The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan
D'Artagnan, a spirited young Gascon, is left for dead after trying to save a noblewoman from being kidnapped. Once in Paris, he tries by all means to find his attackers, unaware that his quest will lead him to the very heart of a war where the future of France is at stake. Aided by King's Musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis, he faces the machinations of villainous Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter, while falling in love with Constance, the Queen's confidante.
Working with a respectable budget of $27.5M, the film achieved a modest success with $31.8M in global revenue (+16% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan (2023) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Martin Bourboulon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Young D'Artagnan in Gascony, a skilled swordsman dreaming of joining the King's Musketeers. His father gives him his blessing and a letter of introduction to Monsieur de Tréville.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and immediately challenges three of the King's Musketeers (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis) to duels after a series of accidental insults, putting his dream in jeopardy.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to D'Artagnan actively chooses to help the Musketeers protect Queen Anne's honor by retrieving her diamond studs from the Duke of Buckingham in London, fully entering the dangerous world of court intrigue., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: D'Artagnan and the Musketeers successfully retrieve the diamond studs from Buckingham. They believe they've won, but Milady de Winter's deeper conspiracy is revealed. The stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Constance is captured by Milady and the Cardinal's forces. D'Artagnan's attempt to be a hero has put the woman he loves in mortal danger. The mission's success feels hollow as personal cost becomes clear., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. D'Artagnan synthesizes the Musketeers' code with his own courage. He realizes that "all for one, one for all" means sacrificing individual glory for collective good. He commits fully to the brotherhood and the plan to save both Queen and Constance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan against these established plot points, we can identify how Martin Bourboulon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan within the adventure genre.
Martin Bourboulon's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Martin Bourboulon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Martin Bourboulon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Martin Bourboulon analyses, see The Three Musketeers: Milady, Eiffel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young D'Artagnan in Gascony, a skilled swordsman dreaming of joining the King's Musketeers. His father gives him his blessing and a letter of introduction to Monsieur de Tréville.
Theme
D'Artagnan's father tells him: "All for one, and one for all" - the code of the Musketeers. True honor comes from loyalty and brotherhood, not individual glory.
Worldbuilding
D'Artagnan travels to Paris. Establishment of 1620s France under Louis XIII, the political intrigue of Cardinal Richelieu, and the Musketeers' diminished status. D'Artagnan is robbed of his letter of introduction.
Disruption
D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and immediately challenges three of the King's Musketeers (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis) to duels after a series of accidental insults, putting his dream in jeopardy.
Resistance
The duels are interrupted by Cardinal's guards. D'Artagnan fights alongside the Musketeers, proving his worth. He meets Tréville and begins to understand the political machinations threatening France. Introduction to Milady de Winter and Constance Bonacieux.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
D'Artagnan actively chooses to help the Musketeers protect Queen Anne's honor by retrieving her diamond studs from the Duke of Buckingham in London, fully entering the dangerous world of court intrigue.
Mirror World
D'Artagnan's growing connection with Constance Bonacieux deepens. She represents the theme of loyalty and trust, teaching him that honor is about protecting others, not personal glory.
Premise
The mission to England unfolds. Swashbuckling adventure as D'Artagnan and the Musketeers face assassins, cross the Channel, and navigate English politics. The promise of the premise: sword fights, camaraderie, and adventure.
Midpoint
False victory: D'Artagnan and the Musketeers successfully retrieve the diamond studs from Buckingham. They believe they've won, but Milady de Winter's deeper conspiracy is revealed. The stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
The return to France becomes treacherous. Milady's schemes intensify. Cardinal Richelieu's agents close in. D'Artagnan's inexperience and impulsiveness create complications. The brotherhood is tested.
Collapse
Constance is captured by Milady and the Cardinal's forces. D'Artagnan's attempt to be a hero has put the woman he loves in mortal danger. The mission's success feels hollow as personal cost becomes clear.
Crisis
D'Artagnan grapples with his failure to protect Constance. The Musketeers console him but the weight of responsibility settles. He must choose between personal desire and the greater mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
D'Artagnan synthesizes the Musketeers' code with his own courage. He realizes that "all for one, one for all" means sacrificing individual glory for collective good. He commits fully to the brotherhood and the plan to save both Queen and Constance.
Synthesis
The finale at the royal ball. D'Artagnan and the Musketeers execute their plan, exposing the Cardinal's plot while protecting the Queen. Final confrontations with enemies, sword fights, and political maneuvering culminate in victory.
Transformation
D'Artagnan is now a true Musketeer in spirit, having earned the respect of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. However, Constance's fate remains uncertain and Milady escapes, setting up Part 2. Growth achieved but journey incomplete.