So we have a pretty good list of movies and books going, but for me it's all about the characters. I love creating their back story, describing their look, & planning out their attitudes. I would like to know your favorite swashbuckling character AND which version? What about that particular character drew you to them?
For me it's Porthos from the 1973 Richard Lester masterpiece: The Three Musketeers. Frank Finley played the boisterous bruiser to near perfection. The only way Porthos could be better is if he were played by BRIAN BLESSED himself.
I really like the count of Monte Cristo, and my favorite version would be Gérard Depardieu's (mini series). He really plays the count like a master of intrigue. So he's not that much of a swashbuckler, but he's hard to beat when it comes to playing games of deception and manipulation. Some of the schemes he pulls to get his revenge are incredibly twisted.
For more a more action oriented hero, I would have to go with Zorro as played by Guy Williams in 1957. Clever, mischevious and the best swordsman in the land! He was awesome.
Very cool. Gérard Depardieu alway seems to score well in swashbuckling genre.
Speaking of Gérard Depardieu I love him in Cyrano de Bergerac: Action, Love, Poetry and Humor. All at once. That´s 7th sea!!
Vatel is another Gérard Depardieu film that could go on the list -- 1671 France fits right in to Montaigne. Hard to go wrong with Tim Roth, too.
Morgan Wolfe
aka Capt. Doña Sir Kestrel of Avalon http://silver-gateway.com/7sea/
I have two beloved characters:
-Cyrano de Bergerac. I love Depardieu.
-Captain Alatriste. Best in books than in film, altough I think Viggo Mortensen played very well the character. Maybe a little dark, more like the true spanish XVII century than an Flynn's movie.
"It wasn't the most honest and the most pious man, but he was a brave man".
French officer: "Messieurs, the Duke of Anguien offers you an honorable surrender, you can keep your colours and march in formation... what do you say?
Diego Alatriste: "Tell the Duke that we appreciate his words but this is a Spanish Tercio".
I could list any number of characters that inspire me. The Van Heflin version of Athos, the Dumas Porthos death scene which reads like King Kong, etc.
But I have to admit, when it comes to 7th sea, it's Inigo Montoya. I swiped the accent and everything.