The Musketeers
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Swashbuckler spikes a classic novel with sex and violence.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Musketeers
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Greatly surprised...
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
Adapted from Alexandre Dumas' classic novel, THE MUSKETEERS centers on the fearsome foursome that comes together when young fighter D'Artagnan (Luke Pasqualino) (Tom Burke), Aramis (Howard Charles). When King Louis XIII (Ryan Gage) orders Athos' execution over a matter of mistaken identity, it's up to D'Artagnan, Aramis, and Porthos to set him him free. Meanwhile, the king's closest adviser, Cardinal Richelau (Peter Capaldi), plots his own dark plans to seize power.
Is It Any Good?
Dumas purists -- an admittedly small number -- probably won't like that The Musketeers takes serious liberties with its source material. But even viewers who are just now meeting the French writer's iconic foursome will have some difficulties with this uneven BBC adaptation that begins with an overly complicated backstory and fails to fully make up for it with compelling characters and must-see action. Although older teens can handle the content, parents are a much more likely sell. In the end, though, they might not be willing to invest the time.
Equally disappointing is the series' reliance on sexual subplots, seemingly designed to give the women something to do. For even the most promising female character -- a cloth merchant's feisty wife (Tamla Kari) -- winds up dressing as a prostitute and baring her cleavage to help the "boys" get through security. The thing is, these women do have power, but it's largely of the sexual kind, which may not be the best message if you're shopping for positive female role models.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Musketeers differs from Dumas' The Three Musketeers and which elements have generally stayed the same. How important is it to honor the classics when refashioning them for modern audiences? What are the risks of taking liberties with well-established plots and characters?
To what degree does The Musketeers use sex and violence to draw in viewers? How differently might the miniseries be if it had been produced for American television rather than the BBC?
What role do women play in The Musketeers' take on 17th-century Paris? Are they generally strong role models or weak ones, and in what ways? Is the show's portrayal of women historically accurate?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 19, 2014
- Cast: Peter Capaldi, Luke Pasqualino, Tom Burke
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, History
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: April 2, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate