Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas...

In 1638, Queen Anne of d'Autrich gave birth to the long-awaited heir to the throne of France, but unbeknownst to all but those present, a second boy.....a twin.....was born.

Twenty-two years later, Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) is on the throne, wielding with an iron hand his absolute power over a people ravaged by war and hungry not only for peace...but LITERALLY hungry from lack of food supplies.

Of the Musketeers who had loyally served his father, only one has remained at his side--d'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne), the legendary and much respected Captain of the Royal Guard. His three old comrades.....Aramis (Jeremy Irons..who incidentally also narrates the story), Athos (John Malchovich) and Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) have long since taken to civilian life. Aramis, who chose the priesthood, is asked by Louis, amid preparations for an illtimed lavish party (during rioting in the streets by hte starving common people) to be held in the Royal Gardens, to discover the identity of the General of the Jesuits, who has openly disapproved of Louis. He asks him to "Bring me back his head"!

Aramis accepts this mission (seemingly). Meanwhile at the party, Christine, (Judith Godreche) the fiancee of Athos' son Raoul, is seen by Louis who instantly tries to persue her. Whe Athos learns of this, his resentment for Louis grows, despite a promise given to him by D'Artagnan that he would protect his son.

After Rauol, who is conveniently sent to the battlefield by Louis, meets a predictable demise on the frontline, Athos swears to avenge his son's death and kill the tyrant King!

He contacts his old Musketeer friends to elicit their help. Aramis devises a plan to switch the King with a mysterious masked prisoner, who has been languishing in a squalid cell, desperate and unaware of the coming events that will change his fate forever. They are both joined in this adventure by Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) who is longing for the "good old days" and is thirsty for a distraction!