The Three Musketeers (1993)

Tim Curry: Cardinal Richelieu

Photos 

Quotes 

• Cardinal Richelieu : A word of caution, milady. A snap of my fingers, and you could be back on the block where I found you.

  Milady : And with a flick of my wrist, I could change your religion.

  Cardinal Richelieu : You're very persuasive.

• Cardinal Richelieu : All for one. And more for me.

• Aramis : Leaving so soon?

  Cardinal Richelieu : Oh you know, I abhor bloodshed

  Aramis : Especially your own.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Stand aside.

  Aramis : You are under arrest, charged with treason.

  Cardinal Richelieu : You of all people should know that the Cardinal does not answer to the laws of men.

  Aramis : Then you'll answer to God.

  Cardinal Richelieu : [shoots Aramis]  You first.

• King Louis : You've failed.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Oh, you're so naive. Things couldn't be more perfect if I planned them myself. The King of France dies at the hands of his own personal guard. Grief stricken, terrified, the hudled masses turn for comfort to their devout spiritual leader who, ever so humbly, assumes the throne. With the Queen by his side.

  Queen Anne : I would rather die!

  Cardinal Richelieu : That can be arranged!

• D'Artagnan : WAIT!

  Cardinal Richelieu : You object to losing your head?

  D'Artagnan : Yes, I like it where it is!

  Cardinal Richelieu : Then tell me what I want to know, and maybe you will keep it a while longer!

  D'Artagnan : I don't know where they are.

  Cardinal Richelieu : And if you did?

  D'Artagnan : I wouldn't tell you...

  Cardinal Richelieu : I admire your courage, D'Artagnan. You might have made a great musketeer. But now we'll never know - will we?

• Athos : Richelieu!

  Cardinal Richelieu : You're too late, Musketeers! By now the Duke of Buckingham's signature is next to mine! The alliance is complete!

  Athos : That would be difficult, considering the treaty never left France!

  [pause] 

  Cardinal Richelieu : A minor problem!

• Cardinal Richelieu : One thousand gold pieces on each of their heads, dead or alive!

  [pause] 

  Cardinal Richelieu : I prefer dead!

• Cardinal Richelieu : Tell me, D'Artagnan. What noble business brings you here?

  D'Artagnan : I came to join the King's Musketeers.

  Cardinal Richelieu : [slyly]  Bad timing.

  D'Artagnan : So I've heard.

• Cardinal Richelieu : [speaking of Milady DeWinter]  A truly remarkable woman. The most beautiful I have ever known. And the deadliest... which would explain my attraction.

• Cardinal Richelieu : Milady De Winter. Your beauty would make even the most chaste of men think of... impurity.

  Milady : I don't believe you suffer the burden of chastity.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Perhaps you're right.

  Milady : I was making an observation not an offer.

• [the Queen is alone, contemplating a map of the world] 

  Cardinal Richelieu : Homesick?

  Queen Anne : Cardinal Richelieu. You surprised me.

  Cardinal Richelieu : I often have that effect on people. I can't imagine why, I'm really a very gentle person. You seem a little unhappy in your new home.

  Queen Anne : Lonely. Is that the same thing?

  Cardinal Richelieu : Austria's loss is France's gain.

  Queen Anne : I'm not sure the King shares your opinion. We've barely spoken since our wedding day. Whenever we're together he seems so... uncertain.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Arranged marriages can be difficult. Your father and I thought yours would bring Austria and France closer together.

  Queen Anne : Well countries align more swiftly than people, I'm afraid.

  Cardinal Richelieu : What a pity. Love is, I think... wasted on the young.

• Cardinal Richelieu : He is becoming as troublesome as his father.

  Rochefort : He is a foolish boy and barely that.

  Cardinal Richelieu : That foolish boy is about to become a man which is all the more reason for us to act quickly. Have our loose ends

  [the three musketeers] 

  Cardinal Richelieu : been tied up?

  Rochefort : Two patrols have been sent.

  Cardinal Richelieu : I trust, Captain Rochefort, that you are doing everything in your power to rid us of these rebels. Don't let having only one eye impair your vision. The loss of the other could be most... inconvenient.

• Cardinal Richelieu : Remember, Kings come and Kings go but one thing remains the same. And that is me.

• King Louis : Your Eminence, I have heard some troubling rumors about you.

  Cardinal Richelieu : There are so many to choose from.

  King Louis : Betrayal.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Ah, yes. That is usually the first. Let me see if I remember it correctly. While the English attack from without, the wicked Cardinal undermines from within, forging a secret alliance with Buckingham and placing himself on the throne. But really, Your Majesty, why stop there. I have heard much more festive variations. I make oaths with pagan gods, seduce the queen in her own chamber, teach pigs to dance and horses to fly, and keep the moon carefully hidden within the folds of my robe. Have I forgotten anything?

  King Louis : It does seem rather farfetched.

  Cardinal Richelieu : Sire, if there are any doubts about my loyalty, they will be laid to rest when we appear together to celebrate your birthday.

• Cardinal Richelieu : [hears the scream of a prisoner being run through]  One less mouth to feed.

• Cardinal Richelieu : All for one... and more for me.