Albert the Fifth Musketeer
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation |
| Founded | 1994 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Animated television series |
Albert the Fifth Musketeer is an animated television series produced through a collaboration between British, French, Canadian, American, Chinese, and German studios. The show draws inspiration from Alexandre Dumas's 1844 novel The Three Musketeers. This joint venture involves France Animation, Ravensburger, and Cinar, created for broadcasters including CBBC, France 3, and Canal+, alongside partners such as PolyGram Video, Animation Services Hong Kong Limited, and Koroness Filmproduktion GmbH.
Plot
The narrative centers on Albert ( ) de Parmagnan, a newly appointed musketeer distinguished by his sharp intellect and creative problem-solving abilities, which sharply contrast with the clumsy nature of the other four musketeers. The storyline is set after the Siege of La Rochelle, following D'Artagnan’s induction into the Musketeers but prior to the demise of Milady de Winter. Throughout the series, they engage in various escapades to thwart Cardinal Richelieu’s guards and disrupt his plans aimed at seizing control over France.
Comprising 26 episodes originally aired in 1994, the series was subsequently dubbed into multiple languages including English, Dutch, Swedish, French, and Russian. It reached audiences worldwide across territories such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, United States, South Africa, Malaysia, Canada, Greece, Australia, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Hong Kong, France, and Russia.
Cast
With the exception of Albert (voiced by Jimmy Hibbert), the characters embody exaggerated versions of their traditional roles as depicted in the original Musketeers literature and cinematic adaptations:
- D'Artagnan – portrayed as impulsive and brash; self-appointed leader of the Musketeers. Voice provided by Andy Turvey.
- Athos – generally taciturn and known for performing actions in reverse order, including horseback riding. Voiced by Jimmy Hibbert.
- Porthos – characterized by his large stature and constant preoccupation with food. Voice actor: Christian Rodska.
- Aramis – depicted as a charming flirt and poet. Voiced by Mike Drew.
- M. de Tréville – serves as captain of the King’s Musketeers. Voiced by Christian Rodska.
- King Louis XIII – shown as immature and easily influenced monarch of France. Voiced by Jimmy Hibbert.
- Anne of Austria – the King's spouse; portrayed as scatterbrained with a French accent; she confides in Albert. Voiced by Shireen Shah.
- Cardinal Richelieu – Prime Minister plotting to destabilize the King’s authority; commands guards against the Musketeers. Voiced by Mike Drew.
- M'Lady – Richelieu’s sly aide marked by a fleur de lis tattoo that amusingly transforms into a quacking duck. Voiced by Susan Sheridan.
- The Duke of Buckingham – Queen Anne’s infatuated suitor. Voice actor: Dick Cadbury.
Episodes
- The King's New Shoes
- Her Majesty's Gorilla
- The Gold Coach
- The King's Complex
- Food for a King
- The Identikit Picture
- Anatole's Treasure
- Patchouli for the Queen
- The King of Thieves
- The Spy
- The Cocoa Mission
- The Queen's Nanny
- Her Majesty's Garden
- Wig Business
- The King's Jester
- The Duke's Tunes
- The Count of Quicostro
- The Return of the Queen Mother
- The Pillow Caper
- The Musketeer Day
- Ghost You Said?
- The Ambassador
- The Queen's Tortoises
- Mauricette Crouton
- Strawberries for the King
- A Dukelike Imposter