Zacharek in which she delves into the career of Richard Lester, the history of this text on screen, and much more that is very illuminating. The on-disc special features are as follows: The Three Musketeers The Saga of the Musketeers, Part One: A 23-minute beginning to a documentary directed by David Gregory in 2002 that features interviews with the cast and creative team including producer Ilya Salkind, actors Michael York and Charlton Heston, and countless more. There are discussions about the decision to go back to the original source material to make a picture less sanitized, the casting of the ensemble, the direction of Richard Lester, and more. Two For One, Part One: The 30-minute beginning of a new four-part documentary created by critic David Cairns that explores the pre-production of this series through a visual essay style and audio interviews with key creative figures. Two For One, Part Two: The 43-minute continuation of the new documentary that continues to explore the production of the film in Spain, Lester's directing style to maintain authenticity, working with large swaths of extras, and more. The Making of The Three Musketeers: A seven-minute promotional piece from 1973 that gives you a glimpse at the production. Trailer (3:01) The Four Musketeers The Saga of the Musketeers, Part Two: A 25-minute conclusion to a documentary directed by David Gregory in 2002 that features interviews with the previously-named interview subjects and more. There are discussions about the stunt work, the injuries sustained, memories of the ensemble, the success of the film, and more. Two For One, Part Three: The 42-minute third entry of a new four-part documentary created by critic David Cairns that continues to examine the production of the film including the set design, the costumes, money issues, the cinematography, and more. Two For One, Part Four: The 26-minute conclusion of the new documentary that transitions to the post-production of the film including the tense editing process, the dubbing of many jokes into the background dialogue, the decision to make a sequel, and more. Trailer (3:01) Final Thoughts The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers are a pair of swashbuckling films that tackle the classic material with respect while also injecting a sense of levity into the experience. The ensemble is stacked to the brim with amazing actors putting forth memorable performances that only grow in estimation over the two installments. The direction of Richard Lester may be a bit too slapstick for some, yet there is a clear sense of vision, scale, and brutality in the combat as you witness the story unfold in grand fashion. You will have a lot of fun with these films. The Criterion Collection has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray set that features the films with a wonderful A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. If you are a fan of this timeless story, you should spend some time with these films. Recommended The Three Musketeers / The Four Musketeers: Two Films by Richard Lester will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray and 4K UHD Blu-Ray on May 27, 2025. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adam Sandler pays tribute to 'Happy Gilmore' alligator Morris who died of old age: 'We are all gonna miss you'
An alligator that appeared in numerous TV shows and films over three decades, most notably the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy " Happy Gilmore ," has died at a gator farm in southern Colorado. Based on his growth rate and tooth loss, Morris the alligator was at least 80 years old when he died, the Colorado Gator Farm said in a Facebook post Sunday. He was nearly 11 feet (3.3 meters) long and weighed 640 pounds (290 kilograms). "He started acting strange about a week ago. He wasn't lunging at us and wasn't taking food," Jay Young, the farm's owner and operator, said in a video as he tearfully stroked Morris' head in an animal enclosure. "I know it's strange to people that we get so attached to an alligator, to all of our animals. ... He had a happy time here, and he died of old age," he said. Morris, who was found in the backyard of a Los Angeles home as an illegal pet, started his Hollywood career in 1975 and retired in 2006, when he was sent to the Colorado Gator Farm in the tiny town of Mosca. He appeared in several films, including "Interview with the Vampire," "Dr. Dolittle 2" and "Blues Brothers 2000." He also appeared on "Coach," "Night Court" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno " featuring the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin . But his most famous role was in "Happy Gilmore," a film about a failed and ill-tempered hockey player who discovers a talent for golf. The title character played by Sandler confronts Morris after hitting a golf ball that ends up in the gator's mouth. Sandler posted a tribute to Morris on Instagram on Wednesday. "Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers - really anyone with arms or legs - but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn't come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that's who you were. I know your character's decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend," Sandler wrote. The Colorado Gator Farm, which opened to the public in 1990, said it plans to preserve Morris' body. "We have decided to get Morris taxidermied so that he can continue to scare children for years to come. It's what he would have wanted," the farm posted on Facebook on Monday. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Adam Sandler pays tribute to 'Happy Gilmore' rival, late alligator costar Morris
Adam Sandler pays tribute to 'Happy Gilmore' rival, late alligator costar Morris Show Caption Hide Caption 'Happy Gilmore 2' has been confirmed by Netflix Netflix has confirmed "Happy Gilmore 2" is in the works, with Adam Sandler set to reprise his role as the titular golfer. Bang Showbiz Adam Sandler is paying tribute to his "Happy Gilmore" reptile costar and onscreen rival, Morris the alligator. The movie star alligator was at least 80 years old and 11 feet long when he died in his retirement home, the Colorado Gator Farm said in a Facebook post on May 11. Morris was best known for his scene-stealing role in the 1996 comedy "Happy Gilmore," where he faced off against Sandler's ill-tempered golfer after swallowing his golf ball. Even though the alligator ended up decapitated by golf club in the comedy, Sandler remembered their real moments fondly with a heartfelt May 15 Instagram post. "Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you," Sandler wrote in the poignant tribute. "You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film." Gilmore-less 'Happy Gilmore 2': Release date confirmed in new trailer featuring Bad Bunny Adam Sandler remembers 'Happy Gilmore' memories of Morris the alligator The post harkened back to the Vancouver set where Morris taught Sandler Hollywood life lessons. "The day you wouldn't come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce," Sandler wrote. The episode "taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art." On screen, Gilmore pummeled the one-eyed alligator, who had previously taken the hand of mentor Derick "Chubbs" Peterson (Carl Weathers). Gilmore eventually presented Chubbs with the alligator head at the end. Yet, Sandler, who has "Happy Gilmore 2" coming out on Netflix on July 25, recalled when the duo shared a Three Musketeers bar from the set's craft services. "And you let me have the bigger half," wrote Sandler. "But that's who you were." Will Morris the alligator appear in 'Happy Gilmore 2'? Morris was a big alligator star in his day, appearing in movies like "Interview with the Vampire," "Dr. Doolittle 2" and "Blues Brothers 2000," and beating out other leading reptiles to play the rogue killer in 1980's "Alligator" and its 1991 sequel, "Alligator II: The Mutation." After an unforgettable "Happy Gilmore" performance, Morris will not appear in "Happy Gilmore 2." "The decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel," Sandler wrote. "I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Vaya con dios, old friend."
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The alligator from 'Happy Gilmore' has died; Adam Sandler offered tribute
The alligator from 'Happy Gilmore' has died; Adam Sandler offered tribute With the PGA Championship taking center stage in the golf world this week, the focus is on winning the Wanamaker Trophy, and not a gold jacket. But one of the stars of the classic golf movie "Happy Gilmore" died recently, which led to Adam Sandler paying tribute this week with a social media post in his honor. The Colorado Gators Reptile Park, an exotic animal sanctuary, confirmed the news of the retired movie star's death on Facebook, writing that they were "sad to report the passing away of our oldest alligator, Morris." Morris played a prominent role in the 1996 classic. Sandler, who co-wrote the movie, wrote the following on Instagram: "Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers - really anyone with arms or legs - but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn't come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that's who you were." More: Happy Gilmore: Here are 4 things you might not know about the movie Morris appeared in a variety of other films and television shows from 1975 to 2006, including "Dr. Dolittle 2," "Interview with the Vampire," "Eraser," "Night Court" and "Blues Brothers 2000," before retiring to the reptile park. He also made a cameo appearance with Steve Irwin on "The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno." "While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age," the sanctuary wrote in a May 11 Facebook post. "RIP Morris." Jay Young, who runs the Colorado Gator Farm, told USA TODAY that he noticed something was wrong when he brought him food and he didn't eat it. More: Adam Sandler's golf movie 'Happy Gilmore 2' finally has an official release date "I thought, 'Well, maybe, he's just not hungry. He ate too much the other day,'" Young said. "Two weeks ago, he was trying to eat dogs and kids through the fence. He was fine a couple weeks ago." Young stepped into his closure to check on him and when Morris didn't attack him, which was not like him at all, he attempted to force-feed him. But Morris swam toward the other side of the pond and spit it up. "A lot of the times, it's like, 'Oh, we could have done this differently or sooner.' In this case, I don't think there's anything we could have done differently," Young said. "It's said, but it's not as tragic." The Colorado Gator Farm revealed May 12 that Morris would be taxidermied "so that he can continue to scare children for years to come." USA TODAY reporter Amaris Encinas contributed to this report.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'I will miss your infectious laugh': Adam Sandler pays tribute to late Happy Gilmore co-star
Adam Sandler has paid a lighthearted tribute to his 'Happy Gilmore' co-star Morris the alligator. The reptile - whose role in the 1996 comedy saw him almost sabotage the Tour Championship chances of Adam's titular character - passed away on Sunday (11.05.25), the Colorado Gator Farm announced and now the 58-year-old actor has joked he will miss his co-star's "infectious laugh" and "cold, bumpy skin". He wrote on Instagram: "Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. "You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers — really anyone with arms or legs — but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film... "I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend." And Adam joked he had learned a "powerful" lesson from Morris. He quipped: "The day you wouldn't come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. "I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that's who you were." Adam noted there had been no plans for Morris to appear in the upcoming 'Happy Gilmore' sequel due to his demise in the original movie, but quipped he was grateful the reptile had sent some well-wishes. He wrote: "I know your character's decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note." Morris retired to the Colorado Gator Farm in 2006 after more than 30 years working in showbiz. The facility noted the alligator's "exact age was unknown". They added: "But he was 9 feet long in 1975 and by his growth rate and tooth loss, we can estimate his age at over 80 years. While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age. RIP Morris." Jay Young, who owns and runs the facility, cradled Morris in his arms in a video which accompanied the news of his death on Facebook. He noted the creature had "started acting strange about a week ago, he wasn't lunging at us and wasn't taking food." He tearfully noted it may be "strange to people that we get so attached to an alligator," but he was glad that Morris "had a happy time here and he died of old age." Morris' other notable film credits included appearances in 'Interview with the Vampire', 'Dr. Doolittle 2', and 'Blues Brothers 2000', as well as starring roles as the killer creature in 1980's 'Alligator' and sequel 'Alligator II: The Mutation'.
