The second part of Richard Lester’s hugely successful adaptation of the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Four Musketeers was actually shot at the same time as the first film, the original intention being to release it as one long film with an interval. The producers were so happy with the footage that they felt it would work in two parts (as Dumas had original divided the story) and so split the releases. However the actors’ contracts had only been for one film and the subsequent court decision in their favour resulted in the so-called Salkind clause (named after the producers), which states that you can’t make two films for the price of one!

With D’Artagnan (Michael York) now officially enrolled in the King’s service, his army besieges the rebels at La Rochelle and Cardinal Richelieu (Charlton Heston) is determined to prevent any meddling by the English before the city falls. He dispatches Milady de Winter (Faye Dunaway) to London with orders to assassinate Buckingham (Simon Ward) If necessary. But she has a price — carte blanche to dispose of D’Artagnan and Bonacieux as she sees fit. Our heroes, in between dodging musket balls at La Rochelle, must once again outwit the Cardinal’s henchmen to save the day. But this time the stakes are higher… And tragedy is in the offing.

The film was received as enthusiastically as its predecessor and garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design – marking the first time that a sequel received a nomination when its predecessor was overlooked.