Was anyone as upset by the death of Raquel Welch's character, Constance, as I was? I couldn't believe it when Milady strangled her with those rosary beads. I did not see that coming at all. The character was so likeable I just didn't imagine that she would be killed off.
share Yes, I remember being rather shocked with Constance's death when I first saw "Four Musketeers" in a now long-closed theater in State College, Pa. Not only was she pretty, but very endearing in her pratfalls. It makes the climatic sword fight between the aggrieved d'Artagnan and Rochefort all the more blood-curdling.
"Quit whining. I evaded your vital organs." --Motoko Aoyama
I knew she was going to die from reading the book, although in the book it was from poisoned tea or something. I would have liked that better in the film as well, it would have made a longer and more ominous scene - as it is we don't really get to digest that Constance actually dies.
The beads don't make her look very dignified either...almost as if the filmmakers wanted this to be a comical moment too, since Constance is a "comic relief" in these movies...
[deleted]
Milady was a real wicked witch.
shareI am glad to say, I saw this film before reading the book, so constance death was a great shock and a beautifully dark twist, as one assumes (unless you know) that the Musketeers wil recue her, masterstroke!
shareI was. Then again I saw the films before reading the book. Everytime I watch this film I keep hoping York and his crew will bust in an save Welch from Dunaway.
shareAt least she left behind a good looking corpse (sick I know). But I kinda of found it pointless and very disappointing, but at least Milady got was coming to her.
share[deleted]
It's also the idea of strangling someone with a rosary. Someone who could do that is capable of -anything.-
shareIt's also the idea of strangling someone with a rosary. Someone who could do that is capable of -anything.-
I was more upset with the beheading of Lady De Winter. Partly beacuse I had a crush on her, and partly because I think it's bad manners to go around and behead people. Not very gentleman-like. I always hoped she would get a way at the end, even though I had read the novel and seen the film so many times.
Constance was sweet and her death gave a great touch of sadness, but Milady is a more interesting character.
In the book, I remember it having been quite chilly and tragic, yes, but in the film not so much as the generally comedic tone of the picture - which I have otherwise no problems with cuz it´s pretty cool and funny; it´s a major departure from the source material, but at least done well as such by Lester - pretty much overrode it.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
We're talking about FOUR, which is the darker, more serious film. If one notices, no one dies in THREE, only getting wounded. With FOUR, the fights become more serious with the loser getting killed. Milady and Constance's fights, a comedy in THREE, is deadly in FOUR.
The use of the rosary as a murder weapon emphasizes Lester's attitude to the church. Aramis uses a sign of the cross to trick and kill a guard. Milady dresses up as a nun. D'Artagnan skewers Rochefort AND a Bible.
>>Btw, anyone notice the little piece of music as d'Artagnan leaves Constance's body to go find Rochefort? Love that detail, especially as the film doesn't otherwise spend much time on her death. <<
Yes! I just saw this again last night, and that was a standout scene in this great movie.
I was shocked! I don't quite remember when i first saw this film but i do remember it was New Years Eve and i was wearing tight fitting green corduroy, so that should tell you something. Basically i was a kid, and because it was NYE i was allowed to stay up late, which is why i had never seen anything so terrible. Fortunately we had yet to set off the fireworks and we had very good company, otherwise it would have ruined my whole evening...!
shareI didn't like the death of Constance either - even when keeping in mind that she died in the original book. The film is such an action comedy that Constance's death just feels out of place with the more light-hearted tone of the film.
share