An Invitation to remember

Brian Johnston interviews Christopher Lee. From 1989. Love that moustache! Lots of talk of his different parts - clips from Wicker man. Lee speaks of when he met Rasputins murderers, his part in the Three Musketeers etc.

And he talks of playing Mycroft Holmes. "I am the only actor in history who has played both Holmes brothers, both Sherlock and Mycroft."

Nice to watch!

The Four Musketeers

I hadn't seen The Four Musketeers (1974) before. Just some clips on You Tube, and from those came to the conclusion that I *had* to have this film. If not for anything else, so for the fencing scenes.

To be honest, the story is wearing a bit thin - but who cares? It is funny, there is action, and a string of absolutely marvellous actors and actresses.

And above all: There are scenes with men who can fight without any digital effects what so ever. Sir Christopher is the a perfect schemer with his eyepatch and Faye Dunaway by his side. They make a great couple. The budoir scene with a bleeding Rochefort make me rewind the film and watch again. And again.

The film is on the border of beeing too much of slapstick. But that is OK, I guess. After all, it is adventure and not serious drama. That scene with Michael York and Sir Christopher out fencing on the slippery ice is make me laugh out loud. They are both really struggling to maintain dignity - all in vain.

The last scenes, the reasons why I bought this film in the first place, are impressive. D'Atagnagne and Rochefort are growling and panting just as they are running a Marathon. Exhausted, they wobble around each other and of shere tiredness, start making mistakes, lowering the guard.

(Here, Sir Christopher teaches you to fight properly with such a sword. "It's a leathal killing weapon! And it is extremely heavy!" Got to love that man.)

Soo pleased to finally have seen this film. I think I ought to write a special post on all Sir Christophers deaths on screen. We sure have seen a lot of them. I just wish he could live - for once. Here is more on the musketeers.

How to fight with a proper sword

Do you know how to fence? No? Well, Lee does. Three minutes of demonstrating how to handle a sword from the 17th century. We are talking pro here. Must be great to have that kind of reach to your long arms! :-) From the documentary The Many Faces of Christopher Lee.

Here is more on The Musketeers.

Beware of advert about 30 sec. before start of video.

The Musketeers

The Three Musketeers is probably the first movie I ever saw, starring Lee. Could have been about 10.

One of the best fighting scenes is, however from the sequel, The Four Musketeers. It is so damn good. Nowadays they all fly around and run on walls. These two man quite simply fences for their lives! Michael York and Lee meet in this absolute brilliant fencing scene. And there are no stunt doubles in this one, as Christopher Lee seldom has had that. (Sorry, can't upload it from You Tube for some reason, you'll have to go via the link.)

Another scene from The Four Musketeers, which shows Lee's great sense of humor. Rochefort is to be executed. After tedious procedures of loading the muskets, the soldiers miss him when they shot.
 The guard screems: "Rrreeelllooooaddd!!" And Lee just raises his eyebrow. "Why bother? I may die of old age!" A wonderful example of his ability to deliver lines with a dry exactness which makes it so fabulous.

However, this clip below is from The Three Musketeers, the fist encounter between Rochefort and D'Artagnan. "Unless is it a cheese with legs?"