The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan, the adventure film by Martin Bourboulon adapted from the famed novel by Alexandre Dumas, airs on M6 on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 9:10 p.m.. Released in cinemas on April 5, 2023, this first installment of the diptych is followed by The Three Musketeers – Milady, its sequel released the same year.
The Three Musketeers - D'Artagnan
Film | 2023
Airing on M6 : Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Adventure, historical film | TV runtime: 2h20
Directed by Martin Bourboulon | Starring François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmaï, Eva Green, Louis Garrel, Vicky Krieps and Lyna Khoudri
Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas
In this new take on The Three Musketeers, the film assembles a wide French and European cast. François Civil plays D'Artagnan, Vincent Cassel is Athos, Romain Duris is Aramis, and Pio Marmaï is Porthos. As for Eva Green, she embodies Milady. Louis Garrel and Lyna Khoudri, among others, complete the lineup.
The screenplays for both films are by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, the duo behind the plays Le Prénom and Par le bout du nez. The pair had previously teamed up with Martin Bourboulon on the comedies Papa ou Maman and Papa ou Maman 2.
The two installments were entirely shot in France, with an announced total budget of 60 million euros. This ambition brings the duology closer to the projets à grand spectacle pursued by French cinema in recent years.
Our take on The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan
Here’s a film that will change how audiences view the French blockbuster hero—blockbuster you can actually root for. This first chapter in the Musketeers’ adventures nails its objective: delivering a high-quality, grand-scale action spectacle. Martin Bourboulon’s feature is impressive. You can feel the big budget everywhere—from the sets and costumes to the density of the story being told.
The premise is familiar to most: D'Artagnan, a provincial kid who arrives in Paris aiming to become a musketeer. His cheeky spirit quick earns him attention, but when he ruffles the feathers of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the city’s most formidable musketeers, the small team finds itself at the heart of a massive plot against the king of France.
But that’s not all! The subplots pile up—so many that one could argue a TV series might suit the material better, as the escapades unfold at a rapid pace. Still, the whole thing holds together surprisingly well, largely thanks to its cast. François Civil carries the title role, but it’s Pio Marmaï who shines as Porthos, and Lyna Khoudri once again proves her talent. Only Louis Garrel stumbles somewhat in the part of King Louis XIII, delivering a diction and cadence that momentarily pull you out of the film.
Fortunately, the flaws are few, and above all, the action sequences—the film’s pivotal draw—land with conviction. Filmed at human scale, with a slight low-angle perspective and often presented as (pseudo) single takes, the strikes feel strikingly authentic, and the combat style starkly contrasts what you usually see in U.S. blockbusters. The The Three Musketeers isn’t perfect, but it’s hard to deny its ambition to reinvent action cinema, its immeasurable generosity, and its commitment to authentic staging that makes the battles thrilling.
To dive further in, also check out our picks of films, series and programs to watch on TV this week, our guide to releases across all platforms, and today's pick of what to stream.
