There is a glimmer of hope with the upcoming Australian release of its sequel in June, The Three Musketeers: Milady, which may shed some light on the lacklustre narrative decisions in Part One, but as it stands D’Artagnan’s best is too fleeting, and settles itself far into the saturated market of generic blockbusters.

Vicky Krieps delivers her most achingly beautiful performance yet, as Empress Elizabeth of Austria, a figure endowed with all the spirit and boundless curiosity of woman, yet forced to undermine and erase herself amongst a culture, time and country that has little use for such traits in women.